Pittsburgh Pirates Sign Infielder Robert Andino To Minor-League Deal
By Matt Gajtka
Apr 28, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop
Robert Andino(3) throws the ball to first base to put Los Angeles Angels shortstop
Andrew Romine(7) (not pictured) out during the 8th inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
One day after getting former Oriole Chris Dickerson to sign a minor-league contract, the Pittsburgh Pirates turned to another one-time Baltimore bird to help fill out their Spring Training roster.
The Pirates announced Tuesday that infielder Robert Andino, acquired from the Mariners last July, has put pen to paper on a minor-league deal. Andino, 29, hit .302/.330/.385 in 25 games for Triple-A Indianapolis after joining the Pittsburgh organization via trade at the non-waiver deadline.
Andino, who has manned second base, third base and shortstop over parts of nine seasons in the big leagues, had his finest MLB season in 2011 with Baltimore, when he slashed .263/.327/.344 in 139 games. His production dropped off dramatically in 2012, after which he signed a free-agent contract with Seattle.
The Miami native hit .184 in just 29 games with the Mariners and was demoted to Triple-A Tacoma. A second-round pick of the Marlins in 2002, Andino projects to be major-league depth at best for the 2014 Pirates.
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