Angels, Pineiro reach 2-year deal

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By Jon Heyman, SI.com

Joel Pineiro is heading back to the AL West, where he spent 2000-06 with the Mariners. AP

Right-hander Joel Pineiro, one of the top free-agent pitchers remaining on the market, has reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Angels, sources told SI.com

The contract is $16 million for two years. The New York Mets are believed to have offered $15 million for two years, and they might have been willing to go a little higher to seal the deal.

News of the the agreement was first reported by Newsday.

Pineiro went 15-12 with a 3.49 ERA for the St. Louis Cardinals last season. He walked just 27 batters in 214 innings and posted a 60.5 percent groundball rate due to a newfound sinker.

The Angels hope Pineiro will help fill a hole created by the departure of John Lackey, who left the AL West champions for a five-year, $82.5 million deal with the Boston Red Sox.

Pineiro joins a rotation that includes Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders, Scott Kazmir and Ervin Santana.