Orioles Sign Kevin Gregg

I was actually in the process of drafting a post, sort of semi-mocking Gregg for taking his time making "The Decision". It had a fake press-conference set-up and everything, where he decided to "take his talents" to Baltimore...  It was good stuff, kind of a shame that I had to delete it. Good timing, though.

Per Roch Kubatko @ MASN, posted just a few minutes ago:

"A team source has confirmed that the Orioles have reached an agreement today with free agent reliever Kevin Gregg on a two-year contract... The deal will become official once Gregg passes his physical.Various reports have placed the value of the deal from $8-$10 million. Manager Buck Showalter must choose between Gregg and Koji Uehara to be the team's closer in 2011. Gregg wanted to sign with a team that would give him that opportunity."

What I like about this deal:

• They needed bullpen depth, and having someone out there with significant closing experience is a relief.
• I wasn't that psyched about going into the year with Koji as the closer. I like him, but he's injury prone, and if your closer gets hurt, it throws the whole damn pen out of whack.
• The money (supposedly $8-10 million for two years) isn't overwhelming, and they weren't forced to go more than 2 years. I like both those things.

What scares me about this deal:

• Gregg has a closer's mentality, supposedly, but not really closer-stuff. He isn't overpowering, and walks way too many guys to make me comfortable. 
• My image of a closer is a guy that comes in and throws strike, strike, strike... they pound the zone with power stuff. That isn't really his makeup. 
• Those funky glasses. Right now they make me crazy, but if he hasn't stunk up the joint by the end of the year, I'll probably love them. That's just the way my brain works.