Dodgers agree to deal with Eric Gagne
The game isn't over for Eric Gagne.
The iconic closer reached an agreement on a minor league contract that will put him back in a Dodgers uniform, according to baseball sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal is not official yet.
Gagne will earn $500,000 if he makes the Dodgers' major league roster and can make an additional $500,000 in incentives.
In time, in form and in reputation, Gagne is far removed from his magical 2003 season, when he converted 55 of 55 save opportunities and won the Cy Young Award. From Aug. 26, 2002, to July 5, 2004, Gagne converted a major league record 84 consecutive saves.
But his reputation was tarnished by the Mitchell Report, according to which he received multiple shipments of human growth hormone, one sent directly to the clubhouse at Dodger Stadium.
Gagne, who last pitched for the Dodgers in 2006, posted a 5.44 earned-run average in 50 games for Milwaukee in 2008. He pitched for the Quebec Capitales of the independent Can-Am League last year, going 6-6 with a 4.65 ERA in 17 starts.
-- Dylan Hernandez
The iconic closer reached an agreement on a minor league contract that will put him back in a Dodgers uniform, according to baseball sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal is not official yet.
Gagne will earn $500,000 if he makes the Dodgers' major league roster and can make an additional $500,000 in incentives.
In time, in form and in reputation, Gagne is far removed from his magical 2003 season, when he converted 55 of 55 save opportunities and won the Cy Young Award. From Aug. 26, 2002, to July 5, 2004, Gagne converted a major league record 84 consecutive saves.
But his reputation was tarnished by the Mitchell Report, according to which he received multiple shipments of human growth hormone, one sent directly to the clubhouse at Dodger Stadium.
Gagne, who last pitched for the Dodgers in 2006, posted a 5.44 earned-run average in 50 games for Milwaukee in 2008. He pitched for the Quebec Capitales of the independent Can-Am League last year, going 6-6 with a 4.65 ERA in 17 starts.
-- Dylan Hernandez
Welcome back Eric, Hopefully now we can unload the worthless Broxton.
Posted by: Don Pearcy | 02/18/2010 at 08:23 PM
A pure marketing move which will last one month at the most. The idea that Colletti would futz with the best bullpen in Baseball, and remove either Trancoso or Bellasario, who still have options, and put this retrograde has been roider on the mound in critical game saving situations, is beyond ludicrous. What other organization in all of sports would trump marketing over wins? Pathetic!!!
Posted by: Dodger Tony | 02/18/2010 at 08:33 PM
Oh joy.
Posted by: Higgins | 02/18/2010 at 08:42 PM
He wasn't the only Dodger from that era named in the report. Fellow pitcher Matt Herges, catchers Paul LoDuca and Todd Hundley (all on the LA team in 1999) were also named. LoDuca was the go-between for Gagne and who knows who else.
Still, I enjoyed it when Eric entered the game in the late innings. Those were genuinely exciting times. I'm sure he pitched against some steroid users, particularly a rival outfielder from the NL West. But I have no proof of that.
Posted by: MyDogTasha | 02/18/2010 at 10:06 PM
Eric Gagne and the Mitchell Report stigma. Why don't the Dodgers see if Barry Bonds would like to make a comeback as well?
Posted by: eeebayou | 02/18/2010 at 10:24 PM
I think this move for the Dodgers can only be beneficial. Eric Gagne was one of the most exciting Dodger pitchers in recent history and the to bring him back can spark some new excitement with the team and around Los Angeles.
Posted by: Christian Joshua Campos | 02/18/2010 at 11:02 PM
I don't understand why the Dodgers would want to sign him...I think he's done. Sure, it's a minor league contract and he would have to make the club, but according to the story by Dylan Hernandez, he's a candidate for the seventh and/or eighth inning job. Huh? The last time I looked, George Sherrill, Hong-Chih Kuo, Ramon Troncoso and Ronald Belisario had that covered.
Posted by: bob cuomo | 02/18/2010 at 11:48 PM
Eric please stick around long enough to show Broxy your change-up and curve grip. Thanks, and bienvenue.
Posted by: Vapes | 02/19/2010 at 04:36 AM
Seems a low risk investment and if Gagne' is half his former self, he could give an already potent bullpen even more depth. This could conceivably put Troncoso in the mix for the fifth starter spot. Regardless, whether it works out or not, it will just be good to see Eric back in Dodger Blue!
Posted by: Airedale | 02/19/2010 at 05:04 AM
The game is over for Eric...
.
and has been in more ways than one.
Posted by: Stop Sign | 02/19/2010 at 06:45 AM
cant wait to see the Chavez fans reaction when he blows a lead there this spring.
TDS
Posted by: These Dodgers Suck | 02/19/2010 at 08:26 AM
Could this offseason get any worse?
Posted by: rolie | 02/19/2010 at 08:37 AM
Signing him to a minor league contract can't hurt the team. Sounds like a marketing scheme more than anything else right now.
But if he can get people out in Albuquerque then at least he is a ready backup if someone (other than Brox) goes down.
Posted by: artieboy | 02/19/2010 at 11:29 AM
This will be fun to watch.
Posted by: oldbrooklynfan | 02/19/2010 at 03:54 PM
Granted for a decade Joe had the greatest relief pitcher of all-time in Mariano, but he still knows how to work a relief corp. If Gagne shows anything, Joe will figure out a way to give him effective innings.
The great part about early spring training is everyone is optimistic about their team. People are even optimistic about reclamation projects like Gagne. Nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Posted by: Glenn Liebman | 02/20/2010 at 01:20 AM
Eric will be a nice compliment to another new Dodger pitcher, Luis Ayala.
Posted by: Luis Ayala | 02/20/2010 at 09:50 AM