Arizona Diamondbacks, David Hernandez Agree To One Year Deal
By Joseph Jacquez
The Arizona Diamondbacks and reliever David Hernandez have agreed to a one year two million dollar deal avoiding arbitration according to Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish:
Source: #DBacks, David Hernandez agree to one-year, $2M deal to avoid arbitration.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 17, 2014
The team originally announced the deal, but the terms were first reported by Cotillo.
#Dbacks avoid arbitration and agree to a one-year contract with pitcher David Hernandez.
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) December 17, 2014
Hernandez has 5.095 years of service time, and was projected by MLB Trade Rumors to make $2.1 million in his year of arbitration eligibility.
Hernandez also made $2 million in 2014, but the hard throwing right-hander missed the whole entire season after undergoing Tommy John Surgery.
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Hernandez has been a key part of the back end of the Dbacks bullpen since being acquired in late 2010 from Baltimore in the Mark Reynolds trade.
In 2013, Hernandez posted a 4.48 era, with a 9.5 K/9 and a 3.5 BB/9 over 62 and a third innings. He should return to that same role in 2015 as a set up man.
Hernandez posted a 2.50 era in 2012, and a 3.38 era in 2011 helping the Diamondbacks win the National League West.
General Manager Dave Stewart talked with MLB.com about the signing.
“If he is healthy, he’s going to be really big for us,” general manager Dave Stewart said. “Hopefully, we can keep him healthy, keep him going this year, because he would be big for us.”
Next: Are the Diamondbacks Done Looking For Pitching?
The veteran is happy to be back with the Dbacks posting this on his twitter account after the deal was announced:
Grateful for the Dbacks to bring me back for 1 more year and hopefully beyond. I can't wait for us as a team and I to have a great year.
— David Hernandez (@DHern_30) December 18, 2014
Hernandez could be ready by opening day, but May seems like a more realistic time for him to return.
Hopefully he can play a critical role in the bullpen and provide veteran leadership to young up and coming arms including Matt Stites, and Evan Marshall.
The signing leaves the Diamondbacks with four arbitration eligibles: starter Jeremy Hellickson, outfielder Mark Trumbo, infielder Cliff Pennington, and reliever Addison Reed.