Pirates "Deeply Interested" In Scott Olsen

I vaguely remembered his DUI arrest from 2007, but looking at his Wiki page, there were a number of other incidents with teammates and managers.

Olsen has had a history of disciplinary problems with the Marlins and legal issues. He was given a black eye by friend and former teammate Randy Messenger during the 2006 season. Shortly afterwards, then-manager Joe Girardi pulled Olsen by the collar and confronted him.

In a 7-6 loss to the New York Mets in July 2006, there was an incident involving former teammate Miguel Cabrera. While pitching to Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca, Lo Duca hit a hard grounder that glanced off Cabrera’s glove and rolled into left field. A run scored and Lo Duca raced to second for a double. While the ball glanced off of Cabrera’s glove, Olsen seemed to believe that Cabrera did not give his full effort to get to the ball, and as they came off the field, Olsen could be seen shouting something at Cabrera. A moment later, television cameras showed Cabrera in the crowded dugout reaching past teammates to poke his finger at Olsen as the pitcher walked past him. Olsen tried to jab back at Cabrera, who charged Olsen and tried to kick the pitcher before both players were quickly separated by teammates.

On July 15, 2007, during a start against the Washington Nationals, Olsen had a confrontation with pitcher Sergio Mitre in the tunnel heading toward the team clubhouse. Olsen ripped his jersey off and tossed it in the direction of a trainer. According to a source, Mitre and other Marlins took exception to Olsen’s actions. That’s when tensions got heated. As they left the dugout area, Mitre pinned Olsen against a wall before the two were separated by teammates. Olsen then received a two-game suspension for insubordination, but was still scheduled to make his next start the following Friday against the Cincinnati Reds.

I’m not sure where the Pirates are going here unless it’s a bargain basement deal with incentives. He shouldn’t be even close to guaranteed a spot if he signs.

The 1.34 HR/9, the 6.5/3.6 K/BB per game thing, the 90 mph heat…other than being a lefty, why is this guy even intriguing?

I remember when he first came onto the scene in Florida he seemed like a legit pitcher. Not a HOF’er or anything, but at least an above average starter. Then again, I remember another left handed starter who didn’t strike out enough and walked a few too many who got off to a great start to his career only to get derailed and turn into someone about whom you’d say “gee, if it’s a non-guaranteed minor league contract with a lot of incentives then MAYBE, but I’m not sold.” Can’t remember his name….

… ground ball pitcher with a questionable defense behind him. We could have kept Zach Duke! LOL