Pirates Doing a Hanrahan for Capuano Swap with the Dodgers?

It's been reported today that the Pirates are in discussions with the Dodgers on a trade for Joel Hanrahan. The name that keeps coming back as the return is Chris Capuano. Now this is not a good return considering what much less closers have netted for their teams (Josh Reddick and others for Andrew Bailey and Tommy Hunter and Chris Davis for Koji Uehara). I'm definitely ready to trade Hanny and he'd look good in Dodger blue, but this isn't enough. Capuano is a healthy Jeff Karstens and if we're dumping him, this is basically breaking even while losing a closer. I've heard the name Dee Gordon thrown around and he'd make the deal worth while. Gordon is a speedy, good potential SS, a position the Pirates are drastically weak at. A deal of Hanrahan for Capuano and Gordon would definitely make me happy and be a good deal for the Pirates. This would take the Hammer's huge impending salary ($7 mill) off the books and allow us to grab someone like Jason Grilli back and name him the closer at a much cheaper price. I'd also like to mention a deal like Hanny for Gavin Floyd. It's been reported that we're shopping him to other teams and they could be one. Floyd is much better than Capuano and would be a great deal on both sides if they could work it out but Hanny's only got 1 year left so that really hurts his value. I'm hoping one of these deals gets done but not just Capuano. More would have to be had. We'll see what happens over the next few days and Hanrahan should be heading somewhere next week during winter meetings.

Pirates Non-Tender Jeff Karstens

The Pirates non-tendered Jeff Karstens today and I thought that was a strong possibility. Many are surprised but I'm not at all. He's a solid pitcher but in my opinion he's pitched well over his head as a Pirate and I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. Add in his injury history and he's not worth $3.8 million a year. Only problem is that we now need to sign or trade for not one but two starters because we can't go into the season with just Locke and McPherson. This move screams to me that we have something in place but I just don't know what. I'm also suspecting he may be traded by tonight since he was RFA'd early before the deadline. If neither of those two things happen, this move really doesn't make sense.

Pirates sign Russell Martin

After days of speculation and bidding, the Pirates signed catcher Russell Martin to a two year contract worth $17 million.

My first reaction was "wow we just outbid the Yankees". My second reaction was "he came a lot cheaper than the rumors". My final reaction was "is he really worth $8.5 million?" Look, he is an obvious upgrade over the black hole that is Rod Barajas but honestly, who isn't? Over two years with the Yankees, Martin has a slash line of .224/.317/.405 with 39 HRs. That's in a friendly hitter park in Yankee Stadium for half of his games. Now that doesn't mean those numbers will decrease. Something I haven't seen one person mention is a move from the cut throat AL East to the NL Central. He'll see a lot worse pitching here and that may balance out the home field drop off. Something else that is great about Martin is his defense. He threw out about 20% of base stealers last year while the Pirates combined for 8%... Worst in the league. Many have brought up that that means nothing because we don't hold our runners. However, when paired with AJ Burnett (who never holds runners) Martin threw out 24% of base stealers compared to Barajas' abysmal 5%.

Overall do I think Russell Martin is an $8.5 million catcher? No chance. Do I think this is a good signing by the Pirates? Absolutely. Good catchers are hard to find nowadays and securing a slightly above average catcher and the best pure, everyday catcher available in a thin market warrants an overpaying. Especially as the Pirates. It also opens up the possibility to trade former prized prospect Tony Sanchez who is probably major league ready but has no spot. If we could trade Sanchez in a deal for a quality starting pitcher, it'd be a good deal.

One last thing I worry about is the budget. This deal takes a nice chunk but we still need help elsewhere. You can't afford to non tender Jeff Karstens now and you still could use a veteran starter in the back of the rotation. Sorry, but Zach Stewart won't cut it. We also need relief help with Grilli definitely not coming back and Hanrahan likely getting traded next week. Finally, we could use a better bench presence. Harrison, Fort, Presley/Tabata, and Gaby have spots locked up. One more would be nice if possible.

Final thoughts: Good move by the Pirates. Need to continue moving forward and addressing our other needs. More moves should be coming

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The man formerly known as "Black and Yellow Man" is now only blogging for the Buccos!