The Pirates have placed right-hander Kyle Crick on release waivers, according to Alex Stumpf of DK Pittsburgh Sports (via Twitter). Crick was designated for assignment earlier this week and cleared DFA waivers, and the Bucs elected to part ways with Crick rather than outright him to Triple-A.
The move ends Crick’s three-plus seasons in Pittsburgh after 139 1/3 innings and several ups and downs within the righty’s overall solid 3.62 ERA. Crick had a very strong 2018 season but struggled in 2019, missed most of 2020 due to injury, and again couldn’t find any consistency this year. Control has been Crick’s biggest problem, as he has an ungainly 16% walk rate since the start of the 2019 season.
Crick is still only 28 years old and he has two seasons of arbitration control remaining. Between these points and the “change of scenery” factor, it seems likely that another team will look to pick him up on a minor league deal and see if they can solve Crick’s lack of command.
A’s better take this flier
Still a win for the pirates. Just like every contract of every 10 million dollar player. If you trade a guy making over 10 million and replace him with a guy making league minimum you probably win the trade 99/100 times. It’s not debatable dont @ me.
Dodgers relief
Something must be going on here. He wasn’t great but I find it a little hard to believe that they couldn’t find any takers.
He’s had some clubhouse issues in the past, might be playing a factor.
He blocked me on Twitter when I called out his anger issues. He has anger issues.
I suspect this happens to you often.
Lol
Those club house issues were with a teammate that is currently out of the league for grotesque reasons. I give Crick a free pass (as we will never know the why behind the issue).
granted.. one of those issues with [closer not to be named] we don’t mind so much
Probably too close to the trading deadline for people go nuts over him. Also why make a deal for him when if he gets released some time can take a flyer on him for nothing.
This would be a perfect pick up for Arizona or Baltimore. Get him into some games that don’t matter get his mechanics and him right then flip him next year or release him if he can’t get right
To keep another team from outbidding you in FA.
Mets can’t seem to have enough pitching depth. Give him a shot.
He can’t be worse than Banda.
Future Brave
I don’t see him as a Braves endless he takes a minor league contract. Anything the Braves get in the bullpen need to have impact immediately
Why…… he is cheap and not horrible.
very good possibility , AA will notice.
If the Cubs made Dillon Maples work they can do this. May be Jed’s “upgrade” to Jake Arrieta.
Maples doesn’t work. That hit in the head the other night is one more piece of evidence.
Remember when he was the best prospect
In baseball?
What do they say 3/5 or 4/5 out prospects don’t make it. A lot is timing; attitude and injuries.
Crick’s done better than most too
Agree there darkside. He has done very well for himself all things considered, got to be a major leaguer with more than the flash call-up. Which is a hell of a lot better than most, top prospect or not…
No, I dont actually…
Would fit right in with the Braves pen.
Released by the Pirates? Sad.
And whats even sadder is you are only a first grade teacher….. Second graders too tough for ya?????
WTH is the matter with you?
@ghost of past Pirates I bet you are a joy to be around
That frisbee he threw became harder and harder to watch as time went on.
A decent NPB target or a target for the Diamondbacks
This has Dumbrowski written all over it
Once you are released by the Pirates, your next job includes the phase “would you like fries with that?”
giants should bring him back
Agreed!
Giants couldn’t wait to get rid of him. He had control problems it is clear he still hasn’t solved.
Different coaching staff may be better at solving it.
Has to be Tampa Bay, right?
My mind went there as well. They seem to harness a pitchers skill (particularly relief) and maximize value better than most teams. The pedigree is there. I wonder what they see there…
Excellent article about Rays pitching
mlb.com/rays/news/featured/rays-key-to-pitching-su…
Thanks, PoohBear
I got me a crick in my neck and there’s a crick in the woods behind yonder trailer park with crawdads in it and stuff.
Does anybody remember Steve Lake?
Idiot
Clearly you don’t remember Steve Lake. Perhaps your memory is murky.
Up on Cripple Crick…
She sends me.
Hope he goes to the giants and plays tomorrow…. .. .
Seriously he was rather good a couple back. Hope he finds it again
Meeting him, I hope the Dodgers pick him up- that speaks volumes to who I think he is and how much I have loved to root against him for the past several years.
I am quite sure the Dodgers are anxiously awaiting a chance to pickup another bit of garbage to add to their collection
Would probably be better than the majority of the Braves bullpen – make the deal Alex!
Has the Angels written all over him.
The cross-state rival Phillies should look into Crick. Alvarado and Kintzler make me nervous every game, and De Los Santos is hanging in there by a thread. Maybe Girardi can get him straightened out.
The Cardinals should consider signing him with that 16% walk rate.
We already lead MLB in walks issued, hit batters, and MOST opponent ABs with the bases loaded this season!
Cardinals should have been in contact with crick over zeuch