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Inbox: Which veteran starters will Bucs target?
- Updated: December 19, 2016
With Derek Holland off the board, who is likely the next reclamation project for the Bucs? — Dave I., Prescott, Ariz.
I’m still not ready to rule out Ivan Nova, whose market has been unusually quiet this offseason aside from the Pirates’ assertion that they’re “still engaged” with his representatives. Pittsburgh still could fill its rotation need through a trade, too.
As far as more “traditional” reclamation project options, Tyson Ross and Brett Anderson fit that description and make sense to me.
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Obviously, Ross is the kind of pitcher who also makes sense for 29 other teams. MLB.com’s Andrew Simon explained why Ross will be in high demand, even after thoracic outlet surgery. The Pirates may be priced out, or Ross may simply choose another suitor.
But Ross is a proven starter who would look good behind Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon, assuming he returns to pre-surgery form. The Bucs helped Clayton Richard, another former Padre, work his way back from thoracic outlet surgery in 2015.
The Pirates have checked in on Ross, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal recently wrote that Ross “will choose a team that excels at handling and rehabilitating pitchers.” Sound like anyone you know?
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Anderson, who will be 29 next season, is good when healthy — but that’s the issue. The left-hander has averaged only 13 appearances per year since 2012, and he started three games for the Dodgers last season. It’s fair to wonder what kind of toll the injuries, including last year’s back surgery, have taken on him.
But Anderson posted a 3.69 ERA in 180 1/3 innings over 31 starts in 2015, he’s left-handed, and he has the kind of career ground-ball rate — 58.2 percent — the Pirates covet.
One caveat: The reclamation project market is no longer just about identifying the right bounce-back candidates. Edinson …