TBS is NOT very funny

So now that the "Superstation" is playing with the big boys, broadcasting MLB games nationally, they will no longer be the home of the Atlanta Braves. This is upsetting because as a Pirates fan in California, I only get so many chances to watch my team play. With about 6 games per year against Atlanta, I could count on 3 or 4 being on TBS. Not any more. I do realize that in addition to the post-season, TBS will show a game of the week every Sunday. But seriously, what are the chances that they'll squeeze in a Pirate game? Not good. So here I am: It's Opening Day, the Pirates are playing right now (4-2 Braves in the 6th) and normally I would be watching the game on TBS. But this year I'm reduced to watching the GameCast on ESPN.com, which I actually kind of like. But sill. Anyway, enough complaining, I've got to go see if Bautista can keep the inning alive: "J Bautista grounded out to first, X Nady scored" Woo-hoo! (4-3 Braves, still in 6th)

And to those who didn't make it

Sean Burnett:

It would have been such a nice story if Burnett had made the team. The first round pick from 2000 has had quite an eventful seven plus years in the Pirate’s organization, from his flashes of brilliance in the Majors in 2004 to the multiple arm surgeries that followed and the last couple of years in the minors trying to get back to being the pitcher he once was. And then this spring, he switches from starting to relieving to better his odds of making the major league team. And he pitched phenomenally: 10 innings, I run allowed, 3 hits allowed, 2 walks and 7 strikeouts. Seriously, that’s fantastic. But management’s plan apparently was to see if Burnett could make the transition to the bullpen, in hopes of salvaging his career, which will continue in Triple-A. At first it seems harsh, to have Burnett pitch his heart out to prove himself all over again, and then send him to the minors the last couple days of Spring Training. What the Pirates actually did, in selecting Phil Dumatrait, another lefty with comparable major league experience but lesser results, over Burnett for the last bullpen spot, was keep two potential major league caliber pitchers in their organization. Burnett, not a member of the 40-man roster, has no choice but to report to the minors (unless he pulls a Duffy, and skips town). Dumatrait, an off-season waiver pickup from Cincinnati, could opt for free agency if he didn’t make the big league team. Though it certainly stings for Burnett, and for all the Bucs fans pulling for him, he’s made the short list in case the Pirates need another reliever, which I’m sure they will at some point before long.

Steve Pearce:

Pearce was sent to the Pirate’s Minor League camp weeks ago, and his chance of making the team out of Spring Training was never strong. This despite putting together a tremendous season a year ago. Pearce started in high-A ball (75 at-bats: .347 avg., 11 HRs, 24 RBIs) and advanced through AA (290 at-bats: .334, 14, 72), through AAA (122 at-bats: .320, 6, 17), all the way to Pittsburgh (68 at-bats: .294, 0, 6). An amazing run for a player we all have high hopes for. But I would much rather see him play every day in AAA this year than sit on the bench in the majors. Xavier Nady will most likely be traded by the end of July, and at that point, at least I hope, the glorious Steve Pearce era will begin.

Masumi Kuwata:

I’m usually not too sentimental (despite my obvious man-crush on Sean Burnett, and well, Freddy Sanchez and Ian Snell and…) but I couldn’t help but be moved by Kuwata’s story. Here’s a guy who was a superstar on the diamond for years in Japan. Back when he was still in his prime, he wanted strongly to play in the Major Leagues, but his team in Japan wouldn’t let him out of his contract. Years go by and now Kuwata, though with diminished skills, is finally granted the opportunity he long desired. And of all teams to sign with, he chooses Pittsburgh. So he suffers a bad ankle injury and doesn’t make the major league team in 2007, but he gladly rehabs and heads to the minors to continue his dream. Someone at the time asked him how he could go from being a superstar in Japan to riding buses across the Midwest as a minor leaguer. He responded, and I’m paraphrasing, that he was just happy to be playing baseball in America. This guy’s freakin’ awesome. Anyway, a few months pass and Kuwata gets called up to the majors. And he makes his first appearance at Yankee Stadium! He pitched fairly well for his the first few weeks, including his now infamous strikeout of Ichiro Suzuki on like a 62 MPH curveball. But then the struggles began. Hitters caught on to him and his stuff just wasn’t as good as it used to be. He ended up with some horrible statistics (which won’t be repeated here since this is a heart-warming story) by season’s end, and it looked like retirement was in store for him. But the Pirate’s offered him another contract and an invitation to Spring Training in 2008. Kuwata mulled it over and eventually accepted. Despite pitching fairly well this spring, Kuwata never really had a shot to make the team, which is understandable. But I’m glad he came back for another try. (Warning: I’m about to get extra sappy) Baseball needs more players like Masumi Kuwata. It’s refreshing to hear about a baseball player who loves the game so much he’s will to play for less money than he used and travel in worse conditions. Kuwata decided to officially retire this week. Though he made little difference in the team’s performance while he was here, it was an honor to have him nonetheless.

Pittsburgh Pirates 2008 Opening Day Roster

Pitchers:
Matt Capps
Zach Duke
Phil Dumatrait
John Grabow
Tom Gorzelanny
Paul Maholm
Damaso Marte
Evan Meek
Matt Morris
Franquelis Osoria
Ian Snell
Tyler Yates

Catchers:
Ryan Doumit
Ronny Paulino

Infielders:
Jose Bautista
Chris Gomez
Adam LaRoche
Doug Mientkiewicz
Luis Rivas
Freddy Sanchez
Jack Wilson

Outfielders:
Jason Bay
Nate McLouth
Nyjer Morgan
Xavier Nady

Pirates Preview 2008: The Outfield

I was all excited to write about Steve Pearce and where he might fit in on the Buc’s team this year, but his reassignment to the Minor League camp on Monday kind of dampened my spirit; probably Pearce’s spirit too. Though he’s out of the picture for the opening day roster, barring an injury or trade, I do expect him to up at some point this year.

As for the starters, Jason Bay will certainly be the left fielder. It’s strange how one bad year caused such a drop in his status among major league outfielders. A year ago he was considered one of the top outfielders in the league and a superstar in the making. Now he’s washed up? I think it’s a little premature for that. I fully expect Bay to return to his 2004-2006 level, so maybe a .280 average, 30 homeruns and 100 RBIs will silence the critics.

Right field seems to be set too. When healthy last year, Xavier Nady but up solid numbers and provided many clutch hits. Assuming he’s healthy this year, his numbers could approach Bay’s. However, Nady is the most likely of all Pirates to be traded, so we might not get to see those numbers in their entirety. If he’s healthy, and producing fairly well, Nady will be gone by July 31.

Center field is the only position, other than catcher, with a legitimate competition going on. (Okay, the bullpen too, but Evan Meek versus Phil Dumatrait is hardly exciting.) Nate McLouth and Nyjer Morgan are competing for the starting job. Early on it seemed that if McLouth won the job, Morgan would start the year in AAA, since he’s less experienced and in more need of regular playing time. Assuming that option plays out, coupled with the departure of Pearce and part-time outfielder Ryan Doumit battling Ronny Paulino for the catcher’s job, who does that leave as reserve outfielders? Kevin Thompson? That’s it? So, I think this competition will not end when the season begins. I expect McLouth and Morgan to share time in center, pretty evenly. This gives the team a solid fourth outfielder and perhaps even raises the competitive spirit on the team a bit. Whoever eventually winds up as the regular will have to make way for Andrew McCutchen by next year, so…

2008: LF Bay, CF McLouth/Morgan, RF Nady

2009: LF Morgan, CF McCutchen, RF Pearce ?

Spring Training Musings

Arrogant Yankees to play 59 year old actor against Pirates:

Having the highest payroll in professional sports and having won 26 World Championships apparently just isn’t enough for the vaulted New York Yankees. Now they’ve got to rub it in our perennially losing faces. So Billy Crystal signed a one day contract with New York and the Yankees figure playing him against Pittsburgh is their best bet to make their comedic golden boy look good. Oh, we’ll see. Paul Maholm’s gonna show them a thing or two. But seriously, I’m not sure what I would do if I were Maholm. Spring Training is important. I’m sure Maholm does not want to waste any opportunity to get in shape for the season and worrying about facing Crystal could affect his mental approach to the game. Do you pitch to Crystal like you would any other hitter? Do you lay one in there for him? Or do you throw one up and in as payback for My Giant? We shall see.

Duke receives pay cut; Savings to help offset money wasted on Jim Tracy’s staff:

Though it was only a decrease of $10,000, Zach Duke’s pay cut this season seems unusual to me. Usually when this happens in the pre-arbitration period of a player’s career it’s because said player missed a significant amount of playing time the previous year(s). Duke did miss a small chunk last year and his performance was uninspiring, but giving a cut to a young player the team still has hopes for strikes me as odd. Perhaps they’re hoping it will work as motivation, but knowing the Pirates, it was probably just penny pinching.

Now, to contradict my last statement…

Already this offseason, the Pirates have signed Freddy Sanchez to a multi-year contract extension and engaged in talks with closer Matt Capps, first baseman Adam LaRoche and pitcher Ian Snell. These are actually three young players that I feel are vital to the team’s success over the next few years. All three could be had for below market value if they are signed. I don’t expect all will be, at least not before the next offseason, but the fact that these extensions are even being considered reeks of smart player management. Maybe the new management is actually not like the old management. One can only hope.

Pirates Preview 2008: The Infield

So I really meant to have the entire Pirates preview up before Spring Training games started. However, my wife and I took an awesome vacation for about ten days in February and upon our return, I developed a debilitating addiction to PackRat on Facebook. Though not fully recovered from said addiction, I’ve decided to press on with the preview.

The starting infield appears to be set with Adam LaRoche at first, Freddy Sanchez at second, Jack Wilson at short and Jose Bautista at third:

LaRoche got off to a horrible start last year. Absolutely horrible. Though perennially a slow starter, I definitely expect a better first half this year. My guess at final stats: .285, 28 homers, 105 RBIs.

Sanchez has not disappointed yet, so for all I know he’ll hit .400. Though .315 with 80 some RBIs might be more realistic.

Jack Wilson’s great, but I hope he’s hitting eighth this year. Despite a hot final couple months last year, I see Jack pulling in a more standard .270 with a dozen homers.

Baustista should continue to see some across the board improvement. He sacrificed some power last year and became an overall better hitter, as his strikeouts dropped considerably and his average increased slightly. I think he’s going to continue to become even better and could go as high as a .280 average this year with 20 homers.

Barring injury, I can’t imagine anyone currently on the roster ousting one of these four. Even if Neil Walker tears the cover off the ball in Spring Training, he’s still heading to Triple-A to get some more work in at third base. So I guess the real question is the bench.

Since he’s signed for one million dollars, and he has experience at multiple positions, Chris Gomez should make the team. He’s old and he’s a weak hitter, and to be honest, he might be a step down from Jose Hernandez, but he’s a competent fielder. I just hope he’s not thrust into the starting lineup for an extended period for any reason. That would be bad.

Earlier in the year I figured Josh Wilson would have a good shot at making the team as another utility infielder. He still might, but with non-roster invitee Doug Mankiewicz playing well, even practicing at third, and showing good leadership, Josh Wilson’s status is in doubt. Though Mankiewicz seems like a good guy, he really needs to impress across the board to have good shot. His experience at first base means very little with LaRoche, a solid fielder himself, firmly planted there. And with Ryan Doumit and Xavier Nady having experience at first as well, you have to ask if a roster spot is worth a second bench coach. I would expect Wilson or someone like Luis Rivas to get the call, especially if Sanchez is not ready to go. He hasn’t played the field yet, as he recovers from off-season shoulder surgery, but if Sanchez is fully healed and playing well, and no other starters are ailing, expect Gomez and Josh Wilson to be riding the pine in Atlanta on March 31.