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« Needs and Luxuries: Kansas City Royals | Main | Odds and Ends »
Pirates Aim To Extend Capps, Sanchez
According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the next Pirates GM will approach closer Matt Capps and second baseman Freddy Sanchez about multiyear contracts.
It certainly makes sense to lock up Capps. The 24 year-old is having a spectacular season, his first as the Bucs' closer. He's got a 2.04 ERA and 3.9 K/BB. Kovacevic says the plan appears to be to throw him some extra bucks in '08 in return for a discount covering his three arbitration years. I wonder whether the Red Sox will consider a similar contract offer for Jonathan Papelbon, who has the same amount of service time.
Sanchez turns 30 in December. He's hitting .312/.352/.454 this year in 570 ABs. Kovacevic believes the goal for him is to cover his final two years before free agency (2008-09). However it's not out of the question that the Bucs try to tack on 2010 as well. His current $2.75MM salary will definitely increase next year through arbitration if a multiyear pact isn't reached. I could see an offer something like two years, $10MM or three years, $18MM.
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Good signing if they can lock these two guys up. Im hoping ownership sees that Jack Wilson has to stay with the club cause he has shown he's as good if not better than what is out in the free agent market and a lot more stable then Bixler would be for next season. Im hoping andrew mccutheon is ready to make the jump to the majors next year and maybe moving Nady back to third.
Posted by: jdt58 | September 16, 2007 at 06:18 PM
Nady at third? Where he's played 18 innings in his career (dating back to 2001), none since 2005? Good luck with that.
If they can get someone to take Wilson off their hands, they'd be fools not to do it. He MIGHT be better than what's out there, but you could get similar production for MUCH less than he's getting paid.
Posted by: JerseyMetFan | September 16, 2007 at 07:05 PM
You need defensive strength up the middle to win and Wilson gives you that and some. Hes on pace to hit .300 with 12 hrs. If he hits .275,10hrs, with a steller consistant glove he is worth it no questions asked.
As far as Nady, he is often noted as being the best athlete on the team and has a decent arm. He has played a number of games of his career at first and has done quite well. So going back to third isn't that much of stretch....And this move might keep him more healthy because he consistently pulling his hamstring.
Posted by: jdt58 | September 16, 2007 at 07:34 PM
I agree that you need a strong defense (especially up the middle) to win. Unfortunately, with this strong defense, the Pirates are still terrible. They sit at 66-83 right now. They have limited room in their budget for FA acquisitions. They have a meager farm system.
My point is that the Pirates WILL NOT win in 08. Why not move Wilson and free up that money to go in another direction. Even if that missing glove costs them a few games. It's not like Wilson is bringing in many of the 22,130 people to watch their games. If the Pirates were sitting at 62-87 right now but were saving $14m over the next 2 years they would be in much better shape for the future.
Posted by: bjsguess | September 17, 2007 at 12:36 PM
Your point taken, but the pirates losing is no fault of Jack Wilson. So I don't think you break up pieces of the puzzle that obviously fit/work. Now if the Pirates can manage to get a 30-35 third baseman by working out some package deal with Wilson I say go for it. But to dump Wilson for the sake of dumping salary is something the Pirates needed to get away from 10 years ago. There are a few things that the Pirates could use, and you have to trade strength to get strength, but outside of power hitting 3b I don't see the Pirates making any major offseason trades and I especially do not see them signing any big name free agents.
I continually look at the Pirates line-up and even with the poor record cannot see them making any moves worth making(but there is always room for trade discussion that improve the team, but not glaring needs)...outside a new catcher. But in my opinion they just need a solid defensive catcher who hits .265.
1b.Larouche
2b.Sanchez
SS.Wilson
3b.Bautista(maybe nady?)
C. please sign/trade for a catcher
Lf. Bay
Cf. Mccutheon, Nady, Mcclouth
Rf. Pierce
Honestly, if jack wilson played in Boston and people got to see the defensive plays he makes plus his hustle he would be boston's favorite son.
Posted by: jdt58 | September 17, 2007 at 02:12 PM
jdt58 - very well written post - thank you.
I guess I just disagree philosophically. My belief is that teams that are rebuilding should continually trade off talent that either yields them a return of additional young players or provides salary relief (which could then be reinvested into the draft or signing younger foreign players). Fielding a team that wins 70 games but costs you $30m isn't as good as fielding a team that wins 66 games but costs you $25m. From a fans perspective the team still stinks. But you now have $5m to invest towards the future.
Your point about Wilson playing in Boston is well taken. I totally agree with you. It's the Derek Jeter effect. Us out on the West Coast just shake our heads in disbelief every time his greatness is mentioned. Derek Jeter is not THAT great. However, there is another underlying issue. Wilson in Boston represents a fraction of their budget. Even if he was a bust offensively (see Lugo, Drew, etc) the mistake is easily covered up. In Pitt there is NO room for error. Every big signing must work out optimally. I think Wilson is a fine SS but not someone you want to commit 1/6th of your team salary to.
Posted by: bjsguess | September 17, 2007 at 02:38 PM
Hey, its nice to see someone disagree philosophically without calling the other a moron.
I see both of your points...and I think Wilson is good to have, but totally depending on the price tag and the offers they get in return. While Wilson is NOT the problem in Pittsburgh, is he can net salary relief AND young talent...one must seriously weigh the options.
I still can't understand the Morris or Isturis trades...they are baffling.
Posted by: Aduncaroo | September 17, 2007 at 03:59 PM