Jair Jurrjens lands in Baltimore

Free agent right-handed starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens and the Baltimore Orioles have agree to a one-year deal, worth $1.5 million, which could turn out to be worth $4 million if he's able to reach all of his incentives in his contract. Jurrjens signed in 2003 by the Detroit Tigers as an undrafted free agent. He made his MLB debut on August 15, 2007, it was also his first MLB start and it was against the Cleveland Indians. That also marked the first time a pitcher from the city of Curaçao (which is in the Netherlands) had reached the major leagues.

The Tigers would trade Jurrjens and outfielder Gorkys Hernandez to the Atlanta Braves on October 29, 2007 for shortstop Edgar Renteria. Jurrjens made the National League All-Star team in 2011, that was even after starting the season on the disabled list. He had a rough 2012 season, and was sent to the Braves triple A team on April 23, 2012. The move came after had made only four starts and went 0-2 with an era of 9.37. It also marked his first demotion in five season with the Braves. He would later be recalled by the Braves on June 22, 2012 and later got his first win of the 2012 season, against the Boston Red Sox. Jurrjens would finish the 2012 season going 3-4 in 11 games, starting only ten games, with an era of 6.89. He pitched only 48.1 innings striking-out  nineteen batters, and walking eighteen, with a WHIP of 1.86.

In 2006, Jurrjens pitched in the WBC (World Baseball Classic) for the Netherlands national baseball team, he pitched only one inning against team  Puerto Rico. He gave up three runs, and would take the loss during that game in the WBC. So far, Jurrjens career stats are: 53 wins - 47 losses, 126 games pitched, 125 games started, 750.2 innings, two complete games, one shutout, 499 strikeouts, 3.62 era, with a WHIP of 1.32.

He'll soon be 27 year-old. This could turn out to be a win-win deal for both teams, if he's able to get his career back on track. Jurrjens best season was back in 2009, when he went: 14-10, starting 34 games, he pitched 215 innings, with an era of 2.60, and struck-out 152 batters, with a WHIP of 1.21. Jurrjens might have the talent in him to get his career back on track, if he's able to stay healthy.  Again, it looks like the Orioles got a nice pick up in Jurrjens, but, we'll find out in 2013 if he turns out to be a good pick up for them. He shouldn't have much pressure on him with their starting pitching staff being deep. So, that could help Jurrjens get his career back on track.