I haven’t actually seen him pitch, so speaking with an opinion unsullied by the facts…from the play by play, it looks like JVB pitched well for three innings today. He’s also done pretty well in a couple of other short outings. I would think there’s at least some hope that he could be a decent major league reliever.

as a reliever, brooklynpirate, but I think it will have to be with another organization from 2009. It`s a long season, so JVB might find his way back for a few more games this year, but he won`t be around next season, and neither will Bullington.

Red Sox DFA’d Julian Tavarez tonight.

Marino Salas…per Pirates press pass notes. Wearing 56.

...if the Pirates shouldn’t trade JVB or Bullington for some other team’s disappointing first round draft picks. Someone like Tim Stauffer of the Padres. It would do each player some good changing scenery and not trying to live up to the original expectations of the organization who drafted them so highly, not to mention the media and fans.

As I’ve said before,I believe that the Pirates were the ONLY organization that saw JVB as a pitcher first. Everyone else considered him a better 1B/OF prospect.
I think if he’s going to have a chance at any sort of career in MLB,the Pirates should revert him to being a position player,and see if he can hit his way to the big leagues. It would seem to be worth a try,as he’s already 28 and has bombed as a big league pitcher.
He’ll probably never be a star,but if he shows he can hit,he may wind up having a few decent seasons,maybe even off the bench,if nothing else.

Just saying that at this point it’s worth a try to convert him to a position player. I recall this idea being floated as recently as last year. And who says he’s no Ankiel athletically? What’s to lose at this point,a 28-year old pitcher with a “career” ERA of 8.81 in MLB? Worth a shot. As the saying goes,”Who Dares,Wins”.