Baltimore Orioles Hot Stove move: Josh Edgin gets minor league contract

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 11: Josh Edgin #66 of the New York Mets pitches in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on September 11, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Mets won 10-3. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 11: Josh Edgin #66 of the New York Mets pitches in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on September 11, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Mets won 10-3. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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The latest not-so Hot Stove announcement from the Baltimore Orioles is about another minor league deal.

This time the Baltimore Orioles signed relief pitcher Josh Edgin. Prior to signing this minor league deal, he was a part of the New York Mets bullpen.

Unfortunately, this signing does nothing to fill the empty roster spots in the starting rotation. But, since Edgin is a lefty, it is easy to see why the Orioles made the choice to sign him.

Who is Edgin and what can he offer to the Orioles?

He’s a relief pitcher who has played only for the New York Mets and their farm system. He throws left-handed, but bats right-handed. His career ERA is 3.49, but his best season was 2014, when he threw 27.1 innings and had an ERA of 1.32 and a WHIP of 0.915. He will be 31 in mid-December.

Typical Mets health issues

In 2015 (in true Mets style, he had Tommy John surgery. (There seems to be something that happens with Mets pitchers and their elbows). Because of this, he missed the entire season. He returned to the team in 2016, pitching in 10 innings with an ERA of 5.23. This is not unusual as recovery takes a while.

Edgin is a guy that usually comes into games in special situations and rarely pitches complete innings. His longest outing in 2017 was three innings in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers in late June. Even though the Mets lost, in those three innings, Edgin gave up two hits and struck out three batters. In all of 2017, he gave up three home runs to Daniel Descalso, Javier Baez, and Corey Seager. At least they were all respectable, frequent home run hitters.

How fast is his fastball?

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Prior to his Tommy John surgery, he threw a fastball that averaged around 92-93 MPH. Post-Tommy-John, his fastball is now averaging 90 MPH. He’s got a slider, cutter, and changeup. According to Fangraphs, he uses his changeup the least, but mixes the other pitches regularly. None of his pitches are true putaway pitches, but his cutter is the most successful.

Current health issues

Edgin was given a minor league contract with the Orioles because of his current health condition and his placement with the Mets. Back in September, he had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. The scope did not find any problems, so he is expected to be ready to pitch by spring training. Prior to the surgery, he was DFA’d at the end of July, but since no one claimed him, he was eventually sent to the Mets Triple-A team to finish the season.

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Edgin’s most likely role with the Orioles will be a left-handed situational pitcher. This is what he has done for his five seasons in the MLB. It’s reasonable to think this will continue, whether he does it in Triple-A or makes a return to the Big Show.