Burnett is 4-2 with an ERA of 3.60, but other than the 12 ER game against St Louis, Burnett has not given up more than 2 earned runs in his other 7 outings so far. He has returned to pitching like the ace he was in Miami and proving to Bucco Nation he was well worth the risk. Good offseason move so far.
Many fans were skeptical on the signing of Erik Bedard. There was no doubt he was a quality pitcher, but he had not started more than 24 games in one year since 2007 after being plagued with injuries. But the Pirates knew what they were getting in Bedard, a quality lefty who will give you good outings night in and night out. He has started 10 games this season already, although he exited in the 2nd inning with an injury in one of them. Only allowing more than 2 earned runs in 2 of the 9 full starts, Bedard has been very effective in stranding runners on base and keeping the Bucs in the ballgame. His record stands at 3-5 even with an ERA of 3.12, but if Bedard can stay healthy he is a perfect number three guy behind Burnett and the emerging James McDonald. Good offseason move, so far.
Let's stay in the pitching category and talk about Juan Cruz. This move was not well publicized, as it should not have been. A low risk, high reward type of deal for the Bucs. And it has been the high reward end so far this season. Cruz is a journeyman, previously pitching for 6 other major league teams before joining the Pirates. In his 12th season, Cruz has struggled at times with control and has only posted an ERA of under 3.00 in 2 seasons.
Many fans were skeptical on the signing of Erik Bedard. There was no doubt he was a quality pitcher, but he had not started more than 24 games in one year since 2007 after being plagued with injuries. But the Pirates knew what they were getting in Bedard, a quality lefty who will give you good outings night in and night out. He has started 10 games this season already, although he exited in the 2nd inning with an injury in one of them. Only allowing more than 2 earned runs in 2 of the 9 full starts, Bedard has been very effective in stranding runners on base and keeping the Bucs in the ballgame. His record stands at 3-5 even with an ERA of 3.12, but if Bedard can stay healthy he is a perfect number three guy behind Burnett and the emerging James McDonald. Good offseason move, so far.
Let's stay in the pitching category and talk about Juan Cruz. This move was not well publicized, as it should not have been. A low risk, high reward type of deal for the Bucs. And it has been the high reward end so far this season. Cruz is a journeyman, previously pitching for 6 other major league teams before joining the Pirates. In his 12th season, Cruz has struggled at times with control and has only posted an ERA of under 3.00 in 2 seasons.
However this season Cruz has been nothing short of magnificent in his 20 outings for the Bucs. Posting an ERA of 1.45 and recording 8 holds, Cruz has been tremendous in helping the Bucs to a 17-1 record when leading after 7 innings. But 20 outings is 20 outings and let's cross our fingers and hope Cruz can continue to pitch the best year of his career.
If the Pirates would have only signed the above pitchers this offseason Huntington would have looked like a genius. But he failed to address the looming concern of the lack of hitters in the lineup.
Let's start with Rod Barajas. The Pirates knew what to expect from Rod when they signed him. Below average defense mixed with decent power and below average contact. After a long slump to start the season Barajas has come on as of late to hit what his pedigree says as he is batting .232 with 4 HRs and 9 RBis through 50 games. He is starting to hit much better right now and he will provide average numbers as long as he can stay healthy. Not a bad offseason move, but in no way can Barajas be the catcher of the future.
Along with Barajas, the Pirates figured they were getting an established veteran when they signed SS Clint Barmes. A career .250 hitter, Barmes is Clint Hurdle's guy from their days in Colorado, and once showed good potential hitting 23 homers in a season. He plays above average defense but other than one season he has been below average at the dish. Unfortunately for the Bucs, he has been downright horrible this season. Batting .170 with 2 Hrs and 7 Rbis, Barmes is struggling to get anything going at the plate and the fans are really letting him know about it. But Hurdle insists that Barmes will break out of it and he will be the starting shortstop for the time being. Bad offseason move.
The Pirates also signed Casey McGehee from Milwaukee this offseason. McGehee showed great power potential at one point but had a really down season for the Brew Crew last year. He has hit horribly for the Bucs this season and his roster spot is likely in jeopardy. Another low risk, high reward move that the Bucs got the low end of.
If the Pirates want to be playing into October this season, they must address their hitting situation sooner than later. Trading away some quality pitchers is the only way they can address that need, so this could be the make or break time for Huntington.
If the Pirates would have only signed the above pitchers this offseason Huntington would have looked like a genius. But he failed to address the looming concern of the lack of hitters in the lineup.
Let's start with Rod Barajas. The Pirates knew what to expect from Rod when they signed him. Below average defense mixed with decent power and below average contact. After a long slump to start the season Barajas has come on as of late to hit what his pedigree says as he is batting .232 with 4 HRs and 9 RBis through 50 games. He is starting to hit much better right now and he will provide average numbers as long as he can stay healthy. Not a bad offseason move, but in no way can Barajas be the catcher of the future.
Along with Barajas, the Pirates figured they were getting an established veteran when they signed SS Clint Barmes. A career .250 hitter, Barmes is Clint Hurdle's guy from their days in Colorado, and once showed good potential hitting 23 homers in a season. He plays above average defense but other than one season he has been below average at the dish. Unfortunately for the Bucs, he has been downright horrible this season. Batting .170 with 2 Hrs and 7 Rbis, Barmes is struggling to get anything going at the plate and the fans are really letting him know about it. But Hurdle insists that Barmes will break out of it and he will be the starting shortstop for the time being. Bad offseason move.
The Pirates also signed Casey McGehee from Milwaukee this offseason. McGehee showed great power potential at one point but had a really down season for the Brew Crew last year. He has hit horribly for the Bucs this season and his roster spot is likely in jeopardy. Another low risk, high reward move that the Bucs got the low end of.
If the Pirates want to be playing into October this season, they must address their hitting situation sooner than later. Trading away some quality pitchers is the only way they can address that need, so this could be the make or break time for Huntington.
Posted by Rick Bauer
Follow him on Twitter @RickDBauer
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