The Pirates are interested in free-agent right-hander Justin Masterson, reports Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (via Twitter). The former Indians/Red Sox hurler is likely seeking a one-year deal to reestablish his value, Sawchik adds.
Masterson, 30, pitched just 59 1/3 innings with the Red Sox in 2015, marking his second consecutive season that was largely derailed due to injury. Masterson battled knee injuries for much of the 2014 campaign and struggled to a 5.88 ERA that year, and this past season, a shoulder injury hampered him. Masterson would eventually undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in September, though a recent update on his health status indicated that he’d be ready to go come Spring Training.
Prior to this recent rash of injuries. Masterson delivered brilliant performances in both 2011 and 2013. In both seasons, he logged an ERA south of 3.50 and was among the league leaders in terms of ground-ball rate. Of course, Masterson sandwiched a dreadful 4.93 ERA in between those two strong campaigns, but most believed that he’d have been in line for a very lucrative free-agent contract following the 2014 season had he been able to approximate his 2011/2013 results that season.
Though he hasn’t been healthy for two years, Masterson was looked at as a durable arm prior to that stretch, averaging 199 innings per year from 2010-13. And, while he’s only had two seasons in which he’s posted strong strikeout rates (8.7 K/9 from 2013-14), his nearly side-arm delivery and heavy sinker usage help him generate an exceptional amount of ground-balls when healthy (career 56.3 percent ground-ball rate).
The Pirates, who are among the most aggressive teams in the league in terms of infield shifting, tend to gravitate toward ground-ball pitchers and have developed a reputation for successfully rehabilitating pitchers with diminished value (e.g. Francisco Liriano, A.J. Burnett, Edinson Volquez, Mark Melancon, Vance Worley). While Pittsburgh has a knack for finding fixable talent, some of that strategy is also borne out of necessity, as the Pirates lack the financial firepower to play at the top of the market — or, realistically, even in the middle tiers of the market — for free agents. All of those factors would seem to align to make Masterson a very reasonable target for the Pirates, although there are certainly other “reclamation projects” in which Pittsburgh could look to invest. Doug Fister and Mat Latos stand out as two names coming off poor seasons that could look to rebuild value on a one-year deal, and a more veteran option in the same boat would be right-hander Kyle Lohse.
Interesting, looks like they’re shopping in a tier below Fister and Latos. They’d be too expensive I guess.
As a Cardinal fan I say yes please sign him he is bad and was horrible with the cardinals
As a Red Sox fan I also say yes please sign him. He was horrible with Sox last
year. He would start off okay but got progressively worse after 3rd or 4th inning.
As a pirate fan this would be a great sign, Searage can sprinkle his magic pixie dust on another rehab project. Might not be perfect but low cost for a greater return
Don’t be surprised if Jim Benedict took the dust from Ray when he went to Miami.
You may be right Joe!
Yes but that seems to be all the the Cardinals look far, too. The Pirates may not have the $ but the Cardinals have the money and still choose to pick up the lower than 2nd tier. Masterson was an injured player when they accepted him on a trade. He only deserves a minor league contract as does K Lohse. Then it might be worth taking a chance. 2of the 4 big time pitchers are gone. The Cards have 2 pitchers that are head cases and not dependable. Martinez (injury)and Garcia (stupid play off decision). With Lynn out I think it would be smart to do a deal with Lackey, a proven work horse and competitor. Should the Cards decide to spend the money on Grienke, they at least would have a great pitcher but one that hits better than the entire bench. This would a good pinch hitter.
If any team can fix him, it’s pittsburgh
Take him, please! He’s terrible
Typical move by the PBC! Why are we nickel and diming when the “window is supposed to be open”. Nutting said the money would be there when the Pirates could compete. Sign the check!
Whats baffling is that the Pirates take in roughly $30-40 mill every season from luxury tax money distributed from teams like the Dodger, Red Sox etc, for the sole purpose of being able to reinvest into the team. The Pirates continue to decide to delve into the pool of misfit toys of MLB in hopes that Searage can just waive his magic wand. He’s be great at it, but it won’t always work. This nights tender deadline will say a lot about what the Pirates plan to do with their ever closing window to win a World Series in the near future.
If Pittsburgh gets him I’d take him late in my fantasy draft next year. He’s a great bounce back candidate. That’s without even touching on their history for rehabbing pitchers. Only other team I would consider close to them in that category is Cleveland. Mickey Callaway has a knack for fixing broken pitchers too. Look at Ubaldo and Kazmir while they were in Cleveland.