If only we had starting pitching and defense...

Two of the biggest factors in the Pirates' early season troubles are the absence of Jack Wilson and the presence of Matt Morris. In the three plus weeks since Wilson went down with a calf injury, his replacements at shortstop have committed ten errors. It usually takes Wilson about 4 or 5 months to reach that figure on his own. The Bucs desperately need him back, but he hasn't even begun a rehab assignment yet. The recent word is that the team hopes he returns for the series against the Giants on May 6. That might be optimistic.

In brighter news, the Pirates plan to recall pitcher John Van Benschoten from AAA on Sunday. The team has not yet said how he'll be used or what current player will be moved to clear a spot on the roster for him. One would have to assume that Van Benschoten will start since he is a starter and he is doing a fine job at that in Indianapolis. Therefore, especially after yet another horrendous performance tonight against the Phillies, Matt Morris would appear to be the odd man out. Tom Gorzelanny has not pitched well all year, so he could be a candidate to be sent down to the minors, but that seems unlikely, and potentially very unpopular with Pirate fans. The obstacle with Morris however, is his contract. He is guaranteed over ten million dollars this season, plus a one million dollar buyout for next year, so that would be a lot of money for the thrifty Pirates to eat. The post-Gazette website reported that a compromise is possible: Morris could retire, thus saving face by not being released, and receive a settlement of something less than the total money he is owed. That option would certainly be ideal for the Pirates, perhaps less so for Morris. However it goes down I think it's the right move for the Pirates. Even if Van Benschoten pitches like he did last year for Pittsburgh, which was very Morris-like, it would be more productive for the team in the long term to find out he's not the answer than to keep sending Morris, a player who has no future beyond this year with the Pirates, to the mound every five days. We'll see what happens.