Morning Rundown: Pirates sign Josh Fleming, move Oviedo, Rodriguez to IL
Morning Rundown: Pirates sign Josh Fleming, move Oviedo, Rodriguez to IL
Pirates sign a free agent pitcher, move a pair of players to the 60 day IL
On the first day of camp, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed another free agent, bringing in former Tampa Bay Rays left-handed pitcher Josh Fleming on a one-year deal.
Fleming, 27, posted a 4.70 ERA across 51.2 innings that spanned 12 games, three of which were starts. He has a 19-13 record for his career and has pitched over 200 career innings while putting up a 4.88 ERA.
He’s another soft-tossing left-handed pitcher who relies on putting the ball into play, he struck out just 11.3% of the batters he faced last year.
After the announcement, he didn’t take long to get things going, being caught on the mound throwing a bullpen session on Wednesday.
The signing of Yasmani Grandal also became official after agreeing on a deal Sunday.
Grandal had spent the previous four years with the Chicago White Sox, with the last two, his offensive skills trending down. He still posted around league average regarding walk, strikeout, chase, and whiff rates.
He brings over 1,000 games of experience to the table, mainly as a catcher, but has also played some first base.
To make room for Grandal and Fleming, the Pirates have moved Johan Oviedo and Endy Rodriguez to the 60-day injured list.
Both will miss the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in the off-season.
The Pirates still have JT Brubaker and Mike Burrows they could add to the 60-day IL to add a room on the 40-man, should the Pirates need the space.
Burrows can be optioned despite being injured to avoid starting his service time clock.
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Not sure what the Central Division thing is about lefties. That said, in general, PNC is more a pitcher's park and there's plenty of evidence of free agent pitchers thriving there.
Guessing... if you don't throw the ball that hard it must be harder to hit home-u-runs... physics, right? Low arm slots and wiggly pitches, deception and guile.
Guessing also that the Bucs (not wanting to spend any bucks) are doing a pitch by committee thing this season and need a binder full of lefties for matchups.
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"OOOOH, I'm DYIN' !!!!"
-Wabbit
Is it more likely that
a) When the Rays acquire a pitcher, he improves
or
b) When the Rays cut a pitcher loose, he improves with the new team?