Tuesday, November 2, 2010
All Hail the Giants
Edgar Renteria hit a two-out, three run home run in the seventh inning while Tim Lincecum allowed three hits and a run with 10 Ks over eight innings to lead the Giants to a 3-1 series clinching win over Cliff Lee and the Rangers tonight.
Scoreless into the seventh - neither team got a runner to second over six - the G-Men broke through. Cody Ross had a leadoff single, and Juan Uribe followed with another hit up the middle.
Aubrey Huff laid down the first sacrifice bunt of his career, but Lee got a big out by whiffing Pat Burrell. Then Renteria sent a drive that kept carrying and landed over the left-center field wall.
Nelson Cruz's seventh-inning home run provided Texas with its only run of the evening.
The Giants earned their sixth title overall, their first since 1954 and the move to SF. Since then, the Willie Mays - Willie McCovey - Juan Marichal team lost in seven in 1962, and the Barry Bongs club did the same in 2002.
Renteria was selected the Series MVP for his clutch hit. He batted .412 (7-for-17) with two home runs and six RBIs during the five game set.
Congrats to Freddy Sanchez and Javier Lopez, too, for winning rings after serving time with the Buccos; talk about rags to riches. Guess Brian Sabean isn't missing Tim Alderson, Joe Martinez and John Bowker too much right about now.
Scoreless into the seventh - neither team got a runner to second over six - the G-Men broke through. Cody Ross had a leadoff single, and Juan Uribe followed with another hit up the middle.
Aubrey Huff laid down the first sacrifice bunt of his career, but Lee got a big out by whiffing Pat Burrell. Then Renteria sent a drive that kept carrying and landed over the left-center field wall.
Nelson Cruz's seventh-inning home run provided Texas with its only run of the evening.
The Giants earned their sixth title overall, their first since 1954 and the move to SF. Since then, the Willie Mays - Willie McCovey - Juan Marichal team lost in seven in 1962, and the Barry Bongs club did the same in 2002.
Renteria was selected the Series MVP for his clutch hit. He batted .412 (7-for-17) with two home runs and six RBIs during the five game set.
Congrats to Freddy Sanchez and Javier Lopez, too, for winning rings after serving time with the Buccos; talk about rags to riches. Guess Brian Sabean isn't missing Tim Alderson, Joe Martinez and John Bowker too much right about now.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Monday Morsels
-- A little winter ball news: Lastings Milledge has started playing in Venezuela and is 6-for-14 so far; Sean Gallagher has walked 10 batters in 11 innings in the VWL; Josh Harrison has a .333 BA and .593 slugging average for Mesa in Arizona, with ten of his 18 hits going for extra bases; Andy LaRoche is hitting .146 for Bravos de Margarita; Charlie Morton has pitched four scoreless innings in the Dominican with 5 K's, and Aaron Pribanic has yet to be scored on in 8 innings in Arizona.
-- The Pirates have released their 2011 spring training schedule. It starts with the Bucs annual charity game against State College of Florida (formerly Manatee CC) on February 25th.
Then Pittsburgh will open its 34-game spring slate against the Rays in Port Charlotte on Saturday the 26th. The Rays will then travel to Bradenton the following day to face the Pirates in Pittsburgh's home opener. Pittsburgh will close out the spring with two games with Philly at Citizens Bank Park on March 29th and 30th.
The Pirates' season opener is on April Fools Day against the Cubs; 'nuff said about that bit of scheduling.
-- Wonder why the FO has staked its future on adding players like Jamison Taillon, Stetson Allie, Luis Hereda, Zack von Rosenberg, Billy Cain, Rudy Owens, Bryan Morris, Brad Lincoln and all the other young arms in the organization instead of looking for more Pedros?
It could be that the current World Series template has something to do with it. SF was only eighth in the NL in runs scored, but first in MLB in ERA. As the Pirates found out in the trade market, pitching is the one thing no team ever has too much of or gives up; it's much easier to find a bat.
-- Bud Selig told the press that he'd consider adding another wild card team to the playoffs in the future. The kicker is that none of the owners will accept a shorter season, and shoehorning an extra series is a very daunting exercise in scheduling.
-- The Pirates have released their 2011 spring training schedule. It starts with the Bucs annual charity game against State College of Florida (formerly Manatee CC) on February 25th.
Then Pittsburgh will open its 34-game spring slate against the Rays in Port Charlotte on Saturday the 26th. The Rays will then travel to Bradenton the following day to face the Pirates in Pittsburgh's home opener. Pittsburgh will close out the spring with two games with Philly at Citizens Bank Park on March 29th and 30th.
The Pirates' season opener is on April Fools Day against the Cubs; 'nuff said about that bit of scheduling.
-- Wonder why the FO has staked its future on adding players like Jamison Taillon, Stetson Allie, Luis Hereda, Zack von Rosenberg, Billy Cain, Rudy Owens, Bryan Morris, Brad Lincoln and all the other young arms in the organization instead of looking for more Pedros?
It could be that the current World Series template has something to do with it. SF was only eighth in the NL in runs scored, but first in MLB in ERA. As the Pirates found out in the trade market, pitching is the one thing no team ever has too much of or gives up; it's much easier to find a bat.
-- Bud Selig told the press that he'd consider adding another wild card team to the playoffs in the future. The kicker is that none of the owners will accept a shorter season, and shoehorning an extra series is a very daunting exercise in scheduling.
G-Men A Step Away
Madison Bumgarner allowed three hits over eight innings and struck out six, while Aubrey Huff and Buster Posey homered as San Francisco beat the Rangers 4-0 tonight. Bumgarner didn’t allow a runner past second base as the Giants took a 3-1 lead in the Series.
Bumgarner and Posey became the first rookie battery to start in the Series since Spec Shea and Yogi Berra of the Yankees in 1947. The Giants become the first team to post two shutouts in a World Series since the Baltimore Orioles threw three straight to close out the LA Dodgers in 1966.
The victory put SF within one win of the Giants’ first World Series title since 1954. Tim Lincecum pitches for the Giants against Cliff Lee tomorrow.
Ex-Bucco Freddy Sanchez was held hitless, but started two DPs and made a web gem leaping grab of Jeff Francoeur's line drive in the second. Steady Freddy is hitting .278 during the Series.
Bumgarner and Posey became the first rookie battery to start in the Series since Spec Shea and Yogi Berra of the Yankees in 1947. The Giants become the first team to post two shutouts in a World Series since the Baltimore Orioles threw three straight to close out the LA Dodgers in 1966.
The victory put SF within one win of the Giants’ first World Series title since 1954. Tim Lincecum pitches for the Giants against Cliff Lee tomorrow.
Ex-Bucco Freddy Sanchez was held hitless, but started two DPs and made a web gem leaping grab of Jeff Francoeur's line drive in the second. Steady Freddy is hitting .278 during the Series.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Rangers Use Longball, Lewis To Get Back In Series
Colby Lewis and the Texas Rangers beat the San Francisco Giants last night, 4-2, in Arlington to cut the SF's lead in the World Series to 2-games-to-1.
Lewis allowed five hits in 7-2/3 innings and struck out six. Tow of the hits were solo homers surrendered to Cody Ross and Andres Torres.
They were more than offset by
Mitch Moreland, who hit a second inning three-run homer, and Josh Hamilton, who added a blast in the fifth frame. Both bombs were served up by Jonathan Sanchez.
A reclamation project who pitched in Japan for a couple of seasons, Lewis has beaten the Yankees twice, won three games, and compiled an ERA of 1.71 in four playoff starts.
Tommy Hunter takes on Madison Bumgarner in Game 4 tonight.
Lewis allowed five hits in 7-2/3 innings and struck out six. Tow of the hits were solo homers surrendered to Cody Ross and Andres Torres.
They were more than offset by
Mitch Moreland, who hit a second inning three-run homer, and Josh Hamilton, who added a blast in the fifth frame. Both bombs were served up by Jonathan Sanchez.
A reclamation project who pitched in Japan for a couple of seasons, Lewis has beaten the Yankees twice, won three games, and compiled an ERA of 1.71 in four playoff starts.
Tommy Hunter takes on Madison Bumgarner in Game 4 tonight.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Pirates: Right Field
This was the most up-in-the-air position on the team last season. The reason was simple: with PNC Park's left field dimensions, the suits decided that a dual-CF approach was the road to take.
So the RF spot was the corner for a thunder stick, but no matter how hard they tried, the FO couldn't find anyone to fill the bill.
First, Brandon Moss, 27, was thought to be the answer. He wasn't, and is probably not going to earn a spot on the 40-man roster this year. Ryan Church, 32, was given ample opportunity for PT; instead he got a ticket to Arizona.
Lastings Milledge, 25, was moved over from left when Jose Tabata arrived, but hasn't shown the power or glove to be a comfortable fit. Ryan Doumit, 29, got his moment in the sun, John Bowker, 27, got an audition in September, and Alex Presley, 25, sipped a cup of coffee with mixed results. Delwyn Young, 28, got a spot start or three.
The verdict? Garrett Jones, 29, is probably the best answer right now. And he has a split that begs for a RH bat to platoon with in front of the Clemente Wall. But he may remain at first base in 2011, too. Aye carumba!
With the talent on hand and assuming no off-season moves, the best scenario is a platoon between Jones (.262/15/59 in 424 AB vs RHP in 2010) and Milledge (.320/4/17 in 125 AB vs LHP in 2010). The fielding is the difference maker; Jones had a -3.5 UZR/150 and Milledge a -4.1 rating, vastly superior to Bowker (-17) and Dewey (-40). And Thrilledge is the only RH hitter in the bunch.
But if Jones sticks at first, Bowker and Doumit offer comparable sticks as platoon players: Bowker's line against lefties in his career is .248/17/68 in 491 AB; Doumit's is .282/11/35 after 277 AB in 2010.
We like Presley, but as a fourth-outfielder type, where his speed and punch-and-judy offense play better off the bench. One-year wonders are more common than guys that suddenly saw the light; next season should show which category Presley's 2010 season falls in.
Moss had a nice AAA year, but didn't appear any better suited for MLB duty in September than he did in March.
Their contract years are ticking away, too: All but Presley are out of options, while Milledge and Young are up for arbitration. Both are on the bubble but should return; the price is right and no one is really pushing them from within the organization.
For the Pirates to maximize what they now have, it's key that they utilize a platoon system. JR, for whatever reason, was lukewarm to the concept, and cost himself some production by his dartboard lineup choices.
As for the fielding, well, the new skipper will hopefully value versatility a little less than consistency and try to get guys in their everyday positions during the spring instead of waiting until mid-season.
There is no help on the horizon; Gorkys Hernandez, 23, is the most MLB ready, and he's a speedy top of the order CF/LF candidate; Sterling Marte, who turned 22 this month, may migrate to a corner, but he is still at least a couple of seasons removed from the show and has yet to show much power at the plate.
Andrew Lambo, 22, Quincy Latimore, 21, and Rogelios Noris, 20, are the best of the true minor league corners. Latimore and Noris hit from the right side, an added bonus. All have youth, the ability to launch a baseball, and time on their side right now. That may not be true in a couple more seasons, as none is a slam dunk to reach PNC Park.
Robbie Grossman, 20, a sixth round high-school pick in 2007, may also fit into the mix. He played center at Bradenton last year, although he's probably slated for a corner position. Grossman struck out too much and showed little muscle, but he's young for a High A player and may still develop.
Another possibility is Exicardo Cayones, the 19 year old (he turned 19 in October) Mexican OF signed for $400K in 2008. He's just beginning his pro career and seems destined more as a LF type in Pittsburgh. Cayones has shown no power yet, but that's not unexpected for an kid who playing pro ball as an 18 year old.
The Bucs could use some outside help to solidify right field. Assuming that they're not looking at Jayson Werth, guys like Jonny Gomes or Jason Kubel would make sense; unfortunately, both had their options picked up. That leaves a slim group led by Austin Kearns available on the market.
In lieu of a free agent, resolving both Doumit's status and the first base logjam would at least limit the options a bit and help set the lineup in 2011.
So the RF spot was the corner for a thunder stick, but no matter how hard they tried, the FO couldn't find anyone to fill the bill.
First, Brandon Moss, 27, was thought to be the answer. He wasn't, and is probably not going to earn a spot on the 40-man roster this year. Ryan Church, 32, was given ample opportunity for PT; instead he got a ticket to Arizona.
Lastings Milledge, 25, was moved over from left when Jose Tabata arrived, but hasn't shown the power or glove to be a comfortable fit. Ryan Doumit, 29, got his moment in the sun, John Bowker, 27, got an audition in September, and Alex Presley, 25, sipped a cup of coffee with mixed results. Delwyn Young, 28, got a spot start or three.
The verdict? Garrett Jones, 29, is probably the best answer right now. And he has a split that begs for a RH bat to platoon with in front of the Clemente Wall. But he may remain at first base in 2011, too. Aye carumba!
With the talent on hand and assuming no off-season moves, the best scenario is a platoon between Jones (.262/15/59 in 424 AB vs RHP in 2010) and Milledge (.320/4/17 in 125 AB vs LHP in 2010). The fielding is the difference maker; Jones had a -3.5 UZR/150 and Milledge a -4.1 rating, vastly superior to Bowker (-17) and Dewey (-40). And Thrilledge is the only RH hitter in the bunch.
But if Jones sticks at first, Bowker and Doumit offer comparable sticks as platoon players: Bowker's line against lefties in his career is .248/17/68 in 491 AB; Doumit's is .282/11/35 after 277 AB in 2010.
We like Presley, but as a fourth-outfielder type, where his speed and punch-and-judy offense play better off the bench. One-year wonders are more common than guys that suddenly saw the light; next season should show which category Presley's 2010 season falls in.
Moss had a nice AAA year, but didn't appear any better suited for MLB duty in September than he did in March.
Their contract years are ticking away, too: All but Presley are out of options, while Milledge and Young are up for arbitration. Both are on the bubble but should return; the price is right and no one is really pushing them from within the organization.
For the Pirates to maximize what they now have, it's key that they utilize a platoon system. JR, for whatever reason, was lukewarm to the concept, and cost himself some production by his dartboard lineup choices.
As for the fielding, well, the new skipper will hopefully value versatility a little less than consistency and try to get guys in their everyday positions during the spring instead of waiting until mid-season.
There is no help on the horizon; Gorkys Hernandez, 23, is the most MLB ready, and he's a speedy top of the order CF/LF candidate; Sterling Marte, who turned 22 this month, may migrate to a corner, but he is still at least a couple of seasons removed from the show and has yet to show much power at the plate.
Andrew Lambo, 22, Quincy Latimore, 21, and Rogelios Noris, 20, are the best of the true minor league corners. Latimore and Noris hit from the right side, an added bonus. All have youth, the ability to launch a baseball, and time on their side right now. That may not be true in a couple more seasons, as none is a slam dunk to reach PNC Park.
Robbie Grossman, 20, a sixth round high-school pick in 2007, may also fit into the mix. He played center at Bradenton last year, although he's probably slated for a corner position. Grossman struck out too much and showed little muscle, but he's young for a High A player and may still develop.
Another possibility is Exicardo Cayones, the 19 year old (he turned 19 in October) Mexican OF signed for $400K in 2008. He's just beginning his pro career and seems destined more as a LF type in Pittsburgh. Cayones has shown no power yet, but that's not unexpected for an kid who playing pro ball as an 18 year old.
The Bucs could use some outside help to solidify right field. Assuming that they're not looking at Jayson Werth, guys like Jonny Gomes or Jason Kubel would make sense; unfortunately, both had their options picked up. That leaves a slim group led by Austin Kearns available on the market.
In lieu of a free agent, resolving both Doumit's status and the first base logjam would at least limit the options a bit and help set the lineup in 2011.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Giants Run With Home Advantage
The San Francisco Giants took a 2-0 lead in the World Series by blanking Texas 9-0 Thursday behind the strong pitching of Matt Cain and an eighth-inning implosion by the Rangers relievers.
Cain held the Rangers to four hits in 7-2/3 shutout innings as he extended his post-season scoreless streak to 21-1/3 frames. CJ Wilson was tough, too, leaving with two outs and the bases empty in the seventh because of a blister, down 2-0.
The Texas bullpen walked four straight batters, followed by a single by Edgar Renteria, a triple by pinch-hitter Aaron Rowand and a double by Andres Torres to get the fat lady ready.
The series moves to Arlington for game three Saturday night with Colby Lewis slated to go against Jonathan Sanchez. Games four and five, if needed, will be played at Texas.
Cain held the Rangers to four hits in 7-2/3 shutout innings as he extended his post-season scoreless streak to 21-1/3 frames. CJ Wilson was tough, too, leaving with two outs and the bases empty in the seventh because of a blister, down 2-0.
The Texas bullpen walked four straight batters, followed by a single by Edgar Renteria, a triple by pinch-hitter Aaron Rowand and a double by Andres Torres to get the fat lady ready.
The series moves to Arlington for game three Saturday night with Colby Lewis slated to go against Jonathan Sanchez. Games four and five, if needed, will be played at Texas.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Thursday Olio
-- Texas coach Clint Hurdle, who is thought to be on the Pirates managerial wish-list, is also supposed to be in the running for the Mets position. He was a candidate in Seattle for the job that went to Eric Wedge.
And Bo Porter may not be such a sure thing in Florida; there's still some heavy support for interim skipper Edwin Rodriguez to get a full season behind the helm.
-- Sean Casey was noted for his gregarious nature and charitable work during his twelve year MLB career, known by the players as the "Mayor" and active with Big Brothers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and his "Casey's Crew" program.
The Upper St. Clair grad, now an analyst for the MLB Network, is still a champ of the underdog. He's aiming to raise $1M to build the county's second Field of Dreams for the Miracle League program. His will cover the South Hills, and will be built on Mayview Road in Upper St. Clair.
He's setting up a "Casey's Crew" to help fundraise; you can donate at Casey's Clubhouse. The Bucs have had a lot of great guys walk through the clubhouse; Sean Casey was among the best.
-- The Bing Crosby tape of Game 7 of the 1960 World Series will make its debut at Byham Theater on November 13th. Fans interested in tickets to the 6 PM event are asked to send an email to Game7onMLBN@mlb.com.
The event will be hosted by Bob Costas and shown on MLB Network two days later. Bill Mazeroski, Dick Groat and Bobby Richardson are scheduled to attend the event.
-- Tim Wakefield was recognized for his community service today when he was named the 2010 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award before Game #2 of the World Series. Bud Selig and Vera Clemente presented the award.
And Bo Porter may not be such a sure thing in Florida; there's still some heavy support for interim skipper Edwin Rodriguez to get a full season behind the helm.
-- Sean Casey was noted for his gregarious nature and charitable work during his twelve year MLB career, known by the players as the "Mayor" and active with Big Brothers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and his "Casey's Crew" program.
The Upper St. Clair grad, now an analyst for the MLB Network, is still a champ of the underdog. He's aiming to raise $1M to build the county's second Field of Dreams for the Miracle League program. His will cover the South Hills, and will be built on Mayview Road in Upper St. Clair.
He's setting up a "Casey's Crew" to help fundraise; you can donate at Casey's Clubhouse. The Bucs have had a lot of great guys walk through the clubhouse; Sean Casey was among the best.
-- The Bing Crosby tape of Game 7 of the 1960 World Series will make its debut at Byham Theater on November 13th. Fans interested in tickets to the 6 PM event are asked to send an email to Game7onMLBN@mlb.com.
The event will be hosted by Bob Costas and shown on MLB Network two days later. Bill Mazeroski, Dick Groat and Bobby Richardson are scheduled to attend the event.
-- Tim Wakefield was recognized for his community service today when he was named the 2010 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award before Game #2 of the World Series. Bud Selig and Vera Clemente presented the award.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Pirates: First Base
If there's one position the Bucs can strengthen from the outside, the Gateway Base would be the one.
The Pirate FO can thank its lucky stars that their trawling of the huddled masses populating baseball's twilight zone pulled up Garrett Jones, because Adam LaRoche was the only steady presence - and that was briefly - there since the latter days of Kevin Young's career. Remember Randall Simon, Brad Eldred, Daryle Ward, Sean Casey, Xavier Nady and company?
Jones, 29, proved a competent banger with 42 HR in two seasons, though his glove wasn't the caliber of LaRoche's and his hitting splits (.282/RHP/.210/LHP) screamed "platoon player." And for a spell, it looked as if that may be what was going down, although at the time, it didn't involve Jones.
The much maligned Steve Pearce, 27, a nifty gloveman and a guy that drove the ball in the minors, split time with Jeff Clement, 27, in May, and in a very small sample put together a .276/.395/.414 line while raking LHP.
Clement wasn't ready for prime time, as his .201/.237/.368 line showed, but he did bop seven homers in 144 ABs and fielded the position better than expected, considering his quick switch from catching.
Pearce had ankle and knee injuries that finished his season, and Clement went to Indy and had knee surgery of his own, necessitating Jones to jog in from right and hold the fort at first base.
The Pirates were planning on an eventual Jones/Lastings Milledge platoon in RF and Clement/Pearce tag team at first in 2010, providing a lineup with some pop against righties and decent OBP/gap power against lefties. It didn't quite work out that way, and 2011 promises to start out in flux, too.
Jones looks like the heir apparent next season through default, although both Clement and Pearce are expected to be ready for camp after their visits to the chop shop. John Bowker, 27, also got a couple of games in toward the end of the season,
The Pirates will face some make-or-break decisions in camp. Clement, Pearce and Bowker are all 27 and out of options (Jones is out of options, too), and the team risks losing whoever doesn't make the 25-man roster in 2011.
Not only do the Pirates have to hash out who to shoehorn on the roster, but they'll do it knowing that there is no immediate help on the horizon from the farm.
The Pirates were empty at the position except for Pearce in the minors before the new bosses took over. The FO recognized that and drafted first basemen Matt Hague (#9 - 2008), Calvin Anderson (#12 - 2008), Aaron Baker (#11 - 2009), Matt Curry (#16 - 2010) and Jared Lakind (#23 - 2010) in last three drafts. All but Lakind were college players; the FO hoped to fast-track them through the organization.
Hague, 25, is the best of the crop and should start out in Indy in 2011. He's got a good eye, putting the ball in play and drawing some walks (career .300 BA, 12% K rate, 9% BB rate), but is more a gap hitter than power stick. Hague's also an excellent guy with the leather.
The Oklahoma State grad had 15 HR and 81 RBI for the Curve last season, and has to keep up his offensive numbers to rate a look at the show. Now he strikes us as a Steve Pearce type player, though without gaping righty-lefty splits. Still, for a power corner position, Hague hasn't shown the muscle to be a serious, every-day MLB candidate.
TCU's Matt Curry, 22, is a 6'2", 235 pound LH hitter and College World Series hero who got off to a strong start at State College last season, hitting .299/.421/.477 with 7 HR and 29 RBI, walking a lot (16%) and K'ing a lot (20%). He showed pretty good range, too. But the sample is awfully small; Curry will have to keep on at West Virginia/Bradenton next year to prove 2010 was for real.
Baker, who turned 23 in September, hit 18 HR at West Virginia with 73 RBI, but average (.253) and K's (115) are a problem, as is his defense. The lefty will have to step up his game to get on the radar; he'll have to work to hold off Curry.
Anderson, 23, is young and raw. He was drafted out of Southern University, and has moved a step at a time through the minors. Anderson shows a little pop, but the big guy (6'7", 240 pounds) struggles with the glove and with K's. He may repeat at Bradenton in 2011, as his .259/.328/.352 line and 11 HR don't suggest that he's ready for AA ball.
Lakind, 18, is a Texas high school kid who signed this year for $400K. He joined up late and got a little action in the GCL; he could be in State College next season. Lakind is projected to be a 1B/RF corner type with 20+ HR potential.
The Pirate minors don't have a guy ready to step in and play, and in fact have a little problem with Baker, Anderson, and Curry being the same age and creating a logjam at the mid-level minors, always problematic when the suits are trying to evaluate talent.
In the long term, Pedro Alvarez will likely end up the Bucco first baseman, and if the FO drafts Rice 3B Anthony Rendon as expected, that will only help to accelerate the transition. That will be a big move for the Pirate organization.
They need power out of their infield corners more than most teams because of the PNC Park layout and how they've chosen to defend its spacious pastures, using what amounts to a two-CF alignment and so removing a power bat from the LF corner.
In the short term, the team will either have to run a platoon at first or go hunting for an every-day guy. Of all the positions, outside of pitching, we believe this is the most likely spot the Pirates look to upgrade for the upcoming season.
The free agent crop includes Garrett Atkins (31), Derrek Lee (35), Adam Dunn (32), Carlos Pena (33), Nick Johnson (32), Paul Konerko (35), Jorge Cantu (29), Adam LaRoche (31), Aubrey Huff (34), Xavier Nady (32) and Lance Berkman (35).
Age isn't a problem; the Pirates are probably looking for a two or three-year deal at the longest. But some of these guys are already making big money with declining production and others are best suited as DHs, so caveat emptor. Pena is clearly the guy that should interest the FO the most; Nady could be a cheap fallback.
There may be a possibility of an interesting non-tender candidate or two; James Loney leads that class. Their deadline is December 2nd.
The Pirate FO can thank its lucky stars that their trawling of the huddled masses populating baseball's twilight zone pulled up Garrett Jones, because Adam LaRoche was the only steady presence - and that was briefly - there since the latter days of Kevin Young's career. Remember Randall Simon, Brad Eldred, Daryle Ward, Sean Casey, Xavier Nady and company?
Jones, 29, proved a competent banger with 42 HR in two seasons, though his glove wasn't the caliber of LaRoche's and his hitting splits (.282/RHP/.210/LHP) screamed "platoon player." And for a spell, it looked as if that may be what was going down, although at the time, it didn't involve Jones.
The much maligned Steve Pearce, 27, a nifty gloveman and a guy that drove the ball in the minors, split time with Jeff Clement, 27, in May, and in a very small sample put together a .276/.395/.414 line while raking LHP.
Clement wasn't ready for prime time, as his .201/.237/.368 line showed, but he did bop seven homers in 144 ABs and fielded the position better than expected, considering his quick switch from catching.
Pearce had ankle and knee injuries that finished his season, and Clement went to Indy and had knee surgery of his own, necessitating Jones to jog in from right and hold the fort at first base.
The Pirates were planning on an eventual Jones/Lastings Milledge platoon in RF and Clement/Pearce tag team at first in 2010, providing a lineup with some pop against righties and decent OBP/gap power against lefties. It didn't quite work out that way, and 2011 promises to start out in flux, too.
Jones looks like the heir apparent next season through default, although both Clement and Pearce are expected to be ready for camp after their visits to the chop shop. John Bowker, 27, also got a couple of games in toward the end of the season,
The Pirates will face some make-or-break decisions in camp. Clement, Pearce and Bowker are all 27 and out of options (Jones is out of options, too), and the team risks losing whoever doesn't make the 25-man roster in 2011.
Not only do the Pirates have to hash out who to shoehorn on the roster, but they'll do it knowing that there is no immediate help on the horizon from the farm.
The Pirates were empty at the position except for Pearce in the minors before the new bosses took over. The FO recognized that and drafted first basemen Matt Hague (#9 - 2008), Calvin Anderson (#12 - 2008), Aaron Baker (#11 - 2009), Matt Curry (#16 - 2010) and Jared Lakind (#23 - 2010) in last three drafts. All but Lakind were college players; the FO hoped to fast-track them through the organization.
Hague, 25, is the best of the crop and should start out in Indy in 2011. He's got a good eye, putting the ball in play and drawing some walks (career .300 BA, 12% K rate, 9% BB rate), but is more a gap hitter than power stick. Hague's also an excellent guy with the leather.
The Oklahoma State grad had 15 HR and 81 RBI for the Curve last season, and has to keep up his offensive numbers to rate a look at the show. Now he strikes us as a Steve Pearce type player, though without gaping righty-lefty splits. Still, for a power corner position, Hague hasn't shown the muscle to be a serious, every-day MLB candidate.
TCU's Matt Curry, 22, is a 6'2", 235 pound LH hitter and College World Series hero who got off to a strong start at State College last season, hitting .299/.421/.477 with 7 HR and 29 RBI, walking a lot (16%) and K'ing a lot (20%). He showed pretty good range, too. But the sample is awfully small; Curry will have to keep on at West Virginia/Bradenton next year to prove 2010 was for real.
Baker, who turned 23 in September, hit 18 HR at West Virginia with 73 RBI, but average (.253) and K's (115) are a problem, as is his defense. The lefty will have to step up his game to get on the radar; he'll have to work to hold off Curry.
Anderson, 23, is young and raw. He was drafted out of Southern University, and has moved a step at a time through the minors. Anderson shows a little pop, but the big guy (6'7", 240 pounds) struggles with the glove and with K's. He may repeat at Bradenton in 2011, as his .259/.328/.352 line and 11 HR don't suggest that he's ready for AA ball.
Lakind, 18, is a Texas high school kid who signed this year for $400K. He joined up late and got a little action in the GCL; he could be in State College next season. Lakind is projected to be a 1B/RF corner type with 20+ HR potential.
The Pirate minors don't have a guy ready to step in and play, and in fact have a little problem with Baker, Anderson, and Curry being the same age and creating a logjam at the mid-level minors, always problematic when the suits are trying to evaluate talent.
In the long term, Pedro Alvarez will likely end up the Bucco first baseman, and if the FO drafts Rice 3B Anthony Rendon as expected, that will only help to accelerate the transition. That will be a big move for the Pirate organization.
They need power out of their infield corners more than most teams because of the PNC Park layout and how they've chosen to defend its spacious pastures, using what amounts to a two-CF alignment and so removing a power bat from the LF corner.
In the short term, the team will either have to run a platoon at first or go hunting for an every-day guy. Of all the positions, outside of pitching, we believe this is the most likely spot the Pirates look to upgrade for the upcoming season.
The free agent crop includes Garrett Atkins (31), Derrek Lee (35), Adam Dunn (32), Carlos Pena (33), Nick Johnson (32), Paul Konerko (35), Jorge Cantu (29), Adam LaRoche (31), Aubrey Huff (34), Xavier Nady (32) and Lance Berkman (35).
Age isn't a problem; the Pirates are probably looking for a two or three-year deal at the longest. But some of these guys are already making big money with declining production and others are best suited as DHs, so caveat emptor. Pena is clearly the guy that should interest the FO the most; Nady could be a cheap fallback.
There may be a possibility of an interesting non-tender candidate or two; James Loney leads that class. Their deadline is December 2nd.
Friday
Friday could tell us a little about the Bucco skipper search, since it's the travel day for the Series, and teams traditionally don't do anything during WS game days that would deflect attention from the October Classic.
They could bring in Tony Pena then, though we think that's unlikely; he would have been interviewed at the start of the week if he was being considered. The FO could announce that one of the three remaining candidates, most likely Jeff Banister, is the new bossman.
Or they could sit on their hands, telling us that they're waiting on a series coach to free up, like the Rangers' Clint Hurdle or Giants' bench coach Ron Wotus.
They could bring in Tony Pena then, though we think that's unlikely; he would have been interviewed at the start of the week if he was being considered. The FO could announce that one of the three remaining candidates, most likely Jeff Banister, is the new bossman.
Or they could sit on their hands, telling us that they're waiting on a series coach to free up, like the Rangers' Clint Hurdle or Giants' bench coach Ron Wotus.
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