Diamondbacks Sign Longtime Cubs and Astros Reliever Hector Rondon
By Ian Anderson
The Arizona Diamondbacks have found some bullpen help in the form of this former Houston Astro and Chicago Cub.
According to reports, reliever Hector Rondon has signed a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks worth $3 million, with an option for the 2021 season. Arizona narrowly missed out on a Wild Card spot last season, and the addition of Rondon could help close the bullpen gap this year for a relatively complete team.
I can confirm @nickpiecoro's report that the Diamondbacks have signed Hector Rondon to a one-year deal worth $3 million with a club option for 2021. That would seem to fill up the bullpen and might mean one of Zac Gallen or Merrill Kelly starts in the minors.
— Zach Buchanan (@ZHBuchanan) January 8, 2020
Rondon was a solid reliever these past two seasons for the Astros, having an ERA of 3.46 to go with a decent strikeout to walk ratio of 115:40. At only 31 years old, Rondon might have his best years ahead of him, and Arizona got him for a great deal.
Free agent spending leaders this winter, in which teams have guaranteed just shy of $2 billion:
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 6, 2020
Yankees: $336.5M
Nationals: $314.8M
Angels: $260.9M
White Sox: $195.5M
Phillies: $132M
Blue Jays: $108M
Diamondbacks: $103.6M
Reds: $100M
Braves: $99.8M
Next highest: Rangers, $49.5M
The Diamondbacks have been among the big spenders in free agency this season, most of which comes from the $85 million used to sign ace pitcher Madison Bumgarner.
With Bumgarner and Rondon added to their pitching staff this offseason, Arizona could see a team ERA of 4.25, which was good enough for 12th best in the majors, skyrocket into the top 10 (and even top five).
Watch out for the Diamondbacks next season.