After being non-tendered by the Chicago Cubs earlier this month, left-handed reliever Wesley Wright reportedly agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the defending American League East champion Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN.
More from Cubbies Crib
- Cubs need to walk the walk this winter after talking the talk
- Cubs, 2 superstar free agents-to-be have ‘mutual interest’
- Where’s the love for Cubs prospect Matt Mervis?
- Alec Mills shocked Cubs fans, baseball world with 2020 no-hitter
- Cubs: After season of adjustments, Seiya Suzuki primed for monster 2023
The southpaw spent 2014 with Chicago, making 58 appearances out of the Cubs bullpen, pitching to the tune of a 3.17 ERA, 1.386 WHIP and 3.44 FIP in 48 1/3 innings of work. His WHIP left plenty to be desired, but was largely in-line with his career mark of 1.402 across seven big league seasons. The left-hander provided a veteran presence for Rick Renteria, but ultimately, the team opted to not bring him back in 2015.
Wright joins the likes of Brian Matusz and T.J. McFarland as left-handers in Buck Showalter‘s bullpen, giving the longtime skipper a trio of options from the left side. During the last three seasons, Wright has fared slightly better against lefties than righties. Left-handed hitters have posted a slash-line of .242/.305/.324, while right-handed bats enter 2015 with a .258/.342/.420 mark.
Prior to his time on the North Side of Chicago, Wright began his career as a member of the Houston Astros after being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers back in 2006. He spent six seasons in Houston before joining the Tampa Bay Rays mid-season in 2013, where he emerged as a dominant left-handed option for now-Cubs manager Joe Maddon, with a 2.92 ERA in 16 outings.
The Orioles have been largely quiet this offseason, while losing slugger Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis to free agency. Cruz joined the Seattle Mariners, while Markakis went south to the Atlanta Braves. However, at least in terms of offense, the team is hoping for full, healthy campaigns from the likes of Chris Davis, Matt Wieters and Manny Machado in 2015.