2007 Pittsburgh Pirates
The next 2007 Team Outlook is the Pirates. Many thanks to Dejan Kovacevic for writing a fine summary in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In addition, Bucco Blog always has great inside info.
Dave Littlefield's contract obligations:
C - Ronny Paulino - $0.38MM
C - Ryan Doumit - $0.38MM
1B -
2B - Freddy Sanchez - $0.38MM
SS - Jack Wilson - $5.25MM
3B - Jose Bautista - $0.38MM
IF - Jose Castillo - $0.38MM
LF - Jason Bay - $3.25MM
CF - Chris Duffy - $0.38MM
RF - Xavier Nady - $0.427MM
OF - Nate McLouth - $0.38MM
OF - Jody Gerut - $0.875MM
SP - Zach Duke - $0.38MM
SP - Ian Snell - $0.38MM
SP - Paul Maholm - $0.38MM
SP - Tom Gorzelanny - $0.38MM
SP - Yuslan Herrera -
RP - Salomon Torres - $2.6MM
RP - Mike Gonzalez - $0.38MM
RP - John Grabow - $0.38MM
RP - Jonah Bayliss - $0.38MM
RP - Matt Capps - $0.38MM
RP - Marty McLeary - $0.38MM
RP - Juan Perez - $0.38MM
RP - Josh Sharpless - $0.38MM
RP - Shane Youman - $0.38MM
Buyouts:
RF - Jeromy Burnitz - $0.7MM
RP - Damaso Marte - $0.25MM
That's about $20.5MM locked up before raises, which is impressive. The team entered the season with a $46.7MM payroll. I usually don't factor in more than $5MM for raises, but Kovacevic estimated $10MM in his article. Even throwing in a few mil for Herrera, the Bucs could have over $30MM left to spend.
25 year-old catcher Ronny Paulino hit .310 this year. If he can rediscover the power he had in 2005, the Bucs might really have something here. Plus his defense is sound. Paulino might just be keeping the seat warm, as BP's Kevin Goldstein calls Neil Walker one of the few minor league catchers with "star potential." Walker's a ways off, though, and could find his way into another position before long.
Nady will end up at first or in right, depending on who the Pirates acquire. A left-handed power hitter is the target; Kovacevic suggests Aubrey Huff. Though he hasn't played first since '97, I could see the Bucs signing Luis Gonzalez and putting him there. Trade options could include Jacque Jones, Adam Dunn, and Geoff Jenkins.
Should the Pirates shift Sanchez back to second, 3B will need some fixin'. Internal options Bautista and Castillo seem to be the favorites. As for the outfield, Gerut will try to squeeze his way in if he is recovered from knee surgery. That assumes the team offers him arbitration after his '06 medical grievance.
In Gorzelanny, Duke, and Maholm, the Pirates have a trio of promising southpaws. There's also righty Ian Snell, whose season was much better than it looked. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better young foursome outside of Florida. With Cuban defector Yuslan Herrera in the fold, the Bucs may look to trade Maholm. A couple of teams have come knocking this winter.
The idea is to use some of that free cash to add a veteran righty starter to anchor the staff. Popular names include Jason Schmidt, Gil Meche, Vicente Padilla, and Jeff Suppan according to Kovacevic. Miguel Batista or Jeff Weaver could also qualify. The return of Schmidt may be more than just a pipe dream.
The trade market could include Jason Jennings, Jake Westbrook, Jose Contreras, Jon Garland, Freddy Garcia, and Javier Vazquez. There could be a fit with the White Sox, as they're looking for relievers.
As for the bullpen, it is seen as a surplus for the Pirates. Torres is more expensive, but Gonzalez maybe more effective (and younger). Personally I'd trade one of them in hopes of getting one premium 1B or RF (Austin Kearns would've been perfect). Are Torres and Gonzalez really going to be a part of the next Pirates championship team?
It may not seem interesting to some, but I am very curious to see how this offseason unfolds for the Pirates. They usually spend their cash poorly.
There division sucks, so if they are smart with there acquisitions for the next few years they could be competitive soon.
Posted by: Kyle | October 05, 2006 at 01:08 PM
How 'bout the Braves trade Giles and Scott Thorman for Torres (and ...?)? Sanchez stays at 3B; Pirates can have Thorman at 1B or as bat off the bench. Torres works with Wickman to anchor bullpen.
Posted by: rhenderson58 | October 05, 2006 at 05:47 PM
I don't think Shawn Chacon is eligible for FA yet, they either non tender him or give him a tiny arbitration... either way could work I suppose, in reality, keeping him on and if he somehow manage to put together a half decent season he'd be an ideal trade bait.
They aren't really THAT far from competiting.. they need one more solid OBP guy and slugger and an ace...
Gonzo would be an ideal signing if the contract is right...and speaking of Jason Schidmt's return... how about... Barry Bonds!! seem to worth a gamble, and they have so much free money anyway and he should put butts in seats. and won't take a long term contract.
Bonds give them everything they really need, OBP and power... adding him alone (if he's even healthy to this year's point ) would probably give the Pirates the best offense in their division.
Posted by: Yu Hsing Chen | October 06, 2006 at 06:29 AM
wow, no pirates fans around eh?
Posted by: hirule7226 | October 06, 2006 at 06:05 PM
I'm a Braves fan, but for some reason I really like the Pirates too and I hope they can become competative soon. They should go all out to get Schmidt and if that fails, they should get Lilly. The idea of bringing Barry Bonds back might be far-fetched, but I'm sort of intrigued by it. If they could make a reasonable play for Giles, that would also help a lot. I'd say the may have to give up a young SP to get him, but it could work.
Posted by: ejruiz777 | October 10, 2006 at 03:06 AM
Sitting here wondering what the closer situation will look like in spring training Torres might have been a fluke last year
Posted by: MR | January 22, 2007 at 08:15 AM