Baltimore Orioles and Tommy Hunter Agree to One-Year Contract

Sep 20, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Nick Hundley (40) congratulates pitcher Tommy Hunter (29) after a game against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Red Sox 7-2.Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles and Tommy Hunter have come to terms on a one-year contract for a reported $4.65 million, thus avoiding arbitration.

The tweet above generated more than a couple of troll remarks, most of them taking off on the word “settled.”  I really think the meaning of “settle” here is in the context of simply coming to an agreement, not that Hunter expected Papelbon money, but had to settle for significantly less. An example here is probably from a Papelbon fan …

So, did Tommy Hunter “suck” at his job in 2014? Hardly. It is true that he did not strongly succeed as a closer and was replaced by a pitcher better suited for the role. I was far from the only writer who saw this coming from a distance a year ago. But at the beginning of the season, there was no clear choice for the closer’s role; and the right thing to do was give Tommy the first shot at the position. It didn’t work out. Zach Britton was better. It happens.

But check out some numbers on Hunter’s 2014 campaign.

In 60 games and 60.2 innings pitched, he posted a 3-2 record and ERA of 2.97, which is not exactly lights-out hurling, though neither is it that bad. His WHIP was a very good 1.104, with a strike outs to walks ratio of 3.75.

But the better numbers are seen when he is just considered in the role best suited for him – a late innings reliever, short of the closer role. He gives a different look than almost all of the O’s starters, bringing the ball to the plate in the upper 90s. Imagine that after Wei-Yin Chen from the left side, or even following Darren O’Day or Brian Matusz.

From June 18^th through the end of the season, over the course of 38 games and 41.1 innings, Hunter pitched to an ERA of 1.31 with opponents batting .188 over that stretch. This includes a WHIP number of 0.750!  Suck? Really?

Maybe $4.65 million seems like a very big number for a one-inning guy. But consider the value of a lock-down, dominant bullpen – made evident by the teams like the Kansas City Royals, not to mention the Baltimore Orioles as well. The price strikes me as appropriate for the role and the historical performance.

Hunter is age 28 and has been with the Orioles since the famous trade brought the former first-rounder from Texas in July of 2011. For his career of 226 games pitched, he is 42-31 with a 4.32 ERA.

Another role Tommy plays with the Orioles is that of his contributions in the clubhouse. One of the more lively personalities there, he is also one who will help to keep order with the younger players and those with some checkered backgrounds.

Though far from the biggest news of the offseason, this is a good signing for the Orioles and a piece that can now be put behind.

Next: Orioles sign a wild lefty to minor league deal