Transaction Analysis

Pirates sign Derek Bell for 2 years, $9.4 million

This signing makes no sense.  The Pirates were smart to grab a guy when his trade value was low (although not as low as last season), but there's a good reason why his trade value is low - Bell is not a very good hitter anymore.  In actuality, Bell was never a particularly good hitter.  Bell is the exact type of player the Pirates should be avoiding most - a "proven veteran" who commands a salary well above what he deserves, because of his experience.  The Pirates could have taken the $7.5 million a year they're spending on Bell and Terry Mulholland and signed a minor league free agent pitcher (for almost nothing), and a good risk like Ismael Valdes.  Valdes would add another question mark to the rotation, but his upside is big.  Bell and Mulholland don't have much of an upside - they're temporary solutions, but the Pirates don't look good in the long term, either.