Yesterday there was a report that the Pittsburgh Pirates were interested in right-handed reliever Pat Neshek. Then last night the news came out that he was deciding between three teams, and that the Astros were one of them. Today he signed with the Houston Astros for $12.5 M over two years.
Reliever Pat Neshek, pursued by #Pirates, signs with #Astros for two years, $12.5 million, pending physical. Gets to stay in FLA for spring.
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) December 10, 2014
Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports that he was about to sign with the Pirates, but the Astros upped their offer at the last second.
Neshek was about to sign with the Pirates, but the Astros upped their offer at the last second. He had eight offers of two-year deals.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) December 10, 2014
I wrote this about Neshek last night:
Due to the fact that the Pirates rarely spend in the bullpen, I would be surprised if they land Neshek. He’s coming off a good year, with a 1.87 ERA and a 3.29 xFIP, along with a 9.1 K/9 and a 1.2 BB/9. However, that is the first year since 2007 that he’s been more than just a replacement level reliever. Is this a Jason Grilli type case with a late bloomer? And how much is that one good season in 2014 going to raise his price tag? Neshek seems like a gamble where you’re buying high on one good season at a late age.
So consider me a little surprised that the Pirates were going after him to the point where they almost signed him. I don’t know what the offer was, but it had to be significant, since the Astros had to pay $12.5 M to beat their offer. I generally trust the Pirates with any pitching decision. They’ve earned that trust over the last few years with all of the reclamation projects they’ve had success with. But I can’t help thinking that they dodged a bullet here.
Tim started Pirates Prospects in 2009 from his home in Virginia, which was 40 minutes from where Pedro Alvarez made his pro debut in Lynchburg. That year, the Lynchburg Hillcats won the Carolina League championship, and Pirates Prospects was born from Tim's reporting along the way. The site has grown over the years to include many more writers, and Tim has gone on to become a credentialed MLB reporter, producing Pirates Prospects each year, and will publish his 11th Prospect Guide this offseason. He has also served as the Pittsburgh Pirates correspondent for Baseball America since 2019. Behind the scenes, Tim is an avid music lover, and most of the money he gets paid to run this site goes to vinyl records.
Pirates need one more starting SP, Go get Wade Miley via Trade
Sign EDISON and move Worley and Locke to the pen.
Why do you want to move the guy with the best ERA of any of their starting pitchers to the Pen, Worley returning to his Philly form makes him a very good pitcher. Your talking about moving starting pitchers to the pen that have ERA’S under 4. These pitchers as free agents cost a lot of money with their stats.
Lester question – I’m assuming I’m not the only one who thinks the Cubs are insane for going $30+ million a year for 6 years for Lester (when you include his $30 million signing bonus)? 3.58 career ERA, although admittedly his past two years have been quite good.
His last couple years he has been pretty good, but the Pirates have a fleet of pitchers that can bring in a 3.58 ERA year, in the 2’s is another story. Also take into consideration that Lester will be pitching in the toughest division in baseball, that ERA might go up.
Looks like its “only” $25.8 million per year. The $30 million signing bonus is part of his $155 million total package.
I’m glad the Cubs signed him. They are now handcuffed with that ridiculous contract on the downside of Lesters career. It only helps the Bucs in the long run
I would think a team like Houston is in the same boat as Pittsburgh was a couple of years ago & had to way over pay to get him to sign. Just a guess though. I’m also glad he went to Houston never been impressed with him
The Astros are overpaying for relievers. Not a very good rebuilding plan if you ask me!!!!
Assuming it was around $6m AAV, I’m glad Neshek chose Houston. Those funds could be allocated much more efficiently to help the team in other areas.
What would it take to get Wade Davis from KC? I’m thinking Hanson and something else.
Probably a guy like Adrian Sampson
And no thanks.
Too bad…..we need to add a closer…so Watson and Melancon can resume prior roles…
Melancon is fine at closer as well as Watson in the 8th. Neshek would have been great for us. Pirates should have gave a little more to make sure they landed Neshek.
Melancon did a very good job as a closer, but he was much better as the 8th inning guy…..
Both Neshek and Gregerson out of the NL. That’s a plus for Bucs.
As far as not spending money on relievers, the Bucs blew a ton of holds and saves last year, so maybe we should be thinking if the FO believes $5-6 million for the right late inning guy is a price worth paying, then maybe it really is a price worth paying.