Now that we know that Russell Martin will not be in a Pirates uniform next season, it’s time to look ahead to what the organization could do in free agency.
With the additions of A.J. Burnett ($8.5 million) and Francisco Cervelli ($1.1 million), the team’s Major League payroll sits around $75 million — according to arbitration figures by Matt Swartz of MLB Trade Rumors — which is about the same number the team had at the end of last season.
These numbers are expected to go up this season, however, as both Neal Huntington and Bob Nutting said they had planned to go beyond their “comfort zone” financially to re-sign Martin.
Now that Martin is off the table, some of that money could go towards another acquisition for a starter or possibly a reliever after the trade of Justin Wilson.
More money could become available for another acquisition if the organization chooses to non-tender Ike Davis (expected $4.4 million) and Gaby Sanchez (expected $2.7 million) who have little trade value at the moment due to their below-average seasons last year.
This also seems more likely due to the fact that Pedro Alvarez could become the everyday first basemen after his throwing struggles at third last season.
The Pirates could fill a void by re-signing Francisco Liriano ($12-$14 million per year) or Edinson Volquez ($10-$12 million per year). They could also go into the free agent market for an arm.
Here is a list of possible free agent candidates:
SP Brandon McCarthy (10-15, 4.05 ERA in 32 starts for the Diamondbacks and Yankees with 175 strikeouts and 33 walks in 200 innings): $11-$14 million per year.
McCarthy’s name came up at the trade deadline for the Pirates, but ended up moving to the Yankees where he went 7-5 with a 2.89 ERA.
SP Justin Masterson (7-9, 5.88 ERA in 28 games [25 starts] for the Indians and Cardinals with 116 strikeouts and 69 walks in 128 2/3 innings): $9-$12 million per year.
Masterson was also on the radar at the deadline before heading to St. Louis where he did the exact opposite of McCarthy and struggled (3-3, 7.04 ERA in nine games [six starts] for the Cardinals. He is a perfect candidate for Ray Searage‘s reclamation school.
SP Brett Anderson (1-3, 2.91 ERA in nine starts for the Rockies with 29 strikeouts and 13 walks in 43 1/3 innings): $5-$7 million per year.
Anderson’s 2014 season ended early after only nine starts due to a fractured left index finger and back surgery. Another inexpensive reclamation candidate.
SP Brandon Morrow (1-3, 5.67 ERA in 13 games [six starts] for the Blue Jays with 30 strikeouts and 18 walks in 33 1/3 innings): $5-$8 million per year.
Like Anderson, Morrow missed most of the 2014 season due to injury and had his 2015 club option with the Blue Jays declined.
RP Luke Gregerson (5-5, 2.12 ERA in 72 appearances for the Athletics with 59 strikeouts and 15 walks in 72 1/3 innings): $4-$7 million per year.
RP Francisco Rodriguez (5-5, 3.04 ERA in 69 appearances for the Brewers with 73 strikeouts and 18 walks in 68 innings): $6-$9 million per year.
RP Rafael Soriano (4-1, 3.19 ERA in 64 appearances for the Nationals with 59 strikeouts and 19 walks in 62 innings): $7-$9 million per year.
RP Pat Neshek (7-2, 1.87 ERA in 71 appearances for the Cardinals with 68 strikeouts and nine walks in 67 1/3 innings): $5-$7 million per year.
No matter who they sign, the Pirates need to add or re-sign another arm if they want to continue to compete.
(Free agent prediction figures provided here by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports)
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
