During the MLB Winter Meetings, the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Josh Lindblom off waivers from the Oakland Athletics. They designated him for assignment at the end of the week. There was also a report around the same time, saying that he had signed to play in Korea.
https://twitter.com/sung_minkim/status/543578560183943168
The MLB transactions page says that the Pirates have released Lindblom, which adds more confirmation that he will be playing in Korea next year.
It’s hard to put in to words the impact Lindblom made in his time with the Pirates, and that’s not just because he was in the organization for about a week. When he joined the team, there were complaints that the Pirates wouldn’t do anything in free agency, or the rest of the off-season, except for adding waiver wire players like Josh Lindblom. Shortly after he arrived, everything changed. Francisco Liriano was brought in to be the top of the rotation guy the team needed. Antonio Bastardo was acquired as the second lefty reliever out of the bullpen. Radhames Liz was acquired because, Ray Searage. The day of Lindblom’s official release, they signed Corey Hart to be the “right-handed platoon mate to Pedro Alvarez”/”player that everyone points to as being good five years ago, and dreams about what the 2015 team will be like if he can somehow get back to that.”
I know that there are other things you could point to as reasons for these additions, such as the fact that Lindblom was acquired on day one of the Winter Meetings, and the fact that you could have reasonably expected the Pirates to make moves like this during the Winter Meetings, even if he wasn’t acquired. But that ignores the point that Lindblom joined the Pirates when they had a lot of needs and a lot of panic in the fan base, and by the time he left, they had no more needs to fill, but still somehow some panic remaining in the fan base. If he was in the Prospect Guide (and he wouldn’t be, because he has 136.2 innings in the majors), I’d give him an 80 grade for “Impact by Coincidence”.
Best of luck to Lindblom in Korea. There will be some that remember him as “Who was that guy the Pirates had for like a week? No, not Brian Jeroloman. The other guy. No, I’m not talking about the other time they had Jeroloman for a week. This was a different person.” But he might as well be remembered as the catalyst of the 2014-15 Pirates’ off-season.
Tim started Pirates Prospects in 2009 from his home in Virginia, which was 40 minutes from where Pedro Alvarez made his pro debut in Lynchburg. That year, the Lynchburg Hillcats won the Carolina League championship, and Pirates Prospects was born from Tim's reporting along the way. The site has grown over the years to include many more writers, and Tim has gone on to become a credentialed MLB reporter, producing Pirates Prospects each year, and will publish his 11th Prospect Guide this offseason. He has also served as the Pittsburgh Pirates correspondent for Baseball America since 2019. Behind the scenes, Tim is an avid music lover, and most of the money he gets paid to run this site goes to vinyl records.
No more needs to fill! Whew, that’s a load off of my mind. I’m glad Cervelli, after more than a few years as a back up, is now going to be worthy of a starting job. Or is it Stewart? Either one are both career backups, with no power. At least Stewart isn’t injury prone, so he has that going for him.
I have to say, personally, going into the season with Cervelli and Stewart is a disappointment given the number of catchers that have been moved this winter.
The Pirates almost certainly could’ve done better.
what was the name of the kid tampa claimed not sands, sutter?
drew sutton
Isn’t he the one they made quit winter ball?
Corey Hart was good just two seasons ago. 2012 is not that long ago
It is in the life of his knees and body. 2 years ago isnt a ton, but its enough if the players body has shown serious signs of major health issues. He certainly shouldnt be counted on to start, so here’s hoping limited PT allows his body to hold up through September.
I’m not sure what point Tim was making by saying he was good 5 years ago. He hit 30 HR’s and batted .270 and had an .841 OPS judt 2 years ago. He was good before Pedro was bad.
The Lindblom era. We’ll always have San Diego…
Strong work here
Lindblom turned out in hindsight to be a nice bookend for the shelf eh,fellas?
Does this open a spot on the 40 man? I am confused if he was already removed previuosly
He was taken off the 40-man when he was DFA’d. The 40-man is full as it stands.
When the Pirates signed him they had to put him on the 40 so by releasing him it should open a spot on the 40. They already released Guilmet to make a spot for Hart.
Maybe the Korean team can sign Brian Jeroloman to catch him.
I saw Jeroloman this past season with Harrisburg. ( I think ) I don’t think he will be going to Korea. He might have to hit there.