MLB Rumors: Baltimore Orioles sign Yovani Gallardo

Orioles add to rotation with Yovani Gallardo

If the Baltimore Orioles are going to be contending in the AL East, they needed someone in the rotation who can eat some innings. After losing Wei-Yin Chen to the Marlins in free agency, they added that presence.

Per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, the Orioles have finally reached agreement with right-handed pitcher Yovani Gallardo on a three-year deal worth $35 million and an option for a fourth season.

Gallardo went 13-11 last season with the Texas Rangers, posting a 3.42 ERA, but a 4.00 FIP. He has seen his strikeout rate drop from 2012 where it was nine to a career-low 5.91 last season.

His fastball only averages 90 MPH per Fangraphs and his changeup is 84 MPH. Not a big difference. 

Gallardo will eat innings for the Orioles, as he’s thrown more than 180 innings in every year of his big league career.  He keeps the ball down, producing a 49 percent groundball rate. He goes from a hitter’s park in Texas to another in Baltimore and keeping the ball down will be key for him.

The Orioles have spent a lot of money this off-season, keeping Chris Davis, Matt Wieters and Darren O’day in the bullpen.

Gallardo will cost the Orioles the 14th pick in the draft and they may not be done adding pieces. They are rumored to be looking at adding Dexter Fowler for the outfield which would cost them the 29th pick in the upcoming draft.

The AL East is wide open, and adding an arm like Gallardo should help stabilize the Orioles rotation.