Rockies sign R.Hernandez 2 yrs $6.5

Kinda makes the Barajas signing look less good now. The Rockies had the advantage of knowing for sure that he was no longer a type A free agent.

6 months ago Brakeman8 30 comments 0 recs |

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wow

that looks like a great deal on the face of it. If he stays healthy, it’ll probably be great!

by BurgherKing on Nov 30, 2011 8:47 PM EST reply actions

Looks

like they traded Iannetta to the Angels for Tyler Chatwood. #2 prospect (according to Sickels) in the Angels system last year. Had a abysmal year though.

Da'Sean Butler - A Mountaineer Legend

by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Nov 30, 2011 9:06 PM EST reply actions

While I still don't have a problem with the Barajas signing

It’s a little frustrating that the Rox picked up a younger, better catcher for less money and don’t have to give up the draft pick since he’s not a Type A anymore…

It just seems like your prototypical “of course this would happen to the Pirates” scenario…

by KentuckyPirate on Nov 30, 2011 9:21 PM EST reply actions

Well, when you sign an old, crappy player, you can more or less expect it to look like a less-than-ideal move at some point.

by epoc on Nov 30, 2011 10:41 PM EST up reply actions

I pointed this out yesterday

but Barajas really not a bad signing and is a decent replacement for Doumit

I know the concern is that Doumit goes out and puts together a full season of his 2008 or his 2011 production. I know that because that’s what I was hoping for when I was crossing my fingers that the Pirates would be able to get him to accept arbitration for next year. At the same time, weren’t we hoping for the same thing in 2009 and 2010 when he was a mediocre hitter AND a horrible defender? I know that there is a chance that Barajas "Overbays" all over himself this year which would suck. All I was suggesting is that it is at least possible that Barajas (4.9 bWAR and 2.6 bWAR/162 games since 2008) will be more productive than Doumit (4.8 bWAR and 2.6 bWAR/162 games since 2008) in 2012. Fair?

Having said that, I would have rather had Hernandez than Barajas and we paid more for Barajas.

by KentuckyPirate on Nov 30, 2011 11:01 PM EST up reply actions

doesnt mean Hernandez would have signed here

probably would have cost more than Barajas to come to the Burgh. Plus Hernandez is a better hitter over his career at Coors than PNC (but who isnt?)

by white angus on Nov 30, 2011 10:53 PM EST up reply actions

with a team like Boston, Tampa, LA or something like that, I’d agree with you. I’m not sure that Colorado is a substantially more appealing destination than Pittsburgh especially if the Pirates were willing to offer a little more money (like the additional million that we’re giving to Barajas for example).

by KentuckyPirate on Nov 30, 2011 11:04 PM EST up reply actions

Denver is a huge diverse city, and lets face it, the team has better players

pittsburgh isnt exactly a mecca for hispanic lifestyle. Denver area has a HUUUUGE hispanic following. im pretty sure that played a part in DeLaRosa resigning there.

by white angus on Dec 1, 2011 8:58 AM EST up reply actions

I’m not sure that Colorado is a substantially more appealing destination than Pittsburgh…

Aging hitters love to sign with the Rockies, because the stat inflation makes it easier to find a new job the next time they hit FA.

by Vlad on Dec 1, 2011 9:27 AM EST up reply actions

In theory this makes sense

But I’m not sure you really see that much of it. I looked back over the last few years and those FA signings are limited to guys like Mora, Wigginton, Giambi. I might have missed somebody but the last time I found an older FA hitter go to Colorado and make an impact was when Vinny Castilla made a return to the Rockies in ’04 and let the league in RBI…

It’s possible, and maybe even likely, that he’d rather be a Rockie b/c of the better hitting conditions but if the Bucs made the better offer I could’ve seen him signing here.

by KentuckyPirate on Dec 1, 2011 11:08 AM EST up reply actions

I might have missed somebody but the last time I found an older FA hitter go to Colorado and make an impact was when Vinny Castilla made a return to the Rockies in ’04 and let the league in RBI…

There were also this guy and this guy and this guy. And maybe this one too, depending on how you set the boundary conditions.

by Vlad on Dec 1, 2011 12:35 PM EST up reply actions

Pittsburgh had no trouble signing that first guy when it was our turn

Not actually affiliated with whygavs.

by WHYG Zane Smith on Dec 1, 2011 1:57 PM EST up reply actions

Coming off a down season, where he tanked in a highly visible role in a large market.

by Vlad on Dec 1, 2011 3:43 PM EST up reply actions

I was not serious

Not actually affiliated with whygavs.

by WHYG Zane Smith on Dec 1, 2011 8:12 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry – hard to spot sarcasm on the internet, sometimes.

by Vlad on Dec 2, 2011 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

no sweat

Also, I’m not sure why I’ve decided to talk entirely in post headlines.

Not actually affiliated with whygavs.

by WHYG Zane Smith on Dec 2, 2011 8:10 PM EST up reply actions

Burnitz

was the same year as Castilla so it’s the same timeframe, you just picked the other pickup for the ‘04 season. I mentioned Mora and I’d say Carrol and Matsui (who was originally traded to Colorado and then stayed there so he’s not really a free agent pickup) belong in the group with Mora, Ty and Giambi as players who aren’t exactly the cream of the free agent crop.

by KentuckyPirate on Dec 1, 2011 2:29 PM EST up reply actions

Guys don’t have to “make an impact”. They just have to put up numbers that are superficially good enough to earn a better contract next time around.

by Vlad on Dec 1, 2011 3:44 PM EST up reply actions

Let's agree to disagree for a moment

Even if it would have cost more to get Hernandez to sign in Pittsburgh, wouldn’t you have signed Hernandez to the Barajas deal rather than Barajas?

by Brakeman8 on Dec 1, 2011 10:28 AM EST up reply actions

yes, i would have signed Hernandez if i had to choose

but i understand why he wouldnt have signed here

by white angus on Dec 1, 2011 11:17 AM EST up reply actions

More money (probably similar to what we paid Barajas) an opportunity to be the starting C (not share time with a Ryan Hanigan) I think would have landed him in Pittsburgh over Colorado. He wouldn’t have signed with Colorado had they not been dealing Ianetta.

by Brakeman8 on Dec 1, 2011 12:27 PM EST up reply actions

he wouldnt have signed with us if we kept Doumit

i get that you like Hernandez more than Barajas. Thats fine. Most of us agree with you. I just dont think Hernandez comes to Pitt even at Barajas salary.

by white angus on Dec 1, 2011 1:17 PM EST up reply actions

We didn't keep Doumit

Not sure I get your point. Might point was Hernandez wanted a regular job. Colorado gave him one for less money than we gave Barajas. Had we known the compensation issue was eliminated, I do think Hernandez would have been willing to sign with the Pirates for the Barajas deal (more than he got from Colorado). What makes you think he would not have?

by Brakeman8 on Dec 1, 2011 5:33 PM EST up reply actions

cuz there are about 10 other teams that also may need starting catching, thats why

Pirates are at the bottom rung of the totem pole, the last carved head on the ladder.

by white angus on Dec 1, 2011 10:56 PM EST up reply actions

pirates are the last option for players, just like Overbay was last season

Barajas and Barmes signed quickly with us because the pirates have to overspend to get someone… barmes knowing hurdle helps.

by white angus on Dec 1, 2011 10:57 PM EST up reply actions

Name 10….counting the Pirates and Rockies…..

by Brakeman8 on Dec 1, 2011 11:58 PM EST up reply actions

royals, dodgers, astros, mets, reds, yanks (?), twins (just kidding)

phillies maybe, milwaukee possibly, cleveland if santana moves to 1B permanently

thats 11. im sure there would be a few more depending on health or contract issues, like the white sox.

by white angus on Dec 2, 2011 2:26 PM EST up reply actions

Hernandez got more $$$ from Colorado than we gave Barajas. The guaranteed 2nd year is huge. Maybe we could have gotten Hernandez for 2/8 or 2/9 though.

by Mr. E on Dec 2, 2011 6:03 AM EST up reply actions

Even if it would have cost more to get Hernandez to sign in Pittsburgh, wouldn’t you have signed Hernandez to the Barajas deal rather than Barajas?

If we could’ve gotten him, sure. I don’t believe that we could’ve, though.

by Vlad on Dec 1, 2011 12:36 PM EST up reply actions

This is just how it works.

We pay more than the Rockies do for free agents because we’re a less desirable destination. We won’t be able to attract quality players at market prices until we fix that, and fixing it starts with a winning season.

by Vlad on Dec 1, 2011 9:26 AM EST up reply actions