The latest from the Bucs, who are looking to keep their streak of losing seasons from reaching 20 next year…
- The Pirates are expected to decline contract options on Ryan Doumit, Chris Snyder and Paul Maholm, plus non-tender Ross Ohlendorf, reports Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Doumit will earn a $500K buyout and says he hasn't considered renegotiating his contract in order to possibly remain in Pittsburgh.
- Ohlendorf tells Biertempfel that he'd like to return next season. MLBTR's Tim Dierkes listed Ohlendorf as "on the non-tender bubble" in his recent analysis of the Buccos' arbitration-eligible players. Ohlendorf would receive just a modest raise from his $2.025MM salary in 2011, though Biertempfel believes that the Pirates can't afford paying that much to a pitcher who projects best as an extra bullpen arm.
- With Doumit and Snyder possibly both gone, it could leave the catcher's job wide open for Michael McKenry. Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette talked to McKenry about how the young backstop has developed this season.
Wise move on both Snyder and Doumit. Both were way over paid in 2011, career backups and one should have been moved before they got hurt.
Now they can try and sign 1 to some kind of fair, 1.5m or so salary that is more inline with what their actual worth is would think.
Good moves on everything besides McKenry as potential starter. If he starts next year I might stop defending Neal Huntington
Dont be down on the kid! give him a chance and id say sign one of Doumit/Snyder (pref Snyder) to be the backup!
Mckenry projects to be a backup at best.
I would resign Snyder if he will do a 1 yr 1 mill offer
No chance he gets hurt too much. MCKENRY!!!
He did manage the pitching staff quite well when he was healthy.
I’m tryin’ to be nice cuz I know his wife was beaten and robbed this year.
If McKenry’s a starter next year…. God help us all.
actually it could be even worse. You may be looking at Matt Pagnozzi starting!
Everyone loves McKenry. He’s the little engine who could. He has a cool nickname. He’s great story. However, he’s not MLB starting C caliber. Heckuva spark pluggy backup though. Farewell to DOH!mit. Do let the door hit ya on the way out. No sense in bringing Synder back either. They’ll have to dig up a starter somewhere. Too bad Tony Sanchez didn’t really progress this year. I doubt we see him anytime in 2012.
Best of luck to Ross and Pauly. Maholm was a longtime Bucco. He had his ups and downs, maybe a few more downs than ups, but I liked him overall. At one point I though Olhendorf had some potential, but it was just never in the cards for him. I hope the change of scenery helps them both.
Buccos need to make some trades this offseason
They need to do alot of things. I don’t even think a miracle from God could help them. Until the Pirates get a new owner and front office. We’re looking at many bad years to come.