Matt Wieters Named Minor League Player of the Year

by Charlie Wilmoth on Sep 9, 2008 2:21 AM EDT

Not for the Orioles organization. For the entire minor leagues. Excellent.

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If we had drafted/signed him

he’d be hitting .196 at Hickory.

by bucdaddy on Sep 9, 2008 9:33 AM EDT reply actions

If we would have drafter Wieters...

One of several things would have happened and they are all bad:

1. Either we would have failed to sign him because of Boras’ exhorbitant demands, or
2. We’d have gone through arbitration then just like we are doing now because of Boras.
3. Russell would still be playing Chavez and Vlad would be upset that people were demanding that he be brought up and played now.
4. Patthat would be defending Vlad saying that he can’t understand why we all think so highly of Wieters (Pearce)

by Illinois Pirate Fan on Sep 9, 2008 9:56 AM EDT reply actions

I'm going to be blunt

At this point, there is no similarity – none – between Wieters and Walker. If Walker were hitting as well as Wieters, and able to catch like Wieters, then it might make sense to bring him up. Since he is instead hitting like a glove-first shortstop and playing a position where we already have a young guy in need of regular time, I don’t see the value in watching Walker get blown away while he fails to play a position he’s already demonstrated that he can’t play.

I’m going to be even blunter now. Either you can’t grasp the distinction, and you’re an idiot, or you CAN grasp the distinction, and you’re trolling. Either way, please cut it out.

by Vlad on Sep 9, 2008 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Vlad

Don’t you think that calling me an idiot is a little harsh?

by Illinois Pirate Fan on Sep 9, 2008 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

That depends.

Do you understand the difference between Wieters and Walker? If so, then you’re not an idiot.

It’s not any nicer of you to imply that I’m an idiot than it is for me to imply that you are, which you did in your post. I’m just more direct.

by Vlad on Sep 9, 2008 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

I'll be harsh

You ARE an idiot, Illinois Pirate Fan. I’m not much for prohibiting free speech, but your posts are either inane or incitable — neither of which are welcome.

by Alleghenys on Sep 9, 2008 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

If we had drafted Wieters, AND DL was still GM

He would have torn up State College, then been rushed to the majors to sit behind Paulino. Struggled, sent down to Hickory, called up and buried again, then moved at the deadline for Paul Byrd.

by azibuck on Sep 9, 2008 10:28 AM EDT reply actions

Illinois Pirate Fan

I’ll defend you to the end!!!

I know that you know what you are talking about.

However, I like Raul Chavez as a backup catcher who catches once or twice a week. Doumit will NEVER catch on a winning Pirate team. He is an exceptional hitter who is a tremendous liability behind the plate.

Chavez is old and is not much of a hitter. But he will be serviceable as an excellent, defensive backup receiver. He will be invaluable to the Pirates in the future as a minor league instructor in helping Latino pitchers and catchers develop.

Keep it up IPF. Don’t let them get you down!

by thegunner on Sep 9, 2008 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

thegunner

Thanx for watching my back. For the life of me, I cannot understand why some of these posters become so upset when we’re all pulling for the same team. You’d think a little teasing wouldn’t bother them when it’s all done in fun. What a boring world it would be if we all agreed all the time. Thanx again.

by Illinois Pirate Fan on Sep 9, 2008 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

IPF,

I don’t think you are an idiot, just impatient, that’s all.

by ElliottBayBucco on Sep 9, 2008 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

A useful reminder:

Sarcasm often does not translate well to the internet.

If you were joking about Wieters being like Walker, then you could’ve (and should’ve) made it a lot more clear that you were joking.

by Vlad on Sep 9, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

IPF/Gunner

Perhaps “idiot” is a bit harsh for the two of you.

How about “clueless”?

But then again, not a few people thought Bob Prince had a screw or two loose, so maybe the shoe fits in gunner`s case.

By the way, IPF, I like the baby picture. It`s soooo cuuuute! Come to think of it, there is something infantile in your need for someone to always stick up for you or “watch your back.”

Both of you should take a clue from the proceedings of the past few days.

When you get two of the most knowledgeable(and agreeable) guys on BucsDugout kickin` you in the arse, like WTM and Vlad, it means you should definitely reevaluate what you are saying here and why.

I come here for Charlie`s outstanding commentary, the knowledge of Vlad and WTM, and, in general, the comments of people like bucdaddy and a handful of others.

Nobody should pay attention to what you goofballs have to say.

by patthatt on Sep 10, 2008 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions

patthatt

For the life of me I can’t understand why you have to take everything so personally. Baseball is just a game and we are just spectators with differing opinions. I don’t care what you think of me nor do I care if you read any of my posts or respond to them. I can live without you and your opinions because I come on this board to have fun and share my thoughts about the Pirates. You are always welcome to your opinions but when they come to words about my grandson I draw the line. I demand you to leave him out of your rants or this will become personal. I’ve told you this before and I’ll repeat it in case your memory is as short as your temper: if you don’t like what I say then don’t read my posts.

by Illinois Pirate Fan on Sep 10, 2008 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Nothin' personal when I say this:

Your grandson really is a cute kid. And if that’s a Pirates onesie, as I suspect, then it’s good to see that you’re bringing him up right.

by Vlad on Sep 10, 2008 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Vlad

Thank you. It is my hope that he someday replaces my boyhood hero, Dick Groat.

by Illinois Pirate Fan on Sep 10, 2008 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Why azibuck don't get no love?

Is it because I mix in too much jackassery with my otherwise cogent commentary? Crap. I knew it.

by azibuck on Sep 10, 2008 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

terrorist fist-jab of solidarity

I like having you around.

by Vlad on Sep 10, 2008 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

We'll always have the memories

Of the wacky hijinks that ensued during our Jose Bautista Fan Club meetings. :-(

by matskralc on Sep 10, 2008 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Anything in this?

From the same article:

“The Pirates traded minor league catcher Michel Hernandez, who batted .266 in 76 games for Class AAA Indianapolis, to the Tampa Bay Rays for future considerations.”

I made most of my life decisions at a Foghat concert... I stand by them.

by Chester J Lampwick on Sep 9, 2008 12:55 PM EDT reply actions

Probably not.

He was a NRI signed so we’d have someone to catch at AAA, and we didn’t need him for 2009 since we’ve probably got Paulino or Diaz to fill that role next year, barring a trade. Tampa needed an extra body behind the plate at AAA because Durham’s in the playoffs, Josh Johnson just hurt himself, and professional jerkwad Mike DiFelice quit in a huff when he didn’t get a callup after the roster expansion. Hernandez was familiar with some of Tampa’s guys from spending 2007 in Durham, and this way he gets to play in the postseason and earn a few extra game checks.

It’s just one of those courtesy things that GMs do for each other, to keep the wheels of the industry turning. That said, Huntington didn’t HAVE to do it, so it speaks well of him that he was willing to do Hernandez and the Rays a solid.

by Vlad on Sep 9, 2008 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks Vlad

I kind of figured that it was one of those types of deals; thanks for giving me the whole story.

I made most of my life decisions at a Foghat concert... I stand by them.

by Chester J Lampwick on Sep 9, 2008 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

My pleasure

by Vlad on Sep 9, 2008 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Illinois Pirate Fan

I know . . . it’s sooooo frustrating

by Kekiongas on Sep 9, 2008 6:39 PM EDT reply actions

Charlie -- How To Really Revolutionize Bucco Blog!!!

My compadre, Illinois Pirate Fan, has been accused of being an “idiot”.

We both have been charged with being “clueless”.

I suggest that you create a hierarchy with Bucco Blog much like a major league franchise. Just create five levels"

Major League
AAA
AA
A
Rookie League

I suggest that we start with four “men” at the major league level since they obviously know more about baseball and evaluating talent than anyone else who contributes here.

DR. SEUSS (aka catinthe hat, patthatt) will be known as Dr. Littleton because I am not sure how much he knows about baseball. I know that Littlefield knew very little. I am not sure yet about Huntington.

VLAD will take the role of"Kurt" Russell who played US Olympic coach (and former Penguins’ coach) Herb Brooks. He is going to have to work another miracle in his new role.

WTM (Wilbur) will be the counterpart to Dan Fox, formerly of Baseball Prospectus but now the Pirates’ statistical guru. WTM will work with Fox feeding him the information that he gets from Jim Callas of Baseball America and his other inside sources.

The fourth major leaguer will be VLAD. We need somebody on the bench to coach Nyjer Morgan and work with him so that he will better utilize his speed.

I am willing to start in the Rookie League and work my way up. Maybe Illinois Pirate Fan will join me there since he is an “idiot” and obviously needs a lot of work.

All of the rest of you report to AAA, AA or A - your choice.

Good luck to all. (I’m not going away!)

by thegunner on Sep 10, 2008 9:17 PM EDT reply actions

I hope you plan on giving Vlad double paychecks for pulling double duty!

by matskralc on Sep 10, 2008 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm probably not...

…the best guy to be teaching anyone about how to utilize speed, since I don’t actually have any of it myself. I had a relative several generations back who was a US champion mid-distance runner, but I think the gene must skip a few generations.

by Vlad on Sep 11, 2008 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions

thegunner:

This was exactly what our board needed: a little humor. When a team plays as poorly as the Bucs have done you have to laugh or you’ll cry. I’ve always tried to inject some humor along with my comments simply because I look at this board as fun as well as educational. I really do enjoy reading what people say even if I disagree with them because there is always something to be learned.

Normally, I would expect to begin in the “Rookie League” as you suggested, but my agent is questioning whether patthat actually recorded his comments before the midnight deadline and so I, too, am being sequestered and prohibited from responding to his comments.

by Illinois Pirate Fan on Sep 11, 2008 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

IPF

Your grandson is cute! Don`t get your panties in an uproar by thinking I meant anything other than what I said about him. I was just trying to give you some friendly advice about your e-mail address. You should take the shoes off of him in the house, though.

Gunner: You really are clueless. People like Vlad and WTM are what make this site worth coming to every day. Your attempt at humor above is pathetic.

I`m glad you insist on staying Gunner and IPF. Others provide valuable insight into the PBC, and baseball in general, while you guys supply the comic relief. Keep up the good work!

I`ll try harder from now to be nice to you and just ignore your posts. I don`t think anyone wants to be put on BucsDugout double-secret probation over some small disagreements.

by patthatt on Sep 10, 2008 11:20 PM EDT reply actions