*Photo from Over the Monster*
The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed RHP Hector Rondon to a one year, $3 million deal, according to the team. There is a club option for 2021 that is worth $4 million with a $500,000 buyout. Rondon will be payed $2.5 million in 2020. The option for 2021 could raise to $5 million depending on how many games Rondon finishes in 2020. Rondon will provide depth and stability in the back end of Arizona's bullpen, as he was a reliable piece for the Houston Astros in 2019.
Rondon is excited to join the D-Backs, a team he believes is on the rise. He said of the signing that "Last year, they were really close to going to the playoffs, and I think as a player, that challenge for me is huge. I like the way they play and the way they think and it was an easy decision for me to go to the D-backs." Rondon has experience as a closer, but incumbent Archie Bradley will likely be given the role in 2020. GM Mike Hazen said of the bullpen roles that "I would not say anything is set, I would hope that everyone comes in ready to compete. I think there's probably still some opportunity for competition and we have a lot of good young pitchers pushing up who are looking for opportunity to take roles."
Rondon has played in the majors for 7 years, for the Chicago Cubs and Astros. Rondon helped the Cubs to their first world series win in 108 years in 2016. He played with the Cubs for 5 seasons before going to Houston in 2018. Rondon was 3-2 last year with a 3.71 ERA in 62 appearances, with one of them being a start. Rondon has a career 23-20 record, with a 3.29 ERA with 92 saves and 418 strikeouts between the Cubs and the Astros. The signing of Rondon is the 3rd notable move made by Arizona this winter, with the other two being signing Madison Bumgarner and Kole Calhoun.
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