Jayson Stark of ESPN.com reports that the Phillies have agreed to a minor league contract with free-agent pitcher Joel Pineiro, according to a major league source. The deal includes an invitation to the Phillies’ big league spring training camp.
Pineiro, 33, went 7-7 with a 5.13 ERA while dealing with shoulder tightness last season which required some time on the disabled list. The Phillies were looking have been looking for some insurance for their starting rotation and Pineiro will give them some depth behind Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton and Vance Worley.
The Washington Nationals announced that they have signed newly-acquired left-hander Gio Gonzalez to a reported five-year, $42 million dollar contract extension. The deal buys out all of Gio’s arbitration years plus one year of free agency and also includes options for 2017 and 2018.
Gonzalez, 26, was acquired from Oakland for top prospects Tommy Milone, Brad Peacock, Derek Norris and A.J. Cole. It was a good move for the Nats considering what they gave up for the promising young lefty. Last season, Gonzalez posted a 3.12 ERA in 32 starts for the A’s, striking out 197 batters in 202 innings.
