MLB Free Agency: Pirates Must Decide On Options Today, Kelly Shoppach A Possibility

by Charlie Wilmoth on Oct 31, 2011 9:42 AM EDT

The Pirates must decide on their team options for Paul Maholm, Ryan Doumit, Chris Snyder and Ronny Cedeno today. Rob Biertempfel notes that, more or less as we've expected, the Pirates will probably decline the first three but exercise Cedeno's.

Biertempfel also notes that if the Rays decline Kelly Shoppach's option (as I presume they will), he would be a potential target for the Pirates on the free-agent market. Shoppach would be a good addition if his ability to make contact hadn't totally deserted him in the past few years - he has power and plays reasonable defense, but his batting averages the last two years have been .196 and .176, and it's hard to be a valuable player overall when you do that. The anti-NH folk would have all kinds of fun if the Pirates went into April with a .176 hitter as their top option at catcher, and I can't say I'd blame them. Of course, there's also the chance that the Bucs could sign Shoppach and then have him back up Michael McKenry, but then your starting catcher is Michael McKenry. I wouldn't mind adding Shoppach, but the Pirates' hunt for a catcher shouldn't start and end there.

UPDATE: Via cocktailsfor2, the Pirates have "formally" told Snyder no thanks on the option, which means he's now a free agent.

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

At least the guesswork on options goes away in 14 hours. We’ll know who is and isn’t available.

by Thunder on Oct 31, 2011 9:49 AM EDT reply actions

Bietempfel tweets:

No surprise: #Pirates have formally told C Chris Snyder they will NOT pick up his 2012 contact option.

Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Oct 31, 2011 10:17 AM EDT reply actions

LaRussa retiring...

guess that means Albert probably isn’t staying with the Cardinals either.

by Thunder on Oct 31, 2011 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

So

Cubs or Angels?

by Wizard of Woz on Oct 31, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

well if you knew you were losing your best hitter

and run producer along with possibly some other pieces. Would you bail as well? most likely the Cardinals will go through a slight rebuilding phase. Something LaRussa’s not been as good with i don’t think.

by lfhlaw on Nov 1, 2011 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

From Tim at PP:

Both catchers profile as Type B free agents. If the Pirates decline the options, they still have the right to offer arbitration to each player. That would be the smart move if they wanted to keep Doumit, as it would amount to a one year deal at around $6 M if he accepted, compared to two years and $15.5 M under his option. As Type B free agents, Snyder and Doumit could land the Pirates draft picks in the 2012 draft. For this to happen, the Pirates would have to offer arbitration, the player would have to decline, and then the player would have to sign with another team.

Decline Doumit, offer him arb and it’s borderline win/win.. A semi-productive player at a position of need at a reasonable salary OR a compensatory draft pick. I expect him to scoff at the $6m because of a weak FA crop, but oh well. Sounds like a good situation to be in. The 2"ish" wins (based on BR WAR) they would potentially sacrifice by having McKenry play a whole season over Doumit (assuming that both play at their 2010 levels) isn’t enough to justify paying Doumit $15m. It’s the difference between 90 and 92 losses. Who knows, if history repeats, they could pick-up Doumit’s option and still have McKenry (or whomever) catch for most of the season due to injury.

http://www.piratesprospects.com/2011/10/player-option-decisions-due-today.html

by SLucas22 on Oct 31, 2011 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

I don't think....

this is right. Each player becomes a free agent tonight. Pirates don’t have the right to offer arbitration.

The Hammer Speaks
Extra Innings
Twitter: @DTonPirates and @hammerspeaks

by David Todd on Oct 31, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

No, the Pirates can offer arbitration to these guys if they want to.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Oct 31, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes....

you are correct. They are all free agents and can negotiate/sign with other teams on Thursday.

The Hammer Speaks
Extra Innings
Twitter: @DTonPirates and @hammerspeaks

by David Todd on Oct 31, 2011 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

(I know this has already been pointed out to you, just didn’t want to leave that out there hanging in this thread.)

by Charlie Wilmoth on Oct 31, 2011 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

kelly shoppach

right up NH’s alley. former indian. part of the rumored deal for jason bay (along with cliff lee and franklin gutierrez) from before the 2008 season. on the wrong side of 30 and owner of an absolutely brutal k-rate (career rate is 4% MORE than adam dunn’s). peripherals all going the wrong direction. eek.

by johnnycuff on Oct 31, 2011 11:07 AM EDT reply actions