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Ryan Vogelsong gets another fresh start with Pirates
Saturday’s Say Hey, Baseball includes Ryan Vogelsong’s return to the Pirates, a Star Wars-themed Red Sox roster and the Dodgers’ newest pitcher from Seattle. Subscribe for your daily Say Hey!
Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
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Veteran starter Ryan Vogelsong, who debuted with the Giants, peaked with the Pirates, declined with the Pirates, resurfaced with the Giants, then regressed with the Giants, is headed back to Pittsburgh at long last. The 38-year-old struck a one-year, $2 million deal with the Pirates on Friday afternoon, with an additional $3 million in incentives. It’s a prudent move for the Bucs, who could use a viable back-end starter if they want to remain competitive heading into the 2016 season.
Vogelsong isn’t the spring chicken he was in 2001, nor is he the World Series contender that propelled the Giants to their second championship in 2012. He split time between the rotation and bullpen on the Giants’ 2015 squad, carrying a 4.67 ERA through 22 starts and 11 relief appearances while he tried to stick a winning record for the first time in three seasons. Although he’s unlikely to revitalize the Pirates’ staff in a big way, he’s more than capable of delivering quality spot starts or the occasional 394-ft. home run.
Given the Pirates’ current projected rotation of Gerrit Cole, Francisco Liriano, Jonathon Niese and Jeff Locke, it’s unlikely that Vogelsong will be used as anything but rotation depth, barring injuries or trades. Prospect righthanders Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow are also expected to join the pitching staff at some point next season, which could allow Vogelsong to work out of the bullpen on a more frequent basis. Whatever his role in 2016, let’s just hope Vogelsong doesn’t need to eat too many Rally Enchiladas to remain at the top of his game.
- In a galaxy far, far away, Red Sox players supplanted the cast of Star Wars. Please welcome Pablo Sandoval as your new Sith overlord.
- First, the Dodgers wanted Hisashi Iwakuma, then they passed on him. Then the Mariners signed Iwakuma. Then the Dodgers signed another former Mariners pitcher.
- Speaking of former Mariners, is it time for the Yankees to move Dustin Ackley?
- Look how many free agent outfielders the Giants have to choose from.
- Jhonny Peralta’s glove just isn’t what it used to be.
- Opening Day is still 107 days away, but you can start dreaming about the Cubs’ 2016 playoff push now.
- The Padres were able to offload Yonder Alonso and get some major league-ready prospects in return.
- Can the Royals give Salvador Perez the kind of contract extension the 2015 World Series MVP deserves -- and one that makes sense for the team?
- Lefthander Eduardo Rodriguez has the potential to be the Red Sox’ No. 2 starter next season.
- Which trades have paid off for Braves general manager John Coppolella?
- Ender Inciarte could fit perfectly with the Royals’ projected outfield in 2016, but the Braves might not be willing to part with him yet.
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