Well, everyone is happy. Jeff Karstens is once again a Pirate. According to reports, he signed a one year $2.5 million contract today. I can't think of a single person who was happy with his non-tender earlier this offseason but now we can all stop worrying and be happy. But does this have more significance?
After this deal, I'm not sure what happens. Does this mean we're now out on Francisco Liriano, Shaun Marcum, and Joe Saunders? I'm inclined to say no but reluctantly... I can't see the Pirates going into a rotation with Karstens as the #4 and a rookie at #5. The rotation was obviously our biggest hole and this really doesn't fix it. It's the same rotation as last year. If they only do this, most Pirates fans will be happy but I'll honestly be pissed. The rotation needs improved. This doesn't improve it.
This is an ideal situation for me. Our payroll is around $63 million with Karstens. I can see a deal like Erik Bedard's working for Liriano. $4 million with about $2 million in performance bonuses. That would put the payroll at $69 million max with the chance to add a reliever or two in February like usual. That'll put the payroll at just about $70 million. Right where it should be. This is an ideal situation for us and it has a high probability of happening. And this is without a possible Garrett Jones trade. This would make a rotation of Burnett, Rodriguez, McDonald, Liriano, Katstens. Then when Cole comes up mid season, Karstens can move to the Correia role.
Overall, this is a great deal for Neal Huntington. Karstens should've been worth $4 million for 1 year according to most bloggers, including myself, and that's what he would've got in arbitration. We got him for $2.5. Neal made a great deal as it stands but if there isn't another pitcher signed, this offseason looks like a failure to me.
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