Blue Jays sign Morrow to multi-year deal
The TORONTO BLUE JAYS have signed RHP BRANDON MORROW to a three year contract worth US $20 million with a club option for the 2015 season of US $10 million. Affirming his commitment to the organization and the City of Toronto, Brandon has agreed to make a yearly donation to the JAYS CARE FOUNDATION in support of their ongoing objectives.
MORROW, 27, made a career high 30 starts in his second full season as a starting pitcher, ranking second on the club, while also setting career highs in wins (11), innings pitched (179.1) and strikeouts (203). The Santa Rosa, California native was one of only seven AL pitchers in 2011 to record 200+ strikeouts and his league leading 10.19 strikeouts per nine was more than a full strikeout more than the runner-up. Since his ML debut in 2007, the 6-3, 198 pound right-hander has limited opponents to a .235 average, which ranks 4th, behind only CJ Wilson (.228), David Price (.228) and Justin Verlander (.229) over that span (min 2,000 batters faced). Overall the former first round pick (5th overall) of the Seattle Mariners in 2006 has appeared in 187 career games (71 starts) going 29-30 with a 4.37 ERA. Since being acquired from the Seattle Mariners for RHP BRANDON LEAGUE and OF JOHERMYN CHAVEZ prior to the 2010 season, Morrow has posted a 21-18 record with a 4.62 ERA, with 381 strikeouts in only 325.2 innings pitched.