It has been a busy 24 hours for Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington, who had a bit of roster cleaning to do prior to Thursday’s deadline to protect players prior to the Rule 5 Draft.
The biggest news of the past 24 hours, although it isn’t much of a surprise, came when the Pirates designated first baseman Ike Davis for assignment.
Davis struggled with the Pirates after coming over in a mid-season trade with the New York Mets, posting a .235/.343/.378 slash and only 10 home runs in 397 plate appearances.
The move also clears room for Pedro Alvarez to make the full time move over to first base as Huntington noted that if the season started tomorrow that Alvarez would be the team’s everyday first baseman.
In addition to Davis, the Pirates also designated catcher Ramon Cabrera for assignment.
Cabrera was a waiver claim by the Pirates in August, but only played 12 games in the Pirates organization.
The Bucs also announced that infielder Brent Morel has been outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis.
All of this was done to clear room on the 40-man roster for spots that went to right-handers Jameson Taillon and Nick Kingham, catcher Elias Diaz and outfielder Willy Garcia. The Pirates did not protect left-handed reliever Andy Oliver, first baseman Stetson Allie or outfielder Mel Rojas Jr.
Huntington also made a pair of other moves by claiming shortstop Pedro Florimon off waivers from the Washington Nationals. The 27-year old Florimon went only 7 for 76 (.092) with the Minnesota Twins this season before being claimed by the Nationals in September. He also was added to the Pirates 40-man roster.
Finally, according to several reports, the Pirates have signed right-hander Radhames Liz to a two-year $3 million contract.
Liz, who hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2009 when he was a member of the Baltimore Orioles, but he struggled in three seasons there, posting a 7.50 ERA with 6.7 K/9 and 6.2 BB/9 in 110.1 innings.
He had pitched in Korea for three seasons where many scouts say he re-invented himself. Last year he had a 2.95 ERA in 61 innings with the Blue Jays’ Double-A and Triple-An affiliates.
The book on Liz is that he has always had “power stuff” and a “vicious curve.”
It is worth noting that the Pirates haven’t yet confirmed the signing, but he is apparently Ray Searage‘s next project.
Photo Credit: Post-Gazette
