There's some scuttlebutt surrounding the Pirates, though shockingly it's not in the free agent market.
Actually, for anyone looking for the Pirates to sign a free agent – don't. At least not until all of the big names (i.e. Teixiera, Rodriguez, Ramirez) are long gone. From there, teams will figure how much they have left to spend and the second-and-third tier guys will down to the Pirates' neighborhood.
These rumors once again surround trading shortstop Jack Wilson. Two teams are at the forefront – Detroit and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Both have been in the running in the past and both are there once again.
It's been rumored that the Pirates want to trade for Marlins backup catcher Matt Treanor, then ship he and Wilson to Detroit.
Wilson's name has now resurfaced with the Dodgers. Wilson, who is to make $7 million in 2009 with a club option for 2010, has been rumored in a trade for shortstop Chin-Lung Hu. Hu batted .181 with no homers, 9 RBI in 65 games last season. In six minor league seasons, Hu had a .298 average with 37 homers and 225 RBI in 556 games.
Here's hoping Pirates' GM Neal Huntington doesn't overvalue Wilson, who is only 30 but whose play has slipped along with his health. This isn't late July and teams aren't going to be trigger-happy and overpay for a weak-hitting infielder with slowly diminishing range who has trouble staying on the field.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
More from India
There's actually a scouting report on the two pitchers the Pirates signed out of India Monday. Here is the link:
http://eastwindupchronicle.com/scouting-reports-on-rinku-singh-and-dinesh-patel/
http://eastwindupchronicle.com/scouting-reports-on-rinku-singh-and-dinesh-patel/
Monday, November 24, 2008
Pirates sign two pitchers from ... India?
Yes, you read correctly, India? That baseball hotbed ... India?
This smacks of only the Pirates could do something like this.
The Pirates signed two pitchers on Monday – Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel – both 20-year-olds from India.
But it's not as if your Buccos found these two guys playing at some U.S. college or high school. No, they were noticed on, of all things, a reality television show. The show called "Million Dollar Arm" find someone who could throw strikes at 85 miles per hour and above.
The best part is, it's not even like the Pirates got one of the winning pitchers from this game show. Neither guy won. Now that is following in true Pirates tradition.
Still, these guys found their way to the U.S. and eventually worked out for 30 major league scouts. The Pirates eventually signed the players. Patel is 5-11, 185 pounds who can throw 90 miles per hour and Singh is 6-2, 195 who only threw 84 at the workout.
“The Pirates are committed to creatively adding talent to our organization,” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said in the Associated Press story. “By adding these two young men, the Pirates are pleased to not only add two prospects to our system but also hope to open a pathway to an untapped market. We are intrigued by Patel’s arm strength and Singh’s frame and potential.”
Uh huh.
Well, good luck to the young men. And who knows, in a country of one billion people, perhaps the Pirates found the best two pitchers there who will turn into the next great major leaguers.
Oh, wait, it's the Pirates, never mind.
This smacks of only the Pirates could do something like this.
The Pirates signed two pitchers on Monday – Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel – both 20-year-olds from India.
But it's not as if your Buccos found these two guys playing at some U.S. college or high school. No, they were noticed on, of all things, a reality television show. The show called "Million Dollar Arm" find someone who could throw strikes at 85 miles per hour and above.
The best part is, it's not even like the Pirates got one of the winning pitchers from this game show. Neither guy won. Now that is following in true Pirates tradition.
Still, these guys found their way to the U.S. and eventually worked out for 30 major league scouts. The Pirates eventually signed the players. Patel is 5-11, 185 pounds who can throw 90 miles per hour and Singh is 6-2, 195 who only threw 84 at the workout.
“The Pirates are committed to creatively adding talent to our organization,” Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said in the Associated Press story. “By adding these two young men, the Pirates are pleased to not only add two prospects to our system but also hope to open a pathway to an untapped market. We are intrigued by Patel’s arm strength and Singh’s frame and potential.”
Uh huh.
Well, good luck to the young men. And who knows, in a country of one billion people, perhaps the Pirates found the best two pitchers there who will turn into the next great major leaguers.
Oh, wait, it's the Pirates, never mind.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Torres calls it quits
In a surprise move Tuesday, former Pirates closer Salomon Torres retired from the Milwaukee Brewers.
The 37-year-old Torres emerged as the Brewers closer last season after Eric Gagne lost his job and recorded 28 saves, including a 27-for-32 stretch after replacing Gane May 24. He also had a 7-5 record with a 3.49 ERA.
Torres still lives near Pittsburgh with his wife Belkis and his three children.
"While I still have great passion and energy for the game of baseball, I feel that the time has come to redirect that passion and energy to my family and God."
Torres was always a good player and good guy to talk too while with the Pirates and was one of the most durable relief pitchers in baseball after resurrecting his career in Pittsburgh in 2002. He left the organization with a bad taste in his mouth after a squabble over a promise to help him with a Dominicann baseball academy which was never followed through on by the organization.
Here's hoping the best for Torres and his family. A good player and an even better person.
The 37-year-old Torres emerged as the Brewers closer last season after Eric Gagne lost his job and recorded 28 saves, including a 27-for-32 stretch after replacing Gane May 24. He also had a 7-5 record with a 3.49 ERA.
Torres still lives near Pittsburgh with his wife Belkis and his three children.
"While I still have great passion and energy for the game of baseball, I feel that the time has come to redirect that passion and energy to my family and God."
Torres was always a good player and good guy to talk too while with the Pirates and was one of the most durable relief pitchers in baseball after resurrecting his career in Pittsburgh in 2002. He left the organization with a bad taste in his mouth after a squabble over a promise to help him with a Dominicann baseball academy which was never followed through on by the organization.
Here's hoping the best for Torres and his family. A good player and an even better person.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
McLouth wins Gold Glove
Pirates center fielder Nate McLouth was named to the 2008 National League Gold Glove team Wednesday.
McLouth became the first Pirates player to win a Gold Glove since shortstop Jay Bell did in 1993. He is the first Pirates center fielder to win the award since Andy Van Slyke in 1992.
McLouth, 27, made one error in 386 chances this season, good for a .997 fielding percentage. His only miscue was a throwing error Sept. 23 in Milwaukee.
McLouth also made a defensive splash in his first All-Star game this summer when he became the first player in history to throw out the potential game-winning run at the plate in extra innings when he nailed Tampa Bay’s Dioner Navarro in the 11th inning.
McLouth becomes the 15th different Pirates player to win a Gold Glove. Outfielder Roberto Clemente has the most with 12, followed by second baseman Bill Mazeroski with eight. Van Slyke won five straight from 1988-92. Outfielders Barry Bonds and Dave Parker along with catcher Tony Pena each won three and shortstop Gene Alley won a pair in the mid-1960's. Others who have won one include Bell, catcher Mike LaValliare, second baseman Jose Lind and pitchers Rick Reuschel, Harvey Haddix, Bill Virdon and Bobby Shantz.
McLouth became the first Pirates player to win a Gold Glove since shortstop Jay Bell did in 1993. He is the first Pirates center fielder to win the award since Andy Van Slyke in 1992.
McLouth, 27, made one error in 386 chances this season, good for a .997 fielding percentage. His only miscue was a throwing error Sept. 23 in Milwaukee.
McLouth also made a defensive splash in his first All-Star game this summer when he became the first player in history to throw out the potential game-winning run at the plate in extra innings when he nailed Tampa Bay’s Dioner Navarro in the 11th inning.
McLouth becomes the 15th different Pirates player to win a Gold Glove. Outfielder Roberto Clemente has the most with 12, followed by second baseman Bill Mazeroski with eight. Van Slyke won five straight from 1988-92. Outfielders Barry Bonds and Dave Parker along with catcher Tony Pena each won three and shortstop Gene Alley won a pair in the mid-1960's. Others who have won one include Bell, catcher Mike LaValliare, second baseman Jose Lind and pitchers Rick Reuschel, Harvey Haddix, Bill Virdon and Bobby Shantz.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)