Vinnie Chulk, Jack Taschner Look Likely to Make Team
by Charlie Wilmoth on Mar 26, 2010 1:50 AM EDT
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PrintDejan Kovacevic reveals some roster details. Yesterday I mentioned the possibility that the Pirates might go with a short bullpen until the return of Joel Hanrahan, but Kovacevic reports that in addition to Octavio Dotel, Brendan Donnelly, Evan Meek, Javier Lopez and D.J. Carrasco, the Pirates could also take Vinnie Chulk and Jack Taschner north. That would give the Bucs an extremely old bullpen.
I'd be cool with adding Chulk, who I've meekly rooted for ever since he became a minor league free agent. There's really no chance he'll be anything special, but his performance record is fine, and I don't see any obvious reason he can't be a reliable low-leverage guy. Taschner doesn't do much for me, but he is left-handed. While I'm skeptical of guys who talk about changing their mechanics over the winter--that's really only a step above "I'm in the best shape of my life" when it comes to reasons to get excited--I'm at least open to the possibility that moving to a three-quarter arm angle will help him against southpaws, who punished him last year and who Taschner has never had much of an advantage against. And if that turns out not to be the case, the Pirates can part ways with him after a few weeks, and that will be that.
Kovacevic also reports that the Pirates will probably dump Ramon Vazquez if they don't get any trade offers by the end of camp. I assume no one here will have any objections?
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When Huntington was on with Rocco DeMaro the other day he said that Taschner is the clear leader for what would be the “final” bullpen spot. I was kind of surprised that he committed to one player in his response, but he did. Taschner looks like he’s the guy they’re going to give the chance to stick. Hopefully that will work out, and they won’t be afraid to cut bait if it doesn’t.
For the other spot, a temporary spot until Hanrahan is ready, he would not commit to anyone. He said that unfortunately no one has really distinguished himself and there are several guys still alive over the final week. I think he listed Chulk, Bass, Jackson, Claggett, and Powell. He mentioned that last year they had Jesse Chavez put up a 10 ERA, but he stood out from everyone else because they saw him flash two above average MLB pitches, but he hasn’t seen anything like that this year.
He did also mention that it’s a possibility that they’ll go 14 position players up until April 24 when the 5th starter really enters the equation. Carrying Moss/Raynor or whatever until Hanrahan comes off the DL doesn’t seem like a bad idea to me.
Hard to see them going with seven
Claggett and Jackson may have the upper hand. If they carry a seventh reliever, he’s going to lose his spot once Hanrahan is ready. Bass and Powell are probably out of options. Of course, the Pirates already removed Claggett and Jackson from the 40-man once and now have the option of stashing them in AAA. They’d be giving up that advantage. Doesn’t make much sense to carry seven.
Figured it'd be Taschner.
He’s probably the least objectionable of the candidates for second lefty behind Lopez, and there’s really no need for a sixth RHRP.
Only 5 RHRP?!
What about after you’ve already used one guy for the 6th, then you bring in another rightie to start the 7th, then LaRussa puts in a rightie PH, so you go to Taschner, then he puts in a lefty PH, so you go to your third rightie, then he puts in a rightie PH, so you go to Chulk, then Holliday’s up next. Then what, huh? You’re SCREWED is what.
I’d only object if Vazquez made the roster.
All winter the discussion has been that the bullpen is a situation where you can turnover most of the group each year and not lose a lot. If that is the case…an old bullpen should be the least of our issues…especially if it is effective. There will be several new faces there by next season in any case.
If Dejan's observations...
in his morning links on the PBC blog are anywhere close to reality (and he seems to have a decent eye)?? We’ll be drafting #1 in the 2011 draft.
He seems very
pessimistic about the Pirates chances to put together anything close to 75 wins this year…let alone 81, let’s hope there’s a can’t miss superstar at the top of the 2011 draft!
by smokedpretzels on Mar 26, 2010 7:20 AM EDT up reply actions
In case anyone's curious:
BA’s early top 50 for 2011 (subscribers only).
Top 3 are 3B Anthony Rendon (similar to Pedro except that Keith Law likes him), RHP Gerrit Cole, and LHP Matt Purke.
I object vehemently to them cutting Vazquez, as that is clearly another salary dump by the cheap front office. All they care about is keeping payroll as low as possible so Bob Nutting can sit in the owner’s box and eat imported Russian caviar, sip champagne and smoke illegal Cuban cigars while he laughs at all of the true Pirates fans who still even bother to show up for games. What a douche!
I think with Delwyn Young logging four innings at 3B yesterday after LaRoche’s day was done tells us all we need to know about Vazquez’ future with the club.
Ramon, don’t the door hit you where the good Lord split you on your way out of town.
Can he take
the other Vasquez with him?
My only objection.
You're wrong.
It’s only the casual fans who care about fireworks that show up. All the true Pirates fans are done with this team.
by MarkInDallas on Mar 27, 2010 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions
i'd love to get
a Jesus Brito type prospect outta Vasquez from Texas but oh well :/
by BadAndy on Mar 26, 2010 10:40 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Chulkamania!!!!
Listen brother, the Bucs are going to body-slam the Dodgers on April 5th!!!
It's a good day to be a Pirate
also an extremely new bullpen… only one of those guys was on the roster when last season ended (two if you count hanrahan on the DL)… on paper, this looks like the best ‘pen the pirates will have had in awhile… it might not mean much in the final record, but it’s a pleasant change from the last few years when there was maybe one guy you’d have any confidence to get through an inning unscathed…
by Captain Easychord on Mar 27, 2010 11:23 AM EDT reply actions
Isn’t that a nice feeling for a change? ;-)
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Mar 27, 2010 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions
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