Brazoban re-ups with Dodgers

The Dodgers have resigned RH reliever Yhency Brazoban to a 1-year/$540,000 deal, avoiding arbitration. There's a bunch more money to be made if he meets certain performance bonuses. He'll be one of the key power arms coming out of the 'pen once again this year.

Brazoban was practically an unknown up until the trade of Guillermo Mota (along with Paul LoDuca) to the Marlins in late August of 2004. After taking over a bigger role in the bullpen, he went on to appear in 31 games, going 6-2 with a 2.48 ERA and 1.22 WHIP.

2005 was an interesting year. With a preseason injury to then-closer Eric Gagne, he tried to fill in the closer role, but failed miserably. While he did have 21 saves that year, he was also 4-10 with a 5.33 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. '06 and '07 were complete throwaways because of elbow and shoulder problems. He appeared in only 9 games total those years.

Assuming he's healthy heading into this year (as big an IF as there is), he can slide into the 5-8 inning role along with Scott Proctor and Joe Beimel. He has shown in the past that he can really let it fly, but with arm problems, it remains to be seen just how effectively he can still do that. But, for relatively cheap money, and only a 1 year investment, it's a good signing and well worth the risk. It could pay off big time.