The Pirates have announced a series of minor-league signings. Outfielder Socrates Brito, southpaw Miguel Del Pozo, and infielder Phillip Evans have all received non-roster invitations, as has Hector Noesi, whose signing was previously reported.
Brito was once viewed as a quality prospect but hasn’t shown much in the majors. The 27-year-old carries a lifetime .179/.216/.309 slash in 218 plate appearances at the game’s highest level. But he did turn in a .282/.328/.510 batting line in 428 trips to the dish last year at Triple-A with the Blue Jays organization. New Pittsburgh GM Ben Cherington is well-acquainted with Brito, having come over from Toronto.
The 27-year-old Del Pozo debuted in the bigs last year with the Angels after a mid-season claim from the Rangers. He didn’t exactly stake out a firm claim to a permanent job, allowing 11 earned runs on three long balls with an 11:8 K/BB ratio in 9 1/3 frames. But the southpaw works in the mid-nineties with his heater and delivered 68 strikeouts in 48 2/3 Triple-A innings.
As for Evans, also 27, he touched the bigs in the two prior seasons with the Mets but didn’t make it back in 2019 with the Cubs. He did see steady action with the Chicago organization’s top affiliate, slashing .283/.371/.470 in 539 plate appearances — good for a solid but hardly exceptional 106 wRC+ in the International League.
Precursor to a Marte trade?
To the Padres…hopefully
Yes, the signings of this low hanging fruit is a precursor to trading Marte. Signing garbage, the tradition continues.
Now that they got Socrates they should go after Pythagoras. He led the league in triples.
underrated comment
Consistent launch angle, as well.
Naw, Aristotle. He says it like it is…
A most excellent signing.
hmmm different GM same results.
I’m sure if the Pirates were in a position to compete, they would be doing something different than Huntington did. But speaking that it’s going to be a rebuild for the next 2-3 seasons, this is what they should be doing.
Then why not come out and use the term rebuild if you are Nutting? He says this won’t happen, but yet, you take look at the crap coming in. They aren’t even trying to win in 2020 – like they want the first overall pick in 2021.
Because no owner, or front office personnel ever will for any team. We all know it’s a rebuild, the rest of the mlb knows they’re going to rebuild. But not saying your rebuilding is the same reason as saying you’re not interested in trading a player, even if you are looking to shop him.
Cherington as well as everyone else knows if they indicate a rebuild their tradable players loose value. I wonder if Cherington is working on several trades behind the scenes with major players from the team only to finish each trade all on the same day?
I agree with you mlb1225 100%
Brito is a guy I think has tools to work with needs to put it together. Never know guys in late 20s can still figure it out.
Garbage signings for a garbage team.
You think you’re an expert on garbage teams just because you listen to garbage music?
the pirates have signed more players this year then the boston red sox…………………………………………..confused? help?
Minor comment. Iowa Cubs are in PCL
I don’t see anything wrong with these acquisitions, they all seem to have promising upsides if they can be developed to make the transition from the minors to the show. Hopefully they benefit from Cherington’s plans to have continuity in a players development all the way through the minors to the show.
Plus even if they don’t, they’re minor league deals. It’s not hurting anyone.
I’m supposed to sign with the Pirates tomorrow. I’m old, just had foot surgery…but you never know.
Pirates competing or Pirates tanking. Isnt it the same thing?
Phillip Evans was supposed to be David Wright’s replacement at third base for the Mets.
Where did you ever read or hear that ???
There is nothing further from the truth. He was ever anything more or looked at as anything more than just a bench piece.
Seems like good chances to take. I wonder how much talent they can bring back trading their best talent close to fa, and taking on bad contracts. Maybe they could trade for Price and Mookie, lowering mookies price alot. Then probably try to flip both now or the deadline.
Cherington slow down, leave some signings for the rest of the league!!
Brito is the worst player I have ever seen in MLB. He can’t hit any type of good breaking ball. He has great tools but can’t track or catch balls. He seems decent in AAA so I’m not sure who is showing up to ML games.
Apparently you never seen John Jaso play baseball. His best attribute was standing there hoping for a walk.
I think it was the 2016 or 2017 Winter Meetings when someone like Heyman tweeted that Brito was a hot commodity on the market. Couldn’t understand why.
I hope pirate mgt reads these. Unless you start singing some players, you are going to lose quite a few games. Cinci is bulking it’s line up with a lindor trade. The pirates are going to suck. You can not be signing these type of players in order to build a winning team. You will be lucky to win 60 games. Get your heads out of you know what.
Socrates raked in Buffalo…..best of luck to him except when Indy plays the Bisons!