It appears Joel Pineiro will take a paycut on his next contract compared to the two-year, $16 million deal he signed with the Los Angeles Angels before the 2010 season. The former Halos hurler has agreed to terms on a minor-league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies with an invitation to spring training, per Jayson Stark of ESPN.
Pineiro, 33, was 7-7 with a 5.13 ERA in 27 games, including 24 starts, for the Angels in 2011. He struggled mightily however at midseason and was briefly removed from the starting rotation. After the All-Star break, Pineiro was 2-4 with a 7.11 ERA in 10 starts and three relief appearances, with just 21 strikeouts and 15 walks in 56 innings, while allowing nine home runs. Pineiro missed the first four weeks of the 2011 season with right shoulder tightness.
In parts of 12 seasons with the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and Angels, Pineiro is 104-93 with a 4.41 ERA in 1,754 career innings.
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