PITTSBURGH — The Pirates were looking to add depth to the starting rotation. And on Wednesday, Pittsburgh got their guy by signing left-hander Erik Bedard to a one-year contract for the 2012 season.
Bedard, 32, posted a 5-9 record with a 3.62 ERA in 24 starts last season combined with the Seattle Mariners (16 starts) and Boston Red Sox (eight) in 2011.
Bedard will be the only left-handed starter in the rotation. He will join Kevin Correia, Jeff Karstens, Charlie Morton and James McDonald.
“I’ve heard they’ve got good stuff and real competitive, just good all around pitchers,” Bedard said. “I’m just glad to join the rotation and help them do better.”
“I think they were a really good team that made a lot of big strides last year,” said Bedard, who received several offers from other clubs, but decided Pittsburgh was his best fit. “I’m just looking to come over here and add some pitching depth, and try to help them win.”
Bedard has dealt with injuries over the past several seasons. Between 2008-09, Bedard was limited to a combined 164.0 innings with Seattle. Bedard has battled knee and shoulder injuries, but when healthy, has been very good. In 2007, he posted a 3.16 ERA over 182.0 innings with 57 walks and 221 strikeouts –which ranked third in the American League. During that season, Bedard won a career-high 15 games and started in a career-high 33 games. He also ranked fourth in the league in ERA in 2007 and allowed the fewest hits per 9.0ip that season (6.973).
“Erik Bedard is a quality major league starting pitcher and we are pleased to add him to our club and starting rotation,” said General Manager Neal Huntington.
At 32-years-old, Bedard quickly becomes one of the older players on the team. However, being a part of a team with a young core such as Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez and Neil Walker, can bring a lot of an excitement.
“When you have a lot of young talent, it makes for a lot of excitement on the ball team,” Bedard said. “I’m 32-years-old, a little older than them, but just trying to come here and help them win.”
Over parts of eight seasons in the Majors, Bedard has a career 3.70 ERA. Originally selected by Baltimore in the sixth round of the 1999 Draft, Bedard made his Major League debut with the Orioles in 2002.
To make room for Bedard on the active roster, the Pirates have designated catcher Jason Jaramillo for
assignment. Jaramillo has spent the parts of the past three seasons in the Majors with Pittsburgh, where he’s hit for a .235 clip. Over 23 games in 2011 with the Pirates, Jaramillo batted .326 with a run and six RBI.
Photo credit: Yahoo! Sports
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