The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Tim Povtak reports today that former starting catcher Ryan Doumit is not pleased with his current role as a bench player as the Pirates open Spring Training in Bradenton, Fla. this week, but he plans to continue working hard.
Doumit, who lost his starting job after Chris Snyder was acquired from the Diamondbacks at the trading deadline, is now a backup at catcher and right field, where he'll support the platoon of Matt Diaz and Garrett Jones.
"I can be an everyday player. That's my approach. No matter where they put me, though, I'll be the best I can be," Doumit said Monday. "It's not something I'm going to dwell on. I'm already tired of talking about this. I'll show up and let my play do the talking."
Doumit appeared in 124 games for Pittsburgh last season, posting a .251 batting average with 13 home runs and 45 RBIs. He's scheduled to make just over $5 million this season, a hefty salary for a bench player. That, in part, was a reason the Pirates sought a trade of Doumit over the winter but were ultimately unsuccessful.
General manager Neal Huntington says the veteran could still be moved, though.
Although Huntington declined to talk about specific trade possibilities, the likelihood of moving Doumit is good.
"We're not dying to move him. He has value to us. It has to make sense to us, and we haven't found that," Huntington said shortly after the Pirates started their workout.
"Other clubs are kicking tires around, and teams are hoping we give him away. But that's not going to happen."
Certainly a situation worth monitoring as the spring wears on.
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