Pirates claim Chan Ho Park and Chris Resop

The Pittsburgh Pirates made two roster moves today, claiming relief pitchers Chan Ho Park and Chris Resop.  To make room for the two players, the Pirates designated Steven Jackson for assignment, and moved Steve Pearce from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

Park was acquired from the Yankees, who designated him for assignment on July 31st.  The Pirates acquired Park to help out their bullpen, although the move is somewhat confusing.  Park is only under control through the end of the 2010 season, at which point he becomes a free agent.  Park has been a decent pitcher at times in his career, including recently with the Dodgers in 2008 and the Phillies in 2009.  He’s been good out of the bullpen, with the ability to provide the occasional spot start.  It’s unlikely he remains with the Pirates beyond the 2010 season, which is what makes this move so strange.  He’s making $1.2 M this year, and the Pirates are on the hook for $393,443 of that salary with this move.

Resop has had an interesting year this year.  He started the season signing a contract with the Atlanta Braves that specified he had to be in the majors by June 15th, or offered to any team who would give him a 25-man roster spot.  Then, in 15 starts at the AAA level, Resop posted a 2.09 ERA in 82 innings, with a 10.0 K/9 and a 3.5 BB/9 ratio, forcing Atlanta to add him to the active roster on June 15th.  Resop made one appearance, pitching two innings in relief and allowing five runs on five hits and three walks, with two strikeouts.  The next day he went on the disabled list with an oblique injury, where he still remains even after being designated for assignment by Atlanta.

Resop’s biggest issue in his short professional career has been a lack of control, with a 5.6 BB/9 ratio in 63 innings.  The Pirates will use him out of the bullpen, and hope that his numbers in AAA this year will translate to some sort of success going forward.  Resop is out of options, but does have four years of service time remaining after the season, which means the Pirates will either have to waive him if he doesn’t perform, or will have him for a few years if he finally shows success in the majors.

Resop will join the team tomorrow, while Park will join the team on Friday.