Photo credit: Kim Klement - USA Today Sports
The Orioles signed Felix Hernández, who was once a dominant pitcher, to a minor league contract for a reported $1 million on Wednesday.
Hernández has a lifetime record of 169-136 with a 3.42 ERA, all with the Seattle Mariners. He signed with the Atlanta Braves for the 2020 season and started the first Grapefruit League game of the season against the Orioles in North Port, Florida. However, he opted out the season because of Covid-19.
Hernández, who will turn 35 on April 8th, is a six-time All-Star. He won the American League Cy Young Award in 2010.
On August 15, 2012, he pitched a perfect game against Tampa. It was the 23rd and most recent perfect game in baseball history.
Hernández, who led the AL with 19 wins in 2009, led the league in ERA in 2010 and 2014.
His performance declined late in his 15-year career with the Mariners. In 2018, Hernández was 8-14 with a 5.55 ERA, and in 2019, he was 1-8 with a 6.40 ERA.
In his final year with Seattle, Hernández earned $27,858,000. Last season, he was due to make $1 million after signing a minor league contract with Atlanta.
The Orioles also announced the signing of left-hander Wade LeBlanc to a minor league contract, which had been reported on Tuesday night.
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Great move, as a flyer.
I hope he does well so we can move him for more prospects in September
Intriguing, been a while since he was King Felix, don’t mind him using the O’s to potentially get traded, older, don’t think he’d get much back as he wouldn’t have a ton of “future” starts, maybe the AngelO’s might need another...go O’s...
His decline started in 2015 and it has been steady since that time. I think the team will likely hang on to that million dollars.
Let’s go O’s. Elias with 2 veteran pitching signings in less than 24 hours. Might grab another before it’s all said and done. I’d trade the Cobb salary for these moves. Cobb can’t stay healthy. Granted Leblanc is coming off an injury himself but he’s much cheaper. Keep making the farm stronger and stronger. Don’t worry haters, us guys on the rebuild train will let you back on the bandwagon in 2023-24. You may have to sit in the nose bleeds but we’ll let you in the stadium no less.
That bar of yours obviously specializes in serving kool-aid.
I'm willing to wager a few duckets that Cobb's win total more than doubles LeBlanc's & the Kings combined total in 2021.
Agree with you Barstool I’m sure the King can help mentor the up and comers and maybe teach them a new pitch at the same time.
Agree with you Boog, orange kool-aid...go O’s...
My sentiments exactly.
I think a lot of people might criticize this move but I love it just for the fact that a proven, highly successful pitcher, in fact for a few years maybe the best pitcher in baseball, will be in camp and hopefully on the team to help mentor the stable of young arms. Nothing against our pitching coaches but I gotta believe the young pitchers will be thrilled to have him on the team. And if by chance he recaptures some of his old magic then even better yet.
Is Mel Brooks writing this script?
.
While we're at it .... Is Bartolo available? (seriously though, I'd kick those tires)
Mel Brooks is writing the script and it’s not just for baseball! I’d love to see Bartolo In an O’s cap.
Great signing! If he’s good or (possibly, not. Likely) really good they trade him at the deadline. He could also mentor some of the youngsters. He has been banged up, but there is some potential here.
Nolan Ryan is also available, while you’re at it bring back Moose too...go O’s...
Totally forgot, we just re-upped Palmer, get him in there too...go O’s...
Tom Seaver has as much a chance to contribute as the King.
perhaps Mikey finally got one right, lets hope, keep the faith
Bob Feller and Walter Johnson will be signed next. Who cares if they are dead. They were great once upon a time.
:)...go O’s...
What’s wrong with orange Koolaid?
Nothing that a 5th of vodka couldn't fix.
I thought Hernández was older than 35. Pitches like it anyway.
Not sure when they started getting honest birth certificates, maybe he is?...go O’s...
Way to go Orioles bringing some
washed up pictures