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« Stark On Dodgers, Giants, Brewers | Main | Discussion: Mike Rizzo's Team-Building Strategy »
Pirates Open To More Deals?
Ed Price at Fanhouse.com reports that the Pirates might be open to dealing more of their players. He cites "an official of an AL team" as saying that the Bucs have been "considering deals for [John] Grabow and closer Matt Capps."
Price writes that the Pirates are not simply attempting to dump salary; they will want power pitching prospects in return. He cites a "person familiar with the Pirates' thinking" who says that other teams would have to give up more for Capps, whose contract runs through 2011.
Grabow is a left-handed reliever who had his best season last year. He is currently sporting a 3.75 ERA with 32 K's in 36 innings. Capps, the Pirates' closer, is only 25 years old and has a 3.25 career ERA, though he has pitched to a less-impressive 4.72 ERA this year with 18 saves.
For those interested in the Pirates' overall strategy, this transcript of a chat with president Frank Coonelly is worth a read. There seems to be some unrest brewing among Pirates fans who, in the words of Coonelly, are asking, "When is now?"
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Didn't NH already tell us to plan for 2011 or so? At least, that's when it seems the majority of the guys we're looking at now should be up.
Posted by: UtesFan89 | July 01, 2009 at 06:03 PM
If I'm the Rays I jump all over Capps, they need a closer and he's a perfect fit. It would take a lot to aquire him but he'd be worth it and the best part about it is that he's under control till 2011.
Posted by: AJP | July 01, 2009 at 06:13 PM
That chat transcript is hillarious. I give Coonelly and NH a ton of credit for doing this on a regular basis. Despite the majority of their fan base seemingly having no clue as to how you build a ball club that will be successful longterm, they continue to have these chats. He fielded roughly 10 questions and I think all of them but 2 were negative. At this point, I really just think Pirate fans will complain about anything because they assume every time the Pirates make a move, it will inevitably be the wrong move.
Posted by: jfish26101 | July 01, 2009 at 06:15 PM
Why would fans not complain when they haven't won in 16 years and their other two teams are the toast of the town?
Posted by: bigpat | July 01, 2009 at 06:18 PM
Brignac or Davis and another mid-level prospect should bring back Capps.
The Rays have no need for Brignac in the foreseeable future, but he's close to big-league ready.
With Zobrist and Bartlett there though, he's pretty well blocked...
Posted by: MorneauVP | July 01, 2009 at 06:38 PM
AJP: Seems like Capps is the kind of reliever quite a few teams would drool over. A young guy with late-inning potential is hard to find. He will be expensive, though.
jfish: I really enjoyed the transcript as well, and hats off to him for putting himself through that.
Posted by: Brian Shephard | July 01, 2009 at 06:43 PM
i like all the moves so far, except milledge. why bother shooting for .500 if you aren't going to contend. dismantle & try again.
Posted by: kevin1013 | July 01, 2009 at 06:44 PM
"With Zobrist and Bartlett there though, he's pretty well blocked...
Posted by: MorneauVP | July 01, 2009 at 06:38 PM"
I think Bartlett is traded after the season.
Posted by: 661dodgerblue | July 01, 2009 at 06:46 PM
I don't think Zobrist can handle SS every day either. Iwamura has an option next year and hasn't exactly worked out even though it hasn't all been his fault (injuries). I think Zobrist is their every day 2B next year meaning I'd expect Bartlett to get another shot. I personally have never been a fan of Brignac and think that would be a bad move by the Pirates trading Capps with Brignac being the center piece. I'd probably start with Barnese and hope for Moore or something like that.
Posted by: jfish26101 | July 01, 2009 at 06:50 PM
I don't see us getting anything worthwhile for Grabow. He's been VERY solid for us these last few years, but I could live with it if got something better than decent back.
As far as the Mad Capper - younger, harder thrower, proven success as a closer. I'd have to see what he'd fetch, but I would hate to see him go.
Posted by: BuccoNation | July 01, 2009 at 07:43 PM
Grabow to the Twins sounds like a deal that could work, but can't see a lot of value coming back in the deal...
Twins farm system is light on talent these days and they're not inclined to trade wins in the future for wins today.
Posted by: afdaddy | July 01, 2009 at 07:55 PM
But they're not shooting for .500. NH has made it clear that the goal is to build a perennial contender. He's even come out and said that his first couple of seasons will have quite a few unpopular (but necessary) moves.
NyjMo was playing well enough, but Milledge gives the team an upside OF that they're willing to take a chance on.
Posted by: UtesFan89 | July 01, 2009 at 08:48 PM
I wonder if Pirate fans are willing to consider trading Ryan Doumit, in light of now having Tony Sanchez. I'm sure the Sox would part with serious power pitching prospects, like Buchholz, Bowden, maybe even Masterson or Delcarmen, who are all very cheap, young and good to great performers. Not only would you get great young arms, but a seriously large salary dump too. Thoughts?
Posted by: Steve in MA | July 01, 2009 at 09:13 PM
i hope they go after brignac, he's just about major league ready and will be ready to step in if they deal wilson. Our minor league system doesnt have to many middle infield prospects.
Posted by: JG09 | July 01, 2009 at 10:28 PM
I wonder if Pirate fans are willing to consider trading Ryan Doumit, in light of now having Tony Sanchez. I'm sure the Sox would part with serious power pitching prospects, like Buchholz, Bowden, maybe even Masterson or Delcarmen, who are all very cheap, young and good to great performers. Not only would you get great young arms, but a seriously large salary dump too. Thoughts?
Posted by: Steve in MA | July 01, 2009 at 09:13 PM
I don't see the Sox pulling the trigger for an injury prone below average defensive catcher (who should be playing another position). At least not for a Bucholz or Bowden
Posted by: UGotRPK3113 | July 01, 2009 at 10:37 PM
"I wonder if Pirate fans are willing to consider trading Ryan Doumit, in light of now having Tony Sanchez. I'm sure the Sox would part with serious power pitching prospects, like Buchholz, Bowden, maybe even Masterson or Delcarmen, who are all very cheap, young and good to great performers. Not only would you get great young arms, but a seriously large salary dump too. Thoughts?"
Posted by: Steve in MA | July 01, 2009 at 09:13 PM
If we could get buchholz and some of the other prospects in the Sox organization, I wouldn't be opposed to it. Buchholz is TEARING up AAA and they've got a few other very promising prospects that i wouldnt mind seeing in a buccos uniform. Especially with the way Jaramillo and Diaz have stepped in and the signing of Tony Sanchez.
Posted by: JG09 | July 01, 2009 at 10:40 PM
It would be tough to part with what little power the Pirates do have left, but if a name like Bucholz was tossed out there, I'd really think about making that deal.
Jason Jaramillo and Robinzon Diaz have proven they can at least handle the load behind the plate. They might not be Ryan Doumit, but they're plenty servicable to go along with the aforementioned top pick of Tony Sanchez.
Could be interesting to see, but the Pirates don't have to move him unless they're blown away...by a Clay Bucholz type.
Posted by: LongSufferingBucsFan | July 01, 2009 at 10:43 PM
The Pirates are like those rug stores that have Clearance Sales the whole year long.
Posted by: bonzosa | July 02, 2009 at 11:04 AM
I do not want to see Capps go. He is exactly what the Bucs want to build: young, power arms. I'd be alright with Grabow being dealt away, not a huge loss even though he has done a solid job. Before the season, I though we'd be trading Grabow and Burnett would be steping into his role, but change of plans with that one! As far as Doumit, I say move him back to 1st base (remember he played Catcher, Right Field, 1st Base when he came up) and trade Adam LaRoche while he is hot. Its a shame that Neal is taking such heat, but its only because most of the Pirates fans don't understand that he has only been here for a very short time and has so much rebuilding to do. He has done a great job so far.
Posted by: LetsGoBucs921 | July 02, 2009 at 10:19 PM
P.S.- check out Dave Littlefield's Wikipedia page
Posted by: LetsGoBucs921 | July 02, 2009 at 10:21 PM
if we could get Brignac and Wade Davis back for Capps the pirates need to be all over it...Hanrahan is only 27 and can step in and close...the pirates are going to make so many trades by this years deadline... Capps, Grabow,Ad LaRoche, and Wilson will go... possible Doumit, Freddy,Duke, and Maholm too... they hold the most value with Capps to get legit prospects back... i would send Wilson and Doumit to Boston for like 6 prospects lol circling around Buchholz, Masterson, and Bowden plus 3 postiton player prospects. i think a trade like that for capps and doumit/wilson trade would put the pirates ready for contending by next year... wishful think though about that trade with boston.. but i defiently can see the capps trade
Posted by: BucsNewEra2011 | July 05, 2009 at 05:08 PM