Orioles Sign Reliever Kline
Tuesday, December 21, 2004; Page D02
Having missed on two of their primary offseason targets, 1B Richie Sexson and RHP Carl Pavano, the Orioles instead improved their bullpen yesterday, signing reliever Steve Kline to a two-year, $5.5 million contract.
Kline, a left-hander, went 2-2 with a 1.79 ERA last year with the Cardinals. He is particularly tough on left-handed batters, who hit .143 against him last season.
Despite being an essential part of the Cardinals' run to the NL pennant, Kline -- who led the National League in appearances from 1999 to 2001 -- was left off St. Louis's World Series roster with a torn ligament in his index finger.
The Orioles also acquired IF Chris Gomez in exchange for cash from the Phillies. Baltimore originally signed Gomez to a minor league deal on Dec. 8 but left him exposed in the Rule 5 draft, in which the Phillies took him. . . . The Nationals agreed to terms with left-handed reliever T.J. Tucker (4-2, 3.72 ERA in 2004) on a one-year, non-guaranteed contract worth $657,000.
-- Barry Svrluga
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