Iwamura Interested In Exploring Long-Term Deal

Right after the Pirates heard this outta Aki's mouth. They traded him... it went against their motto for the upcoming season..

"Some Passion, No Commitment"

Hey if Doumit stays healthy, and Jones/McCutchen/Milledge all improve, and someone in the infield steps up, and if guys step up behind Duke/Maholm/Ohlendorf...then maybe?

Okay, probably not. But I do love the optimism.

Did you just say if Jones and McCutchen improve.. Are you high how can they any better.. As for Milledge and Doumit they obviously need to improve. In my opinion I think that Doumit would be a great piece of a blockbuster trade, throw in Moss and Matt Capps and that could easily bring in a type B power hitter. Also that would open the door for Pedro Alvarez to come up and play 3rd.. I also read that the team has alot of interest in bringing back Jack Wilson, why Idk, and they have alot of interest in Rick Ankiel, haha yeah right..

I do like the idea of locking up Iwamura maybe in the 5-6per range over 3-4 years. The Pirates have young players/good prospects at every position but MI. A guy that does everything pretty well would solidify a young team like the Bucs have.

CF - McCutchen
COF - Milledge, Jones, Tabata
1B - Jones, Alverez, Clement
3B - LaRoche, Alverez
C - Doumit, Clement, Sanchez

With Duke/Maholm as vets, upside arms from trades like Morton, Alderson, and Ohlendorf, and agressive recent drafts the Bucs should be able to field a nice (and young/cheap) rotation in the coming years.

"and they have alot of interest in Rick Ankiel, haha yeah right.."

Looking at what they are putting on the field as of today, I'd like to see SS and RF upgraded. Milledge was a .290 hitting LF (who appeared a little gimpy at times) who I'd like to see one more year. McCutchen in CF is a lock this year. 3B (LaRoche), 2B(Iwamura) and 1B (Jones - I don't care for Pearce at all) are solid.

I wouldn't mind moving Doumit for a SS or RF, though if they can sign Ankiel to play in RF (can run, field, throw and has some pop from the LH side of the plate) that would leave Cedeno to play some SS, leaving it the weakest offensive position on the field.

The bullpen also needs addressed, unless they can plug some kids in (Moskos is throwing well in Arizona except for 1 outing, Meek and Ascanio come off the 60-man, is Hansen still alive?). You've the likes of Lincoln, D. McCutchen, Veal and Morton competing for MLB rotation spots, with Alderson in AAA putting on some pressure!

Playoffs? Eh, like someone else said, I think something was lost in translation. But there are some pieces there...with more on the way (Walker, Alvarez, Friday, D'Arnaud, etc.)

Our lineup will be alot better next year than it was this year if I had to guess. By the end of June excluding any trades or major signings it will be

1. McCutchen CF
2. Iwamura 2B
3. Jones 1B
4. Alvarez 3B
5. Doumit C
6. Milledge LF
7. Tabata RF
8. Cedeno SS
9. uke/Ohlendorf/Maholm/Morton/Lincoln P

That is pretty solid probably not to the contending level but still not embarrasing. If you pick up some decent bullpen arms it could be an over .500 team.

LaRoche just spent a month working on his 2B play in the instructional league. Regardless of what is said Iwamura is still only under contract for one year. There's a chance Jones sticks in right field. I guess there's still Jeff Clement to possibly contend with at first at some point, though. If LaRoche hits he'll stay around.

the bucs should get hank blalock... he can play 1B/3B and he will provide the infield with even more flexibility and they should go out and get a descent starting pitcher like carl pavano or ben sheets

Pittsburgh Pirates are the minor league team of baseball. The Yankees and Red sox trade their worst players to the pirates to get a good caliber player to help them thourgh the playoffs.