Bye, Bye Bautista

The Pirates non-tendered relief pitcher Denny Bautista Friday, not offering salary arbitration. That means that Bautista will become a free agent.

Though Bautista, a midseason pickup who general manager Neal Huntington viewed a slow-rish, potentially high reward, had a good fastball, his control was a problem with 28 walks to counteract 34 strikeouts.

Seven other eligible players – pitchers Paul Maholm, Zach Duke, John Grabow and Tyler Yates - first baseman Adam LaRoche, outfielder Nate McLouth and catcher Ryan Doumit – have received arbitration offers.

The Pirates have reportedly began long-term contract talks with Maholm, McLouth and Doumit this past week.

Also, I think the signing of Ramon Vazquez is another smart, safe, though not terribly exciting move by Huntington, as has been his M.O. since taking over as GM more than a year ago.

I do like that Vazquez is actually coming off a career season in which he batted .290 in 300 atr bats with six home runs and 40 RBI.

The signing also covers the Pirates in two ways. If the Pirates do eventually trade shortstop Jack Wilson, they have someone who can step in with experience and someone not named Brian Bixler. If they keep Wilson, which remains a possibility, they have a Chris Gomez type whose a little younger with a little more pop in his bat.

I like the second scenario better than the first. I'm not sure I can by Vazquez playing 140 games and getting 500-plus at bats. I do, however, like a platoon of he and Wilson for a year with the hopes the Pirates can develop another shortstop in the minors.