The Arizona Diamondbacks have re-signed left-handed pitcher
Joe Saunders to a one-year contract, just a month after the
veteran had rejected a two-year deal from the team and the
Diamondbacks non-tendered him. Reports indicate the deal is
worth around $6 million.

Saunders enjoyed a good 2011 season for the National League
West champions, going 12-13 with a 3.69 ERA in a career-high
212 innings of work.

The 30-year-old southpaw was acquired in 2010 from the Los
Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the trade that sent Dan Haren
to the Halos. In 46 starts with the D-backs, Saunders has
gone 15-20 with a 4.16 ERA.

This move comes just days after veteran free agent Bartolo
Colon turned down a contract offer from Arizona, opting to
sign with the Oakland A’s instead.

Saunders should be penciled in as a back-of-the-rotation
starter in 2012, and gives the organization more time to
season young pitching prospects Tyler Skaggs and Trevor
Bauer in the minor leagues.

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