From what I am hearing, Volquez is a $5m insurance policy in the event Wandy isn't ready to start the season. Very similar to what Jonathan Sanchez was last year. There is no guarantee he will be in the rotation. This is by no means fact. Supposedly his signing does not rule out Burnett, Santana nor any other potential additions to the team. Until I hear the full context of the agreement, I will withdraw my recent comment and withhold judgment until full details are available.
As far as Burnett, it is not money keeping him from signing a deal. It is whether he wants to retire or not.
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It was my estimate and nothing more but I figured the Pirates would start the year with a payroll of somewhere between 75 and 85 million. Right now with the addition of Volquez it sits at approximately 70-72 million depending on arbitration and whether you want to expense signing bonuses out over multiple years. So let's be as optimistic as we can and say the Pirates have 15 million more they are going to add to the payroll. I just don't see anyway that is enough to sign both Loney and Burnett. Loney is likely going to get between 5-8 million (depending on legnth and contract structure) this year and Burnett I'm guessing will command at least 10-12 million. Right there is 15-20 million. The Pirates are likely to sign a backup shortstop as well an in the current market those guys are getting 2-3 million a year. So that takes us up to 17-23 million added on. Past the optimistic 15. Now perhaps I'm wrong and the Pirates are going to add more payroll but I just don't feel like that will happen.
Now the obvious solution to all of this is to acquire a 1B who isn't making the type of money Loney is likely to command and maybe the Pirates will go that way. Perhaps AJ decides to go on with his life's work and spend time with his kids. A lot of things can of course happen but right now I see a team that is porbably closing in on its payroll budget.
This move is obviously about bringing in a veteran to provide more competition for a spot in the rotation. As recently as 2012 the Pirates came north with Erik Bedard, A.J. Burnett, Kevin Correia, Jeff Karstens and James McDonald. Last season they began the campaign with AJ Burnett, Wandy Rodriguez, James McDonald, Jonathan Sanchez and Jeff Locke.
Likely to be locks for a rotation spot are Francisco Liriano, Charlie Morton and Garrit Cole. Those competing for the final 2 spots are Wandy Rodriguez, Jeff Locke, Brandon Cumpton, Stolmy Pimentel and now Edinson Volquez.
It looks like only one spot would be available if the Pirates and AJ get a deal which is not out of the question.
Nothing to complain about here since we gave up no prospects.
Volquez is overpriced for what he is and, yes, I do think that it will inhibit the Pirates being able to keep AJ Burnett. I still am baffled that the Pirates paid Volquez $5M when he was essentially one of the worst free agent pitcher available. Then again, Fausto Carmona (I refuse to call him Roberto Hernandez) was given a $4.5M deal…would have preferred that, honestly.
