Bobby Crosby Signs with Pittsburgh Pirates

In 2004, Bobby Crosby was the darling of baseball. He had just won the American League Rookie of the Year award and looked like another prized draft pick of GM Billy Beane.

Five years later, Crosby is signing a one-year, $1 million contract to a backup infielder for one of the worst teams in baseball. Crosby today signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Crosby can earn another $500,000 in incentives.

Injuries and overall lack of production have really derailed Crosby’s career since 2004. In his R.O.Y. season, Crosby hit 22 home runs and played in 151 games. Since then, he has hasn’t hit more than nine home runs in a season and has only played in over 100 games just once.

In 2009, Crosby became what he will be for the Pirates in 2010—a platoon player. Crosby played third, short, second, first and even right field in 2009.

Expect Crosby to do the same in Pittsburgh in 2010. He will spell Andy LaRoche at third and Akinori Iwamura at second. He could also push Ronny Cedeno at short if necessary.

Crosby hit .223 with six home runs in 238 AB’s for the Oakland A’s in 2009.

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