Pirates Lose Last Home Game

by Charlie Wilmoth on Sep 26, 2011 1:42 AM EDT

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 25: Chase d'Arnaud #12 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks up at the scoreboard following their loss and final home game of the season against the Cincinnati Reds during the game on September 25, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

I had a long day today with a bunch of stuff going on in Morgantown. Now I'm back in Columbus and just got a chance to watch the highlights. The Reds got one in the first on an RBI single by Joey Votto, then two more in the second after an error by Josh Harrison.

In the second, Derrek Lee and Ryan Ludwick reached base, and then Chase D'Arnaud belted a triple to the gap, coming home himself on a sacrifice fly by Mike McKenry. 3-3.

Unfortunately, Danny Moskos came on in the sixth, got his first batter, and then allowed three straight one-out hits, the last of which was a long double by Dontrelle Willis that brought home two runs. The Pirates started a rally in the ninth when Andrew McCutchen walked and Neil Walker doubled him in, but Garrett Jones struck out and Pedro Alvarez flied out to end it.

In other news, Clint Hurdle says the Pirates need to work harder in the offseason.

Neal Huntington, meanwhile, says the Pirates may look to the trade market to improve their team this offseason, given the lack of good options at most of their positions of need. I'm going to write about this in detail sometime this week, but basically, I think it's possible that many of the Bucs' biggest moves this offseason will involve the returns of guys like Paul Maholm and perhaps Ryan Doumit. It would shock me if the Pirates gave up any good prospects in a trade. If they did, I would think they'd want someone very young in return. They could also move Joel Hanrahan for a young hitter who could step in right away somewhere in the infield.

More tomorrow.

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Comments

“This is scRUMptious!” “SBNation musbe broke!”

oops, wrong thread.

Trading Joel for immediate help is an interesting idea, but Lefty Mcthump better work out a tad better this time.

by Mr. E on Sep 26, 2011 4:50 AM EDT reply actions

James Shields?

Perhaps if our win total was closer to 80 this year they’d part with some prospects for him.

by jlk9697 on Sep 26, 2011 8:10 AM EDT reply actions

he has a somewhat team friendly contract right now... $7MM in 2012, $12MM in 2014, plus all 3 years are team options

would have to be a huge deal to get him

by white angus on Sep 26, 2011 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions

I think this team has no choice but to bring Doumit back next year. Sure, he’s brittle as a sugar sculpture and a bigger defensive liability than the French army, but he hits the ball well and, as seen earlier in the year, when only catching 3-4 games per week, he can be pretty effective.

McKenry or Jaramillo can give him a couple of days off each week and hopefully he can stay fresh and hopefully healthy, which should make him more than worth what he is going to be paid.

It's just my two cents. Could be worth more, could be worth nothing.

by Bishop1973 on Sep 26, 2011 8:25 AM EDT reply actions

Was at the game yesterday....

Not sure if anyone else noticed it or not, but d’Arnaud almost passed Ludwick when he hit his triple. d’Arnaud was FLYING around the bases!!

by impliedi on Sep 26, 2011 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

if he can ever get that swing correct, d'Arnaud could be a HUGE weapon for the Bucs

by white angus on Sep 26, 2011 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

If "ifs" and "buts"

were candy and nuts …

bucdaddy
El Presidente for Life
Chris Duffy Fan Club

by bucdaddy on Sep 26, 2011 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah. That was impressive.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Sep 26, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Next year depends on Pedro

If I am the Pirates, I bring Doumit back and hope he stays healthy.

I try to bring Derek Lee back and hope he at least hits like his season total numbers are and possibly a little better based off how he has finished the season.

Believe it or not, I’d probably bring Cedeno back rather than spend the year with Wood, Ciriaco, D’Arnaud and Harrison filling that hole.

Maholm is a bit of a wild card, I think the PIrates could make it without him, but have no problem if they are willing to spend the cash to keep him.

I would be OK with moving Hanrahan and even possibly adding a prospect to a deal that brings us a better SS (then let Cedeno walk) first baseman (and not worry about Derek Lee), third baseman (and move Pedro to first and have him and Jones as plans A and B) or top of the rotation starter (which I doubt would happen). We have some dept in the pen and if Meek is healthy he could serve as the closer. Grilli, Hughes, LeRoux, Resop, DCutch, Veras, Watson and Moskos have all looked pretty good overall and each of them have show signs of being very good at times.

The last thing I would do is pray…every night…that Alvarez can hit at least .260 with the power stroke we hoped for. Even 25- 30 HRs would be a big help.

by Brakeman8 on Sep 26, 2011 11:07 AM EDT reply actions

I agree with pretty much all of this

The offense is so bad that I don’t see how the FO can justify not bringing back Dewey. Play him 3-4 days a week with McKenry picking up the other games. Seemed to work pretty well with Snyder last year, and just pray for health.

I’d love to have Lee back but I don’t see it happening. I think he’ll want to go elsewhere. And frankly, I think that makes it more important to really test the market for Hanrahan.

I’m a big Hammerhead fan but I think the ‘pen will be just fine without him, and he’s really our best chance to acquire something of serious value. I do really hope though that NH is able to track down someone that we can reasonably expect to contribute — not another “lottery ticket” type. That was a good strategy 2 years ago, but now we’re at the point where I’d rather have a guaranteed “7” rather than “maybe a 10, maybe a 3.” I know there’s no sure things in baseball, but if we can’t get someone with a track record of at least some success, we should hang out to Joel and wait for the market to improve.

by Garrett122 on Sep 26, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

i completely disagree...

i mean, how in the hell are we going to find time for Pagnozzi?

by white angus on Sep 26, 2011 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn’t rule out JJ as the backup with McKenry at AAA as insurance.

by Brakeman8 on Sep 26, 2011 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions

if JJ wasnt a switch hitter...

… chances are he wouldnt even be in consideration

by white angus on Sep 27, 2011 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions

FWIW,

that was Dontrelle’s first win since June 5, 2010.

by bucdaddy on Sep 26, 2011 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

Pirates: Everybody's Favorite Streak Breakers

You're entitled to your own opinions. You're not entitled to your own facts.

by WTM on Sep 26, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I do not want Doumit or Pearce back

I’m sorry. I just don’t. I just, well, I just don’t. I’m having a hard time reading people want Doumit back, I just feel like I’m having a mental breakdown picturing the two of them next year, I, I, I just , just , just don’t want , j78’hdfijr;jdssiosf8

by pineapplepete on Sep 26, 2011 4:41 PM EDT reply actions