Joe Randa, the third baseman on the only Pirates team in 13 years to contend for a division title, is returning to Pittsburgh.
The 36-year-old Randa hit a career-high 17 homers while splitting last season between the Reds and Padres, making $2.15 million. He has hit .300 or better four times, including a .302 season with Pittsburgh in 1997, and has driven in 80 runs or more four times.
I think Randa is one of the most underrated players in baseball along with his new Pirate teammate Sean Casey.
Wow – even the Reds are getting involved in the Hot Stove Season, now you know it’s a big offseason!
Most notably, the Reds send 31 year old 1B Sean Casey and $2 million to the Pittsburgh Pirates for bottom of the rotation, starting pitcher Dave Williams. Sean Casey still should have several solid years left in him, he hit .312 last year, and should be a nice bat for the Pirates, and will most likely land in the heart of the order.
In other news, the Reds take Tony Womack(and cash of course) off of the New York Yankees hands. Womack, who never really found his stride in New York, hopes to get back to his 2004 season with the Cardinals where he was an every day 2B and hit .307.