There isn't much interesting to discuss with the Pirates these days.  Obviously the performance is beyond terrible.  However, as you know, the whole Jack and Freddy thing is something I have found rather interesting.

http://www.bucsdugout.com/2009/8/25/1002303/and-poof-goes-the-option-freddy-on

http://www.bucsdugout.com/2009/8/24/1000867/jack-and-freddy

http://www.bucsdugout.com/2009/7/21/956292/crazy-talk-or-not

http://www.bucsdugout.com/2009/4/15/838940/lets-get-this-out-there-early

Here is some of the latest.  It is just shocking how a GM can say something that is clearly not true, almost to the point of being delusional.

Regarding Freddy Sanchez here is the money quote from Giants GM Brian Sabean:

"You can't deny that Freddy, when he's been out there, has been every bit a No. 2 hitter that we didn't have, and an All-Star second baseman," Sabean said.

Now it is true that they didn't have Freddy before they had him--can't quibble with that.  Here is how Fred has done with SF, missing 25 of the 50 games since being acquired and most likely the rest of the season:

102 At bats, 1 HR, 7 RBIs.    .284 BA, .295 OBP, .324 SLG, .619 OPS, 62 OPS+.......small sample size, but basically terrible.  The Giants aren't picking up the option and it isn't going to vest.  It's been an expensive three months for the guy.  And he needs knee surgery in the offseason.  I'll be surprised if he gets more that $6 million for two years (with playing time incentives) now, when he would have gotten $8 million next year had he been healthy.  


http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_13407708?nclick_check=1

Believe it or not, Jack has been worse in Seattle.  He has played in only 31 games since being acquired and hasn't played since Sept. 15th.  His stats:

107 At bats, 1 HR, 8 RBIs.   .224 BA, .263 OBP, .299 SLG, .562 OPS, 51 OPS+........small sample size, but horrific.

Bottom line:  They are both 32 next year.  They are now both clearly damaged goods.  Freddy's injuries were cited for his terrible year last year (79 OPS+) and he has missed much of the second half this season and now needs surgery in the offseason.  Jack played 87 games last year and 106 (so far) this year.

These two guys aren't getting paid anything close to the "insulting"--according to many--offers they turned down from the Pirates.  

These trades should, at this point, be judged as huge wins for NH.  Trades are judged on results and obviously you can't predict injuries, but the reason NH "lowballed" both guys was precisely the fact that they will be 32 next year and they had some history of injury when they were traded.  So in return for the balance of the season's performance of Jack and Freddy*, some money for Jack for the remainder of this season and Ian Snell and the $7.25 million due him the next two years the Pirates received:  Rony Cedeno (who has put up a line of .258/.307/.394 and an 88 OPS+ with 5 HRs and 21 RBIs since joining the Pirates) and is arbitration eligible next year, Jeff Clement, Nathan Adcock, Brett Lorin, Aaron Pribanic and Tim Alderson--all of whom the Pirates control for the next six years.

A silver lining in an otherwise miserable season.  Let's hope some of these assets pan out.

*They will both become free agents at the end of the season and let's pray that when NH talked about resigning players that had been traded away he didn't mean these two.  Maybe at one year $2-3 million, but not even at the amounts he offered them pre-trade.  Let's just hope we move on (although I'd be willing to consider Freddy as a one year stopgap).