Pirates pick up catcher in deal with Hedges (source)
The Pirates entered this offseason wanting, if not needing, so as to add depth at a number of place teams. They’ve added at first base. They’ve added to the bullpen. They’ve added to the rotation. Now, they’ve added behind the plate.
Pittsburgh on Saturday agreed to a one-year, $5 million cope with Austin Hedges, pending a bodily, a supply advised MLB.com, filling the workforce’s final true emptiness. The membership has not confirmed the deal.
Hedges, 30, is certainly one of baseball’s finest defensive catchers. Since 2015, he leads all backstops in defensive runs saved (75). Hedges doesn’t present a lot offensive manufacturing, proudly owning a profession .578 OPS and 54 wRC+, however he has been a precious catcher attributable to his defensive prowess.
At the Winter Meetings, common supervisor Ben Cherington mentioned the workforce’s need so as to add catching depth with out impeding catchers Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez, the workforce’s No. 1 and No. 6 prospects, respectively. Prior to agreeing with Hedges, Rodriguez was the one catcher on the 40-man roster.
“I think it’s likely we would like to add to that group at some point this offseason, but there’s nothing on the doorstep or anything,” Cherington stated on the Winter Meetings. “We’ll prioritize a mixture of the defensive a part of the sport once more and check out to have the ability to match up offensively with aggressive at-bats.
“We feel good about the strength of the position generally in the organization. Probably mostly focused on strengthening the position if we can in 2023 without putting up a massive brick wall in front of younger guys. We’ll see what comes to us.”
Along along with his defensive metrics, Hedges has expertise working with younger pitchers. In 2022, the typical age of the Guardians’ pitching employees was 26.3 years previous, the youngest in all of baseball. Only two of Cleveland’s pitchers — Bryan Shaw and Anthony Gose — had been a minimum of 30 years previous. Hedges’ expertise working with younger pitchers can be invaluable to the Pirates, who count on to have a younger pitching employees subsequent season.
Pittsburgh’s Opening Day beginning rotation tasks to function Roansy Contreras (23 years previous), Johan Oviedo (25 in March), Mitch Keller (27 in April), JT Brubaker (29) and Vince Velasquez (30). Luis Ortiz (24 in January) will compete for a rotation spot as properly. Quinn Priester (22) and Mike Burrows (23), the Pirates’ No. 3 and No. 8 prospects, respectively, will doubtless make their debuts subsequent season. With Hedges, the Pirates have discovered an skilled backstop who can information the youth.
Assuming well being, Hedges tasks to be the Pirates’ Opening Day catcher, however he may transition right into a backup function later within the season.
Manager Derek Shelton famous that Davis and Rodriguez will start subsequent season within the Minor Leagues, doubtless with Triple-A Indianapolis. By the summer season, nonetheless, each Davis and Rodriguez may show themselves prepared for the Major Leagues. Rodriguez, specifically, was added to the 40-man roster in November forward of the Rule 5 Draft. Should Davis and Rodriguez earn callups, the Pirates will doubtless prioritize their enjoying time and transfer Hedges right into a reserve function, one wherein he can function a mentor to the 20-somethings.
While Hedges fills the function of beginning catcher, the Pirates might want to add a backup catcher to the combination as properly. Jason Delay, who’s at the moment within the Pirates’ Minor League system, is one choice. In 57 video games with the Bucs final season, Delay, who will not be on the 40-man roster, had two defensive runs saved with a .536 OPS.
With Hedges agreeing, the Pirates doubtless won’t be re-signing catcher Roberto Pérez, who obtained reward for his veteran management within the clubhouse and behind the plate. Pérez, who turns 34 this month, expressed a need to return to the workforce after sustaining a season-ending hamstring damage, however a reunion now appears out of the playing cards.
“I feel like I owe them another year of me,” Pérez stated in May. “I love it here. Great organization. They have treated me well. I love the coaching staff. I love the people around them. The players. The front office. They have been so good to me, and I feel like I owe them. Hopefully I’ll be back. I’m hoping to come back.”
