Results tagged ‘ baseball prospectus ’
Ohlendorf wins arbitration case
The Pirates and Ross Ohlendorf went to an arbitration hearing on Tuesday and on Wednesday afternoon it was confirmed that the arbitrators sided with Ohlendorf, who will make $2.025 million for 2011.
The Pirates initially offered the right-hander $1.4 million.
Ohlendorf went 1-11 with an 4.07 ERA in 21 starts for the Pirates. Due to several injuries, Ross only pitched 108.1 innings. He made $439,000.
“While disappointed with the result, we respect the process and the work that the arbitrators do for the parties,” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. “We look forward to a healthy and winning season from Ross in 2011.”
John Perrotto of BaseballProspectus.com made a good point after the news was announced.
He tweeted: “Ross Ohlendorf’s arbitration win yet another victory for those who understand a pitcher has little control over W-L record.”
“Yes, Ohlendorf was 1-11 but ERA was 4.07, just .05 above the National League average of 4.02. Was obviously better than 1-11.”
Pirates may be interested in Pavano
Update: Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Trib reports: Pirates would be interested in pavano if price/years are right.
John Perrotto of Baseball prospectus reports: Keep hearing rumblings that the Pirates might jump in on Carl Pavano.
Pavano, who pitched for the Twins in 2010, went 17-11 with a 3.75 ERA. Through 222.1 innings pitched he walked 37 and struck out 117. In 12 big league seasons, Pavano is 97-89 with a 4.34 ERA.
Pirates announce two-year deal with Diaz, other notes
The Pirates officially announce a two-year deal with outfielder Matt Diaz. The news of the agreement came a week ago, during the winter meetings. The contract is reported to be worth $4.2 million ($2M in 2010 and 2012 plus a $250,000 signing bonus). Diaz has a career .335 batting average and .533 slugging percentage against left-handers over eight major league seasons.
Diaz will platoon in right with Garrett Jones (.282 hitter against right-handers). Ryan Doumit and John Bowker are also back-up options for the Bucs.
Diaz says he is excited to join the Pirates:
On why the Pirates were the right choice:
“Really Clint Hurdle. Met with him at the winter meetings. I talked to him once on the phone before that. He and Neal Huntington came In and gave a great presentation on where the organization is heading. So that was very important for me to go back and ask them for a second year to be a part of it. I think we are going to surprise some people. I really think by 2012, you’re really going to see this young core of players really mesh together and really make a run at this thing.”
Diaz, who has known Andrew McCutchen since he was in 8th grade, said, “He is the most underrated superstar in baseball.”
On what he thinks about playing at PNC Park: “I like hitting the ball to right center and I like the way the ball carries here. Hopefully it will be a friendly park for me to hit in, a friendly park for me to play defense in and hopefully produce some runs so we can win some games.”
On his dream of playing in a world series: “I know people in Pittsburgh nation will laugh, but, hopefully in the next couple of years we can do that.”
Other News and Notes:
- The Pirates two-year deal with pitcher Kevin Correia should be finalized later this week. In order for him to be put on the 40-man roster, the Bucs must remove someone, as it is full.
- Rob Biertempfel of the Trib reports: The Pirates are stepping up efforts to trade Ryan Doumit, who’s bumped down now to a $5.1 M bench player, backup catcher.
- According to Jesse Behr of Baseball Prospectus, he is “Hearing whispers of a Ryan Doumit-for-Marco Scutaro deal”. Scutaro in 2010 with the Red Sox hit 11 home runs, 56 RBI with a .275 average.
Hurdle to interview with Mets on Wednesday
Clint Hurdle is scheduled to interview with the New York Mets on Wednesday. The Pirates have yet to name a new manager and it is unknown how long the organization will hold out to get Hurdle –the first choice.
Hurdle interviewed with the Pirates on Thursday and is the front-runner for the job. (Jeff Banister is also in the mix, being the second choice if Hurdle decides to sign with the Mets).
You would think Hurdle could make his decision by the end of the weekend, but that may not be the case.
John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus said this on Tuesday:
@JPerrotto: #Mets may not hire manager under Dec. 1. With Hurdle involved, it mean #Pirates may not have manager announcement anytime soon.
It’s been a very long search for the Pirates. Russell was fired on October 4th and the Pirates interviewed their first potential manager (Eric Wedge) on the 5th. Time will tell just how long they are wiling to wait for the right guy.
Baseball prospectus ranks Pirates system
Kevin Goldstein of Baseball prospectus ranked the Pirates system. Here is the list of the top 11 prospects:
Five-star Prospects
1) Jameson Taillon RHP
2) Stetson Allie RHP
Four-Star Prospects
3) Luis Heredia RHP
4) Tony Sanchez C
Three-Star Prospects
5) Rudy Owens LHP
6) Bryan Morris RHP
7) Starling Marte OF
8) Jeff Locke LHP
9) Diego Moreno RHP
Two-Star Prospects
10) Colton Cain LHP
11) Zack Von Rosenberg RHP
…Continue reading for the good, the bad, projections
Kristy Robinson
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