[EMSoccerCoach]

February 6, 2018

Pipp the latest free agent chip to fall

With less than two weeks before pitchers and catchers report, the last of the free agent class had begun to find homes in rapid succession. The latest is Wally Pipp, who completed a deal with the Chicago Hitmen in a signing that caught many off guard, given Roger Connor's status there.

Pipp (.254-17-70 for Wichita in 2017) signed a four-year deal for $20.3 million. With Roger Connor signed through the 2019 season, and with Pipp being a lefty like Connor, the deal seemed a bit puzzling to many. But Chicago general manager Ken Snyder made clear it's simply an addition to a strength.

"Roger's still our everyday first baseman, no question," Snyder said. "Out of respect for Roger and who he is, we talked with him before this signing to make clear our plan. But Wally gives us another potent lefty bat to load up against righties, and he can DH or spell Roger occasionally if the situation calls for it."

Connor (.279-14-77) had a down season last year, which prompted much of the speculation. But Snyder's point is valid. Still, with a heart of Babe Ruth, Connor and Frank Baker - all lefties - one wouldn't assumed Pipp would be the direction Chicago would go.

Wally Pipp