Pirate Direction with 4 non-tenders

The Pirates had some surprises by not tendering contracts to a few guys. First, they did tender contracts to Hanrahan, Ohlendorf, Karstens, and Cedano. Those are not surprises. Karstens was a maybe, but he deserved it. He pitched well last year, was misused by coaches to lower his record, and the year before that showed he could be a good long term reliever.

The big surprise is that they did not offer anything to Milledge. I would have thought they would have done that because he was a trade, and he was not all that bad. Not what they had hoped, but not bad at the plate. I think that this shows that the Pirates are taking defense seriously. Milledge was awful in the field and on the basepaths. It is good news for Joe Bowker who has a much better chance to make the team now. It may also signal that Garrett Jones is going to return to left field. This could be a sign that the Pirates intend to sign a free agent first baseman.

Also let go were Brian Burres, which is no big surprise. He was destined to be let go to make room for some free agents. Donald Veal also was not resigned. Veal was a Rule 5 guy with some upside. Jennifer Langoshreports that they are trying to get Veal to a minor league deal, which would make that move understandable. Argenis Diaz was also released. Diaz might could come back in the minor league system. I am a little surprised at this. Ciriaco was going to be in competition with Diaz for the backup slot this year, but I guess the Pirates have seen enough to go with Ciriaco instead.

The real story is that now the Pirates have 4 holes in the 40 man roster. I expected a few, but 4 is more than I thought. It signals that the Pirates are going to be real active in the free agent market. It may also signal that they are going to try to take a Rule 5 guy. It seems from the releases that in addition to pitching, first base might be a target in the free agent game. I think that this also ends the short stop speculation because I think now the Pirates are going to have to ship Cedano out in any trade. That is probably just not going to happen.

Let us get started with the Winter Meetings.