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Pirates Sign JT Riddle

By Steve Adams | January 31, 2020 at 5:12pm CDT

5:12pm: Riddle’s deal with the Pirates will pay him $850K, MLBTR has learned.

3:25pm: The Pirates announced Friday that they’ve signed infielder JT Riddle to a Major League contract. The addition of Riddle, a Meister Sports client, fills Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster.

JT Riddle | Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Riddle, 28, was once considered to be among the more promising farmhands in the Marlins organization but was unable to establish himself in parts of three MLB seasons in Miami. Through 718 plate appearances, Riddle managed just a .229/.269/.368 batting line, which proved tepid enough that the Marlins eventually cut ties with him earlier this offseason.

Although he’s been unable to produce much at the MLB level, Riddle does carry a heartier .284/.321/.457 slash in 85 Triple-A contests. The former 13th-rounder and University of Kentucky product rose through Miami’s system primarily as a shortstop, but the Marlins began trying him out in center field in recent seasons as well. Riddle has played far more shortstop than any other position, but he does come to the Pirates with experience at second base, third base and in all three outfield slots.

Miami surely felt comfortable trying Riddle out at new defensive positions due to Miguel Rojas’ presence at shortstop, but the decision to pull Riddle away from short was still somewhat curious given how well he’s graded out at the position. In 1323 Major League innings at shortstop, Riddle notched 13 Defensive Runs Saved, 10 Outs Above Average and a 3.1 Ultimate Zone Rating.

Twenty-six-year-old Kevin Newman currently projects to be the Pirates’ everyday option at short, but Riddle can give the club some depth there while also presenting them an option to play in center field following the departure of the recently traded Starling Marte. In the days since that trade, general manager Ben Cherington has been open about his desire to add some more options in center field, and while Riddle would seemingly qualify, it’s also of some note that the team’s press release announcing the move refers to Riddle solely as an infielder.

Riddle is out of minor league options, so today’s signing is a clear indicator that the Pirates will carry him on the big league roster to open the season. He has two years, 118 days of Major League service time, meaning he’s controllable not just for the 2020 season but all the way through the 2022 campaign. Riddle will be arbitration-eligible next winter.

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Pittsburgh Pirates Transactions J.T. Riddle

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View Comments (40)
Post a Comment

40 Comments

  1. baseballpun

    5 years ago

    Riddle me this – what sucks like a vacuum, still leaves a mess, and will spend the next year (or 5) in the basement?

    7
    Reply
    • Manfredsajoke

      5 years ago

      When is the downvote coming back?

      10
      Reply
      • baseballpun

        5 years ago

        When the Pirates stop sucking.

        3
        Reply
        • The Human Toilet

          5 years ago

          So never? Damn..

          Reply
  2. Col_chestbridge

    5 years ago

    Ah, well I guess that makes Erik Gonzalez more or less expendable. I was hoping to see him get some opportunities this year

    Reply
    • 3Rivers

      5 years ago

      Good riddance. Gonzo

      Reply
  3. lilpartialbaldo

    5 years ago

    The joker and cat woman are next on their list.

    2
    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      5 years ago

      they shouldve signed Deetz while they had the chance

      Reply
      • vtadave

        5 years ago

        Deetz nuts?

        2
        Reply
    • Ejemp2006

      5 years ago

      Yeah, and Tom Riddle, this guy’s brother. An absolute wizard with the glove.

      2
      Reply
  4. bbatardo

    5 years ago

    Pirates making big moves!! I wonder if their team salary will hit 50M soon.

    2
    Reply
  5. DarkSide830

    5 years ago

    that’s such a Pirates move

    3
    Reply
  6. rangers92

    5 years ago

    The guys never even dominated once in the minor leagues.
    How does he get a major league contract when really serviceable players get minor league contracts?

    1
    Reply
  7. HarveyD82

    5 years ago

    get those October tickets!!!

    Reply
    • BuccoFever2020

      5 years ago

      Good one dude…very original

      2
      Reply
  8. lilpartialbaldo

    5 years ago

    The article references his performance in parts of 5 triple-A seasons….as if that’s a good thing.

    1
    Reply
  9. KermitJagger

    5 years ago

    Not bad as bench depth since he can play OF too.

    3
    Reply
    • zauberman12

      5 years ago

      Agree. Dude is an inexpensive versatile player.

      1
      Reply
  10. vegasmarine

    5 years ago

    Pirates should play AAA

    2
    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      5 years ago

      id like to see them play OKC or Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. they’d probably get swept.

      1
      Reply
  11. 1738hotlinebling

    5 years ago

    Well the Dark Knight was filmed in Pittsburgh, they’ve got a riddler , a Joker of an owner , all they need is Matt Harvey and they got themselves a picture !

    3
    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      5 years ago

      Matt “dented arm” Harvey

      2
      Reply
    • Username7922

      5 years ago

      The Dark Knight Rises was filmed in Pittsburgh. Dark Knight was Chicago.

      Reply
      • puzzle

        5 years ago

        Can’t forget the Penguin(s)

        Reply
    • ronnsnow

      5 years ago

      AJ Burnett is our Batman thank you very much.

      1
      Reply
  12. jtkuch

    5 years ago

    Why? Middle infield is already loaded with options and he seems to have no upside

    2
    Reply
    • KermitJagger

      5 years ago

      Gives them a 5th OF and depth when trades are made as well.

      Reply
    • moviemang80

      5 years ago

      I think he’s gonna play center. He gives them options either way. Nothing to lose here. Maybe he can finally get it together and live up to the hype. It’s really not a bad move at all for a rebuilding club. I don’t mind what Cherington is doing at all thus far.

      Reply
      • jabgdn

        5 years ago

        Hype?? In the minors, the guy has never hit double digit homeruns and has only hit ..300 or more once. A blue chipper, he ain’t!

        Reply
    • NuckBobFutting

      5 years ago

      Frazier will also be gone sooner rather than later

      Reply
  13. TrumpCard

    5 years ago

    If Matt Harvey is in the movie, than Julian Edelman will not watch it

    1
    Reply
  14. Rsox

    5 years ago

    Riddle me this: what team had two J.T.’s in 2018, 1 J.T. in 2019, and no J.T.’s in 2020?

    Reply
  15. MarlinsFanBase

    5 years ago

    Good luck to Riddle. Maybe he can do something. All he needs to do is figure out how to hit MLB pitching more consistently.

    Reply
  16. vegasmarine

    5 years ago

    Hey Diddle Diddle who the hell is Riddle?

    Reply
  17. cmanson

    5 years ago

    the Pirates overpaid by about $840k

    Reply
  18. Mick1956

    5 years ago

    Breakout year coming!

    Reply
  19. neurogame

    5 years ago

    He should be excited by the fact that he’s not a Marlin anymore.

    Reply
  20. nentwigs

    5 years ago

    Now that the Pirates have signed Riddle, they’re well positioned to sign Joe King !!

    Reply
  21. Mr. E Team

    5 years ago

    I thought Riddle played quidditch at Hogwarts

    Reply
  22. shortytallz

    5 years ago

    Bing Cherries wins again

    Reply

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