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(updated 12/29/2005) The Pirates will announce soon that they have signed 3B Joe Randa to man the hot corner for them in 2006.
This will be the second go-round for the player, affectionately called "the Joker" due to his ever-present smile.
Randa had a solid 2005, accumulating a 787 OPS between Cincinnati and San Diego. He will earn up to $4 million.
The signing of Randa may not be a significant upgrade over incumbant Freddie Sanchez who played very well at the plate
and in the field after being handed the starting job in August. However Sanchez figures to get over 400 at bats this season
taking over from Rob Mackowiak as the teams super-sub. Randa buys a year for Pirate prospects Jose Bautista and Neil Walker
to ripen on the farm and Sanchez may become a stronger option for 2007 as well if the 4 homers he hit in September do not
prove a fluke.
Preston Wilson appears to be the only free agent left in the Pirates sites. Randa clearly is best suited to hit 2nd
or 6th leaving right field incumbant, Craig Wilson, who will probably platoon with Jody Gerut, to hit 5th. Preston Wilson
may be the only free agent left on the market who would be an upgrade over Craig Wilson/Gerut in the 5 hole.
OFFSEASON OBJECTIVES:
GM David Littlefield has done a good job of identifying his team needs the past few season and spelling them out in public.
The big question is whether the front office can answer these question marks better than in the past. This year is no
different with 1B, RH Relief Pitching, 3B & RF mentioned as priorities in that order. Owner Kevin McLatchey has mandated
the team add two "impact" bats to the order.
Now read about a real sports team...your Pittsburgh Steelers
Guarantee yourself a better season with better credit...come and get it.
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