The Best Things in Life Are Free

The free agent bidding period will grace us with its presence again and the Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping to score big again at it. It was through free agency last year where a few key players that helped the Pirates to their first ever playoff birth were acquired. All three position players, Dennis Donnelly, George McGuire, and Don White, who were signed reached the 20 homerun and 100 RBI mark. Donnelly was signed to the maximum length as he signed a 5 year, $4 million a year contract. He reached the 100 runs and RBI plateaus for the second consecutive season. He was also 3 homeruns and 3 stolen bases short of the becoming a member of the 30-30 club. George McGuire came as a bargain as he drove in 123 runs while only making $700,000 for the season. He was recently awarded a 3 year, $966,000 contract extension.

Ty Chapman was brought in to help out a pitching staff which was one of the worst in 2005. After recording 35 saves with the Mets a season before he was given a 5 year, $4.5 million a year contract. He struggled at first in Pittsburgh but ended the season strong and ended up leading the National League with 37 saves.

The Pirates also signed two other players last year to minor league contracts. Johnny Brady won 10 games and had a 4.45 ERA in AAA in his first season with the Pirates organization and first baseman Frank York hit .315 with 28 homeruns and 89 RBI's in AA.