The Toronto Blue Jays claimed Wil Ledezma today, as the Bucco bullpen options from the left side continue to shrink.
Ledezma, who will be 30 in a couple of weeks, who was signed to a split $700K/$300K deal, has pitched for six teams in an eight year career, with a lifetime line of 15-25 with a 5.26 ERA and 277 K in 390-1/3 innings.
This leaves the Pirates with Danny Moskos and Tony Watson on the 40-man roster as LH relievers. Justin Thomas and Donnie Veal are minor-league roster options.
Lefties remaining unsigned in free agency are Joe Beimel, Tim Byrdak, Randy Flores, Brian Fuentes, Mark Hendrickson, Ron Mahay, Will Ohman, Dennys Reyes, Scott Schoeneweis, Bobby Seay and Taylor Tankersley. Not a particularly overwhelming list with a couple of exceptions, but expect one or two to land in our fair city.
Losing Ledezma is not a huge loss, but it could still hurt. He does throw harder than most lefthanders and he was fairly effective in 2010. It seems to me that the Pirates are banking on being able to do the same thing they did last offseason, ie, put a good 'pen together with some smart signings in a weak market. But while most GM's still shy away from blowing big bucks on relievers most years, it still looks to me like Huntington has miscalculated here. Most of the legitimately established, good relief pitchers have already been signed. I don't think we're going to be able to swoop in and sign a bunch of better than average hurlers just by waiting everybody out. Not this year.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Wil. Ledezma isn't a difference maker by any means, but he was lefty. Generally, the FO's theory of filling in a bullpen from scratch works OK, but this year has been an anomaly.
ReplyDeleteNot many pitchers came out, and there were several multi year signings. They may have to rethink the program some and maybe tie up their guys a little longer if this year ends up a trend rather than an outlier.