Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired
infielder Sean Rodriguez from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for a player to
be named and cash considerations.
Rodriguez was designated for assignment by the Rays last week after the club
signed pitcher Ernesto Frieri, who spent the last part of 2014 in Pittsburgh.
The 29-year-old Rodriguez batted .228 with 40 homers and 172 RBI over the past
five seasons with the Rays. In 2014, he hit only .211, his lowest average
during his Tampa Bay tenure, but set career highs with 12 homers and 41 RBI in
96 games.
A versatile player, Rodriguez started 14 games at both first and second base
last season, while also starting 12 games in left field and seven at third
base. He can also play shortstop.
Rodriguez made his big league debut with the Angels in 2008 and owns a career
average of .225 with 84 doubles, 45 home runs and 186 RBI in 624 games for the
Angels (2008-09) and Tampa Bay (2010-14).
