PITTSBURGH, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates late Wednesday signed veteran righthander Jeff Suppan to further strengthen their rotation.
Published reports said Suppan got a one-year contract and a club option for 2004. The reports indicated the deal is worth $500,000 for the upcoming season, with another $800,000 in performances bonuses, and $4 million for 2004.
Suppan, a key member of the Kansas City Royals' rotation the past four seasons, posted a 9-16 record with a 5.32 ERA, three complete games, and a shutout in 2002. The durable 33-year-old pitched more than 200 innings each season with the Royals.
Drafted in 1993, Suppan made his major league debut two years later with Boston before being selected by Arizona in the 1997 expansion draft. After 13 starts with the Diamondbacks, he was traded to Kansas City, where he posted three consecutive 10-win seasons.
In 190 career games, including 15 relief appearances, Suppan is 49-64 with 12 complete games, three shutouts, and a 5.03 ERA.
He joins veteran righthanders Rolando Arrojo, Jeff D'Amico, Nelson Figueroa, Matt Herges, Pat Mahomes and Julian Tavarez, and lefthanders Mike Holtz and Dennys Reyes as offseason acquisitions to a staff that includes Josh Fogg, Kip Wells, Kris Benson, and All-Star closer Mike Williams.
