tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207200414495313452.post634294345729037566..comments2023-10-10T12:46:47.186-04:00Comments on The Green Weenie: Pellas On The Pirates: The New Year Bucs Part DeuxUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207200414495313452.post-86236124337903799872010-01-06T12:10:45.651-05:002010-01-06T12:10:45.651-05:00Hey Mark - Yah, one eighth inning guy with a recor...Hey Mark - Yah, one eighth inning guy with a record would be a big plus. I'd still like to see a Xavier Nady type player (righty, play corner OF and first, threat of a thump) on the bench, too.<br /><br />Jones and Clement? I'd have to see how poorly Clement fields; Jones, as you noted, has some problems: splits and RISP among them. <br /><br />Clement, who from everything I've seen, is a natural DH. First is a big bopper position; I suppose if Dick Stuart could play it, anyone can.<br /><br />It'll be something to watch in Bradenton. The Pirates need a middle of the order guy. Maybe if JR ever platoons anyone (which may be the suits' call, not his) he can get a little O out of his team.Ron Ieracihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08784507810080514099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207200414495313452.post-20384678129597626182010-01-05T12:41:27.082-05:002010-01-05T12:41:27.082-05:00If we can get Dotel, that will help a lot. Hunting...If we can get Dotel, that will help a lot. Huntington has much to prove in his ability to put together as decent bullpen.<br /><br />I would also put Veal in the possible starters to enter the rotation in 2010. There's no way he will be in the pen in 2010.<br /><br />I agree with you that a shortstop is probably going to be a main focus of the next vet for prospects trade. I would look for one who is not higher than AA level, though, because that's where you are going to get the best "upside vs. MLB readiness" balance.<br /><br />I would guess Duke is the one to go this year. <br /><br />Jeff Clement will definitely get the start at 1B to begin the year, but I think he's got a good chance to perform pretty well there.<br /><br />If you look at his MLB stint with the Mariners, his knee injury really didn't affect that. He just struck out a whole lot - he had a hard time adjusting to MLB.<br /><br />However, he was beginning to figure it out the month before he went down. He hit over .300 in the last 32 games.<br /><br />What is especially intriguing is his ability to hit left handed pitching, whereas Jones struggles mightily with that.MarkInDallasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6207200414495313452.post-32305090535532428042010-01-03T20:45:56.802-05:002010-01-03T20:45:56.802-05:00I should have mentioned that we also need to acqui...I should have mentioned that we also need to acquire a young, "shortstop of the future" in any major trade that might be in the offing. Ideally, I'd like to see us bring in a just-before-spring-training-below-market free agent veteran to play a corner outfield spot, then acquire our next shortstop if/when one of our starting pitchers is dealt. There is some thinking that one of our minor league middle infielders (Chase D'Arnaud is the most likely) could rise to the top this year and be in place to challenge for the starting job in Pittsburgh by 2010 or 2011, but while we have strength of numbers at SS-2B down on the farm, I don't know that any of those players are considered elite or can't miss prospects. Thus a starting shortstop might still be in play if we make another major deal. A Maholm-Doumit package could certainly land a starting shortstop, either some other team's top minor leaguer or perhaps even another team's current starter.WilliamJPellashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12774466220683142262noreply@blogger.com