Amid the flurry of Major League Baseball transactions revolving around the league’s arbitration deadline, the Seattle Mariners took on a no-risk flyer that could pay off at the Major League level.
Tim Brown of Yahoo is reporting that the Mariners and left-hander Joe Beimel have agreed to a Minor League contract with an MLB Spring Training invite, and I love this deal for the M’s. Prior to the 2011 season, Beimel posted a sub-4.00 ERA in 6 straight seasons, and according to Brown, his velocity has returned to the peak form that he showed before going down with Tommy John Surgery in 2012.
If there’s a “downside” to the deal for Seattle, it is that Beimeil will be 37 years old by the end of April, but for a lefty option in the bullpen, his age is largely irrelevant. Beimel could be a highly effective middle-inning bullpen option if his velocity and movement are back to his pre-surgery levels, but if not, the Mariners will likely be able to recognize his shortcomings by the end of Spring Training, and simply end the relationship.
Seems like a win-win to me.