In case you missed it earlier, the Pittsburgh Pirates added the final elusive piece to their playoff puzzle when they signed catcher Rod Barajas to a one year $4M deal with an option for 2013 at $3.5M. Anytime you can add a 36 year old catcher with a career .284 OBP, you have to do it. Right? Congratulations Pittsburgh. You just purchased a player with 7.2 career fWAR in over 1000 games. Nicely done.
Now, on with the links!
- Today, we start with Fangraphs’ Wendy Thurm (who also writes for a Giants blog called Hanging Sliders). In the post-apocalytic world where Ryan Madson is offered 4/$44M to pitch one inning 65 times a year, Wendy wonders if the reliever market is out of whack. The simple answer is, “Yes, of course it is.” She does a much better job with explaining it though.
- Have you ever wondered which pitchers are on the Yankees trade wish list? William J. at The Yankee Analysts provides the details.
- If the Red Sox don’t re-sign Jonathan Papelbon, who might they bring in to replace him? Matt Collins of Red Stockings Thoughts examines the possibilities.
- Mike Petriello of Mike Scioscia’s Tragic Illness thinks things are about to get out of hand this winter. With Juan Rivera getting $4.5M and Chien Ming Wang receiving $4M, it’s pretty safe to say he’s probably right.
- Grant Brisbee of Baseball Nation is leading an interesting debate. Which young pitcher would you rather have? Matt Moore, Stephen Strasburg, or Yu Darvish.
- Brad Johnson of the Hardball Times thinks the Phillies have an age problem. While that might be the understatement of the century, Johnson provides a course of action.
- Paul Boye of Crashburn Alley takes a closer look at Michael Cuddyer. Could he be a fit?
- Julian Levine of Splashing Pumpkins rambles on for a bit about Melky Cabrera. He says we shouldn’t be sold on his 2011 numbers, and that regression is inevitible. I completely agree.
- Ben Duronio of Capitol Avenue Club examines the shortstops that could be available for trade this winter. At first glance, it doesn’t seem to be an impressive list. Still, there are a couple of interesting names, and several good values.
- Craig Calcaterra of NBC’s Hardball Talk wonders what can be done about ballplayer security in Venezuela?
Categories: Boston Red Sox
