Pittsburgh Pirates Notebook: Bucs Interested in Jeff Francis
By Matt Shetler
The Pirates have a need for starting pitching headed into the Winter Meetings and their first target may be a familiar name in southpaw Jeff Francis.
Francis was on the Bucs radar last season, but ended up signing a one-year deal in Kansas City where he finished with only a 6-16 record and a 4.82 ERA. The important thing though is Francis threw 183 innings his most since 2007.
He was once a highly touted prospect in the Colorado organization and won 44 games between 2007-09. During the span where he had his most success, guess who his manager was.
You guessed it. Clint Hurdle is attempting to turn Pittsburgh into Colorado-east and that’s not necessarily a bad thing if his old players come in and perform.
I was a fan of bring Francis in a season ago after he missed a ton of time due to injury throughout 2008-10; including the entire 2009 season recovering from Tommy John.
Unfortunately now that he went an entire season healthy, it will take more than the one-year, $2 million offer that the Royals signed him to last season.
Other Notes
– Speaking of Colorado-east, the Bucs are also interested in corner infielder Ian Stewart. The Rockies are looking to deal the 26-year old who hit 25 homers in 2009. He failed to build off that, hitting only 18 bombs in 2010 and none last season in 48 games. Even better he hit a whopping .156. Stop me if that sounds all to familiar.
– The Pirates are talking to first baseman Derrick Lee about a return to Pittsburgh.
– Speaking of returning to Pittsburgh, the Bucs are also reaching out to former Pirate Nate McLouth, who could return to Pittsburgh as a fourth or fifth outfielder.
– Another name the Bucs are looking into is San Francisco Giants utility guy Mark Derosa who is returning from injury. It would be nice to sign a guy like McLouth or Derosa and have them be productive off the bench for a change. One thing Neal Huntington has not had much success with is signing depth guys. It seems like everyone he’s brought aboard has flopped. Her’s looking at you Ramon Vazquez and Matt Diaz.
That’s it for this week. I covered the Winter Meetings a season ago and I’m trying to do so again this year. If so I will have daily coverage for you.
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