Dodgers land hard-throwing Tomko

#1
Tomko agrees to $8.7 million, two-year deal with Dodgers
By KEN PETERS, AP Sports Writer
December 22, 2005


LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Brett Tomko became the third former San Francisco player to switch to the Los Angeles Dodgers, agreeing Thursday to an $8.7 million, two-year contract.
His deal calls for salaries of $3.6 million next year and $4.1 million in 2007. The Dodgers must decide within five days of the end of the 2007 World Series whether to exercise a $4.5 million option for 2008. If the option is exercised, Tomko has 72 hours to reject it. If the Dodgers decline or Tomko rejects, he gets a $1 million buyout.
The right-hander, who went 8-15 with a 4.48 ERA for the Giants last season, passed his physical Thursday. He became the sixth free agent signed by Ned Colletti, a former San Francisco assistant general manager who became the Dodgers' GM on Nov. 15.
"Brett will provide us with a proven major league starter who is capable of pitching 200 innings," Colletti said. "He has been one of the more durable pitchers in the National League over the last four years and will be a great addition to the staff."
Tomko has an 81-73 record and 4.52 ERA in nine major league seasons. With a fastball in the low 90-mph range, he has made at least 30 starts and pitched at least 190 innings each of the past four years.
Kenny Lofton and Bill Mueller are the other former Giants who recent have joined the NL West rival Dodgers.
Tomko pitched for Cincinnati, Seattle, San Diego and St. Louis before spending two years in San Francisco. He went 19-22 with a save and a 4.26 ERA in 65 games for the Giants.
He has been effective at Dodger Stadium, going 4-2 with a 2.93 ERA in 13 appearances in Los Angeles. He figures to follow Derek Lowe, Brad Penny and Odalis Perez in Los Angeles' rotation. The Dodgers are still in the market for another starter.
Other players acquired by the Dodgers since Colletti became their GM are Nomar Garciaparra, Sandy Alomar Jr., and Rafael Furcal. Like Tomko, the other five free agents all have postseason experience.
 
#2
I'm glad the NL West GMs have decided to keep the mediocrity in house. The way things are shaping up, the Giants are not going to be any good and they could still run away with the division.
 
#3
Honestly I really dont mind that he is gone. He really got on my nerves last year with a dissapointing season after finishing the previous season off with a bang. O well... It'll be just our luck that he has a career season right after we trade him, along with Fonzi.
 

SLAB

Hall of Famer
#6
Tomko would have been a decent pitcher if every single game he pitched was a little different than this:

98% Fastballs.
2% Off-speed.

Unfortunatly it just ever got through Tomko's head that a 94-96 MPH fastball is a very hittable pitch in the majors, especially after they see it about 7 times...
 
#7
Resident Dodger fan here:
Tomko is a decent pickup for a fourth or fifth starter. They will rent him for a few while arms in Dodgers' farm system are ready for the bigs.
 
#8
8 million dollars for tomko? what is ned thinking?!?!?!

he's been overpaying guys all offseason.

glad to see tomko go to the dodgers. VERY glad.

bring a tape measure to the games he pitches against the giants, bonds is hitting a few out of dodger staduim :D