Pirates Offer Contract to Reliever Ohman

ESPN.com reported today that the Pirates are one of three teams to have offered left-handed relief pitcher Will Ohman a major league contract for the coming season. The other two teams are the Florida Marlins and the San Diego Padres. It is speculated that the potential offers are in the neighborhood of $1 million for one year. Ohman is taking his time deciding since he has also been in contact with, though yet to receive official offers from, three good teams: the Phillies, Mets and Dodgers. Clearly if offers do come from one of those three teams, the dollar amount cannot possibly be much less than what is currently being offered, so I can't blame him for waiting this out a bit.

Ohman is coming off a career year with Atlanta, posting a 3.68 ERA in 83 relief appearances. He struck out 53 in 58 2/3 innings and had a WHIP of 1.24. If the Pirates do sign Ohman, it would give the team two very capable late inning left handers, along with John Grabow. Tyler Yates remains the most prominent right handed pitcher, aside from closer Matt Capps, in the prospective Pirate bullpen. It might also mean Donnie Veal would not make the team. In addition to Capps, Grabow and Yates, Sean Burnett and Craig Hansen will most likely be on the Opening Day roster. And Phil Dumatrait, if healthy, will most likely be the long man. Ohman would be the seventh and final reliever. This is, of course, barring injury or trades.