Pirates/MLB
Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates made two waiver claims this afternoon.
The team claimed 25 year old right handed pitcher Jeremy Hefner from the San Diego Padres and catcher Brian Jeroloman from the Toronto Blue Jays.
Hefner, 25, the Padres 5th round pick in 2007, went 9-7 with a 4.98 ERA for AAA Tucson last season. In 2010, Hefner went 11-8 with a 2.95 ERA for AA San Antonio. Hefner in 2011 had 120 strikeouts in 156.1 innings pitched.
He was the Padres No. 15 ranked prospect going into the 2011 season, via Baseball America.
Jeroloman, 26, was the Blue Jays 6th round pick in 2006. He batted .240 last season with 2 home runs and 26 RBI’s for AAA Las Vegas. Jeroloman spent the past two seasons between AA and AAA and is considered to have little offensive upside. However, he is more known for his defensive responsibilities. Jeroloman was not rated among the Blue Jays top 30 prospects.
Catcher Matt Pagnozzi who was picked up last season, was outrighted to AAA. The Pirates 40-man roster is now at 36.
DOUMIT SIGNS
Ryan Doumit is off the free agent market, making the right decision by signing with an AL team. Doumit has signed a one year deal worth $3 million with the Minnesota Twins.
According to an industry source, Doumit turned down deals from Seattle, Toronto and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Pirates will be paying 36 year old Rod Barajas more than Doumit will make with the Twins.
Doumit’s plan going into free agency has been to sign a one year deal with an AL team with the hopes of striking a multi-year deal next season.
