It's 4:24 p.m. and, according to mlb.com, Jason Bay might be headed to – the Los Angeles Dodgers?
Though Bay's name has circulated heavily in talks for the last 48 hours to Atlanta, Boston and Tampa Bay, it seems that the Dodgers have become a late player in the deal.
Though it is past the 4 p.m. deadline, it usually takes a while for trades done right at the deadline to be announced because the paperwork must be filed with the commissioner's office.
Other reports have that Bay heading to either Tampa Bay or Boston are all but dead, which could make the Dodgers' rumor more palpable.
Stay tuned
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Three hours to go plus
Nothing offically announced yet. Reportedly, Ramirez has accepted a trade to Florida. the three main players would be Ramirez to Florida, Hermida from Florida to Pittsburgh and Bay from Pittsburgh to Boston. John Grabow could also be in the mix to Boston because the Marlins traded for Arthur Rhodes this morning.
stay tuned
stay tuned
Bay on the block
As of 11 a.m., it was reportedly "50-50) that Jason Bay would be headed out of town as a part of a three-way trade with Boston and Florida though Tampa Bay is alo in the mix as part of a seperate deal. Manny Ramirez would head from Boston to Florida, which is the major component of the trade.
Bay would head to Boston along with possibly John Grabow for a package of prospects from both teams and Florida outfielder Jeremy Hermida.
Keep checking here for updates throughout the day.
Bay would head to Boston along with possibly John Grabow for a package of prospects from both teams and Florida outfielder Jeremy Hermida.
Keep checking here for updates throughout the day.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Does Teixeria deal mean Bay stays?
Atlanta just completed a deal sending first baseman Mark Teixeria to the Los Angeles Angels for Casey Kotchman and a minor leaguer.
Now that it appears that the Braves are in "sell" mode, it would seem unlikely that Jason Bay would be headed there any time soon.
Bay was rumored to be headed to Atlanta over the weekend, according to mlb.com, which said a deal was on the table but Pirates ownership shot the deal down. According to other published reports, the Pirates deny both sides of that report.
If the Braves are indeed sellers, the likelihood they would after Bay before the deadline would be almost nil.
That doesn't mean that Bay won't land elsewhere, but indications are that management will hold onto Bay at least until the Winter Meetings where Bay could be traded for more major-league ready talent rather than prospects.
Now that it appears that the Braves are in "sell" mode, it would seem unlikely that Jason Bay would be headed there any time soon.
Bay was rumored to be headed to Atlanta over the weekend, according to mlb.com, which said a deal was on the table but Pirates ownership shot the deal down. According to other published reports, the Pirates deny both sides of that report.
If the Braves are indeed sellers, the likelihood they would after Bay before the deadline would be almost nil.
That doesn't mean that Bay won't land elsewhere, but indications are that management will hold onto Bay at least until the Winter Meetings where Bay could be traded for more major-league ready talent rather than prospects.
Monday, July 28, 2008
LaRoche, Sanchez out
Both first baseman Adam LaRoche and second baseman Freddy Sanchez were out of Monday's starting lineups due to injuries they sustained during Sunday's 3-1 loss to San Diego.
LaRoche is out with a strained ribcage muscle and he could be out more than just a day or two. Depending on the severity, injuries like that tend to take more time to heal which could lead to a week or more without LaRoche and possibly a stint on the disabled list.
Sanchez is out with lower back spasms.
Shortstop Jack Wilson, who has been batting either eighth or ninth the majority of the season, moved up to second in the order Monday in the series opener against Colorado. Chris Gomez played second and batted ninth. Doug Mientkiewicz started at first base and batted fifth and Jose Bautista was back in the lineup at third base and batted seventh.
LaRoche is out with a strained ribcage muscle and he could be out more than just a day or two. Depending on the severity, injuries like that tend to take more time to heal which could lead to a week or more without LaRoche and possibly a stint on the disabled list.
Sanchez is out with lower back spasms.
Shortstop Jack Wilson, who has been batting either eighth or ninth the majority of the season, moved up to second in the order Monday in the series opener against Colorado. Chris Gomez played second and batted ninth. Doug Mientkiewicz started at first base and batted fifth and Jose Bautista was back in the lineup at third base and batted seventh.
JVB gone, not forgotten
For seemingly the 10th time this season (actually, I really did lose track), John Van Benschoten had yet another horrific start which ultimately led to yet another demotion to the minor leagues.
There are those that say the Pirates should just give up on Van Benschoten. Well, they are, but only as a starter.
Pirates general manager Neal Huntington is giving good ol' JVB one more chance as a relief pitcher. The feeling is maybe he can get some guys out in shorter stints rather than trying to stretch him out over five, six-plus innings.
“There are numerous relievers in the major leagues who didn’t make it as starters,” Huntington said.
Here's hoping that is true for JVB, a good guy who was put into a pretty tough spot by the previous two idiot regimes, mainly by Cam Bonifay who decided to take the premier power hitter in Division-I baseball his senior year and make him a pitcher.
There are those that say the Pirates should just give up on Van Benschoten. Well, they are, but only as a starter.
Pirates general manager Neal Huntington is giving good ol' JVB one more chance as a relief pitcher. The feeling is maybe he can get some guys out in shorter stints rather than trying to stretch him out over five, six-plus innings.
“There are numerous relievers in the major leagues who didn’t make it as starters,” Huntington said.
Here's hoping that is true for JVB, a good guy who was put into a pretty tough spot by the previous two idiot regimes, mainly by Cam Bonifay who decided to take the premier power hitter in Division-I baseball his senior year and make him a pitcher.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Statement from Coonelly on trade
Here is a statement from Pirates president Frank Coonelly on Saturday's Pirates-Yankees trade:
The trade of Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte today for four quality prospects from a deep New York Yankee organization was made for one and only one reason – to help us reach our objective of building a sustainable championship caliber organization. While our aggressive draft and international signing strategies are critical components of this effort, the trade market can present the opportunity to acquire multiple players who are Major League ready or much closer to contributing to the Major League Club. The value of Xavier and Damaso increased significantly this year and that increased value, along with the Yankees’ unexpected second half needs, presented us with a unique opportunity to acquire four quality young players who we coveted and who we believe can make significant contributions to the Pirates for many years to come.
The 2008 Pirate team has played hard every night for John Russell and his staff and has battled through injuries and inconsistent starting pitching. But the reality is that, despite an offense that is second in the National League in runs scored, we are 12 games out of first place in what is now the toughest division in the National League and 11 games out of the Wild Card lead and not likely to compete for a post-season berth this year. We have said from the beginning that we do not aspire to finish .500; we aspire instead to win championships again in Pittsburgh. The trade completed this morning demonstrates that we will not forgo the opportunity to continue to add the pieces that are necessary to build a championship caliber club because of the hope that we might win 82 this year.
Because they are quality individuals and were outstanding teammates, our players are understandably disappointed to see Xavier and Damaso move on to another organization. But the players on this Pirate team have demonstrated that they are true professionals and they will continue to work extremely hard to give this club a chance to win every game that it plays. This trade will also give some of our young players an opportunity to prove that they can be produce at the level necessary to contribute to a championship caliber club.
Today’s trade is not a sign that additional trades are imminent before the non-waiver trade deadline. The organization will, however, continue to evaluate aggressively any opportunity to make additions that will help build the foundation upon which we can again win championships in Pittsburgh.
The trade of Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte today for four quality prospects from a deep New York Yankee organization was made for one and only one reason – to help us reach our objective of building a sustainable championship caliber organization. While our aggressive draft and international signing strategies are critical components of this effort, the trade market can present the opportunity to acquire multiple players who are Major League ready or much closer to contributing to the Major League Club. The value of Xavier and Damaso increased significantly this year and that increased value, along with the Yankees’ unexpected second half needs, presented us with a unique opportunity to acquire four quality young players who we coveted and who we believe can make significant contributions to the Pirates for many years to come.
The 2008 Pirate team has played hard every night for John Russell and his staff and has battled through injuries and inconsistent starting pitching. But the reality is that, despite an offense that is second in the National League in runs scored, we are 12 games out of first place in what is now the toughest division in the National League and 11 games out of the Wild Card lead and not likely to compete for a post-season berth this year. We have said from the beginning that we do not aspire to finish .500; we aspire instead to win championships again in Pittsburgh. The trade completed this morning demonstrates that we will not forgo the opportunity to continue to add the pieces that are necessary to build a championship caliber club because of the hope that we might win 82 this year.
Because they are quality individuals and were outstanding teammates, our players are understandably disappointed to see Xavier and Damaso move on to another organization. But the players on this Pirate team have demonstrated that they are true professionals and they will continue to work extremely hard to give this club a chance to win every game that it plays. This trade will also give some of our young players an opportunity to prove that they can be produce at the level necessary to contribute to a championship caliber club.
Today’s trade is not a sign that additional trades are imminent before the non-waiver trade deadline. The organization will, however, continue to evaluate aggressively any opportunity to make additions that will help build the foundation upon which we can again win championships in Pittsburgh.
Trade update, Pearce recalled
In the wake of the Xavier Nady-Damaso Marte trade, the Pirates have recalled outfielder Steve Pearce and it looks as if the call-up is more than a temporary move.
The 25-year-old rookie spent a week earlier this season with the Pirates and was also with the team last September. He was in the starting lineup in right field Saturday.
In 93 games with Indianapolis, Pearce batted .258 with 11 home runs and 58 RBI. He was also third in the International League with 26 doubles.
Last season he hit .294 with five doubles, a triple and six RBI in 23 games with the Pirates. That culminated a whirlwind season for Pearce in which he was promoted from Lynchburg to Altoona to Indianapolis and eventually to Pittsburgh.
He was the Pirates Minor League Player of the Year after batting .328 with 31 home runs and 119 RBI over the three levels.
The 25-year-old rookie spent a week earlier this season with the Pirates and was also with the team last September. He was in the starting lineup in right field Saturday.
In 93 games with Indianapolis, Pearce batted .258 with 11 home runs and 58 RBI. He was also third in the International League with 26 doubles.
Last season he hit .294 with five doubles, a triple and six RBI in 23 games with the Pirates. That culminated a whirlwind season for Pearce in which he was promoted from Lynchburg to Altoona to Indianapolis and eventually to Pittsburgh.
He was the Pirates Minor League Player of the Year after batting .328 with 31 home runs and 119 RBI over the three levels.
Pirates-Yankees deal done, with changes
The Pirates and Yankees finalized their six-player trade early Saturday afternoon although not without some changes from the originally published deal.
Originally, sources had the Pirates acquiring outfielder Jose Tabata and pitchers Ross Ohlendorf, Phil Coke and George Kontos for outfielder Xavier Nady and relief pitcher Damaso Marte.
The new and finalized deal still has Tabata and Ohlendorf but adds triple-A starting pitchers Jeff Karstens and Daniel McCutchen to replace Coke and Kontos.
According to MLB.com, the Pirates and Yankees agreed upon a list of prospects for the Pirates to choose from, which was different than those outlined in original deal.
Originally, sources had the Pirates acquiring outfielder Jose Tabata and pitchers Ross Ohlendorf, Phil Coke and George Kontos for outfielder Xavier Nady and relief pitcher Damaso Marte.
The new and finalized deal still has Tabata and Ohlendorf but adds triple-A starting pitchers Jeff Karstens and Daniel McCutchen to replace Coke and Kontos.
According to MLB.com, the Pirates and Yankees agreed upon a list of prospects for the Pirates to choose from, which was different than those outlined in original deal.
"While the core components of the deal were in place early Friday evening, negotiations on the final package of players coming to Pittsburgh extended into the early morning hours of Saturday and were not finalized until late Saturday morning," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said.
Friday, July 25, 2008
In the Army now
Two Pirates prospects are leaving the organization and it has nothing to do with the trade deadline.
Outfielder Cole White and catcher Chris Simmons, two players drafted last month out of the United State Military Academy at West Point who are currently playing with State College, have been ordered by the government to report to duty to fulfill their military commitments.
The U.S. Army revised the U.S. Department of Defense Alternative Service Option earlier this month and said that soldiers must give two years of military service before applying for release to pursue professional sports careers.
“The Department of Defense changed their approach on this and since they’re the government they can do that,” said Pirates Director of Player Development Kyle Stark. “Both guys are reporting within the next week.”
White, drafted in the 42nd round, was the Spikes’ best hitter this season. In 19 games he batted .366 with a home run and nine RBI. Simmons, selected in the 41st round, batted .258 with no home runs and four RBI in eight games.
The change in military policy made national headlines when Caleb Campbell, a seventh round pick of the Detroit Lions, had to report back to duty the day before training camp started.
Both players will leave by the end of the weekend. Stark isn’t sure when the players will return.
“We’re still trying to get our hands around how the change in philosophy is going to impact what we have with these guys,” Stark said.
Two minor-leaguers suspended
Major League Baseball suspended two Pirates minor-leaguers for 50 games Friday after each tested positive for steroids.
Pitchers Roman Carrasco and Luis Figuera were suspended from their Venezuelan Summer League team. Carrasco, a 20-year-old right-handed starting pitcher, was 7-1 with a 2.82 ERA in 12 games. Figuera, a 17-year-old right-handed pitcher who has started four of the 14 games he’s pitched, is 6-2 with a 3.09 ERA.
“There’s been a tendency for some confusion with the Latin American players and we need to do a better job to educate and ensure that guys know what they are putting in their bodies,” Stark said.
Outfielder Cole White and catcher Chris Simmons, two players drafted last month out of the United State Military Academy at West Point who are currently playing with State College, have been ordered by the government to report to duty to fulfill their military commitments.
The U.S. Army revised the U.S. Department of Defense Alternative Service Option earlier this month and said that soldiers must give two years of military service before applying for release to pursue professional sports careers.
“The Department of Defense changed their approach on this and since they’re the government they can do that,” said Pirates Director of Player Development Kyle Stark. “Both guys are reporting within the next week.”
White, drafted in the 42nd round, was the Spikes’ best hitter this season. In 19 games he batted .366 with a home run and nine RBI. Simmons, selected in the 41st round, batted .258 with no home runs and four RBI in eight games.
The change in military policy made national headlines when Caleb Campbell, a seventh round pick of the Detroit Lions, had to report back to duty the day before training camp started.
Both players will leave by the end of the weekend. Stark isn’t sure when the players will return.
“We’re still trying to get our hands around how the change in philosophy is going to impact what we have with these guys,” Stark said.
Two minor-leaguers suspended
Major League Baseball suspended two Pirates minor-leaguers for 50 games Friday after each tested positive for steroids.
Pitchers Roman Carrasco and Luis Figuera were suspended from their Venezuelan Summer League team. Carrasco, a 20-year-old right-handed starting pitcher, was 7-1 with a 2.82 ERA in 12 games. Figuera, a 17-year-old right-handed pitcher who has started four of the 14 games he’s pitched, is 6-2 with a 3.09 ERA.
“There’s been a tendency for some confusion with the Latin American players and we need to do a better job to educate and ensure that guys know what they are putting in their bodies,” Stark said.
Pirates trade Nady, Marte
The Pirates made their first major trade before the deadline Friday night as outfielder Xavier Nady and relief pitcher Damaso Marte have been traded to the New York Yankees for four minor-league prospects.
The Pirates announced in the second inning that Nady and Marte had been dealt, although no other details were announced at that time pending medical clearances.
Although it has not yet been confirmed by either team, it is believed that Nady and Marte were traded for four minor-league prospects. Those players include three right-handed pitchers: Class AAA pitcher Ross Ohlendorf, double-A pitchers Phil Coke and George Kontos and double-A outfielder Jose Tabata.
Nady started Friday’s game but was removed after the first inning. Television cameras caught Marte hugging teammates in the dugout after hearing the news.
Tabata entered this season as the Yankees’ No. 3 prospect according to Baseball America and Ohlendorf their ninth-best prospect.
The Pirates announced in the second inning that Nady and Marte had been dealt, although no other details were announced at that time pending medical clearances.
Although it has not yet been confirmed by either team, it is believed that Nady and Marte were traded for four minor-league prospects. Those players include three right-handed pitchers: Class AAA pitcher Ross Ohlendorf, double-A pitchers Phil Coke and George Kontos and double-A outfielder Jose Tabata.
Nady started Friday’s game but was removed after the first inning. Television cameras caught Marte hugging teammates in the dugout after hearing the news.
Tabata entered this season as the Yankees’ No. 3 prospect according to Baseball America and Ohlendorf their ninth-best prospect.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Catching up
Due to some vacation time, along with the All-Star break, it's been a little while since I've been on the blog. All apologies to the six of you who read this.
Now, let's catch up with what I've missed over the last two weeks.
* First was the All-Star game, and congrats to Nate McLouth who had an excellent game and made a game-saving play when he threw out a runner at home in the 10th inning to preserve the 3-3 tie. McLouth also showed hustle by legging out an infield hit.
* In regular action, the starting rotation has been horrific, for lack of a better word, save for Paul Maholm, who is turning into the leader of the rotation.
Ian Snell looks clueless on the mound. Zach Duke has stayed healthy but another bat outing pushed his ERA close to 5.00. John Van Benschoten is muddling through but his ERA remains over 8.00 and Yoslan Herrera looked like a Double-A pitcher in his start when he didn't make it out of the second inning.
Only Maholm has pitched with any consistency over the last two months. He is showing why he was a No. 1 pick five years ago and looks like a true professional on the mound.
* If former GM Dave Littlefield has any question as to why he got fired last year, he needs to only look at the Pirates starting rotation and the utter lack of pitching depth in the organization as to why he was dismissed.
Herrera and Van Benschoten are NOT major-league pitchers, yet they currently make up 40 percent of the rotation because there is nothing better in any part of the organization. Even Littlefield's prized first pick – Bryan Bullington, didn't pitch in his two-week stint in Pittsburgh and was subsequently released.
* Though a 16th consecutive losing season appears on the horizon, I give manager John Russell and the players credit for continuing to play hard day in and day out.
It seems like a simple thing to say that a team should play hard every day. But if this team was under former manager Jim Tracy's watch, that four-game losing streak after the break would still be going on as his teams folded like cheap tents.
Case in point was last year when the Pirtes, 40-48 at the break, lost 14 of their first 16 games after the break and skidded to a 68-94 finish. Even if one or a number of key players get traded in the next week, I don't see the same thing happening to this team.
Now, let's catch up with what I've missed over the last two weeks.
* First was the All-Star game, and congrats to Nate McLouth who had an excellent game and made a game-saving play when he threw out a runner at home in the 10th inning to preserve the 3-3 tie. McLouth also showed hustle by legging out an infield hit.
* In regular action, the starting rotation has been horrific, for lack of a better word, save for Paul Maholm, who is turning into the leader of the rotation.
Ian Snell looks clueless on the mound. Zach Duke has stayed healthy but another bat outing pushed his ERA close to 5.00. John Van Benschoten is muddling through but his ERA remains over 8.00 and Yoslan Herrera looked like a Double-A pitcher in his start when he didn't make it out of the second inning.
Only Maholm has pitched with any consistency over the last two months. He is showing why he was a No. 1 pick five years ago and looks like a true professional on the mound.
* If former GM Dave Littlefield has any question as to why he got fired last year, he needs to only look at the Pirates starting rotation and the utter lack of pitching depth in the organization as to why he was dismissed.
Herrera and Van Benschoten are NOT major-league pitchers, yet they currently make up 40 percent of the rotation because there is nothing better in any part of the organization. Even Littlefield's prized first pick – Bryan Bullington, didn't pitch in his two-week stint in Pittsburgh and was subsequently released.
* Though a 16th consecutive losing season appears on the horizon, I give manager John Russell and the players credit for continuing to play hard day in and day out.
It seems like a simple thing to say that a team should play hard every day. But if this team was under former manager Jim Tracy's watch, that four-game losing streak after the break would still be going on as his teams folded like cheap tents.
Case in point was last year when the Pirtes, 40-48 at the break, lost 14 of their first 16 games after the break and skidded to a 68-94 finish. Even if one or a number of key players get traded in the next week, I don't see the same thing happening to this team.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Herrera gets his shot
Yoslan Herrera, a Cuban defector who the Pirates signed to a three-year, $1.92 million contract in 2007, will get his chance to pitch in the majors Saturday.
Herrera was called up from Class AA Altoona after Friday night's game. He will replace Phil Dumatrait, who went back on the disabled list after making one start Monday.
Herrera was 5-8 with a 3.11 ERA with Altoona this season. He has allowed two runs or less in seven of his last eight starts.
Also, the Pirates reinstated Franquelis Osoria off the 15-day disabled list and sent Luis Munon back to Class AA Altoona. Munoz did not pitch for the Pirates after being recalled Thursday.
Herrera was called up from Class AA Altoona after Friday night's game. He will replace Phil Dumatrait, who went back on the disabled list after making one start Monday.
Herrera was 5-8 with a 3.11 ERA with Altoona this season. He has allowed two runs or less in seven of his last eight starts.
Also, the Pirates reinstated Franquelis Osoria off the 15-day disabled list and sent Luis Munon back to Class AA Altoona. Munoz did not pitch for the Pirates after being recalled Thursday.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Bullington claimed by Indians
Bryan Bullington's career with the Pirates is officially over.
The former No. 1 pick was claimed off waivers by Cleveland Thursday, the last day that teams had a chance at Bullington. If nobody claimed him by the deadline, Bullington likely would have gone back to Pittsburgh's Class AAA Indianapolis team.
Bullington was designated or assignment on June 27. He was 0-3 with a 5.89 ERA in six major-league games. He spent two weeks with the Pirates earlier this season but never saw any action, proof that manager John Russell had absolutely no confidence to put the 27-year-old in a game.
For all of former general manager Dave Littlefield's blunders, this might be at the top of the list. Guys like B.J. Upton, Prince Fielder and Scott Kazmir also went in the first round but Littlefield took Bullington, a projected "No. 3 starter" instead.
The former No. 1 pick was claimed off waivers by Cleveland Thursday, the last day that teams had a chance at Bullington. If nobody claimed him by the deadline, Bullington likely would have gone back to Pittsburgh's Class AAA Indianapolis team.
Bullington was designated or assignment on June 27. He was 0-3 with a 5.89 ERA in six major-league games. He spent two weeks with the Pirates earlier this season but never saw any action, proof that manager John Russell had absolutely no confidence to put the 27-year-old in a game.
For all of former general manager Dave Littlefield's blunders, this might be at the top of the list. Guys like B.J. Upton, Prince Fielder and Scott Kazmir also went in the first round but Littlefield took Bullington, a projected "No. 3 starter" instead.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Pearce sent back, Snell activated
Steve Pearce's stay in Pittsburgh was a short one.
The outfielder was optioned back to Class AAA Indianapolis after Monday's 10-7 win and pitcher Ian Snell will be activated to start Tuesday's game against the Astros.
Pearce was 1-for-3 in his limited stay, doubling in his last at bat Sunday in Milwaukee.
The outfielder was optioned back to Class AAA Indianapolis after Monday's 10-7 win and pitcher Ian Snell will be activated to start Tuesday's game against the Astros.
Pearce was 1-for-3 in his limited stay, doubling in his last at bat Sunday in Milwaukee.
Nady deserves All-Star shot
First off, I firmly believe that Nate McLouth was the right choice to be the Pirates’ representative in the All-Star game. I wrote a column on the point June 29.
http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/streetstory/06-29-08-sunday-bb-column
However, I also believe that Xavier Nady should be one of the five players on the National League ballot for the last chance vote on MLB.com.
Nady entered Monday’s game with a .321 average, good for fifth in the National League. He also had 12 home runs, 53 RBI, 88 hits, 35 extra-base hits and 41 runs scored.
While four of the other five guys on the ballot have more home runs and RBI than Nady, his average is the best of the bunch by a mile.
I believe that Philadelphia’s Pat Burrell (.279-22-54), Milwaukee’s Corey Hart (.298-14-55), Houston’s Carlos Lee (.292-20-70)and New York’s David Wright (.289-17-70) are all having comparable, if not better years, San Francisco’s Aaron Rowand (.289-9-44) is not and he should have been taken off the ballot in favor of Nady.
http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/streetstory/06-29-08-sunday-bb-column
However, I also believe that Xavier Nady should be one of the five players on the National League ballot for the last chance vote on MLB.com.
Nady entered Monday’s game with a .321 average, good for fifth in the National League. He also had 12 home runs, 53 RBI, 88 hits, 35 extra-base hits and 41 runs scored.
While four of the other five guys on the ballot have more home runs and RBI than Nady, his average is the best of the bunch by a mile.
I believe that Philadelphia’s Pat Burrell (.279-22-54), Milwaukee’s Corey Hart (.298-14-55), Houston’s Carlos Lee (.292-20-70)and New York’s David Wright (.289-17-70) are all having comparable, if not better years, San Francisco’s Aaron Rowand (.289-9-44) is not and he should have been taken off the ballot in favor of Nady.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Gorzelanny sent to minors
In a bit of a surprising move, the Pirates sent starting pitcher Tom Gorzelanny to Class AAA Indianapolis.
Gorzelanny is having a bad season. He had a 6-7 record and a 6.57 ERA. On top of that, his control has been awful. He has walked 61 batters and struck out only 53.
The last straw came Friday when Gorzelanny gave up eight runs, seven earned, and 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings.
“We just haven’t seen the improvements that we want to,” Pirates manager John Russell said to reporters in Milwaukee before Saturday's game. “We’ve seen some improvement, but it’s not fair to him or the team or the organization to continue to have him try to figure things out up here.”
The Pirates have two pitchers – Phil Dumatrait on Monday and Ian Snell Tuesday – schedule to return to the starting rotation. Gorzelanny's next turn is Wednesday and it is unclear who will fill that spot.
Gorzelanny is having a bad season. He had a 6-7 record and a 6.57 ERA. On top of that, his control has been awful. He has walked 61 batters and struck out only 53.
The last straw came Friday when Gorzelanny gave up eight runs, seven earned, and 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings.
“We just haven’t seen the improvements that we want to,” Pirates manager John Russell said to reporters in Milwaukee before Saturday's game. “We’ve seen some improvement, but it’s not fair to him or the team or the organization to continue to have him try to figure things out up here.”
The Pirates have two pitchers – Phil Dumatrait on Monday and Ian Snell Tuesday – schedule to return to the starting rotation. Gorzelanny's next turn is Wednesday and it is unclear who will fill that spot.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Pearce called up – temporarily
The Pirates called up outfielder Steve Pearce from Indianapolis to take Matt Capps' spot on the roster.
Pearce batted .259 with 11 home runs and 50 RBI with Class AAA Indianapolis this season. He also batted .294 with no home runs and six RBI in 23 games late last season with the Pirates.
Pearce might not be up long, however, as both Phil Dumatrait and Ian Snell are scheduled to come off the disabled list within the next week – Dumatrait July 5 and Snell on the 8th.
Pearce batted .259 with 11 home runs and 50 RBI with Class AAA Indianapolis this season. He also batted .294 with no home runs and six RBI in 23 games late last season with the Pirates.
Pearce might not be up long, however, as both Phil Dumatrait and Ian Snell are scheduled to come off the disabled list within the next week – Dumatrait July 5 and Snell on the 8th.
Capps given break, put on DL
Pirates closer has been put on the disabled list with bursitis and tightness in his left shoulder. The injury is so severe, he will be out up to two months, though no surgery is required.
Capps has been in a major slump of late, blowing five of his last seven saves including two opportunities during this series with Cincinnati.
According to the Associated Press, Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said in a conference call with reporters that Capps doesn’t have enough range of motion in the pitching shoulder. If he continued to pitch on the sore shoulder, Capps could have got a torn labrum which would require major surgery.
“Ninety to 95 percent of pitchers that have this sort of problem, when it’s caught early like this, can go on a rehabilitation program, eliminate the range of motion deficit and go back and pitch healthy and pitch effectively,” Huntington said. “And that’s what we’re anticipating with Matt.”
Despite Capps' struggles, this is a tough blow for the Pirates, who are scrapping and clawing their way to try and stay within range of .500. It's unclear who will step into the closer's role, though Damaso Marte has to be a favorite at least in the short term.
Capps has been in a major slump of late, blowing five of his last seven saves including two opportunities during this series with Cincinnati.
According to the Associated Press, Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said in a conference call with reporters that Capps doesn’t have enough range of motion in the pitching shoulder. If he continued to pitch on the sore shoulder, Capps could have got a torn labrum which would require major surgery.
“Ninety to 95 percent of pitchers that have this sort of problem, when it’s caught early like this, can go on a rehabilitation program, eliminate the range of motion deficit and go back and pitch healthy and pitch effectively,” Huntington said. “And that’s what we’re anticipating with Matt.”
Despite Capps' struggles, this is a tough blow for the Pirates, who are scrapping and clawing their way to try and stay within range of .500. It's unclear who will step into the closer's role, though Damaso Marte has to be a favorite at least in the short term.
Capps needs a break
There are times when it is good to keep throwing a struggling player back on to the field in the hopes that he will hit/pitch his way out of a slump.
This is not one of those times.
Pirates closer Matt Capps needs a break. After Tuesday's latest debacle, he has blown five of his last seven save opportunities, all of which have been in the last month.
It's clear that something isn't right, whether it's command, control, whatever. And because of such, Capps looks like he has lost confidence in all of his pitches.
Pirates manager John Russell has been steadfast in continuing to throw Capps in the ninth in the hopes that he will work out his problems on his own.
Clearly, this strategy is not working.
If the Pirates get another save opportunity tonight or in the next series this weekend in Milwaukee, Russell needs to go to Damaso Marte and give Capps a bit of a mental break. Knowing Capps, I don't think not putting him will shatter his confidence any more than it already is. It could ulttimately, give the big closer the kick in the butt he needs to get his act together before it spins too wildly out of control.
This is not one of those times.
Pirates closer Matt Capps needs a break. After Tuesday's latest debacle, he has blown five of his last seven save opportunities, all of which have been in the last month.
It's clear that something isn't right, whether it's command, control, whatever. And because of such, Capps looks like he has lost confidence in all of his pitches.
Pirates manager John Russell has been steadfast in continuing to throw Capps in the ninth in the hopes that he will work out his problems on his own.
Clearly, this strategy is not working.
If the Pirates get another save opportunity tonight or in the next series this weekend in Milwaukee, Russell needs to go to Damaso Marte and give Capps a bit of a mental break. Knowing Capps, I don't think not putting him will shatter his confidence any more than it already is. It could ulttimately, give the big closer the kick in the butt he needs to get his act together before it spins too wildly out of control.
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