The Pirates optioned Daniel McCutchen to Triple-A and reassigned Sean Gallagher, Tyler Yates, Wyatt Toregas and Josh Fields to minor league camp today. Here are more updates on the Pirates from Florida…
- Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review hears that the Pirates will not release Ryan Doumit if they can't work out a trade (Twitter link). Though Doumit will earn $5.1MM this year, the Pirates like his bat.
- GM Neal Huntington told Pat Lackey of Where Have You Gone Andy Van Slyke that the Pirates haven't focused on pitching in recent drafts, even though it might appear that way. The Pirates have just been selecting the players at the top of their draft board, according to Huntington. Pittsburgh picks first overall in 2011.
- In a separate post, Lackey points out that John Bowker's strong spring has likely assured that Rule 5 selection Josh Rodriguez will be returned to the Indians.
- Huntington told reporters this morning that the goal for McCutchen at the Major League level would be for him to pitch multiple innings as a reliever. The right-hander may return to the Triple-A rotation.
I never ever trust a GM when he says something to the effect that they don’t pay attention to a draftees’ position or organizational positional weaknesses and instead simply draft the best player available when their draft pick slot comes up. Just about every single one of them says that a hundred times a year, but come draft time they do the exact opposite of what they claim to be doing.
By all accounts, Josh Rodriguez didn’t help his cause to make the team with his play at shortstop this spring. Bowker can’t play SS either, but he should have the better bat.
I can see Bowker as an Overbay replacement after the 2011 season. Thoughts? I really do hope that they keep Josh though. I have a feeling it will go up to the wire next Thursday on whether they keep him or not. Just as a side note, has anyone noticed the performance of the ex-Pirates who were released or granted free agency at the end of last season? Aka…Lastings, LaRoache, Jakubauskas (or however you spell his last name).
If Bowker goes to 1st it would only be as a stop gap. Pedro will be at 1st in two years and Anthony Rendon will be at 3rd. Not having a power hitting 1B anywhere in the system is a huge problem
They are talking about how Gerrit Cole may be the option that the Pirates go with for their draft selection. I hope it’s Rendon but it’s looking a little iffy right now.
Bowker is the living embodiment of a Quad-A guy. Like Bucs said, Overbay is just keeping first warm until they move Alvarez there.
Do you think they will make a move for a bigger named first baseman next year since so many will be in the free agent market?
Only way they look at a 1B is if they take Cole over Rendon. No way they do that. Pirates have been pretty aggressive in the draft recently. Money won’t be an issue in taking Rendon because their 2nd pick isn’t until like #63. (how messed up is that by the way)
Bowker always had great S.T. and AAA numbers for the Giants….then reality struck once he got called up.
I remember him catching fire last spring, then when the season started he couldn’t make contact to save his life. Bowker was always the biggest tease the Giants ever had, in 08 he had a lot of playing time but couldn’t figure out major league pitching it only got worse with time. When you saw him up there batting he didn’t look comfortable and the pitchers got to him quickly.
John Bowker is being blocked by Garret Jones/ Matt Diaz. Heck, he’s hit 2 homeruns off Josh Beckett this spring, trade him to the Rays or Jays!
So, Neil, is it official that you’re planning to take Gerrit Cole? why else would one say that quote?
If they lower the asking price on Doumit and pay a little more of his salary I will trade some of my coworkers for him. I think he would make an awesome addition to the company Softball team.
Huntington doesn’t think that 5 million is a bargin for Doumit? whoa.