Givens reuniting with O's on 1-year deal
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Mychal Givens is heading back to where his professional career began -- and where he produced some of his best results.
The 32-year-old right-hander agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Orioles in 2023, the team announced on Wednesday. Terms were not disclosed, but a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand that it is a $3 million deal that includes a $6 million mutual option for '24.
If Givens declines the option for 2024, he'll receive a $1 million buyout. If he exercises it and the Orioles decline, he'll be paid $2 million. The contract also features performance bonuses in both years, as well as escalators based on his number of games pitched.
Givens, who was selected by Baltimore in the second round of the 2009 MLB Draft, pitched for the O's from 2015-20. Over those 5 1/2 seasons, he posted a 3.32 ERA in 336 innings spanning 296 relief appearances. The best full season of Givens' eight-year big league career came in 2017, when he had a 2.75 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP in 69 games.
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The Orioles dealt Givens to Colorado at the Trade Deadline in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He recorded a 3.35 ERA in 54 games with the Rockies and Reds in '21, then posted a 3.38 ERA in 59 games with the Cubs and Mets in '22.
Givens will give Baltimore another reliable arm for the back end of its bullpen, which should also feature F¨¦lix Bautista, Cionel P¨¦rez, Dillon Tate and Bryan Baker. Bautista served as the closer after Jorge L¨®pez was dealt to the Twins at the Trade Deadline last season.
However, Givens also has experience closing out games. He has 31 career saves, 20 of which came with the Orioles from 2018-19.
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It seems likely that Baltimore will use Givens in a setup role, much like it did early in his career. With his consistent track record, Givens should be a valuable addition to a solid Orioles bullpen that posted a 3.49 ERA (ranked ninth in MLB) during the team's turnaround 83-win 2022 season.
At the Winter Meetings earlier this month, general manager Mike Elias indicated the O's were prioritizing other holes on their roster before exploring the bullpen market. But he said he "definitely would not rule out" the potential acquisition of a relief pitcher, noting the club would be interested in bringing in an experienced arm.
Baltimore has added a trio of veterans in starter Kyle Gibson, infielder/outfielder Adam Frazier and Givens, who are slated to be the three oldest players on its big league roster. And the Orioles could still look to bring in another starting pitcher to boost their rotation this offseason.