Free agent pitcher Brad Penny (32) and the Tigers have agreed on a one year, $3 million dollar contract where he could also earn another $3 million dollars in incentives. No word yet on if he has taken a physical to make this official. This was first reported by Buster Olney of ESPN.
It is expected that Brad Penny will compete with Armando Galarraga for the back end of the rotation that also includes Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello and Phil Coke.
Penny does come with some concerns.
After earning himself nine good starts in 2010, Penny ended up missing four months with a right shoulder strain. His career stats include a 3.23 ERA with 5.7 K/9, 1.5 BB/9 and a career high 52.8% ground ball rate.
The other concern surrounding Penny is he has spent almost his entire career in the National League with one stint in Boston where he was demoted to the bullpen and replaced in the rotation by veteran knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Furthermore he ended up posting a 5.61 ERA in 131 2/3 innings for Boston.
What works in this deal though is Penny will be able to provide insurance and depth for the back end of the Tigers rotation. He will also be pitching in a very pitcher friendly park at Comerica.
Source: ESPN
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