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Should The Pirates Attempt To Re-Sign Sean Rodriguez?
By Marty Leap
Super utility man Sean Rodriguez is coming off the best season of his career and is a free agent. Should the Pirates attempt to re-sign Serpico?
Prior to the start of the 2015 season the Pittsburgh Pirates made a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays for super utility man Sean Rodriguez. The Pirates acquired Rodriguez from the Rays on December 1st, 2014, in exchange for Minor League pitcher Buddy Borden. Since then, Rodriguez has become very popular in Pittsburgh.
Rodriguez was a free agent after the 2015 season. However, he re-signed with the Pirates for one year at 2.5 million dollars. This offseason Rodriguez is once again a free agent. Now the question is should the Pirates attempt to re-sign him again?
In two seasons in Pittsburgh Sean Rodriguez did a little bit of everything. He played six different positions, gave the Bucs a defensive boost at first base, and he was a platoon starter against left-handed pitching. He also put together the best two season stretch of his career.
During these two seasons in Pittsburgh Rodriguez accumulated 582 plate appearances. In these 582 plate appearances he slashed .260/.321/.447/.768 with a .330 wOBA, 108 wRC+, and a 1.7 WAR. He also slugged 22 home runs, had a .187 ISO, and a 6.5 percent walk rate.
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All of these numbers are better than Rodriguez’s career numbers. Some players just perform better on certain teams, and the past two seasons it appears that Rodriguez is one of these players and that Pittsburgh is that city for him. This seemed especially true in 2016.
In 2016 Sean Rodriguez had by far the best season of his career. In 342 plate appearances he slashed .270/.349/.510/.859 with a .363 wOBA, 129 wRC+, and a 1.9 WAR. Other than his WAR, all of these numbers were career highs. He also hit a career high 18 home runs and posted a career best 9.6 percent walk rate in 2016.
These numbers are setting up Rodriguez to get paid, and well, this offseason. The fact he was a strong defender at six different positions bodes well for Rodriguez as well. Due to this, it will be difficult for the Pirates to re-sign Rodriguez this offseason.
So, back to my original question, should the Pirates try to re-sign Sean Rodriguez? My answer is a resounded yes. However, this will be a lot easier said than done for Neal Huntington and company.
The 2017 Pirates should have a very strong bench. Re-signing Sean Rodriguez would just add to this. Especially since Rodriguez would solidify the Pirates’ need for a back-up shortstop. He would also give the Pirates a lot more flexibility throughout the 2017 season.
Next: Why The Pirates Should Trade Josh Harrison
While I believe the Pirates should do all they can to re-sign Sean Rodriguez this offseason, it will not be easy. More than likely some team will grossly overpay for Sean Rod based on his great 2016 season. Additionally, someone may offer him a starting job in 2017. And he will not have this opportunity with the Pirates.