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Pirates Sign Jordan Lyles

By Jeff Todd and Steve Adams | December 17, 2018 at 12:06pm CDT

The Pirates have added some depth to their rotation mix, announcing on Monday that they’ve signed right-hander Jordan Lyles to a one-year contract. The Ballengee Group client will reportedly receive a guaranteed $2.05MM salary.

Jordan Lyles | Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

“We are pleased to add Jordan Lyles to our Major League pitching staff,” said GM Neal Huntington in a statement accompanying the announcement. “Jordan has always had a quality pitch arsenal, and given his success after adjusting how he used his pitches during the 2018 season, he will have a legitimate opportunity to earn a spot in our rotation in 2019. We look forward to helping Jordan continue to bridge the gap between potential and performance.”

This move seems to represent a bid to backfill the Bucs’ pitching depth after trading Ivan Nova to the White Sox last week. Lyles likely won’t be promised a rotation spot in Pittsburgh, but he could compete for one in camp and will at least function as a long relief or swingman option. With Huntington saying that the organization is dabbling with the idea of an opener, Lyles could be a particularly interesting fit for the roster.

Lyles turned in a somewhat interesting 2018 season, though his broader track record isn’t all that impressive. The 28-year-old posted a personal-high 10.3% swinging-strike rate this past season, with a modified pitch mix seemingly help to boost that aspect of his game. He won’t turn 29 until next October, so if Lyles turns in a solid season in Pittsburgh, he could elevate his status in advance of a return trip through free agency next winter at a still-desirable age.

That’s not to say the results were universally positive; Lyles didn’t quite turn the corner in an eight-game run as a starter with the Padres. But he was rather effective in a relief role, with a 3.32 ERA over 40 2/3 total innings in 28 appearances. Some kind of multi-inning role other than that of a traditional starter could maximize Lyles’s skill set. At present, the Pittsburgh rotation likely consists of Chris Archer, Jameson Taillon, Trevor Williams, Joe Musgrove and Nick Kingham, though there are alternatives on hand for those final two spots. In addition to Lyles, the Pirates got their first look at Clay Holmes in 2018, and the organization has one of the game’s most promising pitching prospects in the form of right-hander Mitch Keller.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that the two sides were close to a deal (via Twitter), and Fancred’s Jon Heyman reported the agreement and terms (Twitter links).

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62 comments
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Comments

  1. dray16

    2 years ago

    ugh

    1 Like
    Reply
  2. Ozzie Torres

    2 years ago

    Pirates being extremely cautious with payroll capacity (until 2050 or world’s end).

    10 Like
    Reply
    • Freddy H

      2 years ago

      Faith was lost after 2013 (best team they’ll ever have in modern era)

      ,……then let AJ, Byrd , & Morneau walk.

      Yeah they may have gotten ovrrpaid, but that’s market value.

      And instead of winning the WS in 2014, they get shut out Bumgarner because their lineup was trash.

      Byrd wasn’t great but still hit for power, something the Pirates lacked as they forced out cheap Travis Snider into RF every night.

      Burnett came back in 15 but it was a year too late, as the chance to win the division was 2014.

      Morneau went on to win the 2014 batting title for the Rockies… Over Josh Harrison.. and it came down to the last game.

      So you see, when the time came (2014) to spend…. Guess what? they didn’t.

      Game over. Hope they string together back to back record setting seasons for lowest attendence this year.

      Not supporting cheapskate liars who think they have a monopoly on their “baseball” product in Pittsburgh.
      But really, it’s easy to ignore the hometown team that doesn’t have any competetence or plan besides cutting corners and making profit.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • forwhomjoshbelltolls

        2 years ago

        Is it?

        You are commenting about said hometown team at length on an article about Jordan Lyles.

        2 Like
        Reply
        • Freddy H

          2 years ago

          Cuz it’s what they do. Jordan Lyles is their off-season you doofus.

          Like
          Reply
        • forwhomjoshbelltolls

          2 years ago

          “But really, it’s easy to ignore the hometown team that doesn’t have any competetence or plan besides cutting corners and making profit.”

          It seems difficult for you. Multiple comments on an article about the signing of a nobody swingman.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • Freddy H

          2 years ago

          I should rephrase.

          I don’t ignore them. You’re right.

          What I mean is I don’t cheer for a AAAA team who’s owner gives Pittsburgh look as poor as Oakland.

          Like
          Reply
        • ronnsnow

          2 years ago

          Okay good. We don’t want you or the rest of the drunk Yinzers making PNC Park unbearable when the team is actually good.

          Like
          Reply
      • Braves 2015

        2 years ago

        “They may have gotten overpaid, but thats market value…”

        what? if it’s market value then it can’t also be overpay

        1 Like
        Reply
      • williemaysfield

        2 years ago

        Bum had a historic pitching performance throughout the 2014 playoffs. I don’t think it mattered what lineup the Pirates had for the wildcard game.

        Like
        Reply
  3. wkkortas

    2 years ago

    Statue of Liberty signing–the tired, the poor, the wretched refuse yearning to be at PNC.

    9 Like
    Reply
    • forwhomjoshbelltolls

      2 years ago

      Thanks for being clever instead of just mindlessly repeating what the fat guy says.

      3 Like
      Reply
      • Freddy H

        2 years ago

        I just realized you’re an even bigger brat than me

        Like
        Reply
  4. smrtbusnisman04

    2 years ago

    Low cost move. I thought he looked good in his limited time between SD and MIL last year. Could be a decent innings eater. Just a filler in the rotation until Mitch Keller is ready.

    Neil Huntington’s ‘modus operandi’

    Like
    Reply
  5. Joe W.

    2 years ago

    project pitcher, should be cheap. i seemed to remeber someone saying the pirates had an eye on him before but i could be wrong there.

    2 Like
    Reply
    • connfyoozed

      2 years ago

      I remember that as well, I think it goes back to his days in Colorado. He struck them as one of those young starters they could “fix”.

      Like
      Reply
  6. gozurman1

    2 years ago

    I believe this is a bullpen move since they lost Kuhl and Santana to TJ surgeries for the whole 2019 season. Lyles was solid in bullpen work. Makes sense.

    3 Like
    Reply
    • wkkortas

      2 years ago

      Maybe, but given the Brewers bullpen issues, the fact that they thought buying out his option was better than keeping him around doesn’t inspire much confidence in his future.

      2 Like
      Reply
  7. Soldierofgod619

    2 years ago

    Pitchers who arent performing should want to come down to San Diego for at least a year to build some value.Hand,Chacin,Ross,Lyles,Yates. just to name a few recent ones.

    5 Like
    Reply
    • juicemane

      2 years ago

      Pomeraz, Cahill, Maurer, Butcher…

      3 Like
      Reply
      • lowtalker1

        2 years ago

        Probably been over a hundred pitchers since 2004 and balls success rate has been amazing

        2 Like
        Reply
  8. Julio Franco's Birth Certificate

    2 years ago

    Bob Nutting and Neal Huntington: “OK, we’re done here. Pack up and head back to Pittsburgh. You know Southwest has no change fees, so we can save by canceling those last two hotel nights we booked here. See you later Vegas!”

    7 Like
    Reply
    • swanhenge

      2 years ago

      Haha…I have no doubt that’s EXACTLY how that went. Well played

      Like
      Reply
  9. ConorMc

    2 years ago

    Can’t wait to hear the details. Freed up $$$ to bolster the team.

    Like
    Reply
    • grizzled sports vet

      2 years ago

      Huntington likes to call it “financial flexibility.” He used this phrase after they traded Liriano but then didn’t sign any free agents with the money.

      Like
      Reply
  10. army123456

    2 years ago

    Cheap signing. Big bust. Where is the all the money going in Pittsburgh? This is embarrassing.

    2 Like
    Reply
    • Freddy H

      2 years ago

      I don’t mind this move… But was Yordi Rivera or wtvr really that worth trading Nova?

      Pretty obvious they’re pocketing cash. Couldve used Nova at least to see where we are in July

      Like
      Reply
      • 3rdStrikeLooking

        2 years ago

        Not only are you Johnny Super Scout, you are Johnny GM and CPA Johnny! You seem to have such keen insights on things no one else can see.

        2 Like
        Reply
        • Freddy H

          2 years ago

          How?

          By saying dumping Nova for a 19 year old might not be the best move for an org that’s apparently trying to contend…..

          Like
          Reply
  11. mlb1225

    2 years ago

    I’m praying that this is just a depth move and not what they expect to replace Nova with.

    Like
    Reply
    • NuckBobFutting

      2 years ago

      I think Nova has his replacement on the roster already in Kingham

      1 Like
      Reply
      • mlb1225

        2 years ago

        I’d much rather see them go after a cheap veteran hold-over for Keller, rather than Kingham.

        Like
        Reply
        • Freddy H

          2 years ago

          They won’t.

          What are you a doofus? Pirates won’t sign anyone.

          They had a good pitcher named Nova… They just dumped him for a 19year old nobody.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • NuckBobFutting

          2 years ago

          I doubt they sign anyone, they’re interested in using the opener strategy as the Rays did. That could mean Lyles, Brault, and Kingham are all 5th guys

          Like
          Reply
        • Freddy H

          2 years ago

          Why am I getting dislikes? Too many pony boy Pirates fans out there.

          In Neal we trust!!!!

          Like
          Reply
  12. ronnsnow

    2 years ago

    As a bullpen option or maybe opener job for Musgrove or Kingham, but please add someone better than this. Pirates payroll is projected for just under $70 after arbitration.

    Like
    Reply
    • army123456

      2 years ago

      The pirates will trade cervelli next. The payroll will be at 50 million. For all you guys that say we are all idiots. Look at the division. The cards are beefing up and the brewers have the same sluggers. Even the reds are adding pitchers. The Bucs keep taking away from their roster. How do expect to be “competitive” when your not spending money. Prediction: last place in the central. You need hits and homers to make points.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • panj341

        2 years ago

        More dumpster diving when they can afford better.

        Like
        Reply
  13. HarveyD82

    2 years ago

    another low risk garbage heap signing. great career era if that still matters

    2 Like
    Reply
  14. Palmerpark

    2 years ago

    Who?

    Like
    Reply
    • vtadave

      2 years ago

      Uh Jordan Lyles?

      3 Like
      Reply
  15. Ron marker

    2 years ago

    Do you people really think that this is all the moves that the buccos will make. They proved at the deadline that they have changed in making moves. If you want them to make a stupid move just to spend money on someone who is likely go be a bust. Then stay home and play on your computer.

    Like
    Reply
    • forwhomjoshbelltolls

      2 years ago

      Understand that no matter what they do, they will be criticized. For example…

      Archer was considered the top target at last year’s deadline. Meadows and Glasnow were considered middling and a bust, respectively. The team was criticized for never making moves and for being unwilling to trade prospects.

      After the deal…

      Archer was considered a bum that no one else wanted. Meadows and Glasnow were suddenly declared young superstars. The team was criticized for making trades and for giving up prospects.

      If the Pirates won the World Series, yinzers would complain that the parade route was too short because Nutting is cheap and how it proves he doesn’t really care about winning.

      6 Like
      Reply
      • YoHoHo!

        2 years ago

        Amen. The Pirates will never do anything right for some of these fans; darned if you do, darned if you don’t.

        1 Like
        Reply
  16. dvmin98

    2 years ago

    He’s awful. Had one good game against the Rockies then got hammered the rest of the year. Surprised we were able to unload him to the Brewers last year.

    1 Like
    Reply
  17. tiredolddude

    2 years ago

    So you give away Nova for a midrange prospect and sign this guy, all to save $6m
    On top of that, you tell the fan base that together with Kingham and Brault, he’ll compete for the opening starter slot
    Given that they shocked everyone by grabbing Archer and Kela last year, you have to wonder about the geniuses at the controls
    It’s not that Nova was anything approaching great, but is this team that cash strapped that they need to send away a guy who could have at least occupied the slot until Keller or perhaps Kuhl steps up in 2020
    Strange strategy. Like planning a trip from Pittsburgh to Philly, but making stops in Cleveland and Morgantown along the way

    Like
    Reply
    • gozurman1

      2 years ago

      Might need to pick up some pepperoni rolls for the trip east but Cleveland would be a wasted detour…..

      2 Like
      Reply
  18. gozurman1

    2 years ago

    Good deal if he replicates his work from the pen last season. Appears to be a good replacement to Santana and Kuhl as both would have been pen pieces this year if not for the injuries/surgeries. Hope that we get another signing or trade for another SP piece.

    Like
    Reply
  19. mattmooney33

    2 years ago

    I’m not as concerned with the pitching staff as much as I am with their current lineup. How are they building within their core? The current roster and farm system isn’t strong at all, and I’m not talking about payroll. This is just a spinning cycle from the 90’s Pirates up until now. They haven’t developed that many great prospects since then. The few that have been developed are eventually traded, because they reach the Pirates “ceiling” for what they will pay the player.. Once they trade the player, they get barely anything in return. I could careless that they traded Nova and didn’t expect them to get much in return. I don’t mind them trading for Archer last year, either but they should of made moves when they were actually competing for division in previous years. If they plan on using the business model of having a lower payroll and building within, they need to get a different president/GM. Nutting has to listen to baseball operations as well in a baseball sense. But I don’t see any of this happening.

    1 Like
    Reply
  20. panj341

    2 years ago

    Vogelsong 2.0

    1 Like
    Reply
    • mlb1225

      2 years ago

      Vogelsong 2.0 but worse.

      Like
      Reply
  21. HarveyD82

    2 years ago

    this seems like another ray searge project. low cost low risk

    1 Like
    Reply
    • ReverieDays

      2 years ago

      Overhyped beyond belief just because a couple of guys had good seasons there.

      1 Like
      Reply
    • Ruff Kuntry

      2 years ago

      Him, Curt Young and Mike Maddox are the best in the game.

      Like
      Reply
  22. jtkuch

    2 years ago

    It’s as I feared, NH isn’t going to get a legit 5th starter, but have a bunch of unproven guys (Lyles as a starter) fight for it. Just keep Nova at that point. It’s like he never learned from 2016.

    Like
    Reply
    • gozurman1

      2 years ago

      Just saying he would compete for a SP slot does not mean he will ever get that slot. He is more likely going to end up in the pen and be available for a spot start if they need him. The need a long guy with Kuhl and Santana gone for at least a year due to TJ surgeries.

      Like
      Reply
      • jtkuch

        2 years ago

        But that means you’re putting Kingham or Brault there, and they haven’t proven themselves there yet either. They function better as the longmen anyway. Even Nova was a better option than any of them.

        Like
        Reply
  23. greatgame

    2 years ago

    Lyles career 5.28 ERA signs for $2+ M guaranteed? Ridiculous.

    Like
    Reply
  24. Joseph12992

    2 years ago

    I don’t understand the hate here. He has shown some upside in the past and is still relatively young. I DO understand fan frustration. But it feels as though low payroll teams can’t make small moves without their fan base freaking out and a million jokes being said on here, Every team is gonna make moves like this no matter their payroll and it does not preclude further moves

    Like
    Reply
    • jtkuch

      2 years ago

      He’s shown upside, in the bullpen. He should be nowhere near the rotation. And even low payroll teams should be able to reach $100M when they’re trying to compete. We’re currently hovering around $75M, and Huntington just indicated he plans to enter ST with the current rotation options. It’s the exact same move he pulled in 2016 when we went from 98 wins to below .500, the parallels are all there. Salary dumping Nova just like Morton, signing a low upside pitcher in Lyles just like Vogelsong. I wouldn’t be surprised if he trades Cervelli for an underwhelming pitcher just like Walker for Niese.

      This front office lost the trust of fans, especially with those moves, moves he seems to be repeating now, and it’s VERY frustrating.

      Like
      Reply
      • Mendoza Line 215

        2 years ago

        Management just cannot get out of their routine.They won’t take chances.Lyles is one for the bullpen,not the starting rotation unless as an emergency.The Pirates’ salary level is low and they have had three starlight mediocre years.They need an impact hitter.Nova was fine as the fifth starter,who pitches in theory exactly one less game than the ace of the staff.Fine if they had lined up an equivalent to him at a lower salary.That is smart business.The problem is at this point it does not seem that they did.The only thing that they did not do right after 2015 was sign JA Happ.They are running out of excuses now,though.

        Like
        Reply
  25. shafe4141

    2 years ago

    How is he worth $2M??? He got paid $750k last year????

    Like
    Reply

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