Free agent starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo could sign a contract with a team at baseball's Winter Meetings this week, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
Bronson Arroyo free agency: Deal could be signed at Winter Meetings
Arroyo has had several teams interested in him this offseason and could sign a deal very soon.
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Sherman lists the Twins and Reds as two top teams chasing Arroyo. The right-hander has spent the eight years in Cincinnati, but was not expected to re-sign with the team. In fact, there had been little news of the Reds keeping in touch with Arroyo as they appeared to be content to move forward with Tony Cingrani entering the rotation.
Arroyo said at the beginning of the offseason that he did not foresee the Reds being willing to offer the kind of contract for which he was seeking. However, there have been small rumors popping up in recent months about Cincinnati being open to trading Homer Bailey. If something materializes there, the team may want Arroyo back to fill the hole he would leave in the rotation. The Reds figure to once again compete for a playoff spot in 2014.
The Twins entered the offseason with the goal of signing two starting pitchers to shore up their staff. They have already done just that by bringing aboard Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes. However, one can hardly blame Minnesota for chasing a third starter when their rotation finished dead last in the major leagues in ERA last season. They have been tied to Arroyo all season long and there has almost been an air of inevitability to him signing in Minnesota.
Arroyo, 36, has been one of the most durable and consistent starters in the major leagues over his career. He has maintained an ERA between 3.74-3.88 for four of the last five seasons and has tossed at least 199 innings each of the last nine years. He does not strike many batters out, but he has excellent control and does not give up many walks.
Arroyo is expected to receive a three year deal worth around $36 million.
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