Rod Barajas, Pirates Agree To Terms
by Charlie Wilmoth on Nov 10, 2011 1:05 PM EST
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PrintThe Pirates have agreed to terms with catcher Rod Barajas to a one-year deal worth $4 million, plus a $3.5 million option on 2012 with no buyout. Kudos to the Bucs for getting in there and acting aggressively to, you know, fix the fact that they had no catcher, particularly given that the free-agent market was weak. I was never in favor of picking up Ryan Doumit's option, but I did hope they'd find a way to bring them back, simply because the catching situation without him was so dire. Barajas is a big downgrade from Doumit in terms of hitting ability - he's only cleared a .300 OBP twice in his career - but he's an upgrade in terms of Staying Healthy So Mike McKenry Isn't In The Lineup All The Time. Barajas is also a better defender than Doumit, and he has good power for a catcher.
The 2013 option on his services is nice, too, in that it will give the Pirates some flexibility next year if they need it. I don't expect they'll exercise it, since Barajas is old (and therefore reasonably likely to decline in 2012) and since they apparently don't like exercising options. But it's nice to have around.
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I'll say it again here
Actually, is this evidence that an FA with choices might sign with us after all? I mean, the guy wasn’t highly sought-after or whatever, but I can’t believe that we were his only (potential) suitors, nor that this represents an overpay.
I mean, the guy wasn’t highly sought-after or whatever, but I can’t believe that we were his only (potential) suitors, nor that this represents an overpay.
The Dodgers were reportedly interested in bringing him back. Of course, it was just announced that the Dodgers aren’t allowed to bid on FAs until the sale is official, and he may not have wanted to wait that long.
He’s not all that good a catcher, but this is a much less bad resolution than some of the other possibilities, given the position in which we placed ourselves.
Yeah, clearly
This isn’t the kind of guy who could write his own ticket. But at this price, he’d be a desirable backup for any team that needed one, so the market was bigger than for a typical low grade FA.
I don’t recall; was Church considered a market rate signing? Aside from the concussions, he didn’t seem to be a hug collapse risk or otherwise have red flags (in contrast to Cosby, who was still coasting off his rookie year).
Church
I distinctly remember a fangraphs article that said the Church signing was great for the value.
The annoying thing about Ryan Church
is the ONLY time in his entire career that he was a useless player was his time as a Pirate. From ‘05-’08, he average 355 PA’s a year with a .277/.352/.468 line. In ‘09, his power dipped but he still posted a reasonable 93 OPS+ in 399 PA’s with two teams (89 OPS+ for the Mets, 98 for the Braves). His walk and strikeout numbers were decent.
Then he came to Pittsburgh and posted a hideous .182/.240/.312 line (59 OPS+). After being dealt to Arizona he turned back into a productive player and put up a 118 OPS+ for the D-Backs in an admittedly small sample size. He wasn’t ever really a great player but for some reason he was only a bad player for the Pirates.
by KentuckyPirate on Nov 10, 2011 8:19 PM EST up reply actions
I'm satisfied in the sense of "it could have been worse"
Although catcher was perhaps a tight spot they found themselves in that wasn’t of their own making.
Picking up either Doumit’s or Snyder’s options would’ve been bad business. If they didn’t want to give up a draft pick in the event they could’ve convinced Ramon Hernandez to sign with them, Barajas was the only other option that wasn’t completely terrible other than offering Doumit arbitration.
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
I’m satisfied in the sense of “it could have been worse”
Agree. Not a good outcome, but less bad than some of the other alternatives.
by Vlad on Nov 10, 2011 1:55 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Did you see a realistic, better alternative?
Serious question. There’s been some chatter about trading for a catcher, but I haven’t heard any realistic guesses at names (on both sides).
no catcher is worth giving up Starling Marte for
a bonafide starting pitcher on the other hand……..
I'm not THAT high on Arencibia
Yeah, he has power but the on base skills are lousy, he strikes out 4x as much as he walks, he’s not great defensively and he’s only young-ish as opposed to young. I’m not sure I’d be willing to part with Marte alone to get Arencibia, let alone Marte as a package.
by KentuckyPirate on Nov 10, 2011 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
you make valid points
but it would take AT LEAST marte just to get a glimpse of Arencibia…
just sayin
That's why
I would look elsewhere for catching help. Considering that we now have a passable catching option for 2012, I think that by this time next year we will have a much better idea of what kind of player Tony Sanchez really is. Just think about dealing Marte+Player X for Arencibia only to have Tony Sanchez put up a .315/.415/.450 line in Indy…
by KentuckyPirate on Nov 10, 2011 3:16 PM EST up reply actions
He’s been sub-replacement-level for a couple of years now, so I certainly wouldn’t deal Marte for him. In fact, Lind would be a pretty strong non-tender candidate right now if not for the fact that Toronto signed him to a deal that bought out all his arb years.
Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.
ARE YOU F#$%ING KIDDING ME!!!! ADAMS!!! JESUS TAPDANCING CHRIST YOU HAD 24 SQUARE FEET AND YOU MISSED IT ALL!! - OlenWhitaker
Certified Grabbo Lover, though only by accident.
Total Internet Points: 9001
how is Lind "sub replacement level"???
sure, he has some issues the last 2 seasons, but seriously????
Fangraphs grades him out as...
….-.8 WAR in 2010 and .5 WAR for 2011 which comes out to -.3 the past two seasons.
BBRE has him at -.4 for 2010 and .7 for 2011 for a total of .3
Basically if you want to find the mean between the two (and that’s usually a good idea when looking at WAR), he’s exactly replacement level who can also hurt you a good bit of the time
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
2009
3.7 according to Fangraphs, 3.3 according to BBREF
Go back to 2007 & 2008 thought and you get this:
Fangraphs .4 and .1
BBREF: .2 and .6
The guy had 1 spectacular year bounded an either side by two incredibly medicore-to-bad years.
4 out of the past 5 seasons he’s put up less than 1 WAR no matter who’s calculations you use.
Bottom line, Lind is not very good. 2009 was a fluke.
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
too many spelling errors to list there
Ugh. Apologies.
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
but dont be surprised if Lind turns it back around
he would be similar to Laroche in the burgh. slumps on occasion, got some thunder in the wood. XBH would be better that what we have seen here in the last few seasons.
I'd be surprised
What would you base your belief that he’d turn it around here upon other than hope and that 1 season that looks increasingly like a mirage?
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
im not looking for him to be a superstar, raybin
just saying he has shown good stick in the past, and hes not too old, and his contract is definately workable
I like Loney a LOT more than Lind
Loney gets a bad rap and much of it is undeserved.
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
He's shown good stick 1 season in the past
Look if he were a free agent and the Bucs took a flyer on him, that’s one thing.
But to give up assets for him a trade is quite another, particularly when, if you’re gonna give up assets, they can go to someone far more likely to be useful
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
Sub-300 OBPs and indifferent defense will do that.
by Charlie Wilmoth on Nov 10, 2011 3:57 PM EST up reply actions
Is he?
He’s a not horrible bench option, but you can find guys like that without giving up assets. Keep in mind Lind’s name came up in a discussion about moving Marte. Marte for Lind would be a really, really, really terrible move.
thats youre opinion
but to be frank, Lind would be our best 1Bman by far and at a position of need. Marte may never add up to anything in the show.
anyway, i would think the Jays would want pitching
I’m pretty sure if the Pirates offered Marte for Lind, there would be a lot of high-fiving going on in the Jays’ GM office.
by Charlie Wilmoth on Nov 11, 2011 10:25 AM EST up reply actions
I'd argue
someone may get much more action than a high-five for that kind of deal
just sayin’….
by insane_sanity on Nov 11, 2011 11:51 AM EST up reply actions
I disagree
Garrett Jones was worth 0.9 fWAR last year. Lee was worth 1.4. Bring either of those guys back and Lind definitely isn’t their best 1Bman. Hell, Matt Hague’s MLEs translate to roughly a .262/.318/.379 line which is close to LInd’s .251/.295/.439.
Lind really isn’t good. He had one good season surrounded by 4 pretty bad ones. He’s not their best offseason option, wouldn’t be their best player at the position “by far” anyway, and is certainly not worth giving up anything of value.
Marte may never add up to anything in the show.
So? The “prospects don’t always work out” caveat always applies and we all know it. Point is, Marte is WAY more valuable than Lind right now and even if he doesn’t work out in the end, it would be a dumb move to trade him now for a bad hitter.
berkman came back and performed
im just sayin dont be surprised if Lind plays better in the near future
How are they at all comparable?
Berkman had 12 above average seasons with the bat, was slightly below average at 34, and had a monster year at 35. Lind has had one above average year with the bat and has been average at best every other year.
actually
this means they really SHOULD offer doumit arbitration. Doumit will see that the Pirates have already picked up another catcher, and, seeing limited playing time, be MORE likely to decline, thus getting us a draft pick.
That’s just my opinion, though. And worse comes to worse, he does accept, we actually have another decent catching platoon going into next season, and McKenry can be optioned to AAA for insurance.
i like it.
considering the alternatives, this is the best possible outcome for the catcher position, aside from a trade. It would be a fresh sight to see a catcher stay healthy and in the lineup.
Although, i still would have liked to have Doumit’s bat back.
Good to see the Pirates be aggressive and get their guy.
i'll admit
that i don’t terribly care one way or another. My guess is that this spells the end of JJ in a Pirates uniform, and I’d not have minded seeing him get a shot this year. Overal, though, C is a fairly important position and it’s OK that they’ve made a move to get a decent guy at about market rate.
I have a hard time complaining about this a whole lot
Would’ve rather had Hernandez, but he costs a pick and I can see the argument against the Bucs sacrificing that, at least for him.
For now, I’ll focus on the postiive: the Bucs moved quickly to fill a hole and did so by landing the 2nd best free agent catcher on the market. I realize that says a lot more about the free agent pool at catcher this year than it does Barajas, but still.
In 461.1 innings behind the plate last year, Doumit had a 24% success rate in catching guys stealing (13 out of 54) and allowed 4 passed balls.
In 733.1 innings behind the plate last year, Barajas had a 25% success rate in throwing out base stealers (20 out of 80) and allowed 3 passed balls.
Barajas isn’t a defensive dynamo or anything, but his stats are better (if a tiny bit) despite catching over 250 more innings. It tells me he’s more dependable over the long haul. As a rough comparison, the last time Doumit caught over 700 innings (790.1 in 2010), he allowed 9 passed balls and threw out only 12% of runners (11 out of 90)
Honestly, if it were up to me, I would’ve taken the bit of a defensive downgrade with the huge upgrade in the bat Doumit provides by at least offering him arbitration and keeping him or a year if he accepts or taking the sandwich pick if he declines….but then again, it’s not my money.
All that aside, this is quite literally the best the Bucs could do on the free agent market. It’ll get Pagnozzi off the roster and keep McKenry on the bench 95 games a year (if all goes well) and that is not to be regretted.
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
Barajas can't be that bad
If you have been on this site for very long you should know by now that Ryan Doumit is the worst defensive catcher of all time. If it’s printed here, it MUST be true. lol
I thought we had weeded out
or banned alla them?
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Nov 10, 2011 11:17 PM EST up reply actions
They died out with the end of summer
Rest assured, they’ll return come spring, and we’ll have to get out the ban hammer weed killer again.
Kills bugs dead...
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Nov 11, 2011 10:41 AM EST up reply actions
Looking at his splits...
…Barajas is reasonably effective against lefties at the plate if nothing else.
.264/.337/.473/119 wRC+ against southpaws as opposed to .214/.265/.409/83 wRC+ against righties.
So there’s that.
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
meaning doumit would still make a nice platoon complement
they should still offer arbitration
by titanlord91 on Nov 10, 2011 2:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I agree
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
but
Snyder/doumit’s injury history means you might end up just like last year. If anything, barajas has been a workhorse, and with snyder’s back problems, might outhit snyder too
Still don't think this enough to solidify the catcher position.
They should still be after a guy like Shoppach, for depth purposes.
why does everyone write off Jaramillo?
McKenry didn’t hit for crap last year, .222, and I can’t recall him throwing out too many
runners.
by pineapplepete on Nov 10, 2011 1:43 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
he should be at AAA, would you like us to discuss his horrible offense last year?
Thats what she said! - Michael Gary Scott
Wouldn't surprise me...
…if he spends April and May at AA and perhaps even into July.
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
i dont think so
cabrera should be at AA this season. I couldnt imagine them splitting time, and i would expect they want to see both get full playing time
Thats what she said! - Michael Gary Scott
do you mean
Sanchez and Fryer at AAA? If thats the case then Im certainly giving Sanchez every opportunity to start.
Thats what she said! - Michael Gary Scott
I hope not
Cabrera and Paulino both deserve promotions to AA and Sanchez has already gotten a decent amount of time there. Time for him to go to AAA.
That's because...
we don’t believe in miracles. A guy that struggled in AA last season isn’t going to magically become a worthwhile starter in the major leagues over the winter with no AFL or winter ball.
But nobody’s saying: “Well, Barajas is OK for 2012, and then we have Sanchez for 2013.”
Amazing how perceptions change so quickly. This time last year, people told me I was on drugs for suggesting that Sanchez projects as a .240-.250 hitter in the majors. Are we already starting to give up on the No. 4 overall pick in the 2009 draft?
It was already said in one of the other threads
I think it kind of goes without saying. Part of what’s nice about this contract is that, barring collapse, we can move him or get rid of him at any time, or keep him all the way through ‘13 if necessary. When Sanchez comes up, it will be because he’s ready, not because we have a hole.
im certainly not. i fully expect sanchez to be on our roster in 2013. whether he has the offense to truly help us plus his defense is another thing
Thats what she said! - Michael Gary Scott
i fully expect sanchez to be on our roster in 2013
He’ll be eligible for the R5 at the end of 2012, so he’d better be on the 40-man by then, or we’re in trouble.
He'll be on the 40 man or traded by this time next year
Don’t think there’s any question about that.
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
Tony Sanchez will be in Pitt in 2013
Hehad a tough year but remember he got his face busted up. That is not an easy thing to
get over. Ths guy caught a 26 inning game at BC, refused to come out. That tells me he will be back, and if not, that’s what the option on Barajas is all about.
by pineapplepete on Nov 10, 2011 1:59 PM EST up reply actions
I'd rather have Jaramillo as backup too...
…but the fact is, he’s probably not in their plans anymore.
The smart money right now is on Barajas/McKenry in Pittsburgh and Fryer/Somebody(Pagnozzi?) in Indy
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
OK McKenry
hey anyone who hits .222 doesn’t deserve spelling respect.
by pineapplepete on Nov 10, 2011 2:06 PM EST up reply actions
shit, i need to tell Alvureez to start hittin'
by white angus on Nov 10, 2011 2:25 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
He hit better than .222...
…but I would’ve liked to see Andruw McCutcheon’s average up higher than it was this season
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
and McKendry is?
Not right now, though since he’s younger, there’s a modestly better chance of him becoming good in the future. He also has an option remaining, which makes for a more flexible (and therefore better) roster.
Younger, but not young..
McKenry’s 27 at the start of 2012
Jaramillo turned 29 last month.
Not that big of a difference. I think in this case, you keep whoever you think the better player is. Upside is probably gone on both fronts.
depends on
how they see the catching situations playing out at AAA/AA/A+
Fryer/Pagnozzi seem headed for AAA, but Wyatt Toregas was also brought back on a minor league deal, so he’ll be in there somewhere. Tony Sanchez seems likely headed to AA, but Carlos Paulino and Cabrera have earned promotions to AA as well.
If they think they need more catching depth (always a good thing), they could use Barajas/Jaramillo in the majors, McKenry/Fryer/Pagnozzi in AAA, and Sanchez/Toregas/Paulino/Cabrera in AA and A+.
Fryer is working on multiple positions too, so you almost have to scratch his name off that list
Im not sure Pagz will even be with the organization, im almost positive JJ is done. Sanchez just might start off in Indy… d’Arnaud started off there after a miserable 2010 in altoona.
yeah
If fryer is in AAA, you can be sure we’ll keep at least 2 other catchers there.
Neither is Barajas but they are willing to pay 4 mm. It’s not like his addition is going to make the team competitive. Why not stick with McHenry and Fryer/Jaramillo and save the cash. 2012 is a lost cause.
Neither is Barajas but they are willing to pay 4 mm. It’s not like his addition is going to make the team competitive. Why not stick with McHenry and Fryer/Jaramillo and save the cash.
Because there’s value in attempting to put a legitimate MLB team on the field, and a team starting one of our legion of backups isn’t doing that. You need to at least make a modicum of effort to win some games.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Nov 11, 2011 6:46 PM EST up reply actions
Barajas has averaged 84 starts a season over the last 6 seasons. That’s a lot of time we will be seeing catchers with a .600 OPS.
Is that because he's been hurt, or because he's been the backup?
Serious question, I don’t know the answer. (And obviously having your starter be a guy who played 84 games/season because he wasn’t as good as the competition isn’t ideal.)
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Nov 10, 2011 3:09 PM EST up reply actions
When he was with the Mets
he was brought in to be the #3, essentially, but injuries and readiness issues pushed him forward. But the Mets gave Thole almost equal time, so….
I don’t think anyone has treated him as their preseason #1 recently, but I could be wrong about that.
REC
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Nov 10, 2011 7:44 PM EST up reply actions
hope he comes back ok
Otherwise, too soon…
by titanlord91 on Nov 11, 2011 12:04 AM EST up reply actions
does anyone know if the Pirates at least approached Doumit with a similar offer?
he might have taken it as an insult, but the Pirates should have at least made Doumit an offer
Jerry Crasnick has had several tweets about Doumit today...
He has supposedly received several offers and expects to sign one by the end of the month. Evidently being looked at by multiple AL teams as a combo C/corner OF/DH. It won’t be this weekend though, because he’s getting married.
by Thunder on Nov 10, 2011 2:15 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
have the Pirates offered arb to Doumit yet?
gotta get an extra draft pick you know.
if he signs before the deadline to offer arb, we automitically get the pick
I think
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Nov 10, 2011 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
I don't think Barajas is a BAD signing...
I just won’t be expecting as much as some here probably will. I expect a low batting average and OBP (.230/.275), maybe double digits in HR (10-12), and starting about half the games. And his CS numbers will probably be around 25%, unless our staff suddenly learns how to hold baserunners this winter.
This.
I’m not thrilled by the signing, but it sure beats having to use the McKenry/JJ/Pagnozzi dream team all year at catcher. Now, let’s all pray to the baseball gods that Barajas doesn’t suffer a major injury this year…
Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.
ARE YOU F#$%ING KIDDING ME!!!! ADAMS!!! JESUS TAPDANCING CHRIST YOU HAD 24 SQUARE FEET AND YOU MISSED IT ALL!! - OlenWhitaker
Certified Grabbo Lover, though only by accident.
Total Internet Points: 9001
by wg1of5 on Nov 10, 2011 2:29 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Activate....FRYERBOT
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
“Barajas is one of the top power-hitting catchers in the game. His 50 homers over the last two years are third-most by a major league catcher over that span”
I assume that by two years, you mean three. And also, he’s sixth, not third (behind Napoli, McCann, Olivo, Martinez, and Posada). Furthermore, Barajas’ .275 OBP over that same time period is a bit underwhelming.
So yeah, still not thrilled. I’m not mad either, though; given the options available, Barajas isn’t that bad of a grab. But he’s certainly no star.
Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.
ARE YOU F#$%ING KIDDING ME!!!! ADAMS!!! JESUS TAPDANCING CHRIST YOU HAD 24 SQUARE FEET AND YOU MISSED IT ALL!! - OlenWhitaker
Certified Grabbo Lover, though only by accident.
Total Internet Points: 9001
You don't have to be a star, baby,
to be in my show…
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Nov 10, 2011 7:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Whoa!
Never expected to see a reference to Marilyn McCoo here…
Should’ve figured it’d be you, cocktails! :)
by Chileburger on Nov 10, 2011 8:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I am a veritable font
for semi-obscure pop tunes.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Nov 10, 2011 11:19 PM EST up reply actions
I'm always optimistic about all my teams during the off-season
So I’m going with .235/.305/.375 on Barajas with 16 HR & a CS at 26% over the course of 95 games
Mmm, Kool Aid.
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
It wouldn't be out of the question
to think that the Pirates will still offer arbitration to Doumit would it? I don’t think he accepts (giving the Bucs a comp pick) but even if he does, that gives us a combo similar to last season only slightly cheaper. We also would be able to stash McKenry in Indy in case of injury because he still has an option left. Did I miss something?
i sure hope they do
for the reasons you state
That's why
I was surprised so many people above seemed to think that this signing meant Doumit wouldn’t or couldn’t be offered arbitration.
by KentuckyPirate on Nov 10, 2011 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
Fewer doubles than HRs last couple of years - bizarre
Must be really slow on the basepaths. Hope they don’t bat him 8th and clog up the bases in front of our top of the lineup guys.
by Central*Scrutinizer on Nov 10, 2011 2:41 PM EST reply actions
I have a feeling
He will hit 7th just in front of whatever light hitting SS we wind up acquiring
by KentuckyPirate on Nov 10, 2011 2:56 PM EST up reply actions
if thats what happens
they should bat Lincoln 7th on the days he pitches and move Barajas and Light Hitting SS back a spot
My expectation
is that NH will (try to) bring in one legit SP, whether through FA or a trade, and then a handful of NRIs. In my book, that still leaves Lincoln almost certainly one of our 5 best SPs: Morton, Karstens, McDonald, New Guy, Lincoln, Correia, NRIs.
dont forget Locke and Owens
not to bash on Lincoln, but if hes in the rotation after Morton returns, ICK!!!!
Why? Do have a bet we will lose more than 90 games?
Because none of the pitchers you have mentioned have ever shown anything at the major league level that would indicate they we could reasonably expect them to pitch a whole season at even a replacement level. Good prospects are fun to have but none of these guys are banging down the door at all.
Ryan Doumit is one of the reasons we are a bad team
we’re talking about a guy with a pitchers era of 4.88. Mckenry comes in and puts up a 3.75 and Barajas is at 4.23 for his career. when are people going to finally look past Doumit’s offense (which is overrated ,he could hit .250 as easily as hit .300), and start looking at his lack of defense as the real reason he needed to be gone.
do give doumit a little credit, Searage may have helped in that department
plus karstens and maholm were having really good seasons, morton improved and mcdonald got better after a real slow start…
mckenry benefited from his staff as much they him.
ok
i give him credit for lowering thats runs avg from 5.39 to 5.36 ..thanks Ryan :)
by patient pirate on Nov 10, 2011 3:32 PM EST up reply actions
Barajas is pretty much Chris Snyder
good power..low average..slow..decent defense
are you blogging and getting laid at the same time ?
"Pitch me outside, I will hit .400. Pitch me inside, and you will not find the ball." - Roberto Clemente
Well done, guys
This entire exchange is a real jewel. Bravo!
by Chileburger on Nov 10, 2011 8:15 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
That is even less relevant to me than pitcher wins.
by ATribeCalledGreg on Nov 10, 2011 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
wouldnt be a big deal if Doumit’s wasnt so bad in ’11 compared to guys on the same team
by patient pirate on Nov 10, 2011 8:52 PM EST up reply actions
The real question is:
What’s his catcher’s xFIP? I mean, us saber guys need to know these things to make an arguement!
The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Perspectives become reality.
Twitter: @shanecglass
by glass0941 on Nov 11, 2011 12:01 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
If Doumit signs before we're able to offer arb
then the Pirates automatically get the supplementatl pick right?
I could feel his muscle tissues collapse under my force. It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm. ~~ Mike Tyson
I think so
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Nov 10, 2011 5:12 PM EST up reply actions
They would get the pick
and they don’t have to offer arbitration for a couple of weeks so its not like they are pressed for time.
In fact, now that I think about it, if Lee, Ludwick, Snyder and/or Doumit sign before the arbitration deadline, we could get picks for them too. I wouldn’t want to offer arbitration to Ludwick or Snyder so it would be great to get compensation picks because somebody else is DESPERATE for a mediocre outfielder…
by KentuckyPirate on Nov 10, 2011 5:16 PM EST up reply actions
ISO
Sure he walks less and strikes out more than Doumit, Barajas has a better ISO than Doumit. And more home runs is all I care about because heck, who doesn’t like the homer.
And holy god almighty, I just realized Doumit’s “best” seasons were supported in Pittsburgh by an anomalously high BABIP. I think I’m behind the times.
Barajas, while getting old, seems to be a model of consistency in his later years – 15 dingers, .285 OBP, and maybe a low .4 SLG.. Hell even a BABIP that never really changes.
If that get us to a low .700 OPS with some average defense and the ability to play around 100 games – $4M sounds good to me.
it sure would be nice
To have a lh hitting catcher to platoon with him though (doesn’t have to be doumit). Jaramillo is a switch hitter, can he hit rhp? Can’t look up his minor league splits right now…
In the minors
JJ seemed to hit lefties better until 2008, when he started hitting righties better. Hitting just meaning BA
at least being a switch hitter
maybe he could at least be passable against RHP. Also, this would give us more depth, putting McKenry at AAA.
Vlad
Are you still sure that players don’t notice changes in a team’s situation
"I look back at the season they had last year," Barajas said. "They played great baseball for four months and weren’t quite able to finish it, but they were moving in the right direction. They showed a commitment last year at the trade deadline, trying to bring in players to make that run."
Viva Clemente!
Roberto
If someone handed you a check for $4 million to just about finish off your career, you’d find pulling positives out of your arse quite easy.
パトリック
by patthatt on Nov 10, 2011 8:11 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Maybe if he was talking out of his ass I'd buy this
but he clearly references 1st place in July and the trade deadline. If he was just making shit up it wouldn’t have made as much sense.
Any veteran FA that signs with Pittsburgh, and has been true for basically 2 decades now,
signs first and foremost for the $, and not because he really wants to play there ahead of all other franchises. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Barajas will try hard and stay healthy to give us at least 100 starts behind the dish. If we go out and get a 1B, 3B and an SP or two, then I might have confidence the club can win 75 games or so in 2012.
パトリック
sure, he isn't playing here for charity
But he has to at least have noticed what the Pirates were doing in order to be able to talk about it. Either that, or after signing he looked it up, which shows a commendable attention to detail.
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Nov 11, 2011 3:57 PM EST up reply actions
Status quo would have been Doumit for $6-7M and Cedeno for $3M. If they can get Barmes for $6-7M per year with Barajas at $4, that seems like a good trade-off, right?
by Adam Reynolds on Nov 10, 2011 6:44 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Feels like a push to me – probably comes down to how healthy you expect Doumit to be. Barmes over Cedeno would be an upgrade, but Cedeno was a one-year commitment and Barmes is going to get more than that, which reduces our flexibility going forward.
A push would be a relatively positive resolution, compared to where things were looking like they might end up for us at this time last week.
But Doumit would’ve been a two-year commitment, whereas Barajas is a one-year commitment plus an option. So it seems to me like it’d be about a push on flexibility, too.
(IF we get Barmes for two years at $7M each.)
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Nov 10, 2011 7:50 PM EST up reply actions
But Doumit would’ve been a two-year commitment
Not if they declined the option and offered him arb, which is what I’d been calling for.
If Adam meant picking up Doumit’s two options, then yeah, that’s closer to even.
If we did that, I was thinking that Doumit would decline arb and hit the market, which puts us back at status quo (assuming he signs before the arb deadline and we get the pick).
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Nov 10, 2011 8:07 PM EST up reply actions
that is, status quo relative to now, not status quo before all NH's decisions
if that makes any sense.
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Nov 10, 2011 8:08 PM EST up reply actions
Finally got a chance to check on the Pirates
Honestly I don’t think this is a bad move at all. I don’t think that Barajas is that much of a downgrade from Doumit when you add up his bat and his glove… He’s also a veteran with great experiences to share with our young pitching staff. Sure, we may have been able to get a better option via trade, but I think Barajas and McKenry are a fine replacement till Sanchez is ready for action. Bucs did fine with this one.
Veterans with great experience...
haven’t exactly been a significant positive influence on this team the last several years.
This...
….should guarantee that Ryan Doumit stays healthy all season and hits .285 with 26 HR and 85 RBI.
For someone else.
If he hits well enough, he might even win a Gold Glove
by maguro on Nov 10, 2011 11:27 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
To be clear
I’m Ok with this move as a one (or possibly two) year option while Sanchez develops. Let JJ or McKemry back up this year and hope that Sanchez is ready to step up at the end of this season or maybe the start of 2013 and move Barajas to the backup/mentor role.
hell
I’d still go get Hernandez for another 1yr/$4.5m.
Yes, we’d have $8.5m tied up in catchers, but they could each save their legs this year while giving us 1.) experience behind the plate, and 2.) additional ML depth at the C position (McKenry in AAA just-in-case). I’d be happy not expecting Barajas/Hernandez to have to catch 120-130 games this season. We’d also have Barajas’ option to fall back on next year if Sanchez is looking like a back-up in 2013…it would buy him another year.
by insane_sanity on Nov 11, 2011 12:07 PM EST up reply actions
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