Here is a look at the notable free agent signings that have been made by Neal Huntington and seeing which have panned out and which ones didn’t.
Chris Gomez – 1 year/850K 2007 (BAL/CLE) .297 avg, .325 OBP, .374 SLG, .699 OPS, 0.1 WAR
1 year/$1M 2008 (PIT) .273 avg, .322 OBP, .333 SLG, .655 OPS, 0.2 WAR
Doug Mientkiewicz – 1 year/$1.5M 2007 (NYY) .277 avg, .349 OBP, .440 SLG, .789 OPS, 1.3 WAR
1 year/$750K 2008 (PIT) .277 avg, .374 OBP, .379 SLG, .753 OPS, 1.1 WAR
Ramon Vazquez – 1 year/$850K 2008 (TEX) .290 avg, .365 OBP, .430 SLG, .795 OPS, 1.3 WAR
2 year/$3.875M 2009 (PIT) .230 avg, .335 OBP, .279 SLG, .614 OPS, – 0.5 WAR
2010 – Released by the Pirates
Eric Hinske – 1 year/$850K 2008 (TB) .247 avg, .333 OBP, .465 SLG, .798 OPS, 1.2 WAR
1 year/$1.5M 2009 (PIT) .255 avg, .373 OBP, .368 SLG, .741 OPS, 0.4 WAR
Craig Monroe – 1 year/$3.82M 2008 (MIN) .202 avg, .274 OBP, .405 SLG, .679 OPS, – 0.5 WAR
1 year/$750K 2009 (PIT) .215 avg, .287 OBP, .354 SLG, .642 OPS, – 0.3 WAR
Ryan Church – 1 year/$2.8M 2009 (NYM/ATL) .273 avg, .338 OBP, .384 SLG, .722 OPS, 1.7 WAR
1 year/$1.5M 2010 (PIT) .182 avg, .240 OBP, .312 SLG, .552 OPS, – 0.6 WAR
Bobby Crosby – 1 year/$5.3M 2009 (OAK) .223 avg, .295 OBP, .357 SLG, .652 OPS, – 1.3 WAR
1 year/$1M 2010 (PIT) .224 avg, .301 OBP, .295 SLG, .595 OPS, – 1.1 WAR
Octavio Dotel – 1 year/$6M 2009 (CWS) 3.32 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 2.08 K/BB, 1.2 WAR
1 year/$3.25M 2010 (PIT) 4.28 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 2.82 K/BB, 0.2 WAR
Lyle Overbay – 1 year/$7.95M 2010 (TOR) .243 avg, .329 OBP, .433 SLG, .762 OPS, 2.2 WAR
1 year/$5M 2011 (PIT) .227 avg, .300 OBP, .349 SLG, .649 OPS, – 0.8 WAR
Matt Diaz – 1 year/$2.55M 2010 (ATL) .250 avg, .302 OBP, .438 SLG, .739 OPS, 0.5 WAR
2 year/$4.125M 2011 (PIT) .259 avg, .303 OBP, .324 SLG, .627 OPS, – 0.7 WAR
2012 – Currently with the Braves
Kevin Correia – 1 year/$3.6M 2010 (SD) 5.40 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 1.80 K/BB, – 1.9 WAR
2 year/$7M 2011 (PIT) 4.79 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 1.97 K/BB, – 0.2 WAR
2012 (PIT) 4.50 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 1.07 K/BB, – 0.1 WAR
Clint Barmes – 1 year/$3.925M 2011 (HOU) .244 avg, .312 OBP, .386 SLG, .698 OPS, 3.1 WAR
2 year/$10.5M 2012 (PIT) .171 avg, .200 OBP, .285 SLG, .485 OPS, – 0.7 WAR
Rod Barajas – 1 year/$3.25 2011 (LAD) .230 avg, .287 OBP, .430 SLG, .717 OPS, 1.2 WAR
1 year/$4M 2012 (PIT) .220 avg, .265 OBP, .407 SLG, .672 OPS, – 0.1 WAR
Nate McLouth – $7M 2011 (ATL) .228 avg, .344 OBP, 333 SLG, .677 OPS, – 0.1 WAR
1 year/$1.75M (PIT) .143 avg, .213 OBP, .179 SLG, .392, – 0.8 WAR
Erik Bedard – 1 year/$1M 2011 (SEA/BOS) 3.62 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 2.60 K/BB, 0.2 WAR
1 year/$4M 2012 (PIT) 3.52 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 2.67 K/BB, 0.4 WAR
In 2008, the Pirates had Chris Gomez and Doug Mientkiewicz off their bench. Both were pretty helpful that year as reserves. In 2009, it was Ramon Vazquez, Eric Hinske, and Craig Monroe. The Vazquez signing was based on coming off a career year as a reserve for Texas, but wasn’t that same player at all in Pittsburgh. The Hinske signing seemed like a solid pick up, as he was regarded as one of the best bench players in baseball, but had expressed unhappiness with them, which may have lead to mediocre numbers. The Monroe signing was a bit of a stretch, as he came off a poor season with the Twins and was cut by the Pirates mid-season that year. At least the Pirates didn’t have to pay as much as what Minnesota had to the year before. In 2010, it was Ryan Church, Bobby Crosby, and Octavio Dotel. Just like the Hinske signing, the Church signing seemed like a good sign, as he was brought into be a fourth outfielder who could play all three outfield spots. The Crosby signing may have been made so the Bucs could have their own Crosby. But in all seriousness, he didn’t give you much of a bat, despite being an above average defender. The Dotel signing was a good veteran sign, as he was one of the better relievers in the game, and someone who posted very good strikeout ratios for his career. Also the Pirates were able to get James McDonald for dealing him. In 2011, it was Lyle Overbay, Matt Diaz, and Kevin Correia. Overbay and Diaz were both disappointments, who put up decent numbers in their careers, but not with the Pirates. Correia became the first starting pitcher that Neal had signed via free agency. Despite being named an all-star last year, the reality is that his season was so-so. This year so far has been somewhat okay, even though the strikeout numbers are really down. But at the least the signing hasn’t been a total disaster. Going into 2012, the Pirates brought in Clint Barmes, Rod Barajas, Nate McLouth, and Erik Bedard. Barmes has struggled badly to this point, but I thought he would be a little better than what he’s shown so far. After all he was a three win player a year ago. The Barajas signing has been as expected thus far, with a low average, low on base, but has shown pop in the bat at times. The McLouth signing is looking very bad by the minute. It reminds me of the Church signing, as you’d that he would be decent as a reserve outfielder, but has not panned out at all. The Bedard signing was a good “risk/reward” sign, and it’s been more reward so far for the Pirates. He’s always posted good strikeout ratios, but the one concern was health and injury issues. Garrett Jones I’m going to list as an honorable mention. Even though his 2009 rookie season was an admiration, he’s been able to stick around and be helpful at times. Not only that, but how many minor league free agents in their late 20′s last this long in the big leagues? For the most part, the free agent signings by Neal Huntington haven’t really panned out. Just really a combination of either veterans who hit a decline or bad luck.
