Latin America & the Nats

by WTM on Mar 5, 2009 2:56 PM EST Comment 8 comments

BA has an extended article on the Esmailyn Gonzalez affair. It's not limited to subscribers.

It's worth a read because it makes clear just what a minefield the Dominican is, even now after all the efforts to crack down following Agegate and 9/11. It's made me completely rethink my reservations about the Pirates' reluctance to shell out seven-figures bonuses. When you add in the fact that it's virtually impossible to project what kind of player a 16-year-old will be, to say nothing of a 16-year-old who's grown up in poverty with poor nutrition and little coaching, I can understand Rene Gayo's view that it's better to spread the bonus money around.

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Wow, great link. Thanks.

by Charlie on Mar 5, 2009 3:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Bucs lose on slam in 10th

Ronald Uveitis? I can’t see this guy making the team.

by bucdaddy on Mar 5, 2009 8:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I’m sure it was never a possibility. He’s in camp because he’s on the 40-man roster. He hasn’t pitched above class A yet.

by WTM on Mar 5, 2009 9:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Um ...

That was a joke.

by bucdaddy on Mar 5, 2009 9:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry

There are posters at the PG web site all ready to tar and feather the guy based on one early spring training outing. Guess I forgot where I was.

by WTM on Mar 5, 2009 9:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If only Doug Mientkiewicz was still on the team.

With his leadership, I’m sure one of the other pitchers, maybe a starter like Gorzelanny would have been inspired to go out there and pitch the 10th. Instead, we have some guy named Uviedo. I spend at least 2 minutes a week reading about the pirates, and I’ve never heard of Uviedo. He’s probably just another soft-tossing nobody, right? Why is he getting chances?

(heavy sarcasm intended)

by houksyndrome on Mar 5, 2009 10:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs