Jonathan Sanchez's Pirates Future

Prior to the suspension of Tuesday night’s game against the St Louis Cardinals, Jonathan Sanchez had given up two runs (one earned) over two innings – he gave up two hits while striking out three and walking just one hitter (with all the damage done in the first inning). With Francisco Liriano, Jeff Karstens and Charlie Morton either beginning to make rehab outings or close to it, the Pirates rotation has the potential to get overcrowded fairly soon. The question is where this leaves Sanchez in the future with the club. 

Francisco Liriano Hopes to Return in May

According to this ESPN article, the subject of most of the Pirates offseason drama, Francisco Liriano, hopes to be ready to pitch by May.  Liriano agreed to terms on a deal with the Pirates back in December, but was unable to take a physical due to a broken non-throwing arm.  The injury has been attributed to both a bathroom fall and Liriano's attempt to surprise his kids on Christmas by pounding on a door.  Basically, who knows what actually happened.

Francisco Liriano's Unique Deal Finally Official

Francisco Liriano has finally signed with the Pirates and his reconstructed contract is certainly unique. While Liriano can still earn the full $12.75M over two years that was agreed before Christmas, he’s now guaranteed just $1M over one year due to the injury to his non-pitching arm. In order to make room for Liriano on the 40-man roster, Vin Mazzaro was outrighted to Triple-A and will be a non-roster invitee to Spring Training. 

Pirates Close To Adding Jonathan Sanchez

The Pirates are close to acquiring left-handed starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez according to Jon Heyman. While it’s unclear whether Sanchez fits in with the Bucs at this point, as well as whether he’s been signed to a major or minor league deal, it is certain that the Pirates will be buying low on a player that the Royals traded Melky Cabrera for last winter.

Pirates News & Notes

We’ve approached the time of year when very little noteworthy news tends to happen. Teams are generally coming to terms to contracts with their arbitration eligible players and are gearing up to Spring Training. It is a little different this year, however, as there are still two marquee free agents available (Michael Bourn and Kyle Lohse), buy-low candidates (most notably Roy Oswalt) as well as a wealth of arms available to fill 6th or 7th inning roles in the bullpen. Onto some Pirates related news and notes from the past few days:

Pirates Pitchers Depth Chart: Next Man Up

Updated 2/13/2013

Please note and make use of the scroll bar at the bottom of the screen as there is additional info on the right side of this chart.

Depth Chart Key
Positional Players Depth Chart

Position	Player	Acquired	ST	OPT	40/R5	Throws	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
S1	A.J. Burnett1	TR12	>6.000	0	Yes	R	36/$16.5
	Gerrit Cole	DR11	0.000	3	2014	R	22	23	24	25	26	27
	Luis Heredia	Int FA10	0.000	3	2014	R	A	A+	AA	21	22	23
S2	Wandy Rodriguez2	TR12	>6.000	0	Yes	L	34/$13	35/$13
	Jameson Taillon	DR10	0.000	3	2014	R	AA	22	23	24	25	26
	Tyler Glasnow	DR11	0.000	3	2015	R	A-SS	A	A+	AA	23	24
S3	James McDonald	TR10	3.080	0	Yes	R	28/$3.025	29	30
	Charlie Morton3	TR09	4.010	0	Yes	R	29/$2	30
	Nick Kingham	DR10	0.000	3	2014	R	A+	AA	23	24	25	26
S4	Francisco Liriano4	FA13	>6.000	?	Yes	L	29/$1	30/$5-$8
	Kyle McPherson	DR07	0.036	1	Yes	R	25	26	27	28	29	30
	Clay Holmes	DR11	0.000	1	2015	R	A	A+	AA	AAA	24	25
S5	Jeff Karstens	FA13	5.132	?	Yes	R	30/$2.5
	Jeff Locke	TR09	0.058	1	Yes	L	25	26	27	28	29	30
	Justin Wilson	DR08	0.035	2	Yes	L	25	26	27	28	29	30
Closer	Jason Grilli	FA11	>6.000	0	Yes	R	36/$2.25	37/$4
	Mark Melancon	TR13	2.098	0	Yes	R	28	29	30	31
	Player projected to start the year in AAA and get called up mid-season; not eligible for arbitration
	Player is in a pre-arbitration year; contract is Major League minimum unless otherwise noted
	Player is arbitration eligible; salary, if noted, = arbitration results
	Player is under contract
	Either the Pirates or the player may exercise an option; details provided below the chart

¹ The Pirates pay $8,000,000 of Burnett’s 2013 contract.

² The Pirates pay $8,500,000 of Rodriguez’s 2013 contract. Rodriguez’s option became a player option when he was traded by Houston; the Pirates will pay $7,500,000 if the option is exercised.

³ Morton is unlikely to be available before June, 2013.

⁴ Liriano is guaranteed only $1 million in 2013; however, if he does not miss any games due to his broken right (non-throwing) arm, he can earn up to $4.75 million. The Pirates have a team option for 2014; that option will be for $5, 6, or 8 million depending upon missed games due to Liriano’s broken right arm.

Russell Martin's Role In The Potential Success Of This Winter

Neal Huntington has made some big additions, as well as a noteworthy subtraction, this winter. He’s traded his closer for a quartet of players, with Mark Melancon and possibly Jerry Sands beginning the year in Pittsburgh, re-signed Jason Grilli and Jeff Karstens as well as further strengthening the rotation with Francisco Liriano. However, I believe that the success of the winter will reside on the performance of the club’s new catcher, especially if the offense fails to progress further in 2013. 

Pirates Finally Set To Sign Francisco Liriano

The Pirates have reached an agreement with Francisco Liriano, restructuring the original two-year, $12.75M contract, according to Ken Rosenthal. The lefty broke his right arm after agreeing terms with the Bucs at the end of December and if Liriano misses time due to the injury then his 2013 salary will be reduced (Jon Heyman describes it as language protecting the club). The club will need to make a move to make room on the 40-man roster once the deal is finalized after Liriano's physical.

Will The Pirates Make Any Further Moves This Winter?

There has been little word on Francisco Liriano other than the club are still in discussions with the left-handed starting pitcher since his injury was revealed and even less regarding anything that could affect the major league club since the Joel Hanrahan trade, with only minor league additions made; so the acquisition of Jeff Karstens may have ended the Pirates’ business for the winter with Spring Training only a few weeks away (other than contract discussions with arbitration eligible players). 

The question is whether this should be the case? 

Jeff Karstens To Return To The Pirates

The Pirates have re-signed pitcher Jeff Karstens to a one-year deal believed to be valued in the region of $2.5M, pending a physical. While Karstens will enter the mix for the final two spots in the rotation,  he is most likely to be guaranteed a spot if no other starting pitcher is acquired prior to the beginning of the season.

Free Agent Alternatives To Francisco Liriano

With Francisco Liriano’s now looking in doubt, the Pirates may look externally for a replacement if the deal cannot be restructured. The Bucs do have a lot of options internally; however Neal Huntington has stated that he could make a move if an upgrade can be found. 

Pirates Acquire Jeanmar Gomez

The Pirates have acquired right-handed pitcher Jeanmar Gomez from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for minor league outfielder Quincy Latimore. Gomez was placed on waivers by the Tribe on January 2nd and has been added to the 40-man roster. 

Liriano Picks Up Injury, Deal With Pirates In Doubt

Francisco Liriano’s deal with the Pirates appears to be in jeopardy. The left-handed starting pitcher suffered an injury to his right arm shortly after agreeing to a two-year, $12.75M contract with the Pirates at the end of December, causing the physical to be delayed. 

I liked the idea of Liriano joining the club; a closer look at his performance certainly offered hope. At the very least he’s a 2 win pitcher, but then he does have the upside for more than that. 

Could the Pirates still make a splash?

At this point, I think that you could make a pretty strong case that the Pirates have made their last flashy move of the 2012-13 offseason. They already signed Russell Martin to the largest free agent contract in team history. Then they came out of nowhere to sign a high upside starting pitcher in Francisco "BetaMax" Liriano (can this be his new nickname? Yes, I'm officially going to make this his nickname). Finally, they traded closer Joel Hanrahan to the Red Sox in a solid if somewhat uninspired move.

It wouldn't surprise me to see a couple more pieces shuffled around. They might try to sign another LOOGY or a veteran bench bat, but I don't think there's anything else that will land on the front page the Trib's sports section. Honestly, that's probably a good thing. Most of the splashy moves don't really seem like good fits to me. Sure, landing Justin Upton in a trade would be exciting but it doesn't sound like Arizona wants to sell low on him, and I certainly don't want to overspend. Many of the remaining big name free agents were given qualifying offers from their former teams and I'd hate to see the Pirates give up the #14 pick in the draft (Oscar Mercado?) for the privilege to overpay Kyle Lohse. Still, I can't help but feel like there's one move that the Pirates should...although probably won't...really consider.

Rick VandenHurk Released

The Pirates have requested release waivers on pitcher Rick VandenHurk to allow the right-hander to sign for a foreign team, possibly the Samsung Lions in Korea. This will clear a spot on the 40-man roster, meaning that no further moves will be required when Francisco Liriano finally signs with the club. 

Revisiting The Charlie Morton Decision

One of the Pirates’ more contentious moves this winter has been giving Charlie Morton a one year, $2M contract extension despite the fact that he will miss half the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June. It was a questionable choice at the time, however recent moves by the club is making the decision look a little worse now. 

Joel Hanrahan Traded To The Red Sox

The Joel Hanrahan deal is finally complete, with the closer and Brock Holt heading to the Red Sox in exchange for Jerry Sands, Stolmy Pimentel, Ivan De Jesus Jr and Mark Melancon. Chad Beck has  been designated for assignment in a corresponding roster move to make room on the 40-man roster for Sands, Pimentel and Melancon. 

Pirates, Red Sox Agree Hanrahan on Deal

Joel Hanrahan’s tenure with the Pittsburgh Pirates has almost come to an end. The Hammer has been sent to the Red Sox along with another Pirate as part of a six player deal, with Boston sending first baseman/corner outfielder Jerry Sands, right handed pitcher Stolmy Pimentel and two others to the Bucs. The full extent of the deal is unknown at this point as well as currently pending physicals. 

Pirates And Francisco Liriano Agree To Two-Year Deal

The Pirates have agreed to a two-year deal with free agent left-handed starting pitcher Francisco Liriano, which will guarantee him $12.75M according to Jon Heyman, plus some incentives. The move is subject to a physical, so the deal will not be completed until after Christmas.