As it turns out, the Pittsburgh Pirates weren’t done making moves this off-season…
Today, the Pirates announced via their official twitter that they have signed INF David Freese to a one-year, $3 million deal.
BREAKING: The #Pirates have signed INF David Freese (@Freeser6). pic.twitter.com/4TLr2AsT36
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 11, 2016
Below are Freese’s career stats:
| Year | Age | Tm | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 26 | STL | 17 | 34 | 31 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 7 | .323 | .353 | .484 | .837 |
| 2010 | 27 | STL | 70 | 270 | 240 | 28 | 71 | 12 | 4 | 36 | 21 | 59 | .296 | .361 | .404 | .765 |
| 2011 | 28 | STL | 97 | 363 | 333 | 41 | 99 | 16 | 10 | 55 | 24 | 75 | .297 | .350 | .441 | .791 |
| 2012 ★ | 29 | STL | 144 | 567 | 501 | 70 | 147 | 25 | 20 | 79 | 57 | 122 | .293 | .372 | .467 | .839 |
| 2013 | 30 | STL | 138 | 521 | 462 | 53 | 121 | 26 | 9 | 60 | 47 | 106 | .262 | .340 | .381 | .721 |
| 2014 | 31 | LAA | 134 | 511 | 462 | 53 | 120 | 25 | 10 | 55 | 38 | 124 | .260 | .321 | .383 | .704 |
| 2015 | 32 | LAA | 121 | 470 | 424 | 53 | 109 | 27 | 14 | 56 | 31 | 107 | .257 | .323 | .420 | .743 |
Of course, Freese is known to many baseball fans for his game-winning, walk-off home run in Game Six of the 2011 World Series when he was still a St. Louis Cardinal:
The move obviously has huge ramifications for the Pirates infield. Presumably signed to spend some time at third base until Jung Ho Kang is fully recovered, Freese also may be in the plans for first base, as Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes:
Freese expected to start the season as 3B until Kang returns. Freese then will be the right-handed member of the Pirates first-base platoon.
— Stephen J. Nesbitt (@stephenjnesbitt) March 11, 2016
Not only will this move have an impact on Michael Morse and John Jaso, but it may affect Alen Hanson as well. Despite a solid spring, the addition of another major-league proven infield option may result in Hanson starting the season at Triple-A Indianapolis as opposed to the major league level.
The Pirates are getting an accomplished major league hitter for a very good price. Although his 2012 All-Star year may end up being an aberration, Freese does hit left-handers very well over the course of his career:
| I | Split | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| vs RHP | 2042 | 1840 | 217 | 495 | 97 | 48 | 253 | 151 | 468 | .269 | .335 | .403 | .739 | |
| vs LHP | 694 | 613 | 84 | 182 | 36 | 20 | 95 | 69 | 132 | .297 | .368 | .460 | .828 |
Our own Ethan Obstarczyk recently pondered if Freese would be a match for Pittsburgh. You can read his analysis HERE.
PIRATES BREAKDOWN WILL HAVE MORE COVERAGE ON THIS SIGNING IN THE COMING DAYS
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