Thursday, February 03, 2005
Pirates discussion time
The Pirates are pursuing another outfielder via trade after losing out on the Jeromy Burnitz stakes (thank goodness) . The Bucs are pursuing the outfield upgrade because they're $7 million under their target payroll. Yet I have to wonder: what exactly is their plan?
Right now they have four guys capable of playing every day in the outfield and at first base -- Jason Bay, Craig Wilson, Daryle Ward, and Matt Lawton. Lawton and Bay are certain starters. So that begs the question: who's in the doghouse? It's possible they may want to platoon Ward and Wilson at 1B, and get this new outfielder -- possibly a center fielder -- to start everyday.
Now, I'm not going to argue that Aubrey Huff -- today's rumored target according to the papers -- wouldn't be nice to have. But at what cost? The Devil Rays want an "overwhelming" offer of an established pitcher and two top prospects. I say, if you buy into the Pirates' claims that their farm system pitchers are phenomenal and that they have some to spare, you are forgetting the team's history of a) horrendous luck, and b) horrendous delusions about -- and hyperbole-filled PR campaigns in support of -- their farmhands.
As for the ripple effect on playing time that an outfield upgrade would bring: well, I could go either way. I'm not sold on Daryle Ward, but it might be nice to see what he can do with that big lefty bat over a full season at PNC Park. And it seems a bit silly to add yet another outfielder to an already-crowded field that includes capable backups (and potential starters) Ben Grieve, Tike Redman and Rob Mackowiak.
Bottom line: a trade is OK if you're not giving up too much in return, and if you're getting enough of an upgrade to make a difference. I'm just not convinced that it's the right move right now. If the deal of a lifetime doesn't come along, why not bank that cash and use it later? Be a buyer instead of a seller during the season. Keep fans interested deeper into the summer. Or -- if they decide to go after Huff -- then dump Ward or Craig Wilson or something. We can get something in return for them rather than wasting these 20-30 HR types on the bench.
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Right now they have four guys capable of playing every day in the outfield and at first base -- Jason Bay, Craig Wilson, Daryle Ward, and Matt Lawton. Lawton and Bay are certain starters. So that begs the question: who's in the doghouse? It's possible they may want to platoon Ward and Wilson at 1B, and get this new outfielder -- possibly a center fielder -- to start everyday.
Now, I'm not going to argue that Aubrey Huff -- today's rumored target according to the papers -- wouldn't be nice to have. But at what cost? The Devil Rays want an "overwhelming" offer of an established pitcher and two top prospects. I say, if you buy into the Pirates' claims that their farm system pitchers are phenomenal and that they have some to spare, you are forgetting the team's history of a) horrendous luck, and b) horrendous delusions about -- and hyperbole-filled PR campaigns in support of -- their farmhands.
As for the ripple effect on playing time that an outfield upgrade would bring: well, I could go either way. I'm not sold on Daryle Ward, but it might be nice to see what he can do with that big lefty bat over a full season at PNC Park. And it seems a bit silly to add yet another outfielder to an already-crowded field that includes capable backups (and potential starters) Ben Grieve, Tike Redman and Rob Mackowiak.
Bottom line: a trade is OK if you're not giving up too much in return, and if you're getting enough of an upgrade to make a difference. I'm just not convinced that it's the right move right now. If the deal of a lifetime doesn't come along, why not bank that cash and use it later? Be a buyer instead of a seller during the season. Keep fans interested deeper into the summer. Or -- if they decide to go after Huff -- then dump Ward or Craig Wilson or something. We can get something in return for them rather than wasting these 20-30 HR types on the bench.
0 comments. Leave one!
