The Pittsburgh Pirates look to make a lot out of a little in 2016 after an encouraging week in Bradenton.
On Friday, the Pittsburgh Pirates wrapped up mini-camp. A lot of the events throughout the week focused on rumors and transaction reports, but some camp activity was also noteworthy.
The Pirates had a large portion of minor leaguers from throughout the organization in attendance, as well as a limited group of the players that are certain to be heading north in April, either to Triple-A Indianapolis or Pittsburgh. Still, in the early hours of the morning on Monday, it was reported that the Pirates had signed former Red Sox reliever Daniel Bard to a minor league deal. The team hopes to be able to help him return to the same form in 2010 and 2011 before an attempted conversion to a starter failed miserably and has put the future of his career in jeopardy. If he can prove he has effectively recovered from thoracic outlet surgery and returned to quality form, he could make $1 million if called up to Pittsburgh later in the season.
The Pirates also released former fourth overall pick in 2009 Tony Sanchez. He was designated for assignment the week prior to create room on the 40-man roster for Neftali Feliz. Two days later, the team had reportedly come to terms with backup catcher Chris Stewart on a two-year deal with a team option for 2018. The terms were not disclosed, and only hours later, it was being reported that the deal was not official yet. No word on the delay has been announced yet or whether it would have any impact on Stewart’s arbitration case or the future of prospect Elias Diaz.
The Pirates officially settled with all their other arbitration eligible players before the one o’clock deadline on Friday. Together, Tony Watson, Mark Melancon, Francisco Cervelli, Jordy Mercer, Jared Hughes, and Jeff Locke will make $450,000 less in 2016 than they were projected to earn by MLB Trade Rumors. You can see all the terms by checking our PBD Arbitration Tracker here.
The transaction news stole the spotlight from new Pirates Jon Niese and John Jaso. Niese only stopped in for the first day to get acquainted with the coaches and the facilities. He met pitching guru Ray Searage and spoke to the media about looking forward to working with him. Jaso on the other hand worked with guest coach Kevin Young at first base, along with prospects Josh Bell and Jake Goebbert. All three are converts to the first base position. Bell showed an early inability to pick the ball on short hops during the week, struggling to stab the ball. He was reported to have looked better the next day.
For the record, Bell looked much better in the field today. Young having a chat with assistant GM Kyle Stark after the workout.
— Matt Gajtka (GITE-kah) (@MattGajtka) January 14, 2016
John Jaso has five innings of experience at first base heading into 2016. However, his experience as a catcher was on full display in mini-camp as he was able to easily pick short hops.
John Jaso, Jake Goebbert and Josh Bell taking short hops at first base with Kevin Young looking on. This is Jaso pic.twitter.com/fvm2sefpo2
— Matt Gajtka (GITE-kah) (@MattGajtka) January 11, 2016
Aside from the one drop, he looked like a seasoned veteran. His footwork is a little rough around the edges still, but he will likely be able to correct that before the Pirates open the season against the Cardinals on April 3rd. Jaso already looks to be a defensive upgrade over Pedro Alvarez in such a short period of time.
Jung-ho Kang was also in attendance at mini-camp. He was far from a full participant, but he was seen, along with a very noticeable scar on his surgically repaired left leg throwing long toss briefly on Monday morning while talking to Clint Hurdle. After a few minutes, Kang returned to the rehab staff and weight room.
Kang being visible at all is an extremely encouraging sign that his rehab is progressing nicely. He played coy when asked whether he would be ready for Opening Day. It is likely he still won’t be ready for a few weeks into the season, and Josh Harrison, Sean Rodriguez, and company will have to hold down the fort until he returns. However, don’t look for the Pirates to make any more major league fielding acquisitions between now and the start of spring training according to statements from General Manager Neal Huntington on the limited quantity of left-handed batters on the roster.
Pirates' Huntington on predominance of RH hitters in projected lineup: "If we had concerns, it would probably be too late anyway."
— Matt Gajtka (GITE-kah) (@MattGajtka) January 12, 2016
It wasn’t just fielders knocking off some of the dust last week. Jeff Locke was one of the key figures in camp last week, and he is anticipated to play a bigger role in 2016 than at any point previously in his career. By Wednesday, Locke was in the “lab” working with Ray Searage. At the end of the 2015 season, the Pirates had noticed an unsettling difference in Locke’s delivery between pitching in the windup and out of the stretch. Searage and Locke will look to maintain the deception in his delivery out of the windup that made him such an effective pitcher over stretches several times in his career, while establishing greater consistency aimed at improving the outcome of his starts.
#pirates Searage mentoring Locke at minicamp pic.twitter.com/xfhXScrYP6
— RobBiertempfel (@RobBiertempfel) January 13, 2016
The move likely precedes a move to the bullpen as a middle or long reliever once Tyler Glasnow and Jameson Taillon arrive sometime in June or July, but according to Matt Gajtka, the Pirates have not discussed such a move with him – yet. Offseason acquisition and former failed starter Juan Nicasio will be stretched out like a starter, according to the same report.
Some tidbits from today: Locke told me the Pirates have never discussed relief with him. Huntington said Nicasio will prepare as starter.
— Matt Gajtka (GITE-kah) (@MattGajtka) January 12, 2016
The Nicasio move is likely just an effort by the Pirates to establish a reliever with the potential to go multiple innings or make an emergency start if necessary. In my opinion, the Pirates should start with just ensuring Nicasio continues the promise he showed in 2015 in his first year as a reliever with the Dodgers. Nothing short of Ray Searage would be able to take such a career mediocre starter and turn him into a worthwhile swing man or rotation candidate for the Pirates, and even that may be a stretch.
Locke will remain in Bradenton working with Ray Searage to get ready for spring training. He seems ready for the challenge, saying, “I’m excited to take this next month and kind of staple this thing down (before) spring training,” according to Rob Biertempfel. The attitude is certainly encouraging, but don’t consider me one of the hopefuls that Locke will suddenly recover to the form he showed in the first half of 2013 on his way to the only All-Star Game appearance of his career.
Jeff Locke will be one of the players with the most to prove when pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 19th, but he will hardly be the only one when workouts begin in 36 days.
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