Lefties, Lefties Everywhere
by Charlie Wilmoth on Nov 28, 2009 1:47 AM EST
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PrintStraight to the point today: one thing I find a bit strange about the idea of the Pirates pursuing Rick Ankiel and/or Hank Blalock is that both those guys are left-handed, whereas most of the Bucs' other options at first base and right field (Garrett Jones, Jeff Clement, Brandon Moss) are too. Steve Pearce is the only righty who might be in the mix right now at first and right, and I can't believe the Bucs are still taking him seriously. If the idea in pursuing an extra corner guy is to add an extra bit of upside and perhaps hope for a nice prospect at the deadline if the new player does well, I can't really fault the Pirates for not considering the player's handedness. But if the Pirates really are serious about seeing what they have in Clement, in particular, it would seem to behoove them to find someone whose skills complement his.
Admittedly, the pickings in that area are pretty slim. Two righty free agent outfielders who might make a bit of sense are Marlon Byrd and Coco Crisp. Byrd was a regular for the Rangers this year and has played pretty well for three straight seasons, so he might require the sort of multiyear contract to which the Pirates would probably rather not commit themselves.
Crisp is a subpar hitter, but he's not old, and he's an outstanding defensive player; he could certainly handle either left or center (if that were required) in PNC. Unfortunately, his throwing arm was poor even before he had surgery on both shoulders this year, so playing him in right wouldn't work. If he were added to the roster, the Pirates could work out some sort of time share where Lastings Milledge and Garrett Jones played every day but rotated between left and right (Milledge) and right and first (Jones), while Clement and Crisp formed some sort of weird semi-platoon at the other available positions.
...This is all really speculative, and Crisp obviously isn't ideal, but I'm trying to be creative here. Given the free agent market, I can see why the Pirates would be interested in Ankiel and Blalock, and I'm not opposed to signing either of them, if they'd be willing to play in Pittsburgh. But, as much as PNC is kinder to lefties than righties, it seems a bit strange to crowd the roster with lefties. Maybe a low-leverage trade or an inspired minor league free agent signing (Ernesto Mejia of the Braves, perhaps?) would be the right move here, with the righty Pearce's initial role being determined by how credible a major league option the new acquisition is.
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Honestly I kind of feel like the Pirates best option might be to play Clement at first, platooned with Steve Pearce. It’s only been 106 plate appearances, but Pearce’s MLB line against left handed pitching is .306/.358/.561, good for a .920 OPS. Just let the guy keep mashing MLB lefties until he proves he can’t. Could carve out a decent MLB bench career in that role.
I do think that is a good option but I think the idea wold be to have more than one option
I think Ankiel is the one I’d look at, but the problem is that I don’t know if he would sign if he isn’t promised the starting job. I know Kinske for some reason believed he was going to be starting despite the fact that everything I read in the press from the get go was that his signing was a depth move and bench role.
The more options you have, the more likely it is you will succeed. In 2009, Garrett Jones was one of several options, and he was the one that rose to the top. Jaramillo and Diaz were options and Jaramillo played a bit better (although still obviously a backup).
We all hope and pray Garrett Jones’ great season wasn’t a fluke, but what if he regresses in 2010? Really, we have to consider the possibility that one of Jones or Milledge doesn’t meet expectations next year.
If the Pirates have the options of Jones, Milledge, Clement, Ankiel, and Tabata to fill 1B, RF and LF, then there’s a decent chance that 3 of those 5 are going to produce well.
If more than 3 are producing well, then you’ve got a good problem and can possibly move Ankiel.
by MarkInDallas on Nov 28, 2009 9:43 AM EST up reply actions
This Kinski might also be a good option…
And I hear she’s a switch hitter. Nobody would be blocking her.
by MarkInDallas on Nov 28, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions
I have HAD it
with these mother****ing snakes on this mother****ing dame.
by bucdaddy on Nov 28, 2009 9:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Stages a mutiny...
…then leads (by proxy) the group on a wild goose chase into the jungle, where they die one by one of sickness, starvation, and guerilla warfare. In the end, he’s left alone on a raft drifting out of control in the middle of the river, surrounded by arrow-filled corpses and monkeys, ranting to himself about how he has become God.
It’s the quintessential “Lost Boss” movie. Highly recommended.
The story behind the production is almost as entertaining.
A few anecdotes, from Wikipedia:
“Much of the script was written during a 200-mile (320 km) bus trip with Herzog’s football team. During the bus trip, his teammates got drunk after winning a game and one of them subsequently vomited on several pages of Herzog’s manuscript, which he immediately tossed out the window. Herzog claims he can’t remember what he wrote on these pages.”
“On one occasion, irritated by the noise from a hut where cast and crew were playing cards, the explosive Kinski fired three gunshots at it, blowing the top joint off one extra’s finger. Subsequently, Kinski started leaving the jungle location (over Herzog’s refusal to fire a sound assistant), only changing his mind after Herzog threatened to shoot first Kinski and then himself.”
“To obtain the monkeys used in the climactic sequence, Herzog paid several locals to trap 400 monkeys; he paid them half in advance and was to pay the other half upon receipt. The trappers sold the monkeys to someone in Los Angeles or Miami, and Herzog came to the airport just as the monkeys were being loaded to be shipped out of the country. He pretended to be a veterinarian and claimed that the monkeys needed vaccinations before leaving the country. Abashed, the handlers unloaded the monkeys, and Herzog loaded them into his jeep and drove away, used them in the shot they were required for, and released them afterwards into the jungle.”
It’s hard to blame Hinske for looking at the pre-2009 depth chart and seeing a lot of opportunity there. Even I would have started him in the outfield instead of Morgan last year, but luckily the PBC valued defense properly.
by Adam Reynolds on Nov 28, 2009 6:19 PM EST up reply actions
I’d stay away from Ankiel and Blalock (along with other PBC blog subjects like Delgado, Atkins, and Mike Jacobs (!!!)).
Jeff Clement is younger and projected to hit better by ZIPS and CHONE than those players. The projection systems match my own opinion of these talents. So why not give him a shot? He’s 26, and at this point you’re either going to sink or swim as a major league hitter.
If the Bucs find a clear upgrade at a position (like Iwamura at 2B) then fine, but if it’s a debatable upgrade at best then forget it.
Agreed that Crisps could add a lot of defensive value and be worth maybe a little bit of consideration more than the other names.
Also, Blalock has a massive home/road split in 8 seasons with Texas (.874 OPS at home, only .714 away). Atkins loves home cooking too much as well.
by Adam Reynolds on Nov 28, 2009 3:29 AM EST up reply actions
I brought this up
At OnlyBucs, because like you, I didn’t understand why all the lefties were being scouted, especially when Clement and Jones are the LH internal options. However, I don’t know if JR would rock a platoon if a right hander was brought in. He didn’t seem to want to give Pearce ABs even though he crushes left handers, and basically refused to sit GJones, even though he was awful against lefties.
So it’s kind of a moot point because JR didn’t seem to be able to grasp the idea of a platoon situation last year. I think Pearce is a perfectly viable platoon guy next year if JR plays him — especially when comparing it to what it would cost to bring in Byrd (overrated) or Crisp (not great with the bat).
Pearce’s splits so far as a major leaguer:
LHP — .920
RHP — .607
Getting a manager with a clue how to take advantage of this: Priceless.
How about a platoon for this guy?
Splits so far as a major leaguer:
LHP – .698 OPS
RHP – 1.016 OPS
Who is it? MVP, of course.
Pearce should at least be considered as a platoon with Jones in 2010, but so long as the PBC pretends this stat doesn’t exist (or Jones’s .203 BA against LHP), then it doesn’t exist.
(P.S. I didn’t know about this until Dodger announcers in the last 2 series against the PBC pointed out repeatedly that Jones could not ML LHP. Vin Scully has spoken!)
The PBC won’t give Jones a long leash vs. LHP or as a starter at all if he flops this year, based on what they’ve said.
by Adam Reynolds on Nov 28, 2009 6:23 PM EST up reply actions
I think Pearce could work against lefties. I also didn’t realize that he was hurt and couldn’t put full weight on his front foot when swinging. We’ll see if he can be part of the answer there.
by MarkInDallas on Nov 29, 2009 12:15 AM EST up reply actions
how about a reliever?
aside from perhaps grabbing some guys to provide depth, I’m not sure I see a whole lot of value in going after a FA hitter this year… better to give PT to guys like clement, jones, pearce… even young and moss…
I do think that the pirates might want to look at grabbing a reliever or two, however… there isn’t a whole lot of depth here and another bad year from capps or maybe a couple of injuries and the relief corps could look pretty dreadful
by Captain Easychord on Nov 28, 2009 6:05 AM EST reply actions
I'd be surprised if they don't get a free agent reliever.
From what I’ve heard, Huntington feels the team is in decent shape if he is given the off season to fix the bullpen.
by MarkInDallas on Nov 28, 2009 9:29 AM EST up reply actions
Adding a reliever should be a given
Or two perhaps. How comfortable the PBC is with its options at SS, RF, and 1B will be revealed after the date for tendering contracts. There will be quite a few free agents at that point, with most not requiring draft choice compensation.
Viva Clemente!
John Grabow (a proven below-average reliever) getting 2 years, $8 million doesn’t say much for the Pirates signing a proven quality reliever. I doubt they’ll waste a ton of resources on a single relief pitcher. The composition of the pen will be similar to last year, where the team throws unproven (though somewhat talented) commodities together to see if they stick.
by Adam Reynolds on Nov 28, 2009 6:31 PM EST up reply actions
I would look for a couple of relievers coming off down years but having good FIP and/or tRA. We should investigate who that could be.
by MarkInDallas on Nov 29, 2009 12:13 AM EST up reply actions
Hope you're not serious
about Coco Crisp. This is the kind of worthless signing the Pirates would have made in the past. What’s the value of a good defensive outfielder who can’t throw or hit? Not much at all. Signing Crisp would be a waste of money; even worse, he’d take playing time away from guys who deserve it. I’m not thrilled with the Pirates’ outfielders, but signing Crisp is taking a step backwards. Way backwards.
I'm Also
Not enamored w/Coco Crisp unless he’s playing center field, and I sure hope he isn’t playing center, unless, of course, Cutch is playing left.
Management saying same old losing stuff
Analize what the mgmt announces on most subjects, and you will see that their underlying plan is for a cheap as possible road to rebuilding a competitor, n o t a winner perse !!!!! If they were serious, they would clear every below 250 BA player off the roster and all the higher than 4-50 ERA pitchers. Spend $20 million or more and get 3 or 4 performers . Jack Wilson at $3 mill a year was too much ?? Rehab center is what Pirates are running, and mediocre or , has beens do not make winners !!!!
You are correct on one thing
The Pirates are indeed wanting to build a competitor as cheap as possible. I don’t see what your issue is with this. The point is, they are indeed trying to build a competitive team. As they have one of the lowest revenue streams in baseball, it makes sense that to build a competitive team they should do it as cheaply as possible, but no cheaper.
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. – Albert Einstein
by MarkInDallas on Nov 28, 2009 4:48 PM EST up reply actions
Please tell me that is not body paint.
by MarkInDallas on Nov 29, 2009 12:17 AM EST up reply actions
To steal a line from Bones at Honest Wagner
That would be “a clown car full of Bullingtons.”
THAT'S IT
I’M DONE WITH THIS TEAM
BOYCOTT
BOYCOTT
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Nov 28, 2009 7:41 PM EST up reply actions
Count me in
I’m actually for Pittsburgh signing one of these guys. I’m also for the Pirates giving Pearce a job vs LHP even if MVP has to sit.
The reason I like the idea of Blalock or Ankiel being signed is there is a hole to fill and if whoever they signed bounces back in the first half of 2010, they become a valuable trade piece and it gives Tabata and/or Clement time to prove themselves at AAA. So, it really wouldn’t matter what the deal is…as long as it’s a “good” deal that other teams would be willing to take on at the deadline and still bring back some value in prospects in return.
As for the pen, we do need help. I would not be surprised to see a number of lefty relievers get non roster/minor league invites to spring training in the hope that one or two prove worthy.
Hitters Needed
The Pirates would automatically add 5-7 wins to last year’s total by getting a few guys in the middle of the order who can simply PUT THE BALL IN PLAY with a runner on 3rd and less than two outs. It doesn’t have to be a hit, just contact. We need productive outs (to quote Jim Tracy).
Productive outs are overrated.
The whole object of the game is to avoid outs.
More balls in play will give you more “productive outs”, but they’ll also give you more double plays and triple plays – the least productive of all possible outs.
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