masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgIt took a while, but former major league pitching coach Rick Peterson has accepted a job with the Orioles.

An announcement has been anticipated for more than a month. Peterson met with team officials on at least three occasions, the first time Dec. 1, before an agreement finally was reached today.

Peterson basically will replace Alan Dunn as minor league pitching coordinator, though his title is expected to be director of pitching development.

Peterson was named pitching coach in Oakland…It took a while, but former major league pitching coach Rick Peterson has accepted a job with the Orioles.

An announcement has been anticipated for more than a month. Peterson met with team officials on at least three occasions, the first time Dec. 1, before an agreement finally was reached today.

Peterson basically will replace Alan Dunn as minor league pitching coordinator, though his title is expected to be director of pitching development.

Peterson was named pitching coach in Oakland in 1998. He joined the Mets in 2003 and the Brewers in October 2009. He also was the Blue Jays minor league pitching coordinator in 1996.

The Brewers replaced Peterson with former Orioles pitching coach Rick Kranitz in November 2010, though Peterson had another year left on his contract.

Peterson, 57, is known for implementing techniques designed to reduce the risk of injuries in pitchers. He’s also one of the more analytical instructors in the game, earning the nickname “The Professor” because of his use of biomechanical research and psychological principles to help pitchers refine their deliveries.

It will be interesting to see how Peterson meshes with pitching coach Rick Adair and the instructors and coaches currently in the system.

Update: Peterson signed a one-year contract.

Jim Johnson update: The reliever has reached agreement on a contract for 2012, leaving the Orioles with four unsigned arbitration-eligible players: Robert Andino, Brad Bergesen, Jeremy Guthrie and Adam Jones.

Johnson made $975,000 last season. The Sun is reporting that he’ll make $2.625 million in 2012.