Why do I never see a report saying that Billy Beanne is asking too much for his players?

Why does everyone assume that the Pirates are some sort of AAA team who’s job is to develop a few good players to send “up” to the real teams fighting for post-season play, but not to weaken those teams long-term competitiveness?

All these reporters are just taking their marching orders from “sources” at these good teams that have gotten used to getting something for nothing from the Pirates. I say good for PBC management, and that the days of Aramis Ramirez for Bobby “There’s Something Wrong WIth That Boy” Hill are over.

Unless management gets what it wants, the PBC is better off if Marte goes free agent. Wilson is signed for a reasonable price, and there is no replacement for him anywhere in the system—why give him away? Bay is worth more a year from now, when he’s one more year removed from his inury prone 2007. Nady may well be worth more in trade this winter, when teams have more flexibility.

Pearce and Cutch are definitely not pushing for starting jobs in Pittsburgh—why start a fire sale of corner outfielders? There’s no depth at relief pitching, so why give away Grabow?

The only guys I would absolutely trade from the 40 man roster are Nyjer Morgan and good ol’ Chris Duffy. They are blocked by Cutch, Michaels (re-sign him) and McLouth. They are taking AB’s away from others in the organization. I’d take anything that looks like an Evan Meek (hard throwing minor league relief pitcher) for either. Somebody has got to be stupid enough to fall for their speed and defensive prowess—where are Littlefield and Tracy now?

Huntington knows that whatever he does, it is going to be compared to Littlefield. He is gun shy. He does not want to make a mistake. He knows that if he makes a deal with any of these guys and it doesn’t pan out for us (or just sound good off the bat), Pirates’ fans will give an outcry on how nothing has changed and we are still the same losing team just managed by different bad decision makers

I doubt anybody is exactly “lying” about the Pirates’ demands, but trade negotiations are always pretty fluid, I’m sure, and things can probably be characterized differently depending on which day’s discussion is being leaked to reporters like Stark. Remember Kevin Towers and the Giles negotiations? He “announced” in the media that he wasn’t going to make a trade until after the season, no doubt in an effort to panic the Pirates. Then he went ahead and did the deal shortly afterward.

Right now you’ve got a bunch of teams in the hunt with glaring holes. (When was the last time so many contending teams needed a hitter?) Their GMs no doubt will face heavy criticism if they don’t make a move. Articles like Stark’s may be aimed as much at fans in NY or LA or Tampa as anything else.

The other factor that keeps getting ignored is that these guys are all under control for another year, including Marte who has an option for 2009. Plus, the Pirates are not dumping salary. Stark writes as if the Pirates HAVE to get rid of these guys. Not true. They can just ride it out, hope to end the losing streak this year or next, and take draft picks.

I don’t see that big a deal about their requests, either. Beane got the Phillies’ #2 and #4 prospects for an improved version of Josh Fogg who has a career ERA around 4.60 away from the extreme pitcher’s park in Oakland. Bay is worth way more than Blanton and, given the high demand for and low supply of hitting, I think Nady is worth about as much as Blanton.

people call the Pirates and the only thing in the mind is “I’m gonna rip them off”. It comes from the DL days… maybe before.

And nobody wants to be the first one to pay too much to the Pirates, because otherwise that avenue (getting players on the cheap) is gone from yet another team.

And in NH wilts now, it’ll just be the same thing next year. He needs to hold strong… even if it means nothing happens. Let the other guys know you’re serious.

Have a team that’s half ready next year and another half that won’t be ready for 10?
I like the idea of sticking to your price… but is NH’s price too high?
Maybe. But how does he lower it without seemingly getting ripped off and continuing right in the DL line?

Oh, and have the Pirates scouted anyone that they wouldn’t consider “big-league ready”? I mean… Jack Wilson probably won’t net you 2 big-league ready prospects. That’s what the rest of the minors are for… guys making the way up towards the majors. I understand the Pirates are lacking here so the concept might be new to them, but still…

to get a list of what the Bucs want for the aforementioned players? C’mon, if GM’s are going to give Gagne and Cordova the cash this past off-season, who in their right minds doesn’t think Marte won’t get his cash? Just because some ‘source’ says he might not get signed in the off season doesn’t mean jack. The ‘source’ is probably pissed because he can’t get Marte for a sack of nuts and a resin bag. The last time I looked at the standings, the PBC was listed right there with Oakland, Tampa, Philly and every other GD team in the MLB. Aim high, settle for what you want, Neal. The days of DL and the sub-human Bucs are over!

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10908026

Don’t know what too think of this but if Coonely is intent on breaking the losing streak it would explain why know deals have been made. I’ve been a little nervous the FC was holding NH back. Maybe true, maybe not. Interesting none the less.