I’ve never been a fan of Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington.

Last year’s free-agent class, which included Nate McLouth, Erik Bedard, Clint Barmes and Rod Barajas, didn’t change my mind.

I know it’s still early, but the Pirates haven’t made any significant offseason signings.

And that’s a good thing.

The highlight so far, if you want to call it that, has been the signing of Felix Pie to a minor league contract.

That’s it.

By this time last year, the Pirates had already given us Barajas (one year, $4 million) and Barmes (two years, $10.5 million), and weren’t too far away from giving fans Bedard (one year, $4.5 million) and McLouth (one year, $1.75 million).

All terrible signings.

So while the Toronto Blue Jays are turning themselves into a contender by plundering the Miami Marlins, the Pirates are being frugal — like always.

Of course, when they do decide to spend, it’s usually too much on the wrong player.

It’s like Huntington is shopping for a Black Friday deal and is surprised to find out the $29 Blue-Ray player he found constantly skips.

To this point, I’m thankful we haven’t been treated to any more turkeys from Huntington.

Of course, there’s still plenty of time for him to revert to form.

– Rick Green (follow me on Twitter @ETNrgreen)

Before Albert Pujols grabbed all the headlines, the Pittsburgh Pirates made some noise of their own.

The Bucs tested the free-agent waters by signing starting pitcher Erik Bedard and outfielder Nate McLouth to one-year deals.

The McLouth deal seemed to be a positive one, with the Pirates getting a popular player back on the team. McLouth was traded by the organization in 2009 in a deal that was heavily criticized.

McLouth was happy, too, returning to Pittsburgh. “It was the easiest decision I’ve ever made in my life,” he said.

Getting $1.75 million to be a fourth or fifth outfielder isn’t a bad deal, either, if your McLouth.

While McLouth adds depth, that’s some coin to be handing out to a reserve outfielder who hit .190 in 2010 and .228 in 2011.

Bedard, on the other hand, could work out nicely for the Bucs.

With Paul Maholm gone, the Pirates desperately needed a left-handed starter. They got one in Bedard, who will earn $4.5 million.

The signing, however, doesn’t come without risk.

First, you have to think that there must not have been much interest in Bedard since the Pirates signed him. And there could be a good reason why — injuries.

Yes, he has the stuff to be an ace, but Bedard also is a risk.

He had 129.1 innings pitched last season in stops between Seattle and Boston. Before that, he had 83 innings (2009) and 81 innings (2008). Bedard missed the entire 2010 season with an arm injury.

It’s only a one-year commitment, so the Pirates won’t lose a lot if Bedard doesn’t pan out. If he does, Pittsburgh has an ace it hasn’t had in a while.

So it wasn’t the Pujols-C.J. Wilson double-double that the L.A. Angels pulled off, but going 1-for-2 isn’t bad by Pirates’ standards.

– Rick Green