Diamondbacks Acquire P Galarraga From Tigers

[Phil The Thrill]

PHOENIX -- The Arizona Diamondbacks have added depth to their pitching staff with a right-hander who was nearly perfect.

Arizona acquired Armando Galarraga in a trade with the Detroit Tigers for minor league pitchers Kevin Eichorn and Ryan Robowski on Monday, giving the Diamondbacks another arm in what should be a pretty good rotation battle in spring training.

Galarraga, 29, had an average 2010 season, but gained fame by missing a perfect game when umpire Jim Joyce acknowledged blowing a call with two outs in the ninth inning against Cleveland.

He's expected to compete for a spot in Arizona's rotation on a staff that already includes Joe Saunders, Ian Kennedy, Dan Hudson, Barry Enright, Zach Duke and Aaron Heilman.

"We are excited about the opportunity to acquire a pitcher of Armando Galarraga's ability a few weeks before the start of spring training," Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers said. "Armando is a quality pitcher as well as individual that will compete for a spot in our rotation with all of the other starting pitchers this spring."

Galarraga went 4-9 with a 4.49 earned-run average in 24 starts and one relief appearance last season with the Tigers, gaining national attention when Joyce blew the call at first base against Cleveland and later made a tearful apology.

Galarraga, who was 13-7 with a 3.73 ERA just two years ago, is 23-26 with a 4.58 ERA over four seasons with Detroit and Texas.

He has a one-year contract for US$2.3 million, but became expendable when the Tigers signed Brad Penny.

"I talked to Armando and he was very thankful," Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "He said he realized it was a business and he understood. It's a great opportunity for him. Arizona was real aggressive because they are looking for a starting pitcher. It's a good match for everybody involved."

Eichhorn, a 20-year-old right-hander, was 5-6 in 15 minor league starts last season. Left-hander Robowski, 22, was 2-4 in 35 relief games in the minors last year.

Dombrowski was satisfied with acquiring Eichhorn and Robowski in exchange for a player who wasn't going to be in Detroit's rotation.

"We look at both of the guys as sort of fringe-type prospects, not blue-chip guys, but guys we think can pitch at the big-league level," Dombrowski said.

Arizona added another pitcher on Monday, signing right-hander Micah Owings to a minor league contract. Owings, who pitched for the Diamondbacks in 2007-08, was 3-2 with a 5.40 ERA in 22 relief appearances for the Cincinnati Reds last season.

The Diamondbacks also designated right-hander Rafael Rodriguez for assignment.

http://tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=350892

 

[sheed]

Glad he is going to a team that aggressively pursued him and is willing to give him a shot at their rotation. I hope he does well. As for the prospects we got, they will be added to the 5 million other pitching prospects we already have.

 

[RipCity32]

Hopefully these prospects don't blow dick lol.

 

[elcheato]

Good bye Indian Slayer, you won't be missed

 

[Lake Louise]

What is it with Tigers trading with Arizona? lol Seems like every trade they do anymore is with the Diamondbacks or Yankees. I'm glad he's there though, and I do hope he does well. I'll miss seeing him in a Tigers Uni, but I knew he wasn't going to be with the Tigers for much longer.

 

[sheed]

I won't miss him as a player. I will just miss personality and him as a person. He wasn't a great pitcher except for the perfect game.