O's Sign Jeremy Accardo

There were a couple of reports out there yesterday afternoon that the Orioles had signed two former Jays relievers: Jeremy Accardo and Kevin Gregg. Turns out that while the team has made him an offer, they're "still talking", and Gregg remains on the market. But the O's did sign Accardo (who turns 29 this weekend), to a 1-year deal worth $1.05 million.

Accardo was non-tendered by the Jays earlier this off-season. There's a nice write up about the signing in the Baltimore Sun this morning, with plenty of details. There were rumors earlier in December that the Dodgers were also pursuing him, but he chose the Orioles; more than likely because that gives him a better chance to make the major league team out of spring training. Per his agent:

"Jeremy was excited this offseason for the first time to have a chance to choose his employer... He embraces the chance to start fresh with a new organization, and he was very much impressed with the Orioles and their management."

Accardo, though not well known and down-on-his-luck of late, has been successful at the major league level before. In 2007, he took over for an injured BJ Ryan as the Jays closer, and went 4-4 with a 2.14 ERA, and 30 saves in 64 games. He got hurt in May of 2008, though (forearm), and spent most of the season on the DL. To this point, he's never really regained that 2007 form, and has bounced up and down from AAA.

I like this signing, given the depleted state of the Orioles' pen, and that it's small money and low risk. If he makes the team and perform, excellent. If not, then they're not on the hook for big bucks. I'm skeptical, though - Accardo has been hit hard even in the minors the last few years: 10.64 hits/9, and only 5.32 K/9 last year at Las Vegas (AAA).

A few things you might not have known about Jeremy Accardo:

• He's listed at 6'1", 190 lbs, and was born in Mesa, AZ.
• He features a fastball, changeup, and slider. He's lost a couple of mph off the fastball the last few years; his average velocity back in 2008 was 94, down to 93 in 2009, and the 92-ish last year.
• He attended Illinois State University, and was a 2003 Missouri Conference All-Star shortstop (interesting).
• Accardo wasn't terribly effective in college as a pitcher - in 16 games his junior year, he went 4-2 with a 5.95 ERA, had command issues, and didn't strike out that many hitters. He did hit .333 with 6 HR that year, though.
• Went undrafted out of college, and signed with the Giants as a free-agent in August of 2003.
• He progressed through the minors very quickly, making it all the way to Double-A by the end of 2004, and making his big league debut in May of 2005.
• He was traded to the Blue Jays in 2006, for Vinnie Chulk and Shea Hillenbrand.
• As mentioned above, he took over the Jays closer in 2007 and had a solid year, at one point posting 21 consecutive scoreless innings.
• Then injuries took their toll.
• He's earned approximately $2.1 million in the majors, prior to the 2011 season.