Diamondbacks' Behavior Makes Infield Market Look Scary For Pirates
by WTM on Nov 9, 2011 11:00 PM EST
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PrintNow that the Pirates have left themselves without a shortstop, costs on the free agent market become especially relevant. And things are looking mighty scary on that front, thanks to the Diamondbacks.
Arizona has made two signings recently: John McDonald for two years at $1.5 million per year and Willie Bloomquist for two years at $1.9 million per year. Both have always been utility players. McDonald is a good defensive player but one of the worst hitters ever to cling to a bat; his career OPS+ is a pitiful 59. Bloomquist has a career OPS+ of 76 and, according to UZR, is an average defensive player. The Giants reportedly offered Bloomquist as much as or more than Arizona, so it's not a case of the D'backs simply going insane.
This is not making Clint Barmes look very signable, especially for a team that wouldn't pay Ronny Cedeno $2.8 million on a one-year commitment. Barmes over his career has been almost exactly the same hitter as Bloomquist, with a 78 career OPS+ (that's park-adjusted, so it's not Coors-dependent). But Barmes has been a regular for large parts of the last six years and, according to UZR, is very good defensively. He's over a year younger than Bloomquist and five years younger than McDonald. If they can get two years, he's likely to get three. And if Bloomquist can get $1.9M per, you have to think there's a good chance of Barmes getting at least double that. Yet the Pirates weren't even willing to make a total dollar commitment to Cedeno that was less than what McDonald got. Do the Pirates have a realistic understanding of the market?
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.
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I'm trying to remain optimstic
But it’s becoming increasingly difficult. I just don’t see what NH thinks $3M can get on the open market at SS. Unless the FO gets really creative with trades, and works with teams that are looking to dump salary (Oakland, maybe the Dodgers?), it’s going to be an ugly offseason.
THE CRAWFORD METHOD
the Giants recently said they may be going with Brandon Crawford at ss..hes was their 4th round pick in ’08..same as Chase and they are indeed exactly the same age born on the same day .
i think a good move would be signing someone like Mike Aviles as security and go with the Chase vs Jordy winner at ss. give them a year to gain experience and be prepared for when our best teams will be playing in ’13 and beyond.
this is unless the Giants are totally tricking me and will go after Rollins, but with Keppinger as a fall back, maybe Crawford makes sense there just as Chase/Jordy makes sense here. They’re 25..time to see what you got!
by patient pirate on Nov 10, 2011 12:43 AM EST reply actions
they also said they would strengthen the lineup around Crawford… i think we will do the same at first and rf.
by patient pirate on Nov 10, 2011 12:43 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t think Aviles is going to be non-tendered. He’s only a first-year arb eligible player, so he won’t get much, and it’s not like Boston’s exactly short on cash anyway.
by Vlad on Nov 10, 2011 6:10 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
The most that would do would get them to tender and then trade Aviles, not just drop him.
by Vlad on Nov 10, 2011 7:24 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Looking ever bleaker
My concern starts with pitching. Our starting rotation was just as bad after the break as it was good before the break. Our pitching situation is suspect, with Morton recovering from surgery, Correia penciled in as the #1 guy, and Maholm gone That’s a scary start to the off-season.
The offense looks weaker than it was in 2011 (and the 2011 version was pretty bad) with big holes at 1B, SS, and C, and a lot of hope on the shoulders of Tabata and Presley to come back and deliver. (Maybe the front office is convinced that the 2012 version of Pedro Alvarez will be the second coming of Babe Ruth.)
Declining Cedeno’s option was the most inexplicable to me. Unless NH comes up with something radically different than he has in the past, where are the replacements gonna come from? It’s gotta be free agents or trades….. but I don’t see any FA’s who will upgrade SS or C for similar or less money. And the only realistic trade bait the Pirates have for bringing in some real talent is Hanrahan or McCutchen.
And if it was Hurdle’s influence which caused NH to dump Cedeno, then that’s a big swinging strike against Hurdle as far as I’m concerned. Hey, I’m not a big Cedeno fan, but where can NH find a SS who will contribute as much for $3 mill? I just don’t get it.
yeah at 3 mil
cedeno wouldve been a better utility infielder than a brandon wood or pedro ciriaco
Correia is in no way penciled in as #1 starter
If a better option doesn’t arrive in free agency, and there’s no reason to think one will, expect to see Jeff Karstens take the mound opening day.
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
I can't take any more of this
OK, first off, I’ve always been a big Karstens fan, and I truly believe that he’s got the mental makeup to semi-frequently outperform his talent. He may actually be a decent Opening Day starter.
But if somebody doesn’t put up some sort of happy, optimistic front page post soon, I’m going to go apeshit. At this pint, I don’t even need it to be honest. Sidd Finch me, I’ll thank you later.
I was thinking of doing an optimistic fan post...
…but work is killing me so I can’t find enough time to steal from my employer to do so.
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
Freudian slip?
At this pint, I don’t even need it to be honest.
Or just drinking at 8:30 am?
Either way, I approve.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Nov 10, 2011 10:44 AM EST up reply actions
I didn't think
that would slip past you.
Hoists last night’s can of Yuengling in your honor
Cheers.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Nov 10, 2011 4:14 PM EST up reply actions
“can”, singular? Acceptable only if you mean the band. 1 spin a week is sufficient.
tips back a high life
by Mr. E on Nov 10, 2011 7:58 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I can accept the fact that that's probably all that's left
from last night, knowing bucdaddy as I do…
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Nov 10, 2011 8:52 PM EST up reply actions
Also, Rec'd for CAN reference!
Alternate version of “Little Town of Bethlehem” from “>>DELAY<< 1968” album
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Nov 10, 2011 8:55 PM EST up reply actions
Heh.
Knew you’d like it.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Nov 10, 2011 4:14 PM EST up reply actions
If you double check
you will see we already had black holes at 1B, SS, and C last year. At least on offense. 3B and one of the COF positions should also be much improved.
Chase, Jordy, and Aviles (if hes available) ..lets see who wins. i guarantee you we will not miss superstar Ronny Cedeno
by patient pirate on Nov 10, 2011 1:12 AM EST up reply actions
we won't miss him
if we get a decent replacement. I sure as hell ain’t putting much stock in a guy who looked overwhelmed in the majors last year or guy who has as much ML playing time as I do. There’s no guarantee Aviles comes to Pittsburgh by any stretch. Ronny had more value than Pittsburgh fans want to believe.
With an inferior replacement, judging by your list of possibilities.
by Vlad on Nov 10, 2011 6:12 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Do the Pirates have a realistic understanding of the market?
It’s certainly not seeming that way at this point, is it?
by Vlad on Nov 10, 2011 6:13 AM EST via mobile reply actions
My thought exactly.
It’s all well and good to have an “internal valuation” system so that they estimate a dollar figure that each of their players is worth, but it’s another thing altogether to ignore the reality of the open market.
Internally, I value a gallon of gas as being worth $2.50, but the sign at the GetGo says that they charge $3.50 per gallon. Guess who won’t be driving his car if he doesn’t adapt to how things actually are, regardless of what I think they are worth.
It's just my two cents. Could be worth more, could be worth nothing.
Guess who won’t be driving his car if he doesn’t adapt to how things actually are, regardless of what I think they are worth.
Yeah, that’s exactly it. If you want to stick with your valuation of a commodity rather than the market’s valuation, that’s fine, but you have to be prepared for the consequences of not buying any of it at the market rate.
I’m sure glad I resisted the enormous peer pressure to buy a house at market rate in 2005. The consequences are I’m not underwater and don’t have a penny of debt.
I’m totally fine with what the Pirates have done so far. Whether they can find improvements on Jones, Maholm, Cedeno etc. remains to be seen. I’m withholding judgment until the 2012 roster is set. Now is not the time to panic.
Meh
This is just Kevin Towers being Kevin Towers. Signing utility players to 2 year deals is what he does. I don’t see his love for bench players setting the market for other teams.
I’m not worried about the Pirates finding a decent shortstop. Clint Barmes isn’t the only guy available – there should be at least two Japanese shortstops on the market this offseason, Ramon Santiago would be fine, Stephen Drew could be on the trading block, and even if we don’t sign anyone I don’t see why Jordy Mercer couldn’t be at least as good as Cedeno. We’ll be fine…
Most of the time...
those Japanese players (especially ones being posted) tend to cost a little bit of money. Usually outside our price range. Since I haven’t seen what they are looking for financially, I don’t know if they are in our budget.
even if we don't sign a Japanese SS, they could still drive down the market
If Milwaukee signs a Japanese SS instead of Barmes, that might make it a little more likely that Barmes would fall to us. I wouldn’t count on this, though.
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Nov 10, 2011 11:21 AM EST up reply actions
Small sample size
but the infielders signed to MLB contracts from the NPB over the past few years haven’t gotten very big contracts:
Iwamura – $4.5M posting fee, 3/$7.7M contract – $12.2M total
Nishioka – $5M posting fee, 3/$9M contract – $14.25M total
There might have been a few more, but the only other player I could think of was Kaz Matsui and he was signed way back in 2003 so his contract probably isn’t very relevant to today’s market.
I’d be very surprised if it took more than a $15M total commitment to get either of Munenori Kawasaki or Hiroyuki Nakajima this offseason. Kawasaki especially should be pretty cheap since he’s a free agent – I’d guess he’ll probably get less than $10M total.
of those three Japanese middle infielders, the success story is easily Iwamura
I think the Twins have already given up on Nishioka. Small sample size, of course.
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Nov 10, 2011 12:08 PM EST up reply actions
Well neither does Cedeno...
Kawasaki wouldn’t be my first choice, but if he’s a legit MLB shortstop defensively (and I have no idea if he is) and can be a .280/.320/.370ish hitter, I’d be fine with the Pirates signing him.
I'm just glad we didn't beat them out by giving Bloomquist an extra year
the way we did with Matt Diaz and Ramon Vazquez.
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Nov 10, 2011 9:22 AM EST reply actions
When I first thought about Barmes...
…I’d figured it’d take something like a 2 year/10MM deal with maybe a team option for 5.75MM or so. Whether that’s an overpay or market value, I leave to you all to decide, it just seems to me what’s what the Bucs would need to offer to get him to listen.
The problem with being the Pirates is, of course, if another team that has a more legit shot at contending offers him that, he’ll go there unless he & Clint Hurdle are BFFs.
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
Let's haul back on the Jordy Mercer talk for a bit
Not sure you want to throw a guy who has only 250 plate appearances at the AAA level and none in the major leagues to the wolves as starter.
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
a guy who has only 250 plate appearances at the AAA level
And a raw OPS under .700 at that level, to boot.
Mercer’s roughly 700 OPS at AAA came from a sub-600 OPS in his first month and a 800+ OPS in his second month. It probably makes sense to give him another month or two in AAA to see if he adjusted to AAA or if it’s nothing more than SSS. But I’d give him a shot in ST.
and a 800+ OPS in his second month
With a 4/21 BB/K in 126 AB in August/September.
He’s a decent prospect, but I think some people’s expectations for him in 2012 are unreasonable.
Hey
It’s not like the Pirates have ever rushed a prospect to make up for a stupid roster decision, resulting in that prospect A. wasting development time flailing in the bigs while B. starting his arb clock early, making him prematurely expensive.
So since that sort of thing would be unprecedented, I’m entirely sanguine about throwing Mercer into the fire.
Why not?
He’s already had 800+ plate appearances at AA and performed decently there. AAA is a much less important level – if the organization thinks he can be a decent starter in the majors, there’s no reason not to give him the chance right now. He’s 25, it’s not like he’s been rushed through the system.
maybe the FO doesnt know if hes a SS, 2B or utility.
mercer is in the same boat as d’arnaud; one of the two, or both, needs to step up big time to earn the job. if not, the team will look out of system and both stay at Indy
by white angus on Nov 10, 2011 10:31 AM EST up reply actions
They "didn't know" with Walker either
2B, 3B, Catcher, Utility …
My 2 Cents on Cedeno … regardless of who will replace him, I think Hurdle wanted him gone. Sabermetrics can’t measure when a player has fallen out of favor with the manager.
to be frank, Walker was moved to 2B permanently two weeks before his call up last season
NH said he would be a utility player, but we all knew he would get first shot at taking over for AkiBudha… who else was going to fill in? young? crosby?
walker nearly played himself out of the pittsburgh baseball picture. by volunteering to move around the diamond, and there were reports he did just that, he improved his own value and got that shot he so wanted
by white angus on Nov 10, 2011 12:53 PM EST up reply actions
It’s not like Huntington and Russell had a brainstorm to put Walker at 2B. More like Walker said “I’ll move anywhere you want to put me, as long as I’m in the majors”.
actually, it really WAS huntington who had him moved permanently to 2B
sure, its because his 2B/sumo was tanking badly, but it still happened
et tu, Vlad?
Aren’t 3B and 2B basically equivalent from an offensive point of view these days?
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Nov 10, 2011 8:16 PM EST up reply actions
Aren’t 3B and 2B basically equivalent from an offensive point of view these days?
No. In the modern context, 3B OPSes tend to be about 30 points higher than 2B OPSes, give or take.
They were pretty close to even last year, so it’s possible that the gap is narrowing, but I wouldn’t want to draw that conclusion on only a one-year sample.
I was thinking of a study or two like this, which seems to suggest that the problem at third base is more than this year only. And as you yourself (I think) observed the other day, it’s easier to find a second baseman than a third baseman these days. But that might be a temporary talent imbalance.
Fangraphs’ positional adjustment treats 3B and 2B the same these days, which might be based on something, though some of Tango’s discussion of this that I read seemed voodooish to me.
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Nov 10, 2011 8:35 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I don't know about this
As you must know, I’ve been beating this drum for 2 years. It’s not just 2011 data – indeed, I started repeating myself on this subject long before 2011 began. And it’s not just FG’s positional adjustment. If you look at the median 2B and the median 3B over the last ~5 years, they hit (wOBA) exactly the same. The best 3Bs do consistently hit better than the best 2Bs, but the worst 3Bs are worse hitters than the worst 2Bs, so I don’t think you can draw any conclusions.
3Bs derive more of their (average) offensive value from SLG than from OBP, but that’s neither here nor there, since wOBA takes into account the relative values of those 2 skills.
It’s not just 2011 data – indeed, I started repeating myself on this subject long before 2011 began.
Gaps between league-wide 2B splits and league-wide 3B splits, by year. Positive numbers are in favor of 3B, negative in favor of 2B.
2011: -.002
2010: +.023
2009: +.005
2008: +.025
2007: +.027
2006: +.062
2005: +.027
2004: +.054
2003: +.006
2002: +.027
Are the two converging? Maybe. But I’d like to see more evidence before I get on board with that.
If you look at the median 2B and the median 3B over the last ~5 years, they hit (wOBA) exactly the same.
An interesting piece of trivia, but I’m not sure what the advantage of that is over league-wide splits. And how do you correct for PT?
looking at the data, I'm more coming around to your point of view
Mostly because this article by Colin Wyers seems convincing to me. When I said that Tango’s methods of calculating the adjustments seemed voodooish, I meant that he (and similar researchers) seem to depend on looking at the relative fielding values of people who play more than one position within a season. That smells funny to me because, as Wyers notes, there’s a lot of bias in who is actually chosen to switch. If 2B/3B switchers tend to be natural 2Bs who are asked to fill in at 3B because it’s easier to go from 2B to 3B than vice versa (like Delwyn Young, ha ha), that’ll ruin the data. (Also, aren’t the fielding data for partial seasons completely unreliable? Maybe the idea is that if you put enough partial seasons together you get reliable data about 2Bs as a whole versus 3Bs as a whole.)
The second point is that Tango’s adjustments seem to be based entirely on positional scarcity — how difficult it is to get good/adequate fielders at the position. That seems fundamentally misguided to me. Even if it’s equally difficult to get good/adequate fielders at two positions, replacement level should be based on the level of offense that those fielders provide. Thought experiment: Let’s say that you were required to devote a roster spot to someone who was 5’4" or shorter, and another roster spot to someone who was 6’7" or taller — set the heights so it’s actually equally difficult to find those two players. Even though the two spots are equally hard to fill, the level of offense you’d get from a replacement big guy would be much higher, and a little guy who hit like a replacement-level big guy would be very, very valuable. The moral I’m drawing is that it’s not about how difficult it is to fill the position, it’s about the level of offense you can expect from the people who are filling the position.
The third point is Wyers’ money point, I think:
For second and third base, we have over 50 years of data that says that third basemen practically always outhit second basemen. And yet looking at the position switchers in terms of fielding data, what you see is they’re basically even. What are the possibilities here?…
The next possibility is that baseball teams are just doing a poor job of allocating talent, and that they are needlessly diluting the second-base talent pool by keeping a greater portion of the good players at third base. I don’t see any hard evidence for that contention, and it doesn’t seem to be particularly reasonable.
All that said, I’ll guess that the gap between 2B and 3B is smaller than the gap between 3B and other corner positions, and between 2B and SS. Could be wrong, though.
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Nov 11, 2011 7:40 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I'll confess
I have no idea what you mean by “league-wide [x]B splits”. Is that average OPS+ for each position across all 30 ML teams?
The advantage of looking at median, vs. average, is that it isn’t skewed by (say) the best offensive player of the last decade being at one position (not even his natural one). I take your point about PT, but if we’re looking at qualified players, and we pay attention to whether everyone listed at a position is really playing that position (FG, at least, doesn’t double-list: JBautista is on their Leader Board at RF, not 3B, although he started ~20 games at 3B), then everyone on the lists is going to reflect who actually starts at 3B or 2B for MLB teams. The fact that JB played 205 innings at 3B doesn’t actually mean that “third basemen” hit better than if the Jays never had him there.
That said, I think I may have looked at wOBA, not wRC+, which would mean missing out on park effects. I’m not sure, but that sounds like what I might have done.
I have no idea what you mean by "league-wide [x]B splits".
This is the raw batting line put up by all MLB players last year at the time they were in a game and playing that position (available here for 2011, for example). It’s not adjusted for park/league, because it’s derived from all players in all parks in both leagues.
The advantage of looking at median, vs. average, is that it isn’t skewed by (say) the best offensive player of the last decade being at one position (not even his natural one).
If he’s playing third base, he’s part of the population. It’s significant that his team was playing him at 3B, rather than 2B.
if we’re looking at qualified players
Looking only at qualified players is a big problem, unless you have the same number of qualified players at both positions. If you don’t, then you’re not properly accounting for position scarcity.
Just can't shake the feeling...
…NH will take advantage of Yuniesky Betancourt’s hideous last 3 season, sign him for 1 year/2MM or so and declare victory
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
I'm hoping it's just paranoia brought on by cynical pessimism
REALLY REALLY REALLY hoping
Jose Tabata is the truth
The following is a list of everything Darren McFadden is bad at: 1) Giving birth. End of list.
At which point...
Betancourt will make it 4 hideous seasons.
Really, dude?
Pretty uncalled for.
Free your ass and your mind will follow.
by cocktailsfor2 on Nov 10, 2011 11:45 PM EST up reply actions
All these veteranosity signing possibilities have got me excited;
just think of the positive WAR for the Bucs.
パトリック
Letter sorted thoughts
A) could Cedeno still be tendered arbitration?
B) would that be for less?
C) How ready do they perceive Chase d’Arnoud?
D) Perhaps they actually prefer (I know I would) Ciriaco to McDonald, Barmes and Bloomquist.
E) Just because we gave Ramon Vazquez 4 million dollars once doesn’t mean that a bunch of other teams had to overpay.
F) It is also very likely that the Diamondbacks got suckered by the Giants into overpaying.
G) Does it really affect our team at all if we do/don’t get Clint Barmes? He’s been playing second base for like 6 years now. Cough Chris Gomez Cough Cough
Bees Bees Everywhere
Also
Lebo’s Josh Wilson is a minor league free agent. I’d take him over Barmes too
Bees Bees Everywhere
by VoteforPedro on Nov 10, 2011 10:08 AM EST up reply actions
hmmmm, NH didnt want Wilson in the Hardy trade conversation
doubt he would want him now
by white angus on Nov 10, 2011 10:32 AM EST up reply actions
Brendan Harris was the guy who was traded with Hardy.
Not actually affiliated with whygavs.
by WHYG Zane Smith on Nov 10, 2011 8:18 PM EST up reply actions
ah that makes sense
i didn’t know if he was thinking of Justin Wilson (although I had no clue how that would make sense in the context)
A) could Cedeno still be tendered arbitration?
Yes.
B) would that be for less?
Very unlikely.
C) How ready do they perceive Chase d’Arnoud?
Good question.
Does it really affect our team at all if we do/don’t get Clint Barmes? He’s been playing second base for like 6 years now.
He played second base in most of those years because he was on the same team as Troy Tulowitzki, a stud defender who’s not getting moved for anybody. Barmes is a perfectly capable SS defender, and we’d be significantly better off with him than with a AAA talent like Josh Wilson.
I think you can have an understanding of the market......
….until another team blows the market up with these types of signings. That said, getting into the FA market is for the big kids and if the Pirates have any hopes of improving then they have to test the water at some point. If we all constantly look back at this teams dismal history of FA signings and become gun-shy because of it, we may have to wait another decade for a winning team. In short-they need to have a set of balls and get in the FA game to some extent……and as fans we just have to hope they finally figure it out…..
by Marooned Pirate on Nov 10, 2011 10:24 AM EST reply actions
This offseason so far is like
a bad episode of outter limits! Do not attempt to adjust your television. Fugggg!
actually, im kinda diggin' it
really curious to see the team that NH puts together.
by white angus on Nov 10, 2011 10:33 AM EST up reply actions
I don't know about the big league team
but the fan base is going to be in bad shape come spring from all this drinking to excess.
<-------sober as a bird
and really anxious for the winter meetings to get here
by white angus on Nov 10, 2011 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
that makes one
(with regard to sobriety. I’m sure many of us are looking forward to the winter meetings.)
Pirate Fest is approaching
It’s gonna be ugly if things don’t change. Get your “ALL IN” signs ready.
by ATribeCalledGreg on Nov 10, 2011 11:11 AM EST reply actions
theres no players left to go to pirate fest
only person there will be vendor Rick slingin’ cracker jacks n weenies at the crowd
by white angus on Nov 10, 2011 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
Numerous reports...
Pirates sign C Rod Barajas for 2012 and club option for 2013. No financial details yet.
Yay! A 36 year old catcher!!
I could feel his muscle tissues collapse under my force. It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm. ~~ Mike Tyson
First reports I am seeing are...
$4M for 2012…$3.5M option for 2013.
For that…it looks like we can expect .235/.285/.410 and about a 25% CS rate (if our pitchers ever learn to hold runners on).
Via MLBTR
(the average MLB catcher hit .244/.312/.388 in 2011).
I could feel his muscle tissues collapse under my force. It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm. ~~ Mike Tyson
I'm glad we got to him before the Nationals did...
I could feel his muscle tissues collapse under my force. It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm. ~~ Mike Tyson
indians interested in Shinobu Fukuhara
yeah, thats what SHE said
by white angus on Nov 10, 2011 11:56 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Cedeno: Internal value does not equal market value
If the Pirates value a player at a dollar amount that is less than that player’s market value, then the Pirates will find themselves paying market value for an inferior player to, say, Cedeno.
This internal valuation method can become a mechanism which decreases the quality of the team. The reason: markets set the value (price) of the players available to the Pirates.
It’s one thing to refuse to overpay. It’s another to refuse to pay fair market value.
s.zielinski
Glad to see Cedeno go.
Cedeno made so many mental mistakes that did not show up on the stat sheets and UZR ratings that any option there is an upgrade. Rookie mistakes. Giving the FO props on this one. Gladly take my chances with Chase/Jordy. At least some upside possible.
Mark Ellis
and his .634 OPS gets 2years/$8+m and is strictly a 2B.
Barmes is looking less and less likely.
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