Pirates sign Olsen to 1 year deal

Pirates and Olsen have tentatively agreed on $1M/1 yr. with incentives, pending a physical later in the week. Olsen has a history of shoulder tendinitis that placed him on a DL and missed a month and a half in 2009. Olsen, also, has a history of confrontations with teammates and DUI arrest.

Scott Olsen: Career Stats 36-46, 4.80 ERA, 516 K; 2010 81 IP in 17 Games 4-8, 5.56 ERA. 


-There have been some early grumblings, amongst Pirates fans, about this particular signing. His personal problems, outside of baseball, with the DUI arrest, along with on-field antics, such as, arguing with teammates and former teammates, seem to have a lot worried about his potential actions in Pittsburgh. This is a, rather cheap, pick up, by the Pirates. One year for $1M, if he does work out to be a starting pitcher, that is good, but can easily be transitioned into the bullpen, where I feel he will inevitably end up.

Pirates add Correia to rotation

Pirates and Correia have reportedly agreed to 2yr/$4M contract. The 7 year veteran, former SF Giant and SD Padre, Correia hasn’t spent any significant time on the DL in his career (unable to find any record actually). 2009 he signed a 1yr/750K deal with the Padres and once again in 2010 he signed a 1yr/3.6M deal, where he became the staff ace.

 

Kevin Correia: Career Stats 36-40, 4.41 ERA, 529 K; 2010 145.1 IP in 28 games, 4.57 ERA. 

- This, being the Pirates first multi year deal of a free agent Pitcher, in years, seems to be a very good pick up. The last two seasons, winning at least 10 games, has been very productive as a starting pitcher. Spending his first few years, with San Fransisco, as a reliever, he eventually got put into a starting rotation, proving himself worthy and was quickly signed by San Diego. If he can remain, basically, injury free, he will provide, much needed boost, the starting rotation needs.

Pirates Sign Matt Diaz (Dye-azz)

The Pirates have come to terms, with the former Brave Matt Diaz, for 2yr/4.25M. Arguably, 2009 was his best season, having career highs; 13 HR, .313 BA, and .878 OPS. In the 2010 season, Diaz was plagued with a right thumb injury, starting the year out hitting .178, was placed on the DL and had surgery to repair his right thumb Diaz, by trade, is a left fielder, but has been thrown around to center and right field over his 8 year career.

Matt Diaz: Career Stats .301 BA/.350 OBP/.456 SLG/.806 OPS; 2010 .250 BA/.302 OBP/.438 SLG/.878 OPS in 84 Games,  

- With the addition of Diaz, the Pirates have basically cemented themselves with the idea of platooning. Diaz, much like Milledge, was able to hit left-handers very well. There seems to be a slight risk, in my opinion, with the surgically repaired right thumb. Though a possible upside is the fact that PNC Park is a ,right hand hitters, friendly ball park.

Can Accardo stay healthy?

Jeremy Accardo, has spent the last few years in the Toronto organization, missed most of the 2008 season with a right foot injury, and most 2009 was spent in AAA Las Vegas, but appeared in 26 games with the Blue Jays. Accardo was due to make $1.08M in 2011 and was 2^nd year arbitration eligible, though was non-tendered by Toronto.

Jeremy Accardo: Career Stats 7-17, 3.95 ERA, 153 K and 35 Saves; 2010 6.2 IP in 5 Games, 8.10 ERA.

-Latest reports are that the White Sox, Rays and Pirates, seem to be the three teams interested in him, to this point. Could be a decent pick up, at the right price. Pirates seem to be building the bullpen back up.

Pirates trading for Kawakami?

Currently the Atlanta Braves are shopping Kenshin Kawakami around, hoping to unload a large portion of his +$6M salary for next year, and are said to be willing to eat some of the money. He is a breaking ball pitcher, and has a fastball that reaches the low 90’s. His ’98 Rookie of the Year honors was the beginning of a stellar career in the Japanese league.  The Braves signed him to a three year contract and currently have him assigned to Double-A Mississippi Braves. For most part, when Japanese pitchers come over to the U.S., they tend to draw larger paying contracts, due to their unique pitching style. His decline in stats is unexplainable, but still has an unbelievable break in his pitching. 


Kenshin Kawakami: Japanese Stats ’98-‘08 112 – 72, 3.22 ERA, 1328K MLB Career Stats 8-22, 4.32 ERA, 164K; 2010 87.1 IP in 18 games 1-10, 5.15 ERA. 

Pirates intersted in Bill Hall?

Reports are coming out of Boston,via Nick Cafardo, of boston.com, that the Pirates and Bill Hall are currently in talks. Cafardo tweeted earlier:

@nickcafardo If bill hall accepts pirates offer could start at 2B

Hall, former Red Sock, is a free age.nt this off season, after a 4 year contract initially  signed by the Brewers. Hall, a utility player, played every position in Boston, except for 1B and C (yes he even had 1 IP, retiring the side, in a loss to the Royals), has spent a lot of time in the OF (239 G), SS (267 G) and 3B (271 G) over his 9 year career. Seems the interest in Hall, is a rich man’s Delwyn Young, his last contract was 4yr/23.5M. With a utility player of this caliber, would ultimately add to platoon and give a bat off of the bench.

Bill Hall: Career Stats .250 BA/.310 OBP/.443 SLG/.753 OPS; 2010 .247 BA/.316 OBP/.456 SLG/.772 OPS 

Childhood Idols

Recently, my son and I watched “Chasing 3000,” the story of two young brothers and their journey across the country to witness the 3000^th career hit of Roberto Clemente. These two brothers idolized Clemente, their home town hero, emanating his walk to the plate, and his at bat routine, and followed all news written about him, when not able to watch or listen to the game. Finally arriving in Pittsburgh, the brothers witness Clemente’s 3000^th and final hit, a memory they will forever have. There were thousands of young kids that looked up to Clemente, as before him were; Wagner, Waner, and Kiner.

Every generation, of Pirates fans, has a select few players that get idolized. Their jerseys are worn by fans of all ages, signs are waved in the air as they come to the plate, and names are chanted. As a child, I looked up to nearly every single Pirate; Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonilla, Andy Van Slyke, Jose Lind, Jay Bell, Jeff King. The glory days, of 1990-1992, I would be forced to go to bed in the late innings, and would wake up, first thing in the morning, and turn on ESPN for the highlights, arguably the highlights of my childhood.

It’s been 18 years, since my glory days, and still do admire those players, for what they were, no matter where they went and what they did after they left the Pirates. My son, David, is 9 years old now and fully understands the game of baseball, but not the business. As he attends nearly 20 games a year, follows games on the internet and television, he is constantly talking about; Garrett Jones, Neil Walker, Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez and Jose Tabata. As he sits in the stands watching his favorite players, I always smile and wonder if he would ever experience my joy, enjoy the his memories as I do.

Who will be that one player that will stick out in the future of all young Pirates fans? Could Neil Walker be the hometown favorite? Will Pedro Alvarez’s bat win the heart, and lead a new Lumber Company? There is so much to look forward to in the next few years. I am eager to find the answer.