Pittsburgh Pirates sign INF David Freese

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.

Below are Freese’s career stats:

Year Age Tm G PA AB R H 2B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
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
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/11/2016.

 

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:

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 BA OBP SLG OPS
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
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/11/2016.

 

Our own Ethan Obstarczyk recently pondered if Freese would be a match for Pittsburgh. You can read his analysis HERE.

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