Versatility might get VanBenschoten a look....

28 y/o right handed John Van Benschoten is an interesting case. Like many college players Van Benschoten was a star at Kent State both at the plate and on the mound. He was the overall 8th pick of the first round for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2001 ( same year as Heilman) and many thought the Pirates were making a mistake by making him a pitcher.

8) Pirates: John VanBenschoten, RHP-OF, Kent State: The Pirates made him a pitcher when most everyone else thought he should be a hitter. Injuries cost him his fastball, in this case consensus was probably right. source John Sickels Minor League Report

But the Pirates stuck with the plan to make him a pitcher and he has thrived in the minor leagues. The Pirates just didn't keep him as a pitcher but they made him a starter when he was the closer at Kent State.

In 2003 he was in the All-Star future game and Baseball America listed him the Pirates top pitching prospect for 2003 and 2004. He missed all of 2005 with a torn labrum and his stock began to plummet. By 2006 he was no longer in the Pirates top 10 prospect list.

However, his AAA numbers were solid for two straight years including being named 2007 Pirates Minor league pitcher of the year, while each time he was called up to the majors he struggled:

2007 AAA- 10-7 / 2.35 ERA / 19 starts/ 109 innings

2008 AAA- 7-4 / 3.92 ERA / 13 starts - 22 overall appearances / 80 innings

Overall MLB- 2-13 / 9.20 ERA

Van Benschoten has chose free agency and will likely sign a minor league contract with a team willing to take a chance. He could turn out to be a solid starter or returned to the pen, even as a closer as he was in college. But Van Benschoten could be the next Ryan Ludwick, switching over to the offensive side....

Van Benschoten, a first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2001 draft, filed for minor league free agency and informed the Pirates he's not interested in resigning with them. source Indystar.com