tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207200414495313452.post2549799865902602048..comments2023-10-10T12:46:47.186-04:00Comments on The Green Weenie: Overbay, Diaz - Upgrades?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207200414495313452.post-33762724919268624232010-12-15T21:36:44.905-05:002010-12-15T21:36:44.905-05:00We'll see, Wil. The FO got them both on the c...We'll see, Wil. The FO got them both on the cheap after off years; I hope they both revert to their usual seasons.<br /><br />As far as playing, Huntington has said that Overbay is full-time and Diaz a platoon guy; how long that lasts is a coin flip, given NH's usual reliability.<br /><br />They'd be nuts to not get Rendon. I think Overbay is the bridge. But the brass still say Pedro's problem isn't his mitt but his Happy Meals. At least he's not Kung Fu Panda.Ron Ieracihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08784507810080514099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207200414495313452.post-85567964108877596952010-12-15T20:26:54.824-05:002010-12-15T20:26:54.824-05:00I'm a bit more optimistic than you are, Ron, a...I'm a bit more optimistic than you are, Ron, about Overbay and (especially) Diaz. I hope Diaz will get more ABs than just what he'll pick up against southpaws when Jones sits. In the two seasons in which he had more than 300 at bats, he put up his best numbers. As a 300 to 400 AB guy I think he'd be very productive for us, and even if he's no great shakes defensively, he's still better--or at least more reliably mediocre--than Milledge was. All in all, Diaz is a definitely upgrade over Milledge even if neither one is a worldbeater. <br /><br /><br />As for Overbay, I would have greatly preferred a return engagement for Adam LaRoche, to be honest, frustrating though his usually nonexistent first half production is. At the end of the year, he can be counted on to make all the routine plays and to hit 25 HR with 80-plus RBI. That's not shabby, it's better than what Overbay is capable of, and he's a couple years younger, too. <br /><br /><br />But, Overbay it is. He'll help with his glove and clubhouse professionalism; let's hope he can post career average numbers. He should be motivated if he wants to continue his big league career past 2011, as he'll be playing for another contract. I agree with you that an Overbay-Pearce platoon would be an optimal use of the, er, "resources" we have on hand at the moment. Jones and Diaz in right ought to kill it, and hopefully Diaz can snag some additional ABs as the fourth OF and top pinch hitter. <br /><br /><br />We still don't have nearly enough pitching, especially starting pitching, but considering that none of these guys are true difference makers, I still think they are upgrades overall. <br /><br /><br />The one question I have is what the Pirates will do in the upcoming draft. If they're really going to draft Anthony Rendon, and if he really can make the bigs within a year of being picked, then obviously he'll be the 3B no later than 2013 and Alvarez moves across the diamond to first---a move than can't happen soon enough for me, as he is a leadfoot DH in the making if ever there was one. But if the team does not draft Rendon, it's a curious move to sign Overbay (or even LaRoche for that matter), as it keeps Alvarez at third for the long term. That can't be good for our team defense. Etc and so forth.WilliamJPellashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12774466220683142262noreply@blogger.com