| Pittsburgh Sports Report January 2010 |
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| North Shore Notes The house cleaning Neal Huntington has given the Pirates since taking over as general manager before the 2008 season has been pretty complete. Only four of the 25 players on the Bucs' 2008 opening day roster haven't since departed the team one way or another. And since one of those four (Evan Meek) was actually a Huntington acquisition, there are really only three current Pirates players who are carry-overs from the Littlefield era (Ryan Doumit, Zach Duke and Paul Maholm). It's no wonder casual fans can't name half the players on the team. From the start, it has been Huntington's contention that he would build a solid foundation of young prospects and complementary pieces through trades, signings and the amateur draft, so that the Pirates of the future could become a viable contender on a consistent basis. While one or two years may not be enough time to definitively assess just how a given trade will affect a team in the long run, it's still possible to analyze the returns received to this point and make some general assessments of the GM's work. WIN
Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte Both Nady and Marte have had serious injury issues since being moved and missed large portions of last season. Marte will be a part of the Yankees bullpen mix next season, but Nady, who's barely played since the trade, is currently a free agent hoping to show a team he's still got it. Ohlendorf emerged as the Pirates workhorse last season. Karstens will compete for a long relief spot and McCutchen will compete for the fifth starter spot in spring training and likely has a bullpen spot sewn up if he doesn't make the rotation. Tabata was one of the star prospects of the Arizona Fall League and the Pirates expect him to reach the majors next year. LOSSES
Jason Bay Bay started off on fire last year, but cooled off significantly down the stretch. Still, he set career highs in home runs and RBI, on his way to winning the first Silver Slugger Award of his career. Laroche bounced back from an atrocious second half of 2008 to have a mediocre, but much improved season in 2009. He will be the team's starting third baseman until Pedro Alvarez is ready to take over. Moss has struggled and at best is the team's fourth outfielder. Hansen missed all of last season with a potentially career-threatening nerve problem, but will report to spring training trying to earn a bullpen spot. Morris remains stuck at single-A.
Tom Gorzelanny and John Grabow Gorzelanny is inconsistent but is expected to be the Cubs' fifth starter. Grabow's a very reliable and known commodity in relief. Hart was terrible after coming over to the Pirates last year and has yet to find any semblance of consistency in the big leagues. He will compete for the fifth starter job. Ascanio was found to have a torn labrum shortly after arriving, and labrum injuries have a long recovery time and are often career threatening. Harrison will probably begin next year at the Pirates' high-A Bradenton affiliate. He didn't show a whole lot after the trade last year, but can hit for average and can run well. PUSH
Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett Morgan is probably better than anyone gave him credit for and brings an enthusiasm to the game that is missed in Pittsburgh. Burnett has also proven to be a solid middle reliever, something the Pirates could desperately use. Milledge didn't show the five-tools he was touted as having, but still turned in a respectable enough campaign to earn the starting left field job. Hanrahan, after a terrible run with the Nats, became the Pirates' best bullpen arm in the second half and will likely move into the closer's role with the departure of Matt Capps. TOO EARLY TO TELL
Freddy Sanchez Sanchez barely played for San Francisco due to injuries, but was re-signed and will be the team's starting second or possibly third baseman. When healthy, he can hit and has proven to be a perennial all-star. Alderson was one of the Giants' top pitching prospects going into '09 season, but a loss of velocity and a poor finish with the Pirates has some scouts concerned. Still, the big righty is only 21 and has a full year at double-A under his belt. He'll be back at Altoona.
Jack Wilson and Ian Snell Wilson has struggled with injuries in recent years, but was re-signed by the Mariners and will be their opening day shortstop. Snell had a rough start with the M's but found a groove late in the season. He'll be the team's fourth starter. If his cameo last year is any indication, Cedeno, who will be the Pirates' opening day shortstop, looks like he'll be able to match Wilson's hitting and do a decent impression of his work in the field. Before being shut down with an oblique injury, management was impressed with what they saw of Clement at the plate late last year, and the starting first base job is his to lose. The trio of young arms the Pirates received from the Mariners fared quite well on the whole, albeit in the low minors, but none are considered impact prospects.
Nate McLouth McLouth's hitting dipped to its pre-2008 totals last year, and while he's a welcome addition to any club, the Pirates were probably wise to deal him when they did. He's the Braves starting center fielder and leadoff man going into 2010. While trading McLouth may have been a smart move, the return the Pirates received has yet to live up to billing. Morton showed flashes after coming over and has sewn up a spot in the rotation, but still has a lot to prove. Hernandez, once one of the top prospects in all of baseball, took a step back after being shipped to the Pirates and is targeted for a return to double-A Altoona. Locke wasn't great after the trade, but management is very high on the young lefty, who's expected to move up the ladder to Altoona in 2010. Tony DeFazio is the editor of the Pittsburgh Sports Report. |
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