The Pirates have agreed to sign lefty Erik Bedard, MLBTR has confirmed. Canadian journalist Marc Brassard first tweeted news of an impending $4.5MM deal, and the Pirates have since announced the deal. Bedard is represented by SFX.
Bedard, 32, is coming off his healthiest season since 2007. This year for the Mariners and Red Sox he posted a 3.62 ERA, 8.7 K/9, 3.3 BB/9, 0.97 HR/9, and 42% groundball rate in 129 1/3 innings. He missed time with knee and lat sprains, which wasn't too bad after shoulder surgeries limited him to 164 innings for 2008-09. The signing has upside for the Pirates, who needed some depth after losing Paul Maholm to free agency. Additionally, Charlie Morton had hip surgery in October and could miss the start of the season.
Injury Prone and a total jerk, but a very good buy low signing with upside.
haha “and a total jerk”
Woow! Go Bucs!!
I approve. He could have a great year.
Great half year.
Says a guy named guy.
Nice deal for the Bucs
I think it’s an alright move for the Pirates :thumb up:
A+ signing by the pirates here
And now I kind of want him. Grass is always greener…
I was so disappointed when I saw this one come up. Really wanted to retain him. I imagine he likely wasn’t interested in sticking around after the clubhouse drama continuing he was never much attached. I absolutely would’ve given him that money.
even without the ridiculous end to the season, boston was never a great spot for him off-the-field so i’m sure there wasn’t much interest. but $4.5M is a bargain. he’s way, way better than capuano and harang
Curious. What was the problem with Boston/Bedard off the field?
there was no specific problem; he’s just an introvert. not an ideal environment in terms of the media and the clubhouse
it’s not that he was unhappy necessarily, just that he’d probably choose to be somewhere else if all other things were equal
Ever se the movie “He was a Quiet Man? Well, Bedard was supposed to be the hero after riding into town and keeping to himself.. Instead.. bedard showed little emotion on the mound, wiped out AA roster of middle prospects and got zilcho in return, except a return to exactly what he was the previous 4 years..All-injured team….
Curious. What was the problem with Boston/Bedard off the field?
are we gonna get the 07 Bedard? doubtful
Bucs taking care of business this offseason! Nice sign
Yeah they sure are. Rod Barajas, Clint Barmes, Nate McLouth, and now Erik Bedard. It’s no wonder the Pirates haven’t sniffed .500 in twenty years.
I guess they should be going after Pujols and Buehrle instead?
The Marlin’s did. I’m not saying what the Marlin’s are doing is right, but they are spending money this year and making a run at it when their new stadium opens up. I don’t ever rememer the Pirate’s making a move when they built their new stadium a few years back.
Oh wow. I wasn’t exactly high on Bedard but I do like this signing for the Pirates.
Karstens/Bedard/Morton/Locke/McDonald
Hm. That’s a very potential filled rotation actually, fantastic signing-hope he stays healthy…
Looks pretty brutal actually.
thank god for Kershaw because our rotation would be looking haggard
thank god for Kershaw because our rotation would be looking haggard
you forgot correia. locke wont make the team out of spring training unless its in a relief role which is doubtful
Doubtful yes, but looking at his AAA numbers I think if he was ready they wouldn’t leave him in the minors. I expect him to be up in the big leagues by May or June personally unless he dominates in spring training or starts regressing.
If that’s the case it’s hard for me to see someone aside from Correia being bumped out of the rotation unless Karstens struggles.
As much as I like Karstens, I cant really see him being able to match what he did last year.
You forgot K.C. in your rotation.
hope he’s hurt go soxs
Nice pickup for PIT
Once they sign Pujols & CJ Wilson, the Pirates are going to be legit.
That’s probably the only way they’d be legit
I like the optimism, and I can make that happen in every video game!
My guess is this is more of a trade in hopes of establishing good value for Bedard to trade him at the deadline, which is what PIT should be doing.
Hell freaking yes!!!
I’ve been wanting them to take a chance on Bedard for years. I know he’s injury prone, but he’s always been one of my favorite pitchers. When he does take the mound, he pitches very well and he finally started coming around last season. He’ll be a great addition to the staff!
I really like this move by the Buccos. Morales signed to back up Barajas, McClouth back in town as a 4th OF (where he belongs) and now Bedard. Plus Bucs looking at Betimet for depth, I like the direction. Bucs look like they have a plan this off-season, and I approve. Now to get a bat at 1B and maybe an inning eater for the rotation (but not necessary). LET’S GO BUCS!!!
McKenry will def be back up to Barajas, Morales will be in AAA first one called up for injury
Carlos Pena. 2 year deal.
Jeff Francis 1+ incentives.
if they sign Francis and Pena we have a solid chance to playoffs as long as Bedard, Pena, and Francis (pena and francis if signed) stay healthy.
actually they’re no longer considering Betemit, who would have been pretty good to get to compete for third or second with Alvarez or Barmes.
Barmes is going to be the SS for the Pirates. Niel Walker is our 2B….
oh yeah i meant SS, my bad
Solid move for Pittsburgh!
Good move, Pittsburgh. Things are definitely looking up there.
good. he was horrible for the Red Sox. trading for him was a mistake.
I have to say this is a win win for both parties…Bucs get a pretty legit pitcher who can be filthy when on and healthy..and Bedard gets to rebuild some value in the NL Central…
I just don’t understand how the Bucs can make a great move, like this one, but then make an awful move in signing McLouth. It really confuses me. Also, I think the Pirates should try to get Casey Kotchman. What do you guys think about that?
why is McLouth so awful? if nothing else, he’s a better 4th-5th OF than X Paul. and the only thing that would make McLouth a bad signing is if the bucs sign a 1b, and then get rid of G. Jones, who would’ve been the 4th OF, to save a few million. Jones > McLouth.
He was a complete failure in Atlanta (offensively & defensively), he talked bad about the Pirates, and it rarely turns out well when teams let a guy go, then get him back years later. I’m not so sure he’s better than Paul.
I think their first priority at 1st base is Derek Lee… if they don’t get him they will probably stick with Garrett Jones, Matt Hague or something along those lines. I would like to see them go after Carlos Pena, but I think they already shot that down.
The Twins could’ve used him at this low price
Finally, a signing I can get excited about. A+
Awesome squared!
Great pick up by the Pirates.
with everyone wanting SP help that arent’ in on Wilson, Buehrle, & Oswalt, why have I not heard 1 Maholm rumor?
I would guess because after 5 mediocre to poor years followed by one good one, he’s not worth nearly as much as he thinks he is
he’s barely a solid pitcher. on any other team but the Pirates, he’d most likely be a 4th/5th starter at best.
WOW! That’s a low price!
While Nutting’s spending money, go for broke and sign Prince Fielder–guaranteed to put butts in the seats.
Way to go Ned! Set the market! Sign inferior pitchers! waste money! Cant wait til you get fired
Great Job Bucs!
He will love the National League.
The Buccos get a starting pitcher with a solid track record, sign him for half as much as they would have had to pay Maholm (a guy with only 1 good year out of his entire career)… and people are still complaining about this?
I’m not really seeing any complaints. At least not here. Check out Bob Smizik’s blog if you looking for complaints. I haven’t read it yet, but I’m certain that he and his followers will put a negative spin on this somehow.
they are satan’s span, Smizik is a pathetic excuse for a writer, and should have his blog removed instantly
Gotta give NH some credit, he is improving this team. If we can get D-Lee back, we could have a good ball club on our hands.
What a great signing.. can’t believe any one would take less than what Harang got
This is a pitcher that has put up two 5 War seasons. Even in shortened year last year he put up almost two and a half WAR. This is a slam dunk signing. Even if Bedard throws at most 100 innings he will be worth more than the contract. Putting him in the national league central and facing a pitcher three times a game will be ridiculous! Look for that k/9 to go back up over 9.
This and the Morales signings have been excellent moves. The problem is that they have been brought down by the Barajas and Barmes signings Barmes is probably close to worth the money, but Cedeno was cheaper and pretty similar. Barmes had a good year because of defense, we will see if that works out again. Barajas just seems pointless. They could have brought back Doumit for less money and there really would not have been a big difference in the effect on the pitching staff.
Wish they would take a chance on Rich Harden too. Put him together with Bedard and you’d have the total of one ace season.
NO! Well good luck in Pittsburgh, Erik. You’ll be always welcome back here in Seattle anytime. Was nice that you came back to us last year.
Good move for the Bucs. Definitely a solid above-average starter for an affordable price.
barry bonds was a total jerk too but as long as he was hitting no one minded too much.
good deal for Pirates