Pirates should sign another starting pitcher

     As we approach February and into Spring Training, free agents that are left on the board are going to get desperate, especially in the market of the starting pitchers. Guys like Gallardo, Latos, Minor, and Fister are all still left unsigned. However, many believe that they will all find their next destination here very shortly. 

     For the Pirates, another starting pitcher could be something they pursue. Looking at the rotation, I like the top 3 of Cole, Liriano, and Neise. Locke is a good fill in guy as a 5 starter, but he is currently the Pirates 4th best guy with Vogelsong as the other. The backend isn't as great as it needs to be. I know Vogelsong is more or less supposed to fill in until Glasnow, Taillon, or Kingham are ready, but there are too many question marks about all 3 of those guys to be sure if they can make an immediate impact in 2016. Therefore, I would think the Pirates could benefit from picking up another SP, if the price is right. 

     Let's take a look at the top FA SP still on the market:

Yovani Gallardo: Gallardo is the name that really stands out. He was the guy that constantly dominated the Pirates. He has been the face of consistent pitching over his whole career. Being 30 and having a draft pick attachment to him might hurt him in FA. I don't think he will fetch as much as guys like Kazmir and Leake. This could mean the Pirates could make a play at a 2-3 year deal worth about $10-12M a year. As for losing the draft pick, I wouldn't worry about it, especially since the Pirates have a competitive balance pick anyway. They can easily afford to lose out on a late first-round pick. 

Likelihood of signing: Low

Mat Latos: Latos has been the exact opposite of Gallardo in the way that he hasn't been consistent. His numbers have continuously gone down since looking like he was going to be stud after getting dealt from the Padres to the Reds. It didn't pan out that way though. After being dealt to the Marlins last offseason, he was dealt again to the Dodgers prior to the trade deadline. Later he would give up a homer to Francisco Liriano (still one of my favorite memories of last season). Anyway, the Dodgers eventually gave him a release from the team. Still known as a pretty young pitcher, many teams still figured to flock around him. That hasn't been the case. Questions about his work ethic, behavior, attitude, and whether he is a good teammate have held him back. Because no team has seemed too big about him and the position of the offseason we are in, it's hard to imagine that Latos will get anything more than $6-8M or anything more than one year. 

Likelihood of signing: Possible

Mike Minor: Minor fell in the same boat as Henderson Alvarez did. Has good talent, but hasn't been healthy enough to sustain anything long term. Therefore, he got a non-tender. Alvarez has since signed a very cheap deal with Oakland, and Minor figures to do the same, too. However, one thing that could keep him away from the Pirates is that he is a lefty, and the Pirates rotation already has 3 lefties. But, if the Pirates don't mind that part, he could be the perfect Searage project. 

Likelihood of signing: Somewhat possible  

 

     I cannot say for certain whether the Pirates will sign another SP, but I do think it'd be in their best benefit. A one-year guy could certainly be the direction the Pitates go because of the prospects in the system, but maybe they surprise us with something bigger. The likely lowering of demands by some of these pitchers could lead the Pirates to maybe take some shots at getting one of them. Whatever the case, I don't think the 2016 Pirates roster is a complete roster yet. I think another piece or two could really get this team over the top. Whether they do it or not is up to them.