They want to road test Avilan as the second lefty, and he was willing to sign a minor league contract. Also, they may be hoping that Romero makes the squad, with his options. I can't believe it was money. Doo pretty much said he loved DC and his time here, so he would have signed for the same money.
IT was most definitely a roster structure call. I think there's a bullpen squeeze already with Voth out of options. It almost requires Fedde to go to Rochester. There's Triple H + R (Hand Harris Hudson + Rainey) at the back end, and I think Suero and Finnegan are likely locks even though they have options. That's 7 locks, and one slot up for grabs among the 2d lefties and McGowin, whose shown he can do the job as a multi-inning guy.
They also signed Sam Clay as a LHP. Braymer, Clay, Hand and Romero are the only LH relievers on the 40-man so there definitely was a spot for Doolittle though if I recall Suero pitches well against Lefties.
