Orioles Snap Up Boskie From the Angels

Right-handed pitcher Shawn Boskie, who won a career-high 12 games for the Angels last season, signed a one-year contract Monday with the Baltimore Orioles.

The Angels apparently believed they could afford to let Boskie go after acquiring left-hander Allen Watson in last month’s deal that sent Gold Glove first baseman J.T. Snow to the San Francisco Giants.

Boskie was 12-11 with a 5.32 earned-run average in 37 games, including 28 starts last season. Three of his victories were against the Orioles.

“We are pleased to add a veteran pitcher like Shawn to our staff,” Kevin Malone, Oriole assistant general manager, said in a prepared statement. “He will be given an opportunity to be a member of our starting rotation. We believe his career is on the upswing.”

In other news, the Angels’ pursuit of Baltimore free agent designated hitter Eddie Murray continues. The Angels hope Murray will fill the void left by the departures of Snow and designated hitter Chili Davis, who was traded to the Kansas City Royals.

Baltimore recently told Murray, 40, to look elsewhere for a new deal, but the Washington Post quoted Malone as saying: “We’ve got some interest. We think he might be a valuable guy to keep with our ballclub.”

So far, the Angels and Orioles have been the clubs most interested in Murray, who batted .260 with 22 home runs and 79 runs batted in last season.

The Orioles decided last month not to offer salary arbitration to Murray.