Here's the press release:
The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms on a non-guaranteed minor-league contract with right-handed pitcher Kip Wells. Nationals Vice President of Baseball Operations and Assistant General Manager Mike Rizzo made this announcement.
The 31-year-old Wells is 65-94 with a 4.67 ERA in 256 games (205 starts) spanning 10 big league seasons with Chicago-AL (1999-2001), Pittsburgh (2002-06), Texas (2006), St. Louis (2007), Colorado (2008) and Kansas City (2008). Wells won a career-high 12 games with Pittsburgh in 2002. He pitched in 25 games last season with Colorado and Kansas City.
While the press release cites his career 4.67 ERA, it fails to mention his 6.21 ERA last season, split between Colorado and Kansas City, or the fact that he hasn't had a sub-5.00 ERA since 2004, or a sub-1.5 WHIP since 2003.
Odalis Perez, he ain't.
One really has to wonder about this signing. Wells had two decent seasons in 2002-03, but has progressively gotten worse ever since. His VORP was -3.3 last season. He's just not any good anymore, if he was really any good to begin with. The press release says "31", but he'll be 32 April 21.
This one is just a head-scratcher. Is he being brought in for rotation insurance? Veteran in the bullpen? Favor to someone?
Odalis Perez, he ain't.
One really has to wonder about this signing. Wells had two decent seasons in 2002-03, but has progressively gotten worse ever since. His VORP was -3.3 last season. He's just not any good anymore, if he was really any good to begin with. The press release says "31", but he'll be 32 April 21.
This one is just a head-scratcher. Is he being brought in for rotation insurance? Veteran in the bullpen? Favor to someone?
Too bad Odalis isn't back - and I don't think he got a chance to impress any teams during the DR's somewhat disappointing showing in the WBC. Where do you think he'll end up?
i don't think OP had a chance to pitch at all in the WBC. so much for well laid plans.
i don't know where he'll end up, but someone will have a use for him at some point. the fact that folks aren't knocking down his door might be testament to his personality, and the fact that he's already backed out of one committment to a MLB team. GMs don't look very highly on stuff like that.