Headlines

  • Red Sox Promote Roman Anthony
  • Craig Kimbrel Elects Free Agency
  • Marlins Place Ryan Weathers On 60-Day IL With Lat Strain
  • White Sox To Promote Grant Taylor
  • Mariners Designate Leody Taveras For Assignment, Outright Casey Lawrence
  • Angels Acquire LaMonte Wade Jr.
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Pirates Linked Through Arbitration

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | February 1, 2012 at 10:04pm CDT

Casey McGehee and Garrett Jones haven’t teamed up on the field yet, but they’re already linked through the arbitration process. McGehee and Jones, the Pirates’ two remaining unsigned arbitration eligible players, would have been comparables for one another this offseason even if Pittsburgh hadn’t traded for McGehee in December. 

Garrett Jones - Pirates

To this point, they have similar career arcs: a cameo appearances in the big leagues followed by a change of teams, a strong first full season, votes in the 2009 NL Rookie of the Year balloting and solid but unspectacular production from corner positions ever since. Parallels like that don’t have to exist for the players to be relevant to one other in arbitration, but the similarities extend to their statistical production.

McGehee has a .265/.320/.426 career line with 52 home runs and 242 RBI in 1689 plate appearances across 437 games. Jones has a .254/.323/.450 career line with 60 home runs and 193 RBI in 1573 plate appearances across 419 games. McGehee's platform year included 13 home runs, 67 RBI and a .223 average, while Jones' platform season featured 16 home runs, 58 RBI and a .243 average. 

Not surprisingly, the first-time arbitration eligible teammates are positioned for similar 2012 salaries. McGehee and his representatives at Meister Sports Management asked for $2.725MM, while the Pirates offered $2.35MM (midpoint of $2.538MM). Meanwhile, Jones (pictured) and his representatives at SFX asked for $2.5MM, while the Pirates offered $2.25MM (midpoint of $2.375MM). 

McGehee, who is one year younger than Jones, has 49 more RBI for his career, including one season with 100-plus driven in (like it or not, RBI matter). Jones, a super two player, had a stronger platform season, with more home runs and doubles than McGehee and a considerably better battling line. 

The Pirates teammates are obvious comparables, but many other players are also relevant to the discussion. Should a hearing or two take place, recent first-time eligible position players such as Seth Smith ($2.415MM), Colby Rasmus ($2.7MM), Ian Stewart ($2.229MM) and David Murphy ($2.4MM) could figure in to discussions as well.

Photo courtesy Icon SMI.

Share 0 Retweet 17 Send via email0

Pittsburgh Pirates Casey McGehee Garrett Jones

Minor Moves: Fossum, Sanchez
Main
Dodgers Ownership Links: Cohen, Claire
View Comments (43)
Post a Comment

43 Comments

  1. venn177

    13 years ago

    Anyone who’s anyone knows that they’re secretly the same person. Why do you think they’re on the same team now? Makes it easier to cover it up.

    Reply
    • pirates20

      13 years ago

      So trading for McGehee (who is one in the same as jones) was just a ploy devised by management to dupe the fans for their hard earned cash? What else is new.

      Reply
    • pirates20

      13 years ago

      So trading for McGehee (who is one in the same as jones) was just a ploy devised by management to dupe the fans for their hard earned cash? What else is new.

      Reply
  2. tomymogo

    13 years ago

    Pirates are cheap, fighting for 600k

    Reply
    • skoods

      13 years ago

      It’s the business of baseball, my friend.

      Reply
    • bobbygriffin

      13 years ago

      Funny how baseball has desensitized us into thinking 600k is cheap.  More than most of us will make in a decade 🙁

      Reply
      • Infield Fly

        13 years ago

        “Funny” as in “seriously messed up!”
           🙁

        Reply
        • eugene tober

          13 years ago

          I agree but it’s the owners to blame as much as the players.

          Reply
    • eugene tober

      13 years ago

      Not cheap, reality.  The Bucs need the 1.2MM in the event that D.Lee and his agent realize that no one else is going to make offer.

      Reply
      • Ron Loreski

        13 years ago

        Lee IS NOT going to sign with the Pirates. It was more realistic to say Jaromir Jagr was going to sign with the Penguins.

        Reply
        • eugene tober

          13 years ago

          If that’s true , it’s unlikely he’ll sign with anyone, unless he asks for less money.

          Reply
      • Ron Loreski

        13 years ago

        Lee IS NOT going to sign with the Pirates. It was more realistic to say Jaromir Jagr was going to sign with the Penguins.

        Reply
  3. skoods

    13 years ago

    Pirates should feel pretty good. This is the first year in awhile that they may be able to contend in the Central.

    Reply
    • shakeweight22

      13 years ago

      contend for third place?

      Reply
    • Les Johnson

      13 years ago

      Not this year, but maybe in 2013 they’ll have both Cole and Taillon in the rotation. Having those two guys pan out is their only shot.

      Reply
      • shakeweight22

        13 years ago

        the same cole and taillon who have yet to throw one pitch in high a yet? is bell going to be starting in right field too with Stetson Allie closing?? wow 2013 will be a great year….

        Reply
        • Les Johnson

          13 years ago

          Cole was drafted out of college and has better raw stuff than anyone in the Pirates’ rotation. How long do you think he needs in the minors? 4 years? He’ll be up by September most likely.

          If Taillon lights it up in the minors, not too far-fetched to think he’ll start 2013 in the majors, IMO.

          Reply
          • shakeweight22

            13 years ago

            I’d say there is a decent chance cole starts this year in AA but it’s more likely that both of them will start out in Bradenton. I just don’t see anyway that cole progresses from there to a September call up it’s just not going to happen and the chances of taillon starting his age 21 season in the majors are slim and none. best case we see cole at the end of 2013 and taillon sometime in 2014 and thats beig optimistic… which is hard for pirates fans

            Reply
    • eugene tober

      13 years ago

      The Bucs have too many holes to contend.

      Reply
  4. SteelchucK

    13 years ago

    Nah, this IS THE YEAR they break.500 after contending all year.  They’ll play that 1 wild card game and choke like they did in the 2nd half last year.

    Reply
    • eugene tober

      13 years ago

      Not this year still too much dead wood. Next year when Sanchez and Hernandez join Bucs along side of Cole and Taillon. 

      Reply
      • Ron Loreski

        13 years ago

        I’m not convinces Hernandez is going to be anything more than a Tike Redman/Adrian Brown type player. As for Sanchez, he’s struggled so far at every level so what makes you think he’ll be any better in the majors?

        I think the Pirates would be better off trading players such as Sanchez or Marte for pitching, and perhaps going after Brian McCann in free agency next season.

        Reply
        • eugene tober

          13 years ago

          If they can’t play for the Bucs, how much are they worth? As for McCann the Bucs don’t need more aging players. They would be better off with youth.

          Reply
      • Ron Loreski

        13 years ago

        I’m not convinces Hernandez is going to be anything more than a Tike Redman/Adrian Brown type player. As for Sanchez, he’s struggled so far at every level so what makes you think he’ll be any better in the majors?

        I think the Pirates would be better off trading players such as Sanchez or Marte for pitching, and perhaps going after Brian McCann in free agency next season.

        Reply
      • shakeweight22

        13 years ago

        wow you are extremely delusional if think cole and taillon will be in the bugs next year. cole may get a late season call up but as I posted above neither has pitched in high a yet.. and why hernandez over marte? hernandez is known for his great defense which we already have in cf with mccutchen, and marte is no slouch in the department either and marte might actually provide some offense

        Reply
        • eugene tober

          13 years ago

          Narte would get more than Hernandez in a trade. Your probably right about the pitchers.

          Reply
          • shakeweight22

            13 years ago

            marte would bring more in a trade that’s pretty obvious.. so why do you think hernandez will be coming up with Sanchez and not him?

            Reply
            • eugene tober

              13 years ago

              Because we’re talking about the Bucs. 😉

              Reply
    • eugene tober

      13 years ago

      Not this year still too much dead wood. Next year when Sanchez and Hernandez join Bucs along side of Cole and Taillon. 

      Reply
    • Jeff Weissbuch

      13 years ago

      They are taking the same path as the Brewers so this year will be .500 and contend next year

      Reply
      • Ron Loreski

        13 years ago

        Except the Brewers went out and got Grienke and Marcum because they knew it would put them over the top. The Pirates went out and got Erik Bedard (1/2 season at the most).

        Reply
      • Ron Loreski

        13 years ago

        Except the Brewers went out and got Grienke and Marcum because they knew it would put them over the top. The Pirates went out and got Erik Bedard (1/2 season at the most).

        Reply
  5. Ron Loreski

    13 years ago

    If Jones and Alvarez are able to play to their potential, the Pirates could have quite a potent line up. I think it will look something like this.

    vs RHP
    LF-Presley
    2B-Walker
    CF-McCutchen
    1B-Jones
    RF-Tabata
    3B-Alvarez
    C-Barajas
    SS-Barmes

    vs LHP
    Presley-LF
    Tabata-RF
    McCutchen-CF
    Walker-2B
    McGehee-1B
    3B-Alvarez
    C-Barajas
    SS-Barmes

    Reply
    • eugene tober

      13 years ago

      That’s a big IF, Jones is a defensive liability and Alvarez a never-was.

      Reply
      • arthur3

        13 years ago

        I am old enough when the said the same things about Willie “Strike-Out” Stargell. Alvarez needs some time before he is written off as a never-was.

        Reply
        • eugene tober

          13 years ago

          Stargell was hitting homers and hidden in left field when he was called that. Alvarez’s real weakness is his defense. 

          Reply
      • arthur3

        13 years ago

        I am old enough when the said the same things about Willie “Strike-Out” Stargell. Alvarez needs some time before he is written off as a never-was.

        Reply
    • arthur3

      13 years ago

      I think that having Derrek Lee in the clean-up spot would make either line up a lot more credible.

      Reply
      • Ron Loreski

        13 years ago

        Derek Lee is not coming to Pittsburgh. In fact, I think he’ll retire. The Pirates are not going to add anymore offensive pieces unless its for a bench spot or AAA depth. These are the players they’ll have to work with.

        Reply
  6. Mooneys Barbecue

    13 years ago

    If Derrick Lee really wanted to come back to the Pirates he would of signed by now, unless he’s decided on whether to retire or not. The Pirates and these two need to reach a midpoint and just get the deals done.

    Reply
    • arthur3

      13 years ago

      I am not arguing your point, but I think that the bottom line to Derrek Lee’s possible retirement is  the money. He is a guy with a ton of pride who is used to annual paychecks closer to 10 million than the probable 2 million that he will be offered this year. If the money is right (even at maybe at 3 million a year for the right ball club), he will unretire quickly. Sorry to say, though, that club is not going to be of the caliber of the Pirates.

      Reply
  7. Mooneys Barbecue

    13 years ago

    If Derrick Lee really wanted to come back to the Pirates he would of signed by now, unless he’s decided on whether to retire or not. The Pirates and these two need to reach a midpoint and just get the deals done.

    Reply
  8. goner

    13 years ago

    I can’t see either player going to arbitration hearings, given how close they are… the differences are less than the MLB minimum, FFS.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Red Sox Promote Roman Anthony

    Craig Kimbrel Elects Free Agency

    Marlins Place Ryan Weathers On 60-Day IL With Lat Strain

    White Sox To Promote Grant Taylor

    Mariners Designate Leody Taveras For Assignment, Outright Casey Lawrence

    Angels Acquire LaMonte Wade Jr.

    Corbin Burnes To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Braves Select Craig Kimbrel

    Jerry Reinsdorf, Justin Ishbia Reach Agreement For Ishbia To Obtain Future Majority Stake In White Sox

    White Sox To Promote Kyle Teel

    Sign Up For Trade Rumors Front Office Now And Lock In Savings!

    Pablo Lopez To Miss Multiple Months With Teres Major Strain

    MLB To Propose Automatic Ball-Strike Challenge System For 2026

    Giants Designate LaMonte Wade Jr., Sign Dominic Smith

    Reds Sign Wade Miley, Place Hunter Greene On Injured List

    Padres Interested In Jarren Duran

    Royals Promote Jac Caglianone

    Mariners Promote Cole Young, Activate Bryce Miller

    2025-26 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings: May Edition

    Evan Phillips To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Recent

    Red Sox Promote Roman Anthony

    The Astros Are (Again) Not Getting Much From A Pricey First Base Signing

    Latest On Dodgers’ Rotation

    Royals Outright Thomas Hatch

    Diamondbacks Place Kendall Graveman On 15-Day IL

    Craig Kimbrel Elects Free Agency

    Guardians’ Will Brennan, Andrew Walters Undergo Season-Ending Surgeries

    Marlins Place Ryan Weathers On 60-Day IL With Lat Strain

    White Sox To Promote Grant Taylor

    Nats Notes: Nuñez, Chapparo, Williams

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Nolan Arenado Rumors
    • Dylan Cease Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Marcus Stroman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2025 Arbitration Projections
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version