Pirates Considering Sending Ronny Paulino to Minors

by Charlie on Jun 4, 2008 12:27 AM EDT Comment 17 comments

The Pirates are contemplating keeping catcher Raul Chavez on the roster once Ryan Doumit is ready to return this weekend, and part of those ongoing discussions is the possibility of optioning Ronny Paulino to the minors.

Such a move, if it comes to pass, would represent a precipitous fall for Paulino, the team's starting catcher in 2006-07 until Doumit took most of the playing time this year...

At the same time, it would not come as much of a surprise.

I wrote about this idea a few days ago, so no need to rehash that argument, except to repeat that if Paulino won't hit--and let's be honest, most of the evidence in his major league record at this point that suggests that he won't--then Chavez makes more sense in a tandem with Doumit. Not because he "handles the rotation" well, as John Russell suggests, but because he can play defense and he'd be useful as a defensive sub in the late innings. I was pretty tentative about suggesting this a few days ago, but now that I've had more time to think about it and watch Chavez, I'm all for it.

This move may be a foregone conclusion at this point. Chavez has started five of the last six games. My guess is that Paulino will be sent down, and that he won't perform all that well in Class AAA, either. For whatever reason, he just isn't the same player he was in 2006. I hope he can straighten himself out.

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.213 lifetime BA

and 4 HRs in 442 ABs. And he’s 35. What exactly is it about him that interests you?

by Zadoras on Jun 4, 2008 1:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good point.

If Chavez is such a skilled catcher in calling games then make him a coach and not a player. Geesh! We don’t need another .220 hitter with no speed and even less power. We have enough of them. On the days Russell starts Chavez, Rivas, Mientkowicz, Bautista (before his power surge), and the pitcher, that is over 1/2 of the batting order that are automatic outs. Our pitching staff can’t support that little offense. Hell, they can’t support us when we do get offense.

by Illinois Pirate Fan on Jun 4, 2008 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You guys don't get it!

Chavez has played stellar defense (he gunned down 2 Astros). He can get a base hit or two when necessary. When Doumit is back he WILL start 6 out of every 7 games. If Chavez comes in as a D replacement then just move Doumit to RF. What has Paulino done this year expect sit on his lazy FAT ass on the bench. Indy is were Paulino belongs.

by Bad Andy on Jun 4, 2008 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amazing

He can get a base hit or two when necessary.

What is this strange power that enables him to do this?

by WTM on Jun 4, 2008 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, for me it’s mostly about his defense. His skills (well, skill, singular) complement(s) Doumit’s better. Paulino, right now, is showing no discernable skill. Long-term, I prefer Paulino, but unless he can pull it together and do something right, I’d rather go with Chavez.

by Charlie on Jun 4, 2008 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Only thing we are sacrificing is power.

And gaining defense. Paulino is hitting .218!! We’re not going to carry 2 like that. If Chavez can help defensively, it’s a step up over RoPaul.

by Thunder on Jun 4, 2008 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My only regret is that we don’t get to make jokes about Ronny’s game-calling skills anymore.

by EmmaOMG on Jun 4, 2008 2:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

with all the Ronny-bashing from Pirate fans ...

there’s probably 8-10 other MLB teams that would consider him an upgrade to their roster(s). More value in trading him than burying him in the outhouse.

by Pirate in Ole VA on Jun 4, 2008 6:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Except that . . .

. . . Doumit is going to get hurt again.

by WTM on Jun 4, 2008 6:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wrote a long fanpost

and then ignored the warning and lost it all when I turned off pop-up blocker, so I will just post a shorter version here.

Anyway, it was my thoughts on this

Pearce is going back to being groomed for both RF and 1B. This probably means the Bucs don’t really know what they are doing with either Nady or LaRoche, and want Pearce ready for either position. It could be one sign that the Bucs are thinking of keeping Nady for at least one more season.

The deeper the season goes, the more I don’t really mind if they keep Nady. Obviously if someone dangles value for him, the Bucs should bite, but I’m not too sure that is going to happen. Only so many teams will be willing to give up worth-while prospects for a corner outfield bat, and we could probably extract a larger return from Bay.

by DITO on Jun 4, 2008 8:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Steve Pearce

“It’s going to be how the Major League team shakes up and not as much as what Steve Pearce does,” Stark said. “The makeup of the Major League club will dictate where Steve ends up.”

I think it`s pretty clear still that they want to move Nady and Bay, and will become more active in dealing with possible suitors next week after the draft. We also know that Marte is pretty much guaranteed to go because of his contract option.

I think the reason Pearce is getting time at first again is simple. LaRoche is forcing the Pirates` hand with his pathetic hitting. They are reaching the terminal limit of their patience with him and are starting to think that maybe Pearce isn`t blocked by LaRoche as they proclaimed loud and strong from late last year.

They are thinking that McClouth and McCutchen will make up 2/3 of their OF the second half of the season, and they might very well look at getting a good, young OF prospect or two in the expected trades. Pearce tore it up through the minors as a first baseman. Maybe it`s time to get him back to his natural position and dispense with the OF distractions.

by patthatt on Jun 4, 2008 8:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah,

that makes sense. I still get the feeling that they may retain Nady if they don’t get a decent offer for him, but he probably will be traded.

I am not saying it is the right thing to concern yourself with next year over the future, but if Pearce begins to be thought of primarily as a first baseman again, Nady really is the only option for RF in 2009.

by DITO on Jun 4, 2008 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i wouldn’t construe pearce getting some time at 1st as permanent switch. at this point, it’s just keeping his skills fresh over there. now if he plays first from now until july that’s a whole different story.

i do see your point about nady, especially if they sour on laroche, but i think it would be a big mistake not to deal X when his value is this high.

by johnnycuff on Jun 4, 2008 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are absolutely correct...

LaRoche is a horrible disappointment and he has Scott Boras for an agent. There is no reason to keep him because he is not the left-handed power hitter we expected. Put Pearce back at his natural position and keep the money LaRoche is demanding (his contract expires at the end of 2009) and use it to acquire another bat to play thirdbase. Originally, I wanted to trade Bay but I’m pleased with his power to left field and think he would be a valuable addition to our outfield and feel we should keep him. Surely, somebody will take both Paulino, LaRoche, and Nady and give us some badly-needed starting pitching.

by Illinois Pirate Fan on Jun 4, 2008 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs