I would however, offer Ludwig arbitration.  He doesn’t seem to want to be here first.  Because of what I believe his mindset is, I think he will take less to go to a warmer clime, back to St Louis, or Texas or Houston.  Even if he took arbitration, it wouldn’t be a $7M risk as arbitration contracts aren’t guaranteed.  If he accepted arbitration, the Pirates would only be on the hook for 1/6th of the deal, if they release him before opening day.  For something in the neighborhood of $1M, I would offer him arbitration and take the pick.

I wouldn’t sign either Hernandez or Barajas as they both likely rate compensation picks, according to mlbtraderumors..  Neither guy is a long term solution (nor do the Pirates want either as such).  Signing Hernandez would mean losing a first round pick for a stop gap catcher and Barajas would cost us a second round picks.  Teams in the Pirates position, both financially and on the field, should not be giving away picks.