2006 in Review- Pitching Odds and Ends

Here's the final player review of the offseason, the pitchers that I didn't do a full profile on or make the main bullpen cut.

Ryan Vogelsong- After what was arguably the best performance of his career, his five innings against the Astros in the 18 inning game, Vogelsong had the lowest WHIP in the Bucco's bullpen. Less than a month later he'd been christened the White Flag. After that he was DFA'd, except no one else wanted him. He went to Indy and pitched very well. Rumor has it a Japanese team wants him. I think he's too damaged to ever be a Pirate again, though he might be a decent middle reliever for someone.

Marty McLeary- Functioned as a good story after making the first two starts of his career in September and looking good on the mound. Don't let that fool you, he's like Vogelsong but worse.

Victor Santos- We got pretty much what we expected from Santos. Actually, he was worse than his career numbers this year, so we got even less than we expected. He won't be back next year.

Oliver Perez- Was his typical post 2004 self for us, looking great one start and awful the next. Colborn couldn't figure him out so we shipped him out of town for half of Xavier Nady. He made one great start for the Mets in the regular season and one in the post-season. Still a mystery to mostly everyone.

Roberto Hernandez- Pitched well for us and then became the other half of Xavier Nady. That's all I got.

Kip Wells- Brought back too early by the Pirates, pitched his way into shape with the Bucs and ran off a string of three starts in a row before he was traded to Texas where he promptly got hurt. He'll be a free agent this year but something tells me DL won't bring him back.

Shawn Chacon- Came to Pittsburgh with an awful reputation and made some terrible starts, but in the long run actually kind of got get better while he was here. The sample size was small though, so he may have been lucky. Dejan has repeatedly said in his Q&As that Chacon is likely to be non-tendered this year, so he goes on the odds n' ends list.

Shane Youman- Just like Chacon only left-handed. If they didn't tilt their hats the same way they'd be mirror images (Chacon and Youman). Managed to pitch decently while up in September, but he doesn't really have good stuff. May be a bullpen candidate next year.

Josh Sharpless- Dominated just about every minor league level he's pitched at but struggled with his control in his short stint in the 'Burgh. He's still a bullpen candidate for next year if someone on the list from yesterday gets shipped out.

Jonah Bayliss- Looked good closing at Indy this year, but also struggled with his control in Pittsburgh. Bayliss just seems like a good reliever, likely because he's got long hair and is probably insane. He throws harder than Sharpless or Youman, which may put him ahead of them for a spot in the pen next year.

Britt Rheames- Not very good. Not very good at all.

Brian Rogers- Our return in the Sean Casey trade. Doesn't throw hard, but does throw strikes. Got lit up in his short stint with the Pirates, though he did pitch well in AA and AAA this year.

Juan Perez- Acquired by Dave Littlefield after he realized he could've had Xavier Nady for only Roberto Hernandez and saw "Perez- LHP, NYM" on the waiver wire. DL was probably disappointed when he found out it was Juan Perez that he'd just picked up. Very small and skinny. Does not appear to be that good.

Jesse Chavez- Acquired in the Kip Wells trade. Didn't pitch for us this year, but looks like Gumby (6'2" 153 lbs). That must be worth something.