Esteban Loaiza weighed similar offers from the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants before choosing to stick with what felt most familiar: the American League.
The A's and the free-agent right-hander agreed on Monday to a three-year contract worth nearly US$21.4 million, adding an experienced pitcher to a starting rotation that already includes Barry Zito and Rich Harden.
"I landed pretty good here with a nice group of guys," Loaiza said when introduced at Oakland's ballpark. "Coming back this year to the American League, it's still fresh. I'm happy to be here. I'll do the best job possible for myself, for the team, and my new teammates."
The deal, worth US$21,375,000, includes a 2009 club option. Loaiza went 12-10 with a 3.77 ERA for the Washington Nationals last season, the second-best win total in his 11-year major league career. He won 21 games for the Chicago White Sox in 2003.
The 33-year-old Loaiza made the tough decision to turn down a similar offer - three years without an option - from the Giants. He has spent most of his career in the AL.
A's General Manager Billy Beane made it clear that adding Loaiza doesn't mean he will trade another pitcher. There has been speculation for some time that he might deal Zito, whose contract is up after next season. Beane plans to have discussions with Zito's representatives during a "quieter time in the offseason."
"With Barry in our rotation and Esteban in our rotation, we have a chance for one of the deepest rotations in the league," Beane said.
Loaiza joins a team that has almost its entire roster returning from last season, when the A's failed to reach the playoffs for the second straight year. Oakland had a 91-win season in 2004 and 88 wins this year.
Manager Ken Macha, who parted ways with the team briefly after the season before signing a new deal, was pleased with how well Oakland performed with such a young roster. The A's also dealt with injuries to shortstop Bobby Crosby and No. 2 starter Harden, who took on a greater role after the team traded Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder during a three-day span last December.
Loaiza has a 112-99 career record and a 4.60 ERA in 334 games, 297 starts. His 112 wins are second-most in major league history by a Mexican-born pitcher to Fernando Valenzuela's 173.
(The Associated Press)