While we're debating Suppan and Zito, the Pirates are solidifying their pitching staff in such a way to suggest--nay, guarantee!--that they'll find their way to another 70-75 win season next year.
First, they finally signed Yuslan Herrera, a Cuban defector:
Herrera, 25, posted a combined record of 18-7 with a 3.27 ERA during his career in Cuba. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound hurler was a member of the Youth Cuban National Team for two years (1999-2000) and also spent four seasons playing for the Cuban National Team (2001-2004).
And continuing their pillaging of the very best mediocre talent available on the international market, it looks like they're going to sign Masumi Kuwata, a 38-year-old Japanese league vet. Here are his stats; he's been at it for a really long time, but he looks to me like the Japanese equivalent of Jose Lima. It's smart of Dave Littlefield to try and compete on the international market, but I find it hard to believe Kuwata will be any better than Triple-A roster filler.
"Yoslan enjoyed a successful career while pitching in Cuba," said Littlefield. "He's a right-handed starter with a good arm and someone who has been very intriguing to us based on his international success."