It isn't the signing that we were waiting for before Christmas, but it is a signing. The Mariners are signing to Jeremy Bonderman to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. As usual, Jack Z is trying to get value out of bringing a player back from injury as Bonderman is working on a comeback from elbow reconstruction surgery.
Remember Bartolo Colon?
Bonderman has never been an excellent pitcher and may not even makes sense for the Mariners but obviously the Mariners see some value.
As of right now, the team has all right handed starters and the only possibility of a left hander is Danny Hultzen if he makes the team out of camp this spring. Bonderman is another righty and hasn't pitched since 2010. He also hasn't had a winning season since 2007 when he was 11 and 9. Of course, wins and losses don't prove how good you are, we know that watching our own pitchers and the lack of offense that our team has provided over the years.
So, why Jeremy Bonderman? Honestly, I don't know. A quality pitcher that can eat some innings up possibly. Clearly not the answer to our pitching needs and clearly not the veteran guy that we were looking for. Bonderman has a career 4.89 ERA over 8 years and for those of you who don't like the ERA stat anymore, he had a negative 1.4 WAR in 2010 but does have a career 3.9 WAR. After surgery? Well, I think he'll bring value if he got new bionic parts in his elbow, otherwise, I think the Mariners are looking for gold in a fishtank.
It's only a minor league deal so there isn't anything to worry about at all, but I can't wait to hear about the WHY? when Jack Zduriencik has the press conference. OR, is there a press conference for a minor league signing. Either way, there will be questions because this just won't make sense to a lot of people.
Merry Christmas Mariner fans! Everything you ever wanted, a reconstructed right handed pitcher that could possibly work his way onto the Major League Roster... someday!
SodoJoe
