In the latest bit of “O’s signing a guy you’ve never heard of” news, the team has picked up reliever Ryan Webb, per Jonah Keri. The two-year deal is worth a reported $4.5 million.
Unlike some of the usual O’s signings, if you haven’t heard of Webb, it’s not necessarily because he’s not any good, but more because he’s spent most of his career stuck in South Florida playing for the Marlins.
Webb, 27, broke into the majors with the San Diego Padres in 2009, and appeared in 82 games for them over two seasons, all as a reliever. In Florida/Miami, he appeared in 53, 65, and 66 games over the past three seasons, pitching 50.2, 60.1, and 80.1 innings, respectively.
For his career, he has a 3.29 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 276.0 innings pitched.
He’s never recorded a save in his major league career, but the guess here is that the Birds give him a shot to win the closer job in 2014. He’s allowed just 0.4 home runs per nine innings in the majors, which instantly makes him a more appealing candidate than Tommy “Goes Boom” Hunter (1.5 HR/9 career, 1.1 in 2013).
While many O’s fans were hopeful for John Axford, that ship may have just sailed…
If you’re on Twitter, follow Webb at @RyanWebb58.
Updated: Interestingly enough, Keri tweeted this the other day:
A’s acquired Jim Johnson, who might make ~$10M in arb. Marlins non-tendered Ryan Webb, nearly identical skillset, rather than pay him ~$1.5M
— Jonah Keri (@jonahkeri) December 3, 2013
