Lefty flamethrower Hong-Chih Kuo agreed to a one-year, $2.725 million deal with the Dodgers today, avoiding arbitration. He can also earn another $675,000 in performance bonuses, with $600,000 of that for finishing out games.
Last season was a magical one for Kuo, as he did about as well as you can possibly expect a pitcher to do. In 60 innings spread out over 56 games, he went 3-2 with 12 saves, 21 holds, 1.20 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, and 73 strikeouts.
Perhaps most impressively, he converted his last 12 save opportunities once he took over for Jonathan Broxton, who forgot how to get a save towards the end of the season. All of that while pitching with a left arm that doesn't allow action in back-to-back nights.
Those numbers would normally be a pretty good reason for more money, but like I said before, his fragile arm is what holds him back. He's already had two (yes, two) Tommy John surgeries in his career. He's also missed more time here and there because of arm troubles.
The way I look at it, anything the Dodgers get out of him is a bonus. He's not a guy you want to rely on too much, but when he's there, and when he's dealing, it's an awesome sight. The fact of the matter is, he can easily be gone for the season with his next pitch. So a one year deal is more than justifiable.
Kuo should open the season in a setup role again to Broxton, but we all know that can easily change at any point.
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