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Frank Coonelly MLB.com Chat

By Tim Dierkes [September 3, 2008 at 5:05pm CST]

Pirates president Frank Coonelly chatted with fans at MLB.com today. Highlights:

The Pedro Alvarez drama will not prevent the Pirates from drafting a Scott Boras client in the future. Coonelly's history with Boras was not a factor in the negotiations.
Coonelly is confident Alvarez will be a Pirate soon, and doesn't think the contract can be voided. He adds, "under no circumstance could Alvarez be granted free agency."
The Pirates will not be spending $10MM+ per year on a free agent starting pitcher.
Coonelly insists the Pirates were not shopping Ian Snell at the trade deadline. Jayson Stark and Jon Heyman said Snell was available, with the Bucs asking for Franklin Morales and two other prospects from the Rockies.

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Comments

I'm looking forward to seeing the Pirates' Offseason Outlook here. I'm not really sure how much money the Pirates may or may not have to spend this winter and it disappoints me to here Coonelly basically say they aren't going to spend, (what else is new?) but I understand his reasoning as well. Just wish we would sign one notable free agent, anywhere. Not necessarily dish out $10MM, but at least be competetive on the FA market.

Posted by: LongSufferingBucsFan | September 03, 2008 at 06:43 PM

LSBF,

That's the kind of thinking that has hamstrung the Pirates in the past. The front office thinks, "Well, if we can sign Burnitz for $6M and Joe Randa for $4M, then we can show the fans that we've spent $10M on free agents."

With few exceptions, any free agent that can be had for less than $6-8 million a year is total crap, or at least less than major league average. Maybe you'll catch lightning in a bottle with a guy coming back from an injury, but it's mostly the Adam Eatons and Dave Roberts of the world for that kind of dough. Save that money and put it towards Latin America signings or signing the "above slot" picks that fall in the draft.

Posted by: D Sanchez | September 04, 2008 at 08:48 AM

If the pirates bring in alvarez(I believe they will) the team got a will have such a talented young core between alvarez, mccutheon, tabata, and neil walker. (Don't give up on neil walker just yet, still pretty young) I also think the pitching they received in the trades to the yankees and red sox will pay divends to sure up the middle of the rotation and the bullpen. Two things the pirates lack..depth at SS and 2b and a stud starter. The last game of the season is between SD...maybe it can be the battle for Stephen Strasburg in the June draft which then leads in the rematch of Coonlley vs. Boras.

None the less a heart of the order that will feature

Mcclouth
Mccutheon
Alvarez
Tabata
Doumit
Walker

is pretty good...

Posted by: jdt58 | September 04, 2008 at 10:40 AM

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