Diamondbacks sign pitcher Bronson Arroyo

Starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo has been an interesting topic this offseason. Early into the offseason, Arroyo had interest from a ton of teams, and many thought that he could sign quickly. Then, a few weeks ago, Arroyo was quoted that he had "no offers" at hand, and he wasn't sure when he would sign.

I don't even have an offer to turn down," Arroyo told Jayson Stark of ESPN. "So I might still be sitting here on March 1. I have no idea."

On Thursday, I went on the air on the Ultimate Sports Talk show and expressed my thoughts about Arroyo, and said that I thought that he would sign with the Diamondbacks. Knowing the three teams as "finalists" for Arroyo, I thought that the Orioles would likely sign A.J. Burnett and the Dodgers would be content with their rotation, leaving the Diamondbacks as the team to sign pitcher Bronson Arroyo. 

On Friday, Arroyo signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a two-year, guaranteed $23.5 million deal. The deal includes a club option for the 2016 season. Something to note is that Arroyo had reportedly initially asked for a three-year deal, but ended up taking a two-year deal with an option.

The 37-year-old to be has been one of the most consistent starting pitchers in all of baseball over the past few years, never appearing in under 30 games since 2003. In 2013, Arroyo pitched to a 14-12 record with a 3.79 ERA and a 1.153 WHIP in 32 starts (202 innings) for the Cincinnati Reds. Arroyo isn't a strikeout pitcher (5.5 K/9 rate), but he has excellent control (1.5 BB/9), which is the reason for a lot of his success. 

The Diamondbacks will add to a rotation that posted the twelfth-worst starters' ERA in the Major Leagues last season with a 4.13 mark. Many believed that Diamondbacks top prospect Archie Bradley would get a shot at the rotation out of Spring Training, but now with the signing of Bronson Arroyo his chances most likely took a big hit. 

The Diamondbacks look to contend in the tough National League West division this season. With the acquisition of the Bronson Arroyo, the D-Backs really helped their chances of making the postseason. They will be a team to watch in 2014.