The Rockies have agreed to sign 49-year-old left-hander Jamie Moyer to a minor league deal, the team announced. Troy Renck of the Denver Post reported Monday that the Rockies had offered the veteran a contract. The Rockies will give Moyer the chance to compete for a rotation spot while tutoring younger pitchers on the staff, assuming he passes an upcoming physical.
Moyer pitched for the Phillies in 2010 and missed last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He worked out in front of scouts this offseason and appears to have impressed the Rockies.
Moyer owns a 267-204 career record with a 4.24 ERA in 24 MLB seasons. He posted a 4.84 ERA with 5.1 K/9, 1.6 BB/9 and a 44.1% ground ball rate for the 2010 Phillies. 14 of the players on Colorado's 40-man roster were not yet born when Moyer debuted with the Cubs in June of 1986.
Come on, Jamie. You had a nice career. Why are you signing minor league contracts? It’s over. Take your earnings and retire at a beach house in Punta Cana.
If he wants to play baseball, then why shouldn’t he.
Because it won’t be long until he becomes a joke like Favre and people only remeber him for not retiring when he should have.
Not like Favre. Favre changed his mind repeatedly.
Moyer has stated (and never waivered) that he intended to play in 2012.
Moyer was an effective pitcher before the injury, so, if he wants to, why not find out if there’s anything left in the tank?
Who cares? If he wants to play and can still prove competitive let him. I have way more respect for a person who goes after what he wants in life, than a person who doesn’t because of what other people may think.
Respect to Jamie.
Less offended by Moyer coming back than Manny, hes an insult to the game.
Yeah, Manny actually said he was retiring.
It was just assumed Moyer was because of injuries and his age, but he never did.
When I first starting Rangers baseball they had traded Steve Wilson and Wild thing to the cubs for Moyer and Raffy. My God that was a long time ago Retire Jamie.
I would love to see Moyer up in the Bigs a little this year.
I really thought we’d be seeing him in Seattle on a one year deal. Especially after the Pineda trade.
Love the passion for the game this guy has but he had the perfect end to his career in 2008… He should have walked away from the game then, it’s been downhill since.
I respect this guy as a player… but really… the guy is a living fossil (for baseball at least)
That 80 MPH heater will refuse to die. WTG Jamie !
Only something like 140 more pitchers til they catch ’em all!!
Only if they’re throwing Pokéballs instead of baseballs.
Yes!
He’s the Brett Favre of baseball! Let’s hope his career ends better than Favre’s did. I don’t think he’ll be that great in such a hitter-friendly park, but I hope he goes out and does great, just for his character! 🙂
except moyer never retired.
and hasn’t favred any women
You couldn’t be more off with that comparison. Maybe Emmitt Smith -like where he sticks around long enough to get to 300…
Wasn’t Clemens the Favre of baseball…? Although it’d probably be in reverse with Favre being the Clemens of Football.
49 years old?!? Holy crap. He’s making Julio Franco a run for his money.
This is a good deal. Worst case scenario, he gets released and goes back to ESPN. It’s worth a try.
so glad to see moyer get another chance even if it is with the rockies
Guy loves the game. Why not give it a shot if you still have that passion to play?
Be honest now, is that what would you’d have said if the Dodgers signed him to the same deal?
Probably not,but there’s a difference between signing one of guys like these, and signing a bunch of em.
Yeah, the whole bunch of 49 year-old pitchers.
Didnt the Dodgers raid a retirement home and hand out contracts to all the resident this offseason? MacDougal, Grabow, Bard, Alberto Castillo, Hairston, Kennedy, Ellis, Treanor, etc.
34, 32, 33, 35, 35, 35, 34, 35. I don’t know who “etc.’ is but I guess we’ll find out. All pretty typical ages for utility players and minor league deals with spring training invites. In case you didn’t notice, 49 is not typical. But the point is, Dodger “fans” griped about every one of these signings, whether they were for starting roster players or minor league deals. If the Dodgers had signed Moyer, these same “fans” would be busting an artery right now.
There are two alternatives: he either pitches well in spring training and earns a role with the big club, or he’s granted a release (and likely retires). Why not give it one more go?
Retire already
shut up
First 49 year old to win CY Young award? In all serious though good luck Jamie. Not sure if Coors is the best field for him but at this point who cares he’s 49.
He is either lying about his age or is the bionic man.
I really wouldn’t start him over anyone such as esmil rogers. maybe its a minor-league coaching contract *fingers crossed*
rockies looking to add to their surplus of 35+ year old players
Yes!!!! Another year of glory!!!!!!!!
Goal: Retire from baseball after your kids retire from their 9-5’s…
Best of luck Mr. Moyer! (I respect my elders)
Goal for 2012: Watch Jamie Moyer go deep in Coors. *albeit probably deep into the ground, but could you imagine him hitting a home run, the crack of the bat, the sound of the fans, more cracks of his hip*
It’s not charity, if he’s good enough to cut it good for him.
Theres nothing wrong with the aging Moyer wanting to come back to baseball again, but why the heck would he sign with the Rockies. If he’s looking for success, he should at least go to a pitchers ball park like Petco. But seriously Coors?? NL hitters will be licking their chops to get a chance at hitting against him (that is if he makes the team)
Glad someone gave him a chance. I really hope he does well, because he is a great guy. And at the very worst he will be a positive influence on the rest of Colorado’s pitching staff. I wish him nothing but success.
He will probably need a cane to walk to the mound
the definition of irony: i bet he’s in better shape than 95% of people posting in this thread. myself included.
HAHA! Best comment of this thread.
I’m just personally glad he signed outside the NL east. He owns the Braves. 🙁
I have the utmost respect for a guy like Moyer. Yes, he is 49, but when a 49 year old is willing to come back on a minor league deal, you know he is doing it for the love of the game. Jamie loves baseball, and loves being on the field. To disrespect him because of his age is just wrong, and I wish him the best this coming season. I am optimistic that he could be the first player to play a full season at the age of 50. Good luck Jamie.
Kind of the same reason I lost respect for Mike Mussina when he retired after a great 2008 season.
Meh, as long as he continues to do what he does and compete then let him pitch. Still probably better than Burnett.
Looks like Los Angeles has already been usurped by Denver as LOB CITY!
If I was 49 and offered to be paid to play a game I love while teaching a new generation a thing or two I would do it in a second. Congrats Jamie, keep those 83 MPH heaters going as long as you can.
Power has never been his game, and you know he didn’t forget how to keep hitters off balance, so why not? Could still a serviceable arm. I hope he makes it back to the bigs, and back to the Bank this season. With how 2010 ended for us Phil’s fans, his shutout against the Braves was by far the best moment of that season!
“Cool, just doing my job,” the former Mariner said when told of his
accomplishment. “I changed speeds pretty well, kept the ball down and
got ahead in counts.” HE CHANGED SPEEDS PRETTY WELL
Comment editeeeeddddddd
2012 Stats:
Wins – 14
ERA – 3.60
INN – 180
SO- 125
WHIP 1.222
Hand over your controller, I wanna play too
Wins – 0
ERA – —
INN – 0
SO- 0
WHIP —
This move also functions as a foot-in-the-door scenario to see if Moyer is interested in a possible future as a pitching coach.
Baseball has their own George Blanda good baseball needs him.
you get a player/pitching coach with moyer. I really hope he does well this season whereever he is. if he doesn’t make the rockies, does he take a season at the Rockies AAA? I think he will make the rockies.
safari_punch, that is very generous stats esp with playing in denver. the ERA will be higher i am guessing and the innings lower. i am not even going to guess.
Guys, It is is your one time shot around on this earth…if you love what you do…do it! Good for him!
you have got to be kidding me….
O’Dowd sure does love his old pitchers…
serious? have you even looked at the age of the pitching staff???
serious? have you even looked at the age of the pitching staff???
Go Jamie!!!
Talk about nostalgia…1987 Topps rookie card.
Tommy John often increases velocity. Maybe now he’ll have a 85 MPH heater.
The guy pitches to contact, he’ll do great in Colorado… Well, as great as a 49-year-old post-TJ could perform I suppose.