Bucs sign Jaret Wright to minor league deal....

[BuccoJoe]

Article in today's PPG By Dejan Kovacevic, states:

The Pirates have agreed to terms on a minor-league contract with Jaret Wright, a right-handed starter who pitched for the Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees before shoulder soreness cost him most of last season.

He was limited to three games for the Baltimore Orioles in 2007, going 0-3 with a 6.97 ERA, and pitched only in rehabilitation outings after April. The shoulder was examined but no surgery performed.

Wright, 32, was 11-7 with a 4.49 ERA for the Yankees in 2006, his most recent full season. Two years before that, he was 15-8 with a 3.28 ERA for the Braves. His career numbers: 68-60, 5.09 ERA in 171 starts.

Wright will be invited to spring training, raising the total in that category to 65.

Yanks couldn't wait to get rid of this deadbeat--maybe he's a guy ala Ed Whitson who can't pitch in NYC and worth a look--here's the link:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08023/851633-100.stm

[Novelist]

I can handle this; a minor leage contract with no promise of a roster spot. What would stink would be if there was a promise of a roster spot behind the scenes.

If he works out, he can go into the bullpen to replace some of the actual useful arms (Torres) that they got rid of.

- Novelist

[Woobie]

No problem with this ...

Given our lack of right-handed relief, Wright has a pretty good chance to crack the opening day roster.

[SpeedyG]

Not a bad deal at all.

He could be a useful arm out of the pen and/or a decent insurance piece for the rotation should somebody go down.  I don't know what he has left, but if he can even come close to replicating his 2004 or even 2006 seasons, then he'll turn out to be a steal.

[Hammer]

I have no problem with the deal as long as Wright knows his role and is willing to accept it. There's no use moving Torres and replacing his supposed attitude problem with another short-term fix.

[BuccoFla]

My only concern is that his spot on the roster would come at the expense of Sean Burnett. I believe that Burnett has to make the 25 man roster or he is lost.

[FLORIDAPIRATE]

If I read it right, Wright can earn more bonus money as a reliever than as a starter.

The Bucs have a history of getting some decent relievers on the cheap. This could be a pretty good signing.

[Max Power]

Since our starters are set and we DO need help in the pen, he could help us out, and has the incentive to do so. 

His past experience could come in handy.