Report: Pirates Ink Veteran Roberto Hernandez

[Greymire]

http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051209&content_id=1280249&vkey=news_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit

[imgreat95]

CBS Sportsline is reporting that this was a $2.75 MILLION deal!!! I HATE it.

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AND THEY'RE STILL AFTER MILTON BRADLEY???? HIS 'TUDE WILL OFFSET CASEY'S GOODWILL IN THE CLUBHOUSE AND WITH THE FANS. UGH!!


Pirates make Hernandez first free-agent signing
Step up pursuit of Mueller, Bradley
Saturday, December 10, 2005

By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette



The Pirates took strides yesterday toward addressing all three of their remaining positional goals.

They reached agreement to sign their first free agent of the offseason, reliever Roberto Hernandez, to a one-year, $2.75 million deal. They upgraded a contract offer from two to three years to free-agent third baseman Bill Mueller. And they ramped up their pursuit of a trade for Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Milton Bradley.

Hernandez, 41, is one of the oldest players in Major League Baseball, but he is coming off a highly effective season as the New York Mets' right-handed setup man.

He held opponents scoreless in all but 12 of his 67 appearances, limited them to a .228 batting average, posted a 2.58 earned run average and allowed only five of his 29 inherited runners to score. He struck out 61 and walked 28.

Four teams pursued Hernandez toward the end, but his decision came down to a most unlikely bidding battle between the Pirates and the New York Yankees, the highest-spending team in professional sports. The Yankees' final offer was for one year at $2.5 million.

Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield also had inquired about free agents Todd Jones and Braden Looper to address their desire for right-handed relief, which Littlefield described as his top priority after trading for first baseman Sean Casey.

The team's plans for Hernandez will not be clear until after the signing is formal, but the goal was to find a right-handed reliever with experience in the late innings, preferably as a closer. Hernandez has not been a regular closer since 2002, when he saved 26 of 33 opportunities for the Kansas City Royals, but he ranks 10th on the all-time saves list with 324.

Pirates management would like to see left-hander Mike Gonzalez win the job, but he has four career saves and less than a month's experience in the role. If Gonzalez stumbles, in all likelihood, Hernandez would step in. If Gonzalez is the closer, Hernandez and Salomon Torres would team for a potentially terrific tandem of late-inning, right-handed relief.

Also yesterday, the Pirates made their first significant step ahead of the competition to sign Mueller.

They had not been a serious player for his services despite having offered a two-year contract earlier in the week, but that changed yesterday with the additional year. It remains possible, though, that the Dodgers or San Francisco Giants, the other teams pursuing Mueller, could match it. Mueller has ties to both from his six seasons in San Francisco and his acquaintance with Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti, previously an assistant GM with the Giants.

The dollar amount of the Pirates' offer is not known, but it is thought Mueller is seeking a salary in the range of $4 million. He made $2.5 million last season for the Boston Red Sox.

Mueller, 34, was the American League batting champion in 2003. A switch-hitter who is equally efficient from both sides, he batted .295 last season with 10 home runs and 62 RBIs. He also has a smooth glove, as evidenced by a .972 fielding percentage that ranked fourth among all major-league third basemen.

If the Pirates are successful in signing Mueller, that still would not address their need for power. And Littlefield reiterated yesterday his desire to add a heart-of-the-order bat to complement Jason Bay and Sean Casey.

That might best explain why the Pirates, according to a team source, have committed new energy to prying Bradley from the Dodgers.

The Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics each seriously investigated trading for Bradley, but both teams' interest level seems to have waned markedly in recent days. The Dodgers are believed to have approached Toronto about Bradley but without getting much response from the Blue Jays. Teams are being cautious because Bradley, although a top-notch talent, has a lengthy history of trouble on and off the field.

It is not known what the Pirates might be offering, but one of the Dodgers' stated needs is for a left-handed reliever. The Pirates will have three of those once they formally acquire Damaso Marte from the Chicago White Sox for utilityman Rob Mackowiak.

The announcement on that trade, consummated two days ago, is expected Monday.

[Greymire]

I couldn't understand why they let Mesa go and sign someone older? Hernandez was ooutstanding last year, but how much longer can he keep it up? I guess a one year deal is ok, but the price does seem high. At his age, I would have thought he would have signed with a contender if he could have. Actually Mueller is the one that bothers me most. Bradley has had run ins with a couple people, but Tracy claims that he was ok in LA and that his one run in was overblown. Who knows. Wasn't Reggie Sanders also called a mal content at one time? Mueller on the other hand has had one year where he hit well. He has little power,m and while he doesn't make a lot of errors, some have said his range is also limited. We do need a third baseman as we have none other than Sanchez (or maybe Bautista if he were ready), but this makes me think that they feel Sanchez is not an everyday answer there, yet he hit well last year and is a better fielder, in my opinion, than Mueller. Yes, this possible deal troubles me a lot. ESPECIALLY, adding another year.

[00_Agent]

That's what I'm saying. Christ, 3 years for a guy who is already 34?

As for the Hernandez deal...I don't know. I don't think this makes a lot of sense. It's not the worst move in the world either I guess...but to me, it's the kind of deal a contender makes to sure up their bullpen. He's 41, what use do we have for a 41 year old? At that price?

I do however like the idea of bringing in Milton Bradley. Tracy is Bradley's guy, according to Bradley, and Tracy seems to really like him too. If we don't get him, I'm not going to lose sleep, but we'd have a pretty strong middle of the order with him in there.

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[imgreat95]

I look for Sanchez to be the starter at 3rd base barirng any crazy things, and Yurrendell DeCaster to back him up and basically take Macks spot this season. I saw DeCaster play in his first year at Hickory back in 2000, and I believe he can be a pretty serviceable utility guy.

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Bradley does not offer the power that is needed in RF. He had one year with some pop and not much else. I'd rather see Craig or even McLouth in RF over Bradley and his contract.

[00_Agent]

What kind of money is Bradley making?

I wouldn't have a problem with Craig out in right field; in fact, if he plays everyday, I agree he would hit for more power than Milton. But management seems intent on trading him.

I like McLouth too. He was playing well last season.

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