Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia, 29 July 2007

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 28, 2007 10:14 PM EDT in News

1:35 PM

Ian Snell vs. Kyle Kendrick. Here's the box; no Ryan Doumit again.

Some notes for today:

-P- John Van Benschoten has thankfully been shipped back to Indianapolis. The guy's 27 - I'd say it's time to try him in the bullpen to see if he might have any success there. Tom Gorzelanny will miss his next start and is supposed to start next Saturday, but we'll see about that. Tony Armas will rejoin the rotation, at least for the next week. Obviously, this says quite a lot about the state of the Pirates' pitching depth. There really isn't anyone at Indianapaolis who should be called up to take that spot. UPDATE: Jonah Bayliss will take Armas' spot in the bullpen. Leave it to the Pirates to replace Tony Armas with someone who may not actually be an improvement.

-P- Ty Wigginton is rejoining the NL Central - he's been traded to the Astros for reliever Dan Wheeler. Wigginton will replace Mike Lamb, a free agent, as the Astros' multi-corner player next year. I don't know what Wigginton's immediate role will be, but this move could signal that Morgan Ensberg or Mark Loretta is about to be traded. Ben Zobrist has been recalled from the minors to replace Wigginton. As for Wheeler, he had a high ERA but a good track record and strikeout rate, so he should be able to help the Rays' bullpen.

In other Rays news, they dumped Jorge Cantu (and fringe outfield prospect Shaun Cumberland) on the Reds for pitchers Calvin Medlock and Brian Shackelford. Medlock, 24, was sensational in Class AA but hit a wall in Class AAA this year; Shackelford is roster filler. If there's anywhere Cantu's skill set - power and absolutely nothing else - might work out, it's the Great American Ballpark, but he's just having a terrible year in both the minors and the majors, so I imagine he'll have to hone his craft in Class AAA Louisville for a while. He's still only 25 and already has a 28-homer season under his belt, though, so getting him for two marginal relievers is a minor coup for the Reds. Medlock might turn out to be a decent middle reliever, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

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new CEO

Hey charlie, maybe you could do a post on candidates for the CEO position when we hear names?

Like Joe Garagiola Jr., he's a guy that has been mentioned. ESPN's Keith Law says Pirate fans should be concerned about him. Why is this? Etc. That might be a little fun to read. Just a thought.

by hisjazziness on Jul 28, 2007 10:41 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe

At this point, I just don't know a lot about it. If I ever do, it's pretty important, so I'll post about it.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

We know . . .

. . . that he spent his way into the World Series, and that the aftermath was serious financial problems that resulted in repeated cash calls on the D'backs' owners (wonder how the Nuttin's would like that?) and eventually intervention by MLB. We also know that he brought in increasingly bad, expensive veterans to block any talent they had coming up through their farm system. I can't imagine anybody more ill-suited to either the Pirates' needs or their owners' priorities. It's a rare instance where the Nuttin's interests and the fans' would be aligned. I can't imagine Nutbob would hire this guy.

by WTM on Jul 29, 2007 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

And...

We're delayed.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 1:37 PM EDT reply actions

GREAT start to this one, Freddy.

by matskralc on Jul 29, 2007 1:55 PM EDT reply actions

And we're underway.

I find out just in time to see Freddy Sanchez get gunned down by Carlos Ruiz.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 1:55 PM EDT reply actions

Gunned down at first base, no less

by matskralc on Jul 29, 2007 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow

Morgan Ensberg has been DFAed, just two years after finishing fourth in NL MVP balloting.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 1:58 PM EDT reply actions

If...

...he didn't turn 32 in a month, I'd be all over us grabbing him. As it stands, he's probably done, and '05 was a big ol' fluke.

by matskralc on Jul 29, 2007 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

He was also

great in '03 and good in '06. He's a frustrating player, but I don't think he's a bad one. Even if he plays as badly as he has this year, he's an upgrade on Castillo and Kata.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Like I said

Age is my only reservation, and probably why the 'Stros gave up on him, too. He'd be an upgrade on Katastillo, but Bautista isn't gonna be injured forever and I don't want Tracy getting any excuses to keep My Boy out of the lineup.

by matskralc on Jul 29, 2007 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, that's a different problem. :)

Your boy could play center.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh, I know

I just remember some of the disastrous routes he liked to take to balls sometimes and think "You know, maybe that Duffy fella isn't so bad". ;-)

by matskralc on Jul 29, 2007 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Other positions...

Are 3rd base and CF the only positions Bautista plays?

"Wait till next year... again" Win Or Go Home

by UtesFan89 on Jul 29, 2007 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Well

He could probably be a decent corner outfielder, but I don't think he has a good enough bat to justify that. It's barely good enough to play 3B. And his bat's definitely good enough to play CF, but geez, somebody in the outfield's gotta be able to field the ball.

by matskralc on Jul 29, 2007 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Um...

So, is there any fielder on this team that is even barely above-average at his position defensively.
And if there is... can any of them hit at all?
I'm not counting many...
Which means that the team needs an overhaul.

"Wait till next year... again" Win Or Go Home

by UtesFan89 on Jul 29, 2007 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

LaRoche

Is actually a pretty good defensive 1B and a good bat. Other than that, I can't think of anybody that does both well.

by matskralc on Jul 29, 2007 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, but...

You know, he really is. That bad.

I'm no fan of Bautista's CF defense either, but I'm really sick of watching players that both A) stink and B) have no future with the team.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Ensberg

Would he be an upgrade over Kata/Castillo and the likes?
I mean, if the Pirates are going to give money to guys like Burnitz, Randa, Casey, Izturis and the likes, would Ensberg be worth it?

"Wait till next year... again" Win Or Go Home

by UtesFan89 on Jul 29, 2007 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice play by Castillo.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 1:58 PM EDT reply actions

If the Phillies were mean

They would have challenged Bay's candy arm on Howard's foul-out.

by matskralc on Jul 29, 2007 2:03 PM EDT reply actions

Ugh

You stink, Paulino.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 2:04 PM EDT reply actions

Lanny's ticked

With absolute disgust in his voice: "That should have been blocked. That should have been blocked."

by matskralc on Jul 29, 2007 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice...

If Paulino had blocked that... the Pirates get out of a 2nd-and-3rd with 1 out situation without giving up a run.
Instead, they're behind... giving up another 1st-inning run.

"Wait till next year... again" Win Or Go Home

by UtesFan89 on Jul 29, 2007 2:07 PM EDT reply actions

Nothing like

Cesar Izturis to keep a two-out rally going.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 2:14 PM EDT reply actions

Jason Jennings

just allowed 11 runs in one inning for Houston.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

To think...

...things actually COULD be worse for us.

by matskralc on Jul 29, 2007 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions

that

should be a nice sportscenter clip, eh charlie?

...perhaps the pirates try for ensberg if the price is right?

by Geeves28 on Jul 29, 2007 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Huh

So how long's Giles been batting leadoff?

by matskralc on Jul 29, 2007 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Since last year

I believe he was moved there to start the 2006 season, once it was clear he had no power anymore.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Also

Leo Nunez has thrown two scoreless innings so far against Texas.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 2:36 PM EDT reply actions

hey

charlie, mats...how does the DFA process work again?

by Geeves28 on Jul 29, 2007 2:40 PM EDT reply actions

Off the top of my head

The team gets ten days to trade the player, and then the player has to go through waivers. If he clears waivers, he can be sent to the minors.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions

hmmm.

so i highly doubt he would clear waivers...i'm wondering if all this is a product of ensberg trying to hurry back from an injury?

when he got hurt last year, he was hitting .256, but with a .942 OPS...then he sat out a week, then played (poorly, and probably not 100%) for three weeks, then wasn't right, so he hit the DL for three weeks, then came back and finished unsurprisingly blah.

if i were a GM, i wouldn't think twice about giving up some bit prospect in return for him.

by Geeves28 on Jul 29, 2007 2:51 PM EDT reply actions

Trouble for Snell

I'm not sure what his problem is. He's throwing pretty well - his slider is really working.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 2:52 PM EDT reply actions

Squeezed?

I'm not watching the game, so I can't be certain... but looking at the ESPN GameCast, he seems to be losing the calls on most pitches that are around the "zone" that they've set up.
I don't know if that even has an affect on him in the game, but it seems like he could use a couple of the calls in his favor.

"Wait till next year... again" Win Or Go Home

by UtesFan89 on Jul 29, 2007 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

judging by the walks...

is he not getting the calls?

by Geeves28 on Jul 29, 2007 2:54 PM EDT reply actions

He's getting them sometimes.

The Phillies take a ton of pitches.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice play

by Izturis.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

Meh

He got out of it while only giving up 1 run.
Not bad, seeing that it was bases loaded with 1 out.

"Wait till next year... again" Win Or Go Home

by UtesFan89 on Jul 29, 2007 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

eight

baserunners AND six K's in thre innings? that seems extremely odd

by Geeves28 on Jul 29, 2007 3:01 PM EDT reply actions

The Pirates get someone on base...

On the LaRoche walk... and the inning still only requires 3 Buccos to come to the plate before the inning is over.

"Wait till next year... again" Win Or Go Home

by UtesFan89 on Jul 29, 2007 3:02 PM EDT reply actions

cmon now

utes, you know the pirates are just THAT talented

by Geeves28 on Jul 29, 2007 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah...

But those are the 3 guys that aren't part of the "sub club" (at least not yet).
You'd think they could avoid that...
Maybe.

"Wait till next year... again" Win Or Go Home

by UtesFan89 on Jul 29, 2007 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

but

they aren't all-stars, so they only avoid it most of the time, not all of the time

by Geeves28 on Jul 29, 2007 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions

and

another scoreless for nunez...even struck out teixeira

by Geeves28 on Jul 29, 2007 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

Teix

LaRoche and a pitcher for Teix.
Worth it? (And would they do it, or would they want more?)
(I'm just asking... there's no rumor or anything)

"Wait till next year... again" Win Or Go Home

by UtesFan89 on Jul 29, 2007 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

No.

They wouldn't do it. They've already got Atlanta making a pretty ridiculous offer. I think they're looking to build for the future, anyway - they'd probably want players younger than LaRoche.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

hell no

us acquiring like teix is absurd. his salary is huge, he's a rental, and texas wants a f*king kings ransom for him.

by Geeves28 on Jul 29, 2007 3:10 PM EDT reply actions

so if i'm in charge

i offer houston the AAA pitcher of their choice for ensberg

by Geeves28 on Jul 29, 2007 3:11 PM EDT reply actions

Xavier Nady

looked thoroughly bored after tossing in the throw on Rollins' triple.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 3:20 PM EDT reply actions

McLouth Homers

The Bucs are on the scoreboard!
Unfortunately... they're still down by 2 runs.

"Wait till next year... again" Win Or Go Home

by UtesFan89 on Jul 29, 2007 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

Ugh

I hate this team.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 3:45 PM EDT reply actions

Houston

has actually gotten eight of those runs back. It's still a game down there.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Jul 29, 2007 3:50 PM EDT reply actions

Nunez. Keppinger?

I don't think Keppinger will be much of a long-term major-leaguer, but DL will be the gift that gives for a long time, even after he's gone, and even if they hire someone competent. We will be talking about his giveaways and misevaluations for a generation. All we need now is for San Diego to call up Stansberry and be a key contributor for them down the stretch.

by azibuck on Jul 29, 2007 4:09 PM EDT reply actions

Actually, I like Kep a lot.

I think he can be an Adam Kennedy type of guy, under the right circumstances. He's got one of the highest contact rates in baseball, so he's always going to have a pretty good BA...

by Vlad on Jul 30, 2007 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Romulo! Next on the reliever train?

I'll guess they won't touch Altoona, so they all "grow" and "learn how to win" and "be a team", etc., but Romulo Sanchez is getting interesting. Two more scoreless innings, 3 K, no BB today. His July figs are sharp.

by azibuck on Jul 29, 2007 4:16 PM EDT reply actions