As the Pirates added prospects to their 40-man roster, the players they removed to make room provided a clearer indication of the team’s immediate plans at first base.
The Pirates designated first baseman Ike Davis for assignment when they protected five players from the Rule 5 draft Thursday night, clearing the way for Pedro Alvarez to take over at first base.
Right-handers Jameson Taillon and Nick Kingham, catcher Elias Diaz and outfielder Willy Garcia all received spots on the 40-man roster, as did shortstop Pedro Florimon, whom the Pirates claimed off waivers from the Washington Nationals earlier Thursday. In addition to Davis, the Pirates designated minor league catcher Ramon Cabrera for assignment and sent third baseman Brent Morel outright to Class AAA Indianapolis.
“As we sit here right now, we’ve essentially committed to Pedro over Ike Davis,” general manager Neal Huntington said.
The Pirates acquired Davis, 27, from the New York Mets in April. Davis had a .343 on-base percentage in Pittsburgh, but hit only 10 home runs with a .235 average.
Alvarez lost his job as the everyday third baseman because of his 24 throwing errors. He started working at first base, but had a stress reaction in his left foot and missed the final month of the season.
Davis, Alvarez and Gaby Sanchez were all eligible for arbitration, and Davis and Alvarez both bat left-handed. Davis made $3.5 million in 2014 and had two more years of arbitration because he previously reached Super-2 status. Alvarez made $4.25 million in his first year of arbitration and Sanchez made $2.3 million in his second year.
“It was going to be very difficult for us to retain Pedro, Ike and Gaby, given where their dollars are all escalating toward and given the challenges that were in place at various points last year,” Huntington said.
Taillon, 23, the Pirates’ No. 2 prospect before the 2014 season and the second overall pick in the 2010 draft, had Tommy John ligament replacement surgery in April.
“Given that he’s coming off the Tommy John, he becomes the ideal guy to claim and stash on the disabled list,” Huntington said. “So he actually becomes one of the easiest claims in the game if we don’t protect him.”
Diaz, 24, hit .312 with a .366 on-base percentage between Class AA Altoona and Indianapolis this season. Kingham, 23, had a 3.34 ERA in 26 starts between those same levels.
Garcia, 22, hit at least 16 home runs for the third consecutive season and hit .271 at Altoona this year.
The Pirates did not protect left-handed reliever Andy Oliver, first baseman Stetson Allie or outfielder Mel Rojas Jr. Oliver provides an option as a second left-handed reliever after the Pirates traded away Justin Wilson.
“We had a strong number of guys beyond the four that we added that we gave a lot of consideration to,” Huntington said. “Andy was certainly one of them that we talked about. We will walk into the Rule 5 draft with some of the angst as to who we may lose and how many we may lose.”
Florimon, 27, went 7 for 76 (.092) with the Minnesota Twins this season. He hit .257 with a .328 on-base percentage in 314 plate appearances this year at Class AAA Rochester and was the Twins’ starting shortstop in 2013. The Nationals claimed him off waivers in September.
“Quality defensive player that can help a team with some versatility as a pinch-runner, as well,” Huntington said. “Has struggled at times with the bat.”
Florimon joins Justin Sellers and Jake Elmore as recently acquired reserve middle infielders on the 40-man roster.
A Spanish-language report posted Thursday on the official website of the Dominican Winter League team Estrellas de Oriente said the Pirates agreed to terms on a two-year, $3 million contract with right-hander Radhames Liz.
“We are certainly one of the clubs that are interested in him and continue to work through the process,” Huntington said.
Liz, 31, pitched in the majors with Baltimore for parts of three seasons from 2007-09. He pitched in Korea for three years and spent 2014 in the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system. In 232⁄3 innings across five starts for Estrellas this winter, Liz has 29 strikeouts, five walks and a 1.90 ERA.
Bill Brink: bbrink@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrinkPG.
First Published: November 20, 2014, 10:23 p.m.
Updated: November 21, 2014, 3:59 a.m.
