Dodgers Sign Jamey Wright

The Dodgers keep signing pitchers. They signed another one yesterday afternoon. They signed the ageless Jamey Wright. Now when I say Wright is ageless, I actually mean that as a funny oxymoron, like little giant, or urban cowboy. Wright is actually about 100 years old, or in human years, he is 37. The former first round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies in 1993, has pitched for ten different teams, since he made his MLB debut in 1996. Back in those days, I was a junior in high school, the spice girls were rocking it, Bill Clinton had just won re-election, and the Dodgers were still managed by Tommy Lasorda, when a young fresh faced Jamey Wright made his MLB debut with the Colorado Rockies……

Here is a list of all the teams that Wright has played for over the 16 years of his career.

Colorado 1996-1999

Milwaukee 2000-2002

St.Louis 2002

Kansas City 2003

Colorado again 2004-2005

San Francisco 2006

Texas 2007-2008

Kansas City (again) 2009

Cleveland 2010

Seattle 2010-2011

He hasn’t pitched in the National League since 2006, but I guess the Dodgers felt they needed another pitcher. According to a Dylan Hernandez Tweet it’s a minor league deal with an invite to major league spring training. So I guess you can throw Wright in along with guys like John Grabow, Wil Ledezma, Shane Lindsay, and the other non roster invites competing for a spot in the Dodger Bullpen. Wright is a right handed pitcher, originally from Oklahoma City.

Wright actually pitched decent last season with the Mariners. He was 2-3, and pitched in 60 games. He posted an ERA of 3.16, and walked 30 batters, in 68.1 innings, while whiffing 48. His splits in 2011 showed he was more effective against lefties, limiting them to a .226 average. Wright has always had a problem limiting walks. His career walks per nine rate is 4.4 and was 4.0 last season. His strikeout per nine rate is 5.0 and was 6.3 last year in Seattle.

Wright has an 85-121 career record, and has been a starter and a reliever during his career. Although he hasn’t been a starter since 2007. Wright has posted a career ERA of 4.93, and has pitched in 526 games over his 16 seasons. This signing doesn’t mean much, although it is funny, because I mean come in, it’s Jamey Wright. However, I think Wright’s chances of making the Dodger roster are next to none, but you never know. I would assume this is just a move to strengthen depth. Wright will likely start the year in the Isotopes bullpen.