The Pittsburgh Pirates won't raise their payroll, but have increased spending in other areas, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Biertempfel details how the Pirates are committing money to areas less obvious to fans than player contracts, including facilities, scouting and player development.
In a separate article, Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette looks back at the Jason Bay trade from Pittsburgh's perspective, and adds a few more Pirates-related nuggets:
- The Pirates haven't talked to Andrew McCutchen about a long-term extension yet, but have him under team control until 2015, so there's plenty of time.
- The team is hoping that Brian Bixler will develop into a super-utility type, since they like his defensive versatility.
- Given the number of free agents still available, the club would prefer to "wait for what it sees as the best value."
- In particular, the Pirates will be looking at value signings for their outfield and bullpen.
I’ve been watching Bixler play for the Mazatlán Deers of the Mexican Pacific Coast winter league and he’s great at defense, this past saturday in a Playoff game he ended it with a terrific play diving head first to get the ball for the 27th out, pretty amazing SS, great range, great move to turn the double plays, he’s really fast, the bad thing is that his batting is pretty bad.
Hopefully he can get a call to the Majors so everybody gets to watch him, he’s a gamer for sure.
Bixler hasn’t done good at the major league at all.. Fielding % of .951 at SS last year, .956 in ’08, .227 BA.. Yeah he doesn’t look like he’s going to be a starter especially now that the Pirates have Cedeno, Crosby, Vazquez and Cruz.
They really need to move Jones to 1st, Delwyn Young to RF and bench Pearce.. He’s horrible! Maybe if Iwamura is good we can trade him for whatever then move Young back to 2nd, Jones back to Right and bring up Clement to start at 1st..
Who they really need to do is go after is a reliever.. Either get Kevin Gregg or Miguel Olivo.
Although Miguel Olivo is a catcher, I agree with you about needing bullpen help. Of course, it has to be for the right price – no point in doling out 4MM+ for a closer when Hanrahan or Meek would likely be serviceable in the role. I’d wait until it gets close to spring training, then pounce upon the best available reliever at that point. Hopefully, at least one of the minor-league signings (Chulk, Ledezma, Taschner) will prove useful as well.
Bixler doesn’t even look like a Major Leaguer. He is a late inning defensive replacement at best for a team that can afford to keep a roster spot for a guy with no bat. See Eric Bruntlett with the Phils the past two years.
The Bucs need some major help in the middle of the infield, the stopgap of Crosby/Cedeno/Iwamura/Young isn’t going to cut it. Here’s hoping Brian Friday, Chase D’Arnaud, Shelby Ford or someone else down on the farm can cut it better than Bixler and the rest of the current crew. Maybe give Andy LaRoche or Neil Walker some reps at 2nd in the spring or the super utility role with Alvarez on the horizon.