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General manager Dave Littlefield's goal at this stage of the Pirates' off-season has been to add a right-handed hitter to a lineup that scored the fourth-fewest runs in the National League last season.
So what in the name of Ben Grieve was Littlefield doing signing the 28-year-old left-handed hitter to a minor-league contract Monday afternoon?
"We'd still like to put a right-handed bat in the mix that we have," Littlefield said last night. "It's just that we need to get more productive hitters and add any players that can make us a better team."
Even if it meant bringing in another left-handed bat in Grieve, a journeyman outfielder who will receive a non-roster invitation to spring training.
An eight-year veteran, Grieve adds to the abundance of left-handed hitters at manager Lloyd McClendon's disposal, joining first baseman Daryle Ward, center fielder Tike Redman, right fielder Matt Lawton and infielder/outfielder Rob Mackowiak.
Grieve, the 1998 American League Rookie of the Year with the Oakland Athletics, hasn't played regularly since 2002, but he will be given a chance to win a corner outfield job.
"He could be a valuable asset for us," Littlefield said. |
Another scrap heap bargain bin attempt by the Bucs. Similar to the signings of Chris Singleton and Reggie Jefferson in past years. Not necessarily a sorry example of Pittsburgh's front office-- as you can look around the league this time of year and almost every team will have a guy with a similar situation.
Pirates had success with their free-agent scrap-heap signings in 2003, I think that explains the Grieve signing, as well as the (gasp) Albie Freaking Lopez signing a week ago. I'm surprised we didn't lure Hideo Nomo, he signed with Tampa for just a couple packs of clove cigarettes.
Look at all the guys the Bucs signed off the scrap heap in 2003: Jeff Suppan, Julian Tavarez, Salomon Torres, Matt Stairs, Randall Simon, Reggie Sanders, Dennis Reyes, Jeff Reboulet, Pat Mahomes, Kenny Lofton, Jeff D'Amico. I see only two misfires in the lot (Mahomes, Reyes), the others had a solid season for a lousy team, most performing above expectations. Of course, all it got was a solid fourth-place entrenchment for the black & gold, but there was a LOT of success that year from cheap free agent signings.
In 2004, Pittsburgh signed Simon again (misfire this time), Jason Boyd (misfire), Jose Mesa (excellent), Willis Roberts (insignificant, I think that was a *trade* anyway), Chris Stynes (misfire), Daryle Ward(good), Raul Mondesi (what a DICK he turned out to be), and Ruben Mateo (misfire). Pretty lousy crop there, especially compared to 2003. Bucs fell to fifth place, surely in part to the surly bunch stealing the Pirates' money in '04.
The 2005 signings so far resemble the 2004 motley crew, but I wasn't crazy initially about who ended up with the Bucs in 2003, and most of them surprised me.
I thought it'd be overly optimistic and generous to compare Grieve's signing to Sanders, Lofton, Mesa, etc. It's pretty much an invitation to spring training, and I don't think Grieve will fit in or make the roster. Primarily due to the left-handed thing. That's why I mentioned Jefferson and Singleton-- guys who got a trip to Bradenton, but not to Pittsburgh. Pat Rapp or Matt Herges would also qualify. Along those lines: did Juan Acevedo go north with the team last year?
They'll probably sign a few more guys in the next week or two. Bob Walk made a cool analogy when comparing the Bucs late off-season free-agent strategy to shopping for a snowblower or lawn equipment. You buy those things at the end of the season, on closeout or clearance prices. If you want a good deal on a snowblower, buy it in late February. Lawn equipment in August.
Nomo would have been fun. Late last season, they signed Kevin Jarvis to a minor league deal as an innings eater. Is he still around?