Red Sox, Pierzynski nearing 1-year/$8.25mm deal

sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/ben_reiter/08/23/pierzynski/1.html

Good discussion of his lack of popularity with opponents.

"He's not any more of a d--- than anyone else," said White Sox designated hitter Adam Dunn.

[...]
"Playing against him for so long, he was probably one of my least liked guys," said Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz, of his mindset prior to signing with the White Sox for the 2010 season. "Then my locker was right next to his, and after that he became one of my favorite teammates ever. He's not a baby, but just a guy who is so passionate that he doesn't hold anything back. Until you play with him, you have a misperception of what he is."
[...]
"White Sox general manager Kenny Williams was initially reluctant to sign him. ..... "I'll sum it up for you: if we didn't bring him on board when we did -- though I can say it about a lot of our players -- I don't believe we'd be walking around here with a championship ring from 2005, and have been in position to chase other championships. And I don't think he would be as good as he is, if he didn't play the game as emotionally, as intelligently, as he does."


Read More: sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/ben_reiter/08/23/pierzynski/index.html#ixzz2mQ0wU6um

My issue with Pierzynski is that while his last two years in Texas have been pretty good (mostly due to an uptick in power-- compare his .187 ISO in Texas to his career .145 mark), he was a below-average starting catcher for a long, long stretch before that. From 2004-11, he racked up 500+ PAs in every year, but never surpassed 2 fWAR (that said, he was never worse than 1 fWAR, either). In other words, he's pretty much the definition of a steady but unexciting borderline-starting option who has remained extremely durable but who has little to no upside and will be 37 next year. For one year and presumably reasonable money, you could do a lot worse, but I would have preferred Hanigan, Navarro, and maybe even Saltalamacchia. If I told you before the offseason started that the Red Sox were going to miss out on McCann, Ruiz, and Saltalamacchia and have to settle for Pierzynski, you'd have to be pretty disappointed, right?

I hope he reverts to his 2012 splits against RHP(.287/.338/.536/.874 and .283 BABIP) compared to his 2011(.283/.319/.393/.711 with a .282 BABIP) or 2013(.269/.286/.438/.724 with a .268 BABIP) seasons.

Either way, I think he'll match or exceed Saltalamacchia's handling of the pitching staff. This leaves us with incredible depth at C.

That sounds like an endorsement.

Add - I didn't want Pierzynski as a fan because he rubs me the wrong way, but from a business sense it's fine.

I've gotta think the Sox do not value Salty that highly - it will be interesting to see what he ends up getting on the market. Supposedly Minnesota (edit - or maybe not) and Florida are two of the leading contender for his services - not exactly deep pockets there.

Time for Lavarnway or Butler to go, no? If we keep saying this, eventually it will be true.

@sean_mcadam Can confirm Red Sox have signed A.J. Pierzynski to a one year deal. Signing first reported by @jonheymancbs

I dunno, I think I would have preferred someone with more upside. Plus, durability and consistency is a skill until one day, it just isn't anymore. I don't think it's a bad signing, but rather an uncreative one that only makes sense if the surplus money saved is spent well, which I'm not confident will be the case with the market as inflated as it is and the remaining free agents available.

Pierzynski is an upgrade on Saltalamachia in terms of easier to spell... barely

I wonder how much money... Any guesses?

Apparently so.


$7.5 last year - so $7?

I'm guessing 1yr/6M