November 28, 200520 yr OAKLAND, California, Nov 28 ? (AFP) ? Right-handed pitcher Esteban Loaiza of Mexico signed a three-year Major League Baseball contract with the Oakland A's here Monday, the club announced. The A's, who have an option on Loaiza for the 2009 season as well, will insert him into a rotation that includes 2002 American League Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito, Rich Harden, Dan Haren and Joe Blanton. Loaiza, who turns 34 in December, went 12-10 with a 3.77 earned-run average in 34 starts with the Washington Nationals this past season. He struck out 173 batters and walked 55 in 217 innings. Loaiza went 21-9 with a 2.90 earned-run average with the Chicago White Sox in 2003 and was runner-up for AL Cy Young award honors. He led the league with a career-high 207 strikeouts and allowed just 196 hits in 226 1/3 innings. He was traded to the New York Yankees for the 2004 season but struggled with an 8.61 ERA and allowed 61 hits and 26 walks in 42 1/3 innings. For his career, Loaiza has gone 112-99 with a 4.60 ERA in 334 career games with six teams. He trails only Fernando Valenzuela's 173 victories for the most major league triumphs among Mexican-born pitchers. Ok correction made...my bad
November 28, 200520 yr Loaiza pitches with his right arm. And I'm baffled as to why the A's make this move.
November 28, 200520 yr hmm...the AP has this guy is a righty....could he throw with both arms??? :mischief
November 28, 200520 yr Not a bad move, get a vet pitcher who has had some success and probably come cheap
November 29, 200520 yr Now that they signed Loiza there's rumors that they will be shoping Zito around who is going to be a FA after 06.
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