Pirates apparently interested in undertaking starter in need of revival project
Reports suggest that the Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to add to their starting rotation by signing a once-promising starter whose career has recently floundered.
According to a report from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates "have expressed interest" in 31-year-old righty Kyle Kendrick, who struggled mightily last season with the Colorado Rockies, lugging a 6.32 ERA while posting a 7-13 record.
Kendrick is one of two starters on whom Pittsburgh would be taking a risk by signing in hope that they might experience a renaissance, as the team has also been linked to 30-year-old righty Justin Masterson.
Returning to the Boston Red Sox, who drafted him in the second round of the 2006 amateur draft, Masterson posted a 4-2 record with a 5.61 ERA as a spot starter in 2015.
Although both pitchers experienced rough 2015 seasons, they could prove to be savvy acquisitions at a bargain price if they can revert to the success they had earlier in their careers.
While one would have to go back to 2013 to find Masterson's last solid season (14-10 3.45 ERA 193 IP 195 SO 76 BB) and 2012 for Kendrick's (11-12 3.90 ERA 159.1 IP 116 SO 49 BB), a change of scenery and confidence from the Pirates could provide an environment in which they might flourish.
Although it's unlikely either pitcher would have a career-best season, either one of them could prove to be a good option to fill a slot at the back end of Pittsburgh's rotation.
