Evan Meek Agrees To Terms
No word yet on how much Evan Meek will be getting, but the Pirates report that they've avoided arbitration with them.
UPDATE: It's $875,000, plus a few bucks in bonuses. That's pretty much exactly what was expected.
4 months ago
Charlie Wilmoth
84 comments
0 recs |
Email
PrintComments
Rob B.
1-yr, $875,000
________________________________
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jan 17, 2012 5:14 PM EST up reply actions
The list of guys that actually had an arbitration hearing with this front office is almost as short as the list of prospects this front office has traded. I expect Jones and McGehee will come to agreements before they actually go to hearings. Guess we will find out the actual numbers later tonight or tomorrow.
Per Biertempfel tweet...
Jones $2.5M vs $2.25M
McGehee $2.725M vs $2.35M
So, right around $5M for the both of them. Which, according to Bill Brink, give the Pirates about a $44M Opening Day payroll.
Last year, according to Cot’s…Opening Day payroll was a hair over $42M…average opening day payroll 2008-2011… $44.6M. So much for spending when the fans come out.
cite?
I think DK said they were done, but I don’t remember anything coming from a named source within the organization.
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Jan 18, 2012 9:41 AM EST up reply actions
I'll reserve judgement
until all of the free agent chips fall but I am getting increasingly aggravated that the Pirates will seemingly not approach the $50M-$55M range they claimed they would. There are still lots of possibilities with varying levels of impact, interest and likelihood. Maybe they make a big splash with Edwin Jackson, Yoenis Cespedes, or Gavin Floyd. Given Jackson’s contract demands (length and money), Cespedes massive asking price and Floyd’s prospect costs, I’m not counting on any of them. There are a number of players falling in the next tier including Carlos Pena, D-Lee, Roy Oswalt, and Jorge Soler. Pena and Lee both seem to be headed for contenders at this stage of their careers. Oswalt is possible (I’m hoping) but the Bucs might need to overpay to get him to come to Pittsburgh. Given their current payroll commitments, it still seems possible, though. Soler is also a possibility, especially if the Bucs consider his signing as an extension of their international and draft budget. They could move down the line to less desirable free agents like Jeff Francis and Casey Kotchman. Personally, I’d rather not see either guy in black and gold because I’d rather see those innings go to Brad Lincoln and those AB’s go to Casey McGehee (Kotchman’s coming off a great year but also has huge bust potential). I also wouldn’t count out an injury flyer on a guy like Rich Harden or Brandon Webb.
I don’t know if they will actually make any of these moves but I’ll be a little bummed to see no change in payroll this year since the team has already said they are capable of spending more and a slight bump in payroll could make the team appreciably better.
by KentuckyPirate on Jan 17, 2012 10:15 PM EST up reply actions
I would rather see them stick at the $44-46M mark with what they have than dump an additional $8-10M on bad players. No reason to spend just to spend. I’m not disagreeing with you, just hope that if they are to spend the extra $$ to get into the $50-55M range, that it is for the right players that will actually help the team and not play at replacement level. Or take a high $$ flyer on someone coming off an injury/horrid season.
I totally agree
that spending just to spend is stupid. This is why I don’t want to see the team sign players from that bottom tier. Apologies to anybody who has seen me post this several times already, but I think Oswalt makes this years team substantially better and Soler would be a great addition to an already strong farm system. If I’m NH, I go hard after those two, then kick back and wait for ST with a pretty big (and IMO well deserved) smile on my face.
by KentuckyPirate on Jan 17, 2012 11:53 PM EST up reply actions
Oswalt has stated
he will only play for a contender. That, we are not.
by Wizard of Woz on Jan 18, 2012 1:30 PM EST up reply actions
Kotchman
I think Kotchman would be a clear upgrade at First Base. Handles the bat and the glove well and has respectable numbers vs. lefties. Still reasonably young and was a former top prospect…NH loves those. All would depend on price I’m sure.
Don't disagree
But I think Kotchman’s chances went away once we got McGehee. Not the same player, but too similar. If Kotchman and Pedro both produce, McGehee is almost literally useless to us. That’s obviously not a lock to happen, but ~$2.5M is too much for a guy that you’re hoping won’t start 20 games.
This is assuming Kotchman requires an ML deal. Obviously, if he could be gotten as an NRI, it’s a no-brainer (that’s too strong, but you take my meaning).
Maybe...
I’m overrating Kotchman but McGehee is nothing more than a platoon player against lefties…don’t get me wrong he can get plenty of ABs doing that on this team. I still see first base as a vacant position with no really strong candidates. So I would take Kotchman for 2.5 all day and hope he starts as many games as possible. Anything is better than a platoon situations with a 3rd baseman (McGehee) and a right fielder (Jones). It’s not quite as bad as starting the season with Jeff Clement at first but still not a great option. Kotchman is coming off his best year and is solid defensively…maybe he can hit .300 and we trade him by July if we are losing…don’t see much to lose.
I’m not saying Kotchman wouldn’t be an upgrade over McGehee; I’m just saying that McGehee is already here, and signing Kotchman would render him 50% less likely to provide value. I think NH would sign a guaranteed upgrade at 1B despite McGehee, but I’m not convinced he’d take a semi-flier on Kotchman despite him.
It also may be that NH inquired after Kotchman before he ever signed Casey, and determined that there wasn’t going to be an acceptable deal. That would certainly have been due diligence.
roll the dice
If the FO is serious about putting a winning team on the field then Casey McGehee isn’t considered a starter. He’s a nice backup plan if Alvarez sucks and valuable in that aspect but there is no way he prevents me from upgrading if the chance arises. Call me crazy but I think the NL Central is wide open this year and with some smart offensive upgrades I don’t think it is unreasonable that the Pirates can compete. I know their plan is in place I’m not asking for Prince Fielder….just someone who can add a bat and a glove to a huge hole at first base….350,000 extra fans last year should be enough to afford something more than a platoon at first base.
Don't disagree
I feel strongly that they should spend – even overspend a bit – to upgrade at 1B and/or SP, and for exactly the reasons you list. I may be underestimating Kotchman (or overestimating what he’d cost), but I don’t really see him as the kind of upgrade that would justify blowing off McGehee. I’d be happy if they did it, because it would show a certain commitment to putting the best feasible team on the field, but I just don’t see it happening, and I don’t feel strongly enough about Casey to beat the drum for him.
Kotchman?
I can’t believe we are having this discussion about Kotchman. He isn’t even an upgrade over what we have. Kotchman, Jones, and McGehee are all about 30, and both Jones and McGehee have put up better numbers than Kotchman. I think it is clear that Jones is a good player against right-handed pitching. And McGehee has a 23 HR, 104 RBI season under his belt, while Kotchman has maxed out at 14 HR and 74 RBI. That’s the ceiling we are looking for out of our 1Bman?
Kotchman has had 2 respectable seasons out of 5. McGehee has 2 of 3, and Jones has 2 of 3. And then there is the outside chance that our young guy Evans could break out and be decent. I see no reason to look at Kotchman. I think we have better in-house candidates.
by ballparkfranks on Jan 18, 2012 4:49 PM EST up reply actions
agreed
unless the team breaks pattern and trades for a better 1Bman, the internal options are better than what Kotchman can bring. Kotchman does have a good glove though.
He isn’t even an upgrade over what we have.
He might or might not be. He was both a better hitter and a better fielder than Jones last year, though he hadn’t had another season like that since 2007.
Kotchman’s a high-variance player. I’m glad it’s not my job to try and guess what he’ll do this year.
on the subject of random 1Bs
The A’s are apparently shopping Brandon Allen.
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Jan 19, 2012 2:08 PM EST up reply actions
Allen, I like.
Not much OBP, but when he hits it, it goes a long way.
I wonder what they want for him?
Of course, the fans did stop coming out when the team started losing. Why, if I had such a gold-digging girlfriend, I think I would quit spending money in her sake too.
That’s just me, though. :)
Thank you Ned Colletti.
Actually
The numbers didn’t collapse all that quickly. A few data points:
Final weekend, ’11: 90k; final weekend, ’10: 71k
3 weeknights against STL in mid-August, ’11: 63k; 3 weeknights against STL in mid-August, ’10: 38k
Weds & Thurs vs. MIL in April, ’11: 19k; Weds & Thurs vs. MIL in April, ’10: 26k.
IOW, before the Pirates looked like they were contending, attendance was same as ever. But after the excitement of Freak Show II, people remembered that it was fun to go to a ballgame, even after the disastrous 10 game slide.
So much for spending when the fans come out.
In 2011 the Pirates ranked 15th out of the 16 NL clubs in total attendance, beating out only the Marlins.
4th highest attendance in team history is pretty darn good for a 90 loss team. I guess Mr. Nutting expects a record season attendance?
4th highest attendance in team history is pretty darn good for a 90 loss team.
MLB attendance as a whole has shown fairly steady increases over the entirety of team history, with occasional blips (like the 1994 strike).
despite those numbers you said
the SAN DIEGO PADRES series in July was on like a sunday-wednesday and every single game sold out because we were winning and ‘in the race’. If the Pirates are consistent winners i feel like last year kind of proved that attendance would definitely improve if not sell out every game. You people think we’d be like the Rays at 90+ wins and under 10k people in the park? no chance
I don’t necessarily disagree with any of that. I just wanted to point out that MLB attendance goes up pretty much every year, and as such Thunder’s evidence wasn’t particularly useful.
It’s not particularly useful, other than to point out that if the 4th highest attendance in the team’s history is not enough to increase payroll, it will likely take record attendance for that to happen.
And that...
the 2011 attendance was the highest since the season that PNC Park opened, when the “new toy” effect was fully in place.
It’s not particularly useful, other than to point out that if the 4th highest attendance in the team’s history is not enough to increase payroll, it will likely take record attendance for that to happen.
The Pirates revenue problems have been pointed out ad nauseum here. You have just chosen to ignore that little fact and bash NH for not buying steak with a hot dog budget. But there is hope. I can almost see you connecting the dots.
Put on your dancin' shoes.
I am bashing the fact that the powers that be have consistently stated that when attendance increased, so would payroll. The fact remains that the 2nd highest attendance in PNC Park history did not result in an increased payroll (or talent level).
That being the case, it is not beyond comprehension that it is going to take a PNC Park (or Pirates) record season attendance for a significant payroll increase to occur. And even a significant payroll increase is likely to keep the Pirates in the bottom 5 in payroll.
It's the first time the attendance has increased, innit?
…and this off-season’s FA list is pretty slim, innit?
You looking for instantaneous spending and results, Thunder?
________________________________
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jan 19, 2012 9:29 PM EST up reply actions
The fact remains that the 2nd highest attendance in PNC Park history did not result in an increased payroll (or talent level).
The second-highest attendance at PNC Park still generated a piss-poor gate revenue total, since we were second-to-last in the league in attendance and had some of the cheapest ticket prices out there to boot. Which is why the payroll isn’t significantly higher – even adding a couple hundred thousand fans didn’t actually bring in all that much additional money. I mean, yeah, it’d be a lot of money to you or me, but not for a baseball team shopping on the FA market.
OK, but
we were 22 out of 30 MLB teams. We may need to compete against the NL on the field, but in terms of spending on talent, we’re just outside the mid-tier of MLB in attendance.
Also, and this is hardly unique, but we did lose a game to a rain out/doubleheader – that’s another 15/20k missing.
So,
even in avoiding arbitration with what, 5 players, NH gets zero credit for getting equitable contracts signed?
And who really gives a rat’s ass about what the final opening payroll is, unless the Pirates sign a mid-to-big $$ FA?
Must every cloud have a black lining?
________________________________
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jan 17, 2012 11:07 PM EST up reply actions
What Neal Huntington should get credit for, if or when it happens, is bringing more talented players onto the major league roster. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened this offseason (or in the previous 4), as Barajas, Barmes and Bedard are not likely to be significant improvements over Doumit, Cedeno and Maholm, and could be a step backward. Getting “equitable contracts” signed is called “doing your job”, it doesn’t get extra credit.
When there is actually something to give Huntington credit for, he will get it. Signing players to the going rate for arbitration awards (+/- 10%) isn’t a spectacular feat. We’ll see how he does next year when Cutch makes it to arbitration. I don’t see Neal being able to justify only paying Cutch the going rate for Arb-1 players next off season.
No need to justify or argue Neal’s, and the front office’s work. Let the performance of the team speak for how well the job is done.
No need to justify his work, but every fan post and fan shot needs you posting some jack-ass platitude, right? Let me know if you’re getting paid for this so I can stop rolling my eyes whenever I see your name pop up in the comments.
Thank you Ned Colletti.
"Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened this offseason (or in the previous 4), as Barajas, Barmes and Bedard are not likely to be significant improvements over Doumit, Cedeno and Maholm, and could be a step backward."
A step backward would be signing Jack Cust to a 2-year (or 1 + option) contract.
________________________________
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Jan 18, 2012 8:48 AM EST up reply actions
Getting "equitable contracts" signed is called "doing your job", it doesn’t get extra credit.
That sounds remarkably similar to a certain columnist (?) who says it after each draft signing period when we sign both 1st and 2nd rounders…
by BlindSquirrel on Jan 18, 2012 8:19 PM EST up reply actions
Yup
I am fairly comfortable with the Resop/McCutchen/Grilli/et al middle relief group if they have a healthy/productive Meek and Hanrahan behind them.
IMO, Meek is a key to the season. Not on a level with the offense, of course, but a shutdown 8th inning guy is the missing ingredient in the pen. Much more important than finding a lefty.
Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!
One could infer
that the FO feels Meek will be 100% based on the trade of Veras. Or perhaps Neal thinks he can simply pull another late-inning arm out of his magic hat if necessary.
maybe you could add young guys like Wilson and Morris to that magic hat.
with Reyes, moskos, hughes, crotta waiting in the wings as well.
by white angus on Jan 19, 2012 12:36 PM EST up reply actions
I have no problem with Morris and/or Wilson being groomed as power relievers if they are indeed more effective in that role, as some reports indicate. With the FO’s acquire-as-many-pitching-prospects-as-we-can strategy starting to accumulate and move some guys up the system, decisions have to be made on whom will contribute in the majors and in what role. I’d much rather have a few of those guys turning in productive low-cost MLB years in the ’pen than waiting for them to “take a step forward” or “put it all together” in AAA.
I think Crotta (long and mop-up) and Moskos (generic lefty arm) can contribute in supporting roles. I haven’t paid much attention to Hughes, and I’ll admit I don’t which Reyes you’re talking about… Dennys?
There are actually some decent arms still around
Francisco Rodriguez
Francisco Cordero
Dan Wheeler
Brad Lidge
Maybe Scott Kazmir could convert to the bullpen?
I hope NH is still shopping.
Maybe Scott Kazmir could convert to the bullpen?
I’m sure he’s capable of being washed up in all kinds of different roles.
(Sorry, that was mean. True, but mean.)
I think it’s the arm. He just hasn’t looked good since his shoulder injury.
We did take a look at him back in June, for whatever that’s worth.
~0.2 WAR pay on Meek
I think that’s a decent bet to be a slight over. Good deal.
Should the Pirates keep Neal Huntington?
http://www.bucsdugout.com/2011/5/16/2174135/poll-should-huntington-be-retained
And what is it I don't understand?
Should the Pirates keep Neal Huntington?
http://www.bucsdugout.com/2011/5/16/2174135/poll-should-huntington-be-retained
by Kosstic518 on Jan 18, 2012 6:05 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
That a first year pre arb is expected to make I think 40% of their free agent cost
so you should judge him against 40% of their contract, meaning he is actually getting .5 WAR pay by free agent standards by the standard cookie cutter rule.
But its about the opportunity cost of the money as well
So you need to weigh what we paid Meek against what it would be if we cut him (free) and spent the same amount of money in Free Agency ($875K).
Should the Pirates keep Neal Huntington?
http://www.bucsdugout.com/2011/5/16/2174135/poll-should-huntington-be-retained
The $5M/WAR is the FA figure
But because there is no open market for Meek’s services, the going rate is much lower. I’m not familiar with the adjustment, so I’ll take Justin’s word
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
Right, as I said above the opportunity cost needs to be taken into consideration.
The figure league wide for all player compensation / total league WAR was ~$2.8 M per WAR.
Should the Pirates keep Neal Huntington?
http://www.bucsdugout.com/2011/5/16/2174135/poll-should-huntington-be-retained
Interesting that all of the pitchers are signed first before either of the position players.
Obviously, we expect them all to sign early, but Jones & McGehee are interesting cases because their roles with this team are not yet defined (and probably won’t be known until the season starts – when hopefully 3rd base and 1st base will be figured out with good production from Alvarez and whatever they decide on for 1st.)
Jones and McGehee are in a unique spot in that they could be starters or they could be role players. Would be interesting if they both are thinking starters’ money and the Pirates are currently offering back-up money.
Again, I don’t think it’s anything that’s going to stop getting these 2 signed early, but it might explain why they weren’t the first to sign.
Of course, arbitration is almost always about PAST performance, whereas signing a contract early can be about both past performance and future expectations.
Unless you’re Ross Ohlendorf.
Nevermind.
I just saw Thunder’s listing above of the amounts for Jones & McGehee, and they are obviously right around the right neighborhood for both. Certainly not a starter/back-up gulf between them as I was proposing.
Good
to see Meek back in the fold.
by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jan 18, 2012 12:22 AM EST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
- Keeping good company: Albert Pujols becomes fourth-youngest player to hit 450 home runs
