To look at his ERA, overreact, and assume that he'll automatically be replacing Vargas? Shannon said it perfectly... he's a low-risk (or even no-risk), possible reward guy. They obviously saw him pitch and liked what they saw, so this move shouldn't freak anyone out.

from time to time i buy a lottery ticket but guess what!! i'm still working at my job! well yes his era is/was bad, those are career numbers and they actually mean something! why would he be a poor pitcher when he was young and all of a sudden at the age of 30 he will be servicable? not this year! after TJ surgery it takes a year to get back to the level of a pitcher, then another 6 months to be the pitcher he was before he got hurt! which was a poor starter, only once did he pitch over 200 innings! this is not an over reaction, it is an honest reaction to a joke of a signing...and until he proves he can pitch, and pitch better than before he got hurt, this is a nothing signing for a roster spot at AAA tacoma=/...

Calling this a "joke of a signing" is ignorant. If we gave him 7 figures and a guaranteed spot on the 40 man, then, yes.....terrible signing. Minor league contract for a guy who was 14-8 the year Detroit won the series and especially good in the post season? And who has been derailed by injury most of his career? There are no guarantees here. As Shannon said, this is probably the first of many of this type of low-risk possible reward signings. But the slight chance that he could find lightning in a bottle pitching in his home state with the club he grew up rooting for is worth the miniscule risk.

First, ERA isn't a good way to gauge a pitcher. Lot of things factor-in that are out of a pitchers control. Second, 200 innings isn't common for most starters. You want that out of your top two typically, but most back-end starters should be more in the 150 range, which isn't unreachable for a player at age 30, and his career numbers show he's very capable of doing so. He's had plenty of time to heal, and many pitchers recover nicely from TJ, so the surgery shouldn't be a concern. This isn't a "joke of a signing". It's an attempt to cash in on a 'lottery' ticket that didn't cost them anything. Worth noting Jack's had a nack (no pun intended) for finding pitchers out of nowhere. Shannon also noted that he isn't just being handed a job, which should be obvious, so yes, he will have to prove he can pitch first, which is more reason not to overreact -which you did. Thanks for taking the hook;)

Another way over paid guy for his pathetic contribution to the "game".

Detroit was way too patient with this guy. Not sure what Zduriencik has in mind with this "signing". A shot in the dark? Russian Roulette? Hope floats (even in the desert)?

Low risk/possible reward? Sort of like penny stocks, right?

His track record speaks for itself. Although some guys throw harder after the TJ surgery, Bonderman needs more than velocity to be successful in the bigs. Much more!

But then again, we really don't need him. He would be a better fit for the likes of our rival, Houston Astros... ;-)

I had personal experience with this horse's rear end as his claims adjuster while he was in the minors at Oakland. I am no longer bound by client confidentiality, so I can talk about it. His MOMMY handled his claim because her son was a "big time" baseball pitcher & had no time to talk to me. He can stay in Pasco with his Mommy as far as I'm concerned. The guy had a big head & expensive tastes far before he ever earned the right & got to the big leagues. I am no fan & never will be.

Sooo to say this was a joke signing? Really? to a Minor league contract? this is Totally no risk...Folks who complain about this kind of deal wouldn't like Any move this team makes...If they signed him to a 7 figure multi year deal then yes that would be questionable. but this? no way.. it's A good deal and only has upside as potential.. he could be a bullpen guy to cut down the innings, he could be a spot starter, he could do many things and still help this team..and if not? send him down and see if he gets it together.. I see no issue here.. Good Job M's

Shannon, Speaking of pitchers any news on Kevin Millwood? Is he thinking of coming back or is he still mulling it over? He was really great to the fans at all the games I went to and I imagine he was probably a character in the clubhouse. He was a great representative for baseball and will be missed if he elects to reire.

... is the guy could be another Millwood, if so motivated. The worst case is perpetual minor league talent. See you next spring.