Pirates Close to Acquiring Casey

by Charlie Wilmoth on Dec 6, 2005 6:41 PM EST in News

Ken Rosenthal reports that the Pirates are close to trading Dave Williams for Sean Casey.

This isn't what I'd like to see the Pirates doing. Casey's not a bad player, but for a first baseman, he's had one legitimately good year at the plate and two downright bad ones in the last four. While it's certainly possible he'd re-sign with the Pirates after the season, he could just be a rental, and the Pirates might not want him back in 2007 anyway if he doesn't hit and/or Brad Eldred does.

More importantly, unless a lot of cash comes the Pirates' way, this will likely prevent them from acquiring a legitimately excellent player this offseason. (The difference between Casey and Williams' salaries is about $7 million.) And they give up on three years of Dave Williams. Williams isn't a fantastic pitcher, but he's a decent starter who will be cheap for the next few years. I don't mind them trading Williams, but I do think they ought to get someone in return who they're sure to have around in 2007 and maybe beyond. With or without Casey, the Pirates won't contend in 2006, but they might in 2007 or 2008. This doesn't help their chances of doing that.

Casey is, then, another stopgap for the Pirates. While there is a chance he has another year like 2004, the odds are against him, and it's unlikely to take the Pirates to the playoffs even if he doesn't. This strikes me as yet another example of the Pirates shooting themselves in the foot by not planning for the future.

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Re: Casey

Yeah, but you're missing the point Charlie. See, Sean Casey is a big name, so if the Pirates get him, it looks like they're doing something to try to win. That way, more people will buy tickets, because they think the bucs are trying to win (and the Trib will assure them the Pirates have a great shot at contending, now that we have a REAL 1b, and we're assured of at least .500). Then, they can say "Hey, lookit all the money we spent on Sean Casey! We really did increase payroll!" and then go bargain shopping the rest of the offseason and nobody will be the wiser.

Plus, Casey's a local kid, so that's even better for PR and the gate! It's brilliant! Casey will easily pay for himself. Then, next year, when we don't resign him, the Pirates can cry about how unfair the market is, and confuse people for at least another year or two into thinking they're actually trying to win, not just rake in as much money as they can.

Bob Woodward could write a book about this team - All the Pirate's Men. Just follow the money

by DJAnyReason on Dec 6, 2005 8:08 PM EST reply actions

You're Right

I should have written but you just wrote. Undoubtedly, it's a smart business decision to have people on the team that bring people to the ballpark, but it's not like any of the money he makes will be spent on the team. And yet the Pirates will get to crow about how they're willing to spend to be competitive. It IS brilliant.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Dec 6, 2005 8:18 PM EST up reply actions

Casey's Homecoming

C'mon guys, on an ability level, I think the Pirates made out and we didn't have to give up a "premium prospect".

by JimBibbySweat on Dec 6, 2005 8:54 PM EST reply actions

ARGH!

Yeah, but they're giving up a steady fifth starter. Terrible move.

If this Gonzalez kid has the potential Charlie described, he could probably do a fair impression of Casey, at a much lower price, for a much longer time, while getting better all the while.

Terrible move.

I immediately get to start complaining the second it's official.

by psk984 on Dec 6, 2005 9:39 PM EST up reply actions

so long Dave

I liked Dave Williams, but I don't think he'll turn into a consistent major league starter. He walked a few too many batters, had trouble getting through a lineup a second time and allowed 20 homers in 138 innings. I think he'd make a decent long reliever/emergency starter, but he's replaceable.

I think Charlie did a good job of noting what's wrong with the trade, but I'll be happy to see Casey in the lineup instead of Eldred or Ward. The Pirates never seem to have great first baseman, and it's been awhile since they've even had a pretty good one.

by bolton on Dec 6, 2005 10:32 PM EST reply actions

Ryan Shealy

I agree Charlie; the move is just another stop gap and ties up money that could have been used to get someone more likely to help when the Prates are ready to contend, whenever that is. Agree also with DJ that its all about PR, attendance, and money. But here is a bright spot from metsblog: ""...rosenthal writes that he is unaware whether the deal [for casey] includes cash...our roving reporter joel lipsky called in to say the buzz from dallas is that the reds will also send cash to pirates..." Now if the Buccos get $7 million from the Reds in this deal, I would chalk it up as merely harmless.

Here's an example of what they could have done if the Pirates were really trying to build for future contention. Ryan Shealy is a monster 1B sitting in Colo. behind Helton. His career parallels Travis Hafner's when Hafner was stuck in Texas at the same age, before being traded to Cleveland, except Shealy's numbers are even better (.994 in AAA and .886 with Colo. in 104 PAs last year). The Rockies are begging for someone to pitch in Coors (they're thinking of bringing back Estes ferchristsakes). They've been working Shealy out in OF and now claim he can play there, but I suspect that's mostly an attempt to make him more tradable. I think Dave Williams could do alright in Coors, relatively, and could have been enough to get Shealy if DL had the wit to ask (and the deal would have saved money to boot).

by rogero on Dec 6, 2005 11:26 PM EST reply actions