Pirates sign Jaso to 2-year deal
If it was a slugging left-handed hitting first baseman that Pirates’ fans were hoping to find under the Christmas tree … well, sorry about that.
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent John Jaso to a two-year, $8 million contract as a free agent Wednesday. His nickname is not Dr. Longball.
Jaso has hit 37 home runs in his seven-year career, spanning 550 games, with the Tampa Bay Rays, Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics. By comparison, first baseman Pedro Alvarez hit a team-high 27 homers for the Pirates last season but was let go Dec. 2 when the Pirates declined to offer him a contract.
However, Jaso is about the best general manager Neal Huntington could be expected to do under the circumstances.
The two power-hitting left-handed hitters remaining in free agency are Chris Davis and Justin Morneau.
Morneau bombed with the Pirates in 2013 when they acquired him in an Aug. 31 trade from the Minnesota Twins. Neither side had interest in a reunion.
Davis turned down a seven-year, $150 million offer to re-sign with the Baltimore Orioles. Penny-pinching Pirates owner Bob Nutting is more likely to come sliding down your chimney on Christmas Eve than signing off on that kind of contract.
Thus, Huntington decided to go the on-base percentage route with the 32-year-old Jaso.
Jaso has a .361 career OBP and posted an excellent .380 mark last season in 70 games with the Rays despite missing three months with a wrist injury. Alvarez had a .309 OBP in six seasons and 742 games with the Pirates.
Huntington has also given manager Clint Hurdle plenty of options at first base.
The Pirates acquired promising right-handed hitting Jason Rogers from the Milwaukee Brewers in a trade last week and signed left-handed hitter Jake Goebbert as a free agent last month after he compiled a .370 OPB in seven minor league seasons.
Righty swinging Michael Morse also made a good impression in limited opportunities last season after being acquired in late July from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a trade via the Miami Marlins. He also hit 16 home runs in 2014 while helping lead the San Francisco Giants to the World Series title.
While none of them is the big present everyone wanted, perhaps Hurdle can find a way to make up for it with the four stocking stuffers.