10:20am: Hembree’s contract guarantees him $2.125MM, reports Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter links). He adds that Vogelbach’s $1MM guarantee comes in the form of an $800K salary and a $200K buyout on next year’s $1.5MM option.
9:15am: Vogelbach’s deal comes with a $1MM base salary and up to $400K worth of incentives, tweets MLB Network’s Jon Heyman. The contract also contains a $1.5MM club option for the 2023 season. Vogelbach would remain under team control via arbitration even if the option is not picked up, although at that point, if the club opts against a $1.5MM salary, it seems likely that he’d be non-tendered.
7:07am: The Pirates kicked off their Tuesday by announcing a pair of signings: first baseman/designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach and right-handed reliever Heath Hembree have both agreed to one-year, Major League contracts, per the team. Vogelbach is repped by ISE Baseball, while Hembree is a client of the Ballengee Group. Right-handers Blake Cederlind and Nick Mears were transferred to the 60-day injured list in a pair of corresponding moves. Cederlind is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, and The Athletic’s Rob Biertempfel tweets that Mears had surgery to clean up some scar tissue in his right elbow back on Feb. 9.
Vogelbach, 29, will join Yoshi Tsutsugo in the mix for playing time at first base and in the newly created National League designated hitter slot. The 2011 second-rounder (Cubs) has spent the past two seasons with the Brewers organization after logging parts of five seasons as a member of the Mariners. He batted .219/.349/.381 in 258 plate appearances with Milwaukee during a 2021 season that saw him hobbled by hamstring tear. Vogelbach sustained the injury when scoring from second base on an RBI single; it was a bizarre play that saw the big man pull up lame about a third of the way home but still limp home as a sleeping D-backs defense appeared unaware of its surroundings.
Oddity of that play aside, Vogelbach will bring to the Buccos plenty of pop against right-handed pitching and a lofty walk rate against both lefties and righties. He’ll quite likely be platooned, as he’s just a .135/.256/.255 hitter against southpaws, but Vogelbach has walked in nearly 17% of his career plate appearances versus right-handers while putting together a .228/.357/.442 batting line. He’s only appeared in more than 100 games once in his career, but when he did so, Vogelbach swatted 30 long balls through 558 plate appearances with the 2019 Mariners.
If things go well in Pittsburgh, the Bucs will be able to retain Vogelbach for another two seasons beyond the 2022 campaign via arbitration. He currently has three-plus years of big league service time and is out of minor league options.
As for Hembree, he’ll give the Pirates a big-time strikeout arm to install in their late-inning mix. The 33-year-old punched out a massive 38% of his opponents last year while pitching for the Reds and spent a portion of the season as the closer in Cincinnati. A nightmare stretch of games from late July through mid-August saw Hembree serve up 13 runs in seven innings, however, ballooning his ERA north of 6.00. Hembree was designated for assignment, caught on with the Mets and had a nice finish to the season, pitching to a 3.45 ERA in 15 2/3 innings with New York.
Hembree’s end-of-season ERA was still an unsightly 5.59, continuing some struggles he’d experienced beginning in the shortened 2020 season (9.00 ERA in 19 innings). However, even with the recent scuffles — which seemingly stem from an uptick in home runs allowed — the right-hander has maintained big strikeout, swinging-strike and opponents’ chase rates. Hembree’s 30.9% strikeout rate and 21.3 K-BB% are actually better than the marks he posted from 2015-19, when he was a consistent presence in the Red Sox bullpen and notched a 3.59 ERA over the life of 238 innings.
As far as low-cost bullpen fliers go, Hembree is a particularly sensible one for the Bucs, who’ll hope he can sustain some of those strikeout gains while getting away from the home run troubles he had at more hitter-friendly settings in Philadelphia (2020) and in Cincinnati. Hembree figures to serve as a setup man for emerging closer David Bednar, joining righty Chris Stratton in that regard. If Hembree does manage to curtail the home run troubles that plagued him in 2020-21, he could well emerge as a nice trade chip for the Pirates this July.
LarsAnderson
Vogelbach DH-ing for the Bucs, I love it. Is Colon still available?
Ha-Seong Kim
Bartolo is in the Mexican league, on the same team as chris carter, josh reddick, Danny Espinosa, Addison Russell and a couple more ex big leaguers.
Tannel809
Acereros de Monclova. Erick Aybar was also part of that team last year. Pablo Sandoval will be playing with them this season. I like the Mexican league because there are a whole bunch of has beens who were solid during their time in the majors
Dom2
Vogelbach is going to be one of the biggest Pirates EVER!
66TheNumberOfTheBest
Casey Hampton. Phil Kessel. Yinzers loves them some fat pro athletes.
He’ll have a weekly slot on the FAN.
retire21
Only if it doesn’t cut into their Neil Walker and Matt Clement spots. Talk about 2 worthless segments that bring ZERO value or insight but hey, Dunlap knows Donnie Kelly.
garth16iorg
Madden might like this guy. Was he in the WWWF?
Robertowannabe
Can’t listen to The FAN anymore. All they talk about is sports betting and most of the guests are about fantasy leagues and of course sports betting. Nothing but commercials about sports betting in between. Sad. .
I speak the truth
Dunlap is a tool. I haven’t listened for years just because of him.
THE downvoter
PSA: Madden should NEVER be viewed as a source of truth on anything baseball, ever. He is nothing more than a loudmouth shock jock, easily defeated by merely turning him off. I do, and recommend other do the same.
3Rivers
Brilliantly said
Milwaukee-2208
Good luck voggey! The walkoff grand slam against the cards will still go down as one of the best moments I’ve seen.
Binnington50
You need to watch a little more baseball if this is one of your best moments.
Milwaukee-2208
@binnington relax buddy. Someone crap in your cornflakes this morning?
I’m 26 years old and was at the game front row. So yeah, pretty cool baseball moment for me. How about you stop telling people what is acceptable as a “moment”.
Ben K
I was lucky enough as a Mets fan to be at the game where Pete Alonso hit number 53 for the rookie record. Pretty nuts.
GinaNCRaysFan
I saw Randy Johnson obliterate a seagull with a pitch.
Bobby boy
I was fortunate to have been at Shea for Tom Seaver’s return as a Red. Witnessed one of the great standing ovations of all time. Lived in Boston at the time and was a huge Seaver fan. He didn’t disappoint.
LarsAnderson
You win
admiral hopppaaa
@milwaukee – He’s not your buddy, guy.
User 4095290658
@admiral hoppaaa
You sir, are a c-nut.
To go out of your way to express what you did takes a special mode of c-nutiness!
jimmyz
Relax, it was a reference to the show South Park. A classic one at that.
compassrose
I was at a Seattle game that he struck out in.
admiral hopppaaa
@Terrier – Yep, I’m the See you next Tuesday here making a joke, as opposed to taking everything super serial and attacking people. You should really get your head checked, maybe even consider seeing a therapist about whoever it is that hurt you. Life is too short to take so seriously. Some advice: tis better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Thanks @jimmyz, you got it!
afsooner02
Easter Sunday 1987 vs Texas Rangers….now that’s a best moment(s)
Chisox378
Bachster adds life to the Pirates. Hope he gets his chance vs lefties and succeeds!
Ha-Seong Kim
Looks like the bucos added Reynolds’ replacement
Gwynning's Anal Lover
Who are they designating?
kozy21
They moved Cedarlind and Mears to the 60 Day DL.
Robertowannabe
I think they need one more if I counted correctly. There are a handful of guys that can be dropped easily. Oliva for one.
Robertowannabe
Must have miscounted. Anyway a couple of guys can be dropped easily so these moves do not stop them from adding anyone else.
Buccrazy
Yeah they are at 40 but have one catcher.
Gwynning's Anal Lover
My bad on that. I should have been a little clearer. I was going in the direction that they will have to eventually designate a player to have a backup catcher.
Mikehoncho69
Two more bums for the bucs. God forbid they ever pick up someone decent
30 Parks
Now all the Pirates need to do is significantly improve their pitching, hitting, & defence (along with a total overhaul of their franchise mindset) and I see no reason why the Pirates can’t win 65 games this year.
Samuel
You really have no clue, do you?
30 Parks
You talking about the Pittsburgh Pirates? Or, just pirates in general?
THE downvoter
30 Parks: maybe you arent as well read, as Samuel suggests. Go read up on Pirate defense numbers last year. Then, pause to spell out Defense 10 times, before being so quick to parrot a tired, unoriginal narrative.
Have a nice day.
30 Parks
Lighten up, sweetheart. We spell it “defence” in Canada. Keep using words like “narrative,” occasionally you’ll get it right, Robin Hood. Be well.
THE downvoter
Facts sting sometimes, sweetheart. Lets focus in the main point.
30 Parks
“Sweetheart” is my line. What an “unoriginal narrative.” Such passion.
THE downvoter
I know it is YOUR line. It was meant to be salty, sweetheart. Still doesnt change the original accurate call out by Samuel, and that, son, is also salty.
You have a blessed day.
junkmale
The fatty who batted .208 and made the all-star team.
Ha-Seong Kim
He’s just big boned dude
tstats
Don’t call people fatty, it’s truly hurtful
casualatlfan
You’re asking that of someone with the username “secretsatan”, I wouldn’t hold your breath on changing their behavior.
junkmale
Fine. The “plump slugger” who batted .208 and made the all-star team. Gosh.
Ha-Seong Kim
Secretsatan just salty that his beloved saints will never acquire Watson—they are about to be a last place team for several years to come
compassrose
That was one of many low points in Seattle history. I will say the lowest because he had a good month or so and at the time of the AS game probably deserved it the most.
bobtillman
All the Buffet restaurants in Pittsburgh are now for sale.
stymeedone
Article sure didn’t give much love to Hembree. Where’s the comments on his career and how he fits in the Pirates plans?
tstats
I mean if he pitches well he is worth a lotto ticket?
bucincharlotte
Why not just bring back Moran? This fat guy sucks! Is there not a better RP to take a roster spot?
jimmyz
I think that Yoshi and Vogelbach is still a decidedly underwhelming 1b/DH plan but I’d rather have Vogelbach than Moran. The Bucco offense needs a lot of things but the biggest aspect it has been missing the last 3-5 years has been power. I’ll take Vogelbach’s terrible average with a bunch of bombs over a bunch of Moran’s singles and clogging up the bases. I’m not positive but I think Moran signed with the Cardinals before the lockout anyway.
YourDreamGM
@bucincharlotte That is the 4 million dollar question.
Ha-Seong Kim
@bucincharlotte
Bro…You don’t look like you have any room to be calling people fat lmfao
Ha-Seong Kim
Ps…that’s me nicely telling you that you yourself look fat in your pfp
BuJoBi
Vogelbach has a chance to have a big season. Very one-dimensional player but he can rake
windmill_noise_causes_cancer
Pirates are ALL IN!!1!
3Rivers
Well said.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
Gotta love Vogey!! He will be an instant fan favorite in Pit.
Ham Fighter
Until he’s in triple A in May
SpendNuttinWinNuttin
Can’t believe we signed a living breathing player
Treehouse22
…Living, breathing, double bacon cheeseburger eating player. Love it. Low batting average but solid OBP. Will DH vs RHP. Tsutsugo is also LH hitter, so they may need to use Chavis as the DH vs LHP as he is a RH hitter.
Robertowannabe
Tsutsugo actually has been hitting lefties better so this could work 🙂
gbs42
It’s going to take a while to get used to talk about NL DHs. I’m not upset it’s happened, it just sounds odd.
Scott Kliesen
Clear the deck, Cannonball coming!
jimmyz
Hot take: Vogelbach will become the first player to put a ball into the river on the fly.
HalosHeavenJJ
The lawsuit force Nutting to dust the cobwebs off his wallet and hand someone a little money?
THE downvoter
I find it ironic, an Angels fan criticizing the Pirates. A consistently underperforming large market team with all the resources in the world to surround a generational talent of Mike Trout with support. And yet, had a barren farm system, with zero pitching two years ago….
When you are incompetant, and you have money, you can at least write a few checks.
Nice “well run” franchise. Those who live in glass houses…..
compassrose
That is what we keep saying but they stick their nose in the air and make a million excuses. They won’t comprehend what you are saying.
Fred Park
Finally. Now this Hoss Cartwright look-alike can find work as a DH in the newly liberated National League.
Orioles Fan
The only thing I can say is he is playing a game and getting paid in which we all have dreamed to play. Enough with the fat jokes
bobtillman
Actually, at that price, Fatso isn’t a bad deal. 1.5M? Chump change. And there’s no guarantee Yoshi isn’t on the waiver wire in July. Or that Mason Martin will learn to do anything but swing for the fences and strike out.
It’s the kind of deal that might keep them ahead of the Orioles in the race to 100 losses.
Bobby boy
These guys will be flipped before the trade deadline. Axing the rule 5 gave the buccos a break. They get to keep guys for a longer look. Some time after the season, Ben needs to start moving some of these young folk for serviceable major league talent to augment those deemed the future. If not, one can make the argument that they aren’t trying and just milking the system for cash. Keeping a AAAA team in the majors beyond a few seasons should be punishable by lowering ticket prices to $3,$5, and $10 with all weekend games during daylight hours so young kids can attend and their folks can afford it. How about it Mr. Cherington?
jim stem
Vogelbach suddenly just became fantasy baseball relevant!
jim stem
Just for the record, not every human being is born with the same genes. Could he be in better shape along with guys like Kirk, Panda, Sabathia, Austidillo…sure, but I highly doubt he could ever look like Freeman.
If you think about it, it’s pretty amazing what he has accomplished in his lifetime, built like he is. Maybe the training staff there can get him to shed 30-40 pounds because it will only prolong his knees and career.
msqboxer
2013 Vogelbach was the second coming of Babe Ruth for Cubs fans and he was untouchable as fans tried to figure out if he could play LF with Rizzo at first….then his legacy ended with helping the Cubs win the World Series as trade bait for Mike Montgomery.
joew
Decent pickups. An Arm that could be a fair bull pen piece and a 1b that can not be horrible at the plate, but fair chance he could be horrible.
Personally I would have made sure Mason stuck with the team and called him up. He has hammered the ball at every level. He may not stick with the team if/when rule5 happens and before the 1b signings wasn’t blocked.
If he is with the organization at the break, i bet he is called up. If Yoshi is doing well he probably won’t be with the team, if he is doing bad then no reason to keep him with the team. Same with Vogelbach.
Buccrazy
Fine signings. Your typical low cost high upside guys who they want to squeeze 2/3 a season of playing above their head out of
MLB-1971
Glad there is a mute for people like 30parks
I now no longer need to read his negative comments.
THE downvoter
I may change my name to align for the UPvote I just gave you.
NWMarinerHawk
My girlfriend and I have a bet on if the Vogey jerseys will finally disappear off the clearance rack at T-Mobile on opening day
Pretty sure they will cause of the switch from Majestic to Nike (she doesn’t know this, muahhhhaha)
Phlem Johnson
The Pirates will at least have a chance to lead the league in tonnage with this signing
YourDreamGM
I million doesn’t buy you much but that’s not the case with Vogey.
Rsox
Vogelbach and Tsutsugo 1B/DH combo in Pittsburgh. Colin Moran might want to fire his agent
User 1471943197
Bashers