The Baltiomore Orioles have signed right-handed pitcher James Baldwin to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, the team announced today.
Baldwin, who has spent parts of 10 seasons in the major leagues, has a career record of 79-72 with a 5.07 ERA. He made two starts for the New York Mets last season, posting a 15.00 ERA, before being demoted in May.
Baldwin, 33, won a career-high 14 games for the Chicago White Sox in 2000 and made the American League All-Star team that year. His last extended major league stint came in 2002, when he went 7-10 with a 5.28 ERA in 30 appearances for the Seattle Mariners.
The Orioles have yet to acquire a front-line starting pitcher or impact hitter this offseason despite making offers to several players, including Carl Pavano. They remain in the running for first baseman Carlos Delgado.
Also today, the Orioles announced that they have extended spring training camp invitations to pitcher Hayden Penn and catcher Brandon Marsters.
Penn earned the Jim Palmer Prize as the Orioles' Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2004. He split the season between Class A affiliates Delmarva and Frederick and AA Bowie and went a combined 9-9 with a 3.89 ERA. Marsters batted .209 with 3 home runs and 18 RBI in 61 games for AAA Rochester in the Minnesota Twins organization.
January 11, 2005, 4:47 PM EST
