Pirates reach deal with free-agent outfielder Diaz
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Pirates and free-agent outfielder Matt Diaz reached agreement early this morning on a two-year, $4.25 million deal with no options. That will make Diaz, a right-handed hitter, a platoon candidate with Garrett Jones in right field. Or the team could have other plans.
Diaz, 32, batted .250 with a .302 on-base percentage, seven home runs and 31 RBIs in 84 games for Atlanta last season. His 2009 was far better, with a .313 average, .390 on-base percentage, 13 home runs and 58 RBIs. He is a career .301 hitter, topping out at those 13 home runs in 2009.
As for the platoon possibility, Diaz batted .273 vs. left-handers, .223 vs. right-handers in 2010. For his career, he bats .335 vs. left-handers.
Defensively, Diaz played mostly in left field for the Braves, but he would be a right fielder at PNC Park.
This brings the Pirates' total to three free-agent agreements reached at these Winter Meetings, along with starters Kevin Correia and Scott Olsen.
First Published December 8, 2010 5:32 am
