Veteran right-hander Chris Sampson officially signed a minor league contract with the Florida Marlins on Monday upon passing his physical.
Florida instantly assigned him to extended Spring Training in Jupiter, Fla., where Sampson will spend the next week or two building up his pitch count and arm stamina in order to make the transition back into being a starting pitcher after spending the last two seasons working as a middle reliever for the Houston Astros.
From there, the Marlins plan to put Sampson in the starting rotation at Triple-A New Orleans, and if he performs well, a potential call-up to the big leagues could be in his future this season.
"I'm in Jupiter, Fla., right now for extended Spring Training," Sampson said via a phone interview. "I'm really excited to continue my career with a first-class organization like the Florida Marlins. The plan right now is to build my arm stamina and pitch count so I can transition back into being a starting pitcher.
"I've been a starter for the Astros in the past, but was then used as a reliever. I didn't mind being a relief pitcher and I always did my best to execute in my assigned roles, but my goal and passion has always been to be a starting pitcher in the majors."
The 32-year-old Sampson, a fan favorite over the years in Houston, was released by the Colorado Rockies organization on March 31, despite a stellar Spring Training, in which he allowed just one earned run over seven outings in Minor League Camp.
He inked a minor league deal with the Rockies in February with the expectation of starting the 2011 campaign at Triple-A Colorado Springs, and if effective, possibly earn a call-up at some point.
However, the Rockies' front office informed him while setting their full-season minor league rosters that he turned heads over the course of Spring Training with his overall repertoire, but at the time, a roster spot wasn't available for him in their farm system.
Sampson returned to Houston in early April to continue working out while leaving the negotiation process in the hands of his agents, Randy and Alan Hendricks, who represented Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte over the course of their playing careers.
He informed Examiner.com after being released by Colorado that it was a rough time to be a free agent, especially since all 30 Major League Baseball teams had already set their 25-man Opening Day rosters and full-season squads at the minor league levels.
Despite the timing, Sampson remained optimistic something would happen toward the end of April due to injuries or other circumstances facing ballclubs.
According to Sampson, the Marlins recently contacted the Hendricks brothers, stating they were interested in him as a starting pitcher.
"Florida called my agent asking what's the deal with me," Sampson said. "The Marlins basically stated their need for starting pitching depth and were aware of my good Spring Training with the Rockies, and that I've been a starter in the past with the Astros.
"I got a call from my agent asking me if I would be interested in joining the Marlins organization as a starting pitcher, and I said, 'Absolutely!' It's an exciting time to be part of the Marlins with their overall talent and the new stadium set to open next season.
"I'm very happy with how things worked out."
Sampson pinpoints that Houston and New Orleans are within reasonable driving distance, making it easier for his friends and family to watch him play.
As a Channelview High School product, owner of LoneStar Baseball Academy in Baytown, Texas, and lifelong Houston resident, it's icing on the cake in an already ideal situation for Sampson.
"I flew out to Florida on Sunday to take care of all the stuff for Monday," he said. "After I'm done here in extended Spring Training, I'll be closer to home when I report to New Orleans. Hopefully, I do well and I won't be there for long, but still, it's great to be closer to home. My family and friends will be able to watch me play some and we'll probably make a trip or two over to Round Rock."
At this point, it's about hitting spots, building arm stamina and throwing strikes for Sampson, who doesn't hesitate to say his shoulder feels better than ever after battling two consecutive injury-plagued seasons with the Astros that included stints on the disabled list.
"I feel great," Sampson said. "My shoulder and everything in my arm feels 100 percent. I'm throwing the ball better than ever. I was hitting my spots and doing really well in Spring Training for the Rockies. Now, I have to do the same thing with the Marlins. I'm confident I'll do so."
Sampson has posted a 20-15 record with a 4.42 ERA over 174 games (33 starts) in five major league seasons -- all with the Astros.
Houston elected to outright him from the 40-man roster in early September, thus officially ending his tenure with the hometown team.
He's moved forward in his career and hopes to start a new chapter with Florida.
"We'll see how it goes," Sampson said. "All I can do is control what I can control, work hard and do my best. It is what it is, and I'm very excited to have the chance to be a starting pitcher again and get an opportunity to earn my way back to the big leagues."
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