MLB Free Agents: Mariners Sign Relievers Hong-Chih Kuo and Shawn Camp
By Editorial Staff
The Seattle Mariners added a pair of relievers to their ‘pen yesterday, as the club announced its agreements with veteran pitchers Hong-Chih Kuo and Shawn Camp. Both players signed major league contracts, and in order to make room for Kuo and Camp on their 40-man roster the Mariners designated Chris Gimenez and Mike Wilson.
Most were anticipating the Kuo-to-Seattle deal, as the 30-year-old was said to be closing in on a decision this weekend. Kuo favored West Coast clubs, and the Mariners quickly became the favorites to land the left-hander.
Kuo was an All-Star caliber reliever as recently as 2010, posting a league-leading 1.20 ERA and 0.783 WHIP over his 56 appearances spanning 60 innings. Kuo registered 11.0 SO/9 and 2.7 BB/9, good for a SO/BB ratio of 4.06.
However, injuries and anxiety issues impacted Kuo’s 2011 campaign, causing him to struggle mightily. Over his 27 innings pitched last season, Kuo posted an ERA of an even 9.00 to go with his WHIP of 1.741. This latter figure was mostly caused by Kuo’s inflated BB/9 which ballooned to 7.7 last year.
According to sources, Kuo passed his physical and the Mariners are hoping the left-hander is over his problems with anxiety. If he’s on, Kuo figures to slot in as a late-inning arm for Seattle.
Camp has been one of the most-used relievers in the league over the past several seasons. Last year with the Blue Jays, Camp posted an ERA of 4.21 to go with his 1.523 WHIP over 66 1/3 innings pitched. Seattle is hoping the 36-year-old is able to revert back to 2009-10 form when he maintained an ERA and WHIP near 3.25 and 1.255 over his 152 innings pitched.
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