The Pirates know and accept the fact that they are a small-market baseball team. When a Cliff Lee, Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols are on the market, they know they won’t be able to sign those types of players to play in Pittsburgh. What they do however, is focus on the draft and sign role players who they feel can contribute. Years ago, the Houston Astros had the “Killer B’s” with Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Derek Bell and Sean Berry. Lance Berkman and Chris Burke would also join/replace to keep the Killer B’s intact. The Pirates, payed homage to the Astros, perhaps as a parting gift as they will move to the American League next season, by signing/trading four players to form their own Killer B’s.
Whilte A.J. Burnett, Erik Bedard, Rod Barajas and Clint Barmes may not strike as much fear into opponents as Bagwell and company, the new acquisitions provide much needed upgrades at each position.
Burnett gives the Pirates the hard-throwing, top of the rotation starter that they have long been looking for. Despite not performing as well as the Yankees had hoped in his three-year tenure there, Burnett still throws 92 and has started at least 32 games in the past four seasons. Burnett struck out an impressive 7.9 batters per nine innings last season and had 173 strike outs, 31 more than the Pirates leader James McDonald. Burnett also has the benefit of leaving the American League East with offensive powers the Yankees, Red Sox and improved Orioles and Blue Jays. Burnett moves into the National League Central which is now without Fielder and Pujols. The Cubs are rebuilding, the Cardinals will try to move on post-Pujols, as will the Brewers post-Fielder, the Reds have an impressive lineup and the Astros are well, the Astros. Burnett’s number should improve at the neutral, slightly more pitcher friendly PNC Park. The $13 million over two years is a good deal and the Pirates didn’t give up much to acquire Burnett. In comparison, the Los Angeles Dodgers shelled out $10 million over two-years for Chris Capuano and $9 million over two-years for Aaron Harang, as well as the $9 million deal for two-years that the Kansas City Royals gave to Bruce Chen. I’d take Burnett any day over any of them. While Burnett may not return to his Toronto or Florida form, he will still be a huge upgrade for the Pirates.
The high risk – high reward signing of the off season for the Pirates was Erik Bedard. Bedard has struggled throughout his career with injuries, but when he is healthy, he is one of the best and most underrated pitchers in the game. Bedard had 125 strikeouts in just 24 starts for the Mariners and Red Sox last season. Bedard is a hard-thrower and has one of the best curveballs I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. The Mariners thought enough of him to trade emerging superstar Adam Jones for him in 2008 and pitched well for them before injuries ended each of his seasons prematurely. Bedard has a lifetime 3.70 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. At 32-years old, Bedard still has time to turn his career around and give the Pirates an impressive one-two punch at the top of the rotation. Although Bedard has had a hard time opening up to teammates in the past, when he finally does, he will provide some veteran leadership for the young staff. With his first stint in the National League, Bedard’s career is far from over.
While Rod Barajas isn’t a sexy name, he did exactly what the Dodgers asked of him last year. A cheaper option than Russell Martin, Barajas anchored the Dodgers staff which included Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw. Barajas won’t scare anyone with his bat, but he will help a pitching staff and the growth of Charlie Morton and James McDonald. Barajas has familiarity with Burnett from their days in Toronto and has always been praised on his defensive abilities. Barajas will also serve as a mentor to Michael McKenry and his soon to be replacement Tony Sanchez. Barajas hit just .230 with 16 home runs and 47 RBI a year ago, but as a one-year buffer until Sanchez is ready, the Pirates will surely take that.
Clint Barmes has the duty of replacing everyones favorite scapegoat, Ronny Cedeno. Cedeno, who signed a deal with the Braves, had an up-and-down tenure as a Pirate, but fans sure won’t miss him. Enter in Barmes who won’t scare anybody with his bat either, but will scoop up anything hit in his area. Sounds similar to Cedeno and Jack Wilson huh? Barmes was brought here because Manager Clint Hurdle loved his play and his hustle when he managed him in Colorado. Barmes WAR numbers are slightly better than Cedeno’s and he does provide a little more pop as he hit .244 with 12 home runs and 39 RBI for Houston last year. In 2009, he did hit 23 home runs, but did have the benefit of playing in Coors Field. With little options behind him other than Chase d’Arnaud, the Pirates are hoping Barmes lives up to expectations.
While the Pirates and their fans have seen free agent signings go bad in the past (Derek Bell, Raul Mondesi, Jose Mesa, Ty Wigginton) and even as recent as last year (Matt Diaz, Lyle Overbay, Joe Beimel), they hope that the Killer B’s are here to contribute, not here as a last stop in their career.
Photo Credits: Jamie Squire/Getty Images North America
Discussion about this post