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Around SBN: Win or Lose, Boston Celtics' New Big 3 Era A Success

Yankees, Pirates Agree To A.J. Burnett Trade For Diego Moreno, Exicardo Cayones, According To Reports

Michael Sanserino reports that the A.J. Burnett deal is done, and is awaiting physicals and approval from the commissioner's office.

If this turns out to be a false start, it would yet another for what someone recently called The Most Over-Reported Trade Rumor Of All-Time. (I think that was David, but I'm not sure, and I'm paraphrasing.) Anyway, it looks like the Pirates will send Diego Moreno and another minor-leaguer, and will take on $13 million in salary.

I'm glad the Pirates are doing this -- this is the sort of we're-trying-to-take-ourselves-seriously move we need to see more of going forward. Burnett is hardly a lock for success in Pittsburgh, given his age, but he's a pretty good bet -- he's going to like pitching in PNC Park. He's also a clear upgrade on Kevin Correia, and he should also provide the Pirates with some stability, which they're going to need badly with Charlie Morton and Erik Bedard currently in the rotation. This trade means way fewer innings for Correia and also for whoever's behind Brad Lincoln, whether that's Jo-Jo Reyes or someone else. (I think Lincoln will end up getting his chances almost no matter what, as long as he shows he's worthy of them.) That's great news.

UDPATE: Burnett's ZiPS projection in Pittsburgh:

And yes, Burnett's projection improves to an ERA+ of 91 in Pittsburgh, 9-11, 4.22, 168.1 IP

UPDATE 2:39 PM: Jonathan Mayo reports that the other player in the deal is Exicardo Cayones, who once looked like one of the Pirates' more interesting young Latin players but couldn't hack it in State College in 2011. He's now 20. I think this is probably a spot where the Pirates are pretty sure he isn't going to amount to much. If they did, they probably would have sent him to West Virginia to start the season, or at least let him spend more time struggling at State College. As with Moreno, if they had liked him better, they would have been more aggressive with him. We'll see whether the Pirates turn out to be right about these players, but my guess is that they probably feel like these were pretty safe players to trade away.

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ohhhhhhhhhh, noooooooo...

its just begun.

bwahahahhahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

sorry, my A button is sticky

by white angus on Feb 17, 2012 2:17 PM EST up reply actions  

the first game he’ll give up more than 3 runs

"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"

The Royal Half - "Today, Ilya Kovalchuk had 3 goals while yesterday Dustin Penner ate 3 pancakes. Well played, Dean Lombardi."

by Elektrostal_Kid on Feb 18, 2012 9:13 PM EST up reply actions  

Unfortunately the physical includes a week-long eye test. Thanks a lot Nate McLouth

by TravisDW on Feb 17, 2012 2:19 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

"Anyone could pass the eye test in Pittsburgh."

Maybe he should go back to not wearing contacts.

"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the goddamn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
-Earl Weaver

by Nate Wilder on Feb 17, 2012 2:23 PM EST up reply actions  

All next week on Twitter …

Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN Reply Retweet Favorite · Open

The Pirates are willing to take on $13.1 million in salary, but only if Burnett chooses 2 rather than 1

Joel Sherman @Joelsherman1 Reply Retweet Favorite · Open

#Yankees say Diego Moreno couldn’t tell the circle on the left was the one that was elevated, might have glaucoma. Deal off

by Charlie Wilmoth on Feb 17, 2012 2:24 PM EST up reply actions  

Just wait

Until Moreno unloads to the media about the Pirates’ team dentist.

by Jitterbug on Feb 17, 2012 2:32 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Sweetleb has a source that says AJ Burnett will fail physical...

due to ingrown toenail.

"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the goddamn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
-Earl Weaver

by Nate Wilder on Feb 17, 2012 2:24 PM EST reply actions  

I think you mean “fale the physical”

by TravisDW on Feb 17, 2012 2:27 PM EST up reply actions   2 recs

Fale the team.

"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the goddamn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
-Earl Weaver

by Nate Wilder on Feb 17, 2012 2:28 PM EST up reply actions  

Or “phale the fysical.”

Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!

by WTM on Feb 17, 2012 2:50 PM EST up reply actions  

hey

the commish and a physical could veto this trade , the yanks stole money and players in this trade. burrnett has given up 72 hr on fastball the last 3 yrs ,not a good sing for a ahem power pitcher.

"please buy the team mr. cuban"

by sweetleb on Feb 17, 2012 4:23 PM EST up reply actions  

haha yeah

was thinking the same thing… this would have been a nice team for sweetleb and his “sources” to disappear!

by BurgherKing on Feb 17, 2012 4:34 PM EST up reply actions  

“not a good sing for a ahem power pitcher” WTF ?

Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

by michaelbro8 on Feb 17, 2012 7:01 PM EST up reply actions  

I don't consider singing to be part of a pitchers job description, if that's what he is concerned about.

Music is Charlie’s domain, maybe he can enlighten us to how important carrying a tune is for a major leaguer.

by BarryJT on Feb 17, 2012 7:48 PM EST up reply actions  

What exactly does

given up 72 hr on fastball mean?

by goodtymes31 on Feb 17, 2012 5:36 PM EST up reply actions  

fastballs

when throwing a fastball he has given up 72 hr in the last 3 yr,second on that list shields at 52hr

"please buy the team mr. cuban"

by sweetleb on Feb 17, 2012 5:44 PM EST up reply actions  

No, it takes three days to translate this gibberish.

Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!

by WTM on Feb 17, 2012 6:10 PM EST up reply actions  

maybe

where do you find that data? (I m shocked sweetleb knows where to find it, if it is real!)

by BurgherKing on Feb 17, 2012 6:17 PM EST up reply actions  

Except he got the basic point wrong. Burnett’s FB velocity is still very good for a starter . . . exactly the same as J-Mac’s in 2011. Along with finishing 10th in the AL in K/9 among starters, there are still plenty of good signs for Burnett as a power pitcher.

Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!

by WTM on Feb 17, 2012 6:18 PM EST up reply actions  

wrong

had a 95 mph with toronto in a 18 win season, 93 mph the last 3 yrs and that is when his hr and era went up. very good breaking stuff is where he gets his k’s.

"please buy the team mr. cuban"

by sweetleb on Feb 17, 2012 7:03 PM EST up reply actions  

yankee beat writer

on espn.

"please buy the team mr. cuban"

by sweetleb on Feb 17, 2012 9:40 PM EST up reply actions  

espn… lol

"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"

The Royal Half - "Today, Ilya Kovalchuk had 3 goals while yesterday Dustin Penner ate 3 pancakes. Well played, Dean Lombardi."

by Elektrostal_Kid on Feb 18, 2012 9:18 PM EST up reply actions  

and thank you, we all know what is your “source” now. Hilarious

"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"

The Royal Half - "Today, Ilya Kovalchuk had 3 goals while yesterday Dustin Penner ate 3 pancakes. Well played, Dean Lombardi."

by Elektrostal_Kid on Feb 18, 2012 9:20 PM EST up reply actions  

Not that I’d expect you to understand that reduced velocity doesn’t necessarily mean a guy can’t pitch any more, but it doesn’t. Burnett’s velocity was about the same in 2009 and 2010, yet he was good in 2009 and not in 2010. His peripheral numbers are still good, with the one significant problem being a fluky HR rate in 2011. But that’s several different things you have to take into account, so I realize it’s too complicated.

Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!

by WTM on Feb 17, 2012 7:37 PM EST up reply actions  

not sayin that

just like pedro martinez and many other fireballers, he is going to have become a more complete 3 pitch pitcher because he can;t amp up that 99 mph fastball anymore. back in the day he could make mistakes in the middle of the plate and get away with it, now not so much.

"please buy the team mr. cuban"

by sweetleb on Feb 17, 2012 9:45 PM EST up reply actions  

He hasn’t had a 99 mph fastball since 2007.

Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!

by WTM on Feb 17, 2012 9:50 PM EST up reply actions  

that what she said.

"please buy the team mr. cuban"

by sweetleb on Feb 17, 2012 6:58 PM EST up reply actions  

hahahahahahahahaha

.

________________________________
Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Feb 17, 2012 5:38 PM EST up reply actions  

I don’t know what’s worse: the fact that you think you’re the man by ‘trolling’ us (Oh no, I keep responding, how dare I “feed the troll”), or the fact that, by “trolling” us, you’re actually putting yourself at a sub-human level of existence.

In other words — you’re the Zoidberg of this blog, without the hilarity.

Thank you Ned Colletti.

by ryebr3ad on Feb 17, 2012 6:07 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

wouldn't it be cool if the team could add certain blog-posters to the trade ?

“Burnett traded for Moreno, Cayones, and Sweetleb”


Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

by michaelbro8 on Feb 17, 2012 6:12 PM EST up reply actions  

cannot poster dump

must get a poster back in trade!

by BurgherKing on Feb 17, 2012 6:18 PM EST up reply actions  

True; and I imagine some yanks posters could be worse.....

well, on second thought

Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

by michaelbro8 on Feb 17, 2012 6:22 PM EST up reply actions  

Except we’d have to throw in Cole, Taillon and Bell to make that trade.

Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!

by WTM on Feb 17, 2012 6:19 PM EST up reply actions  

No!

Then we’d have to take on the full value of Burnett’s contract, plus better prospects

The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Perspectives become reality.
Twitter: @shanecglass

by glass0941 on Feb 17, 2012 9:06 PM EST up reply actions  

I fear what we would get in return...

what if we got fleeced, and got Bobbo in return?

________________________________
Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Feb 18, 2012 10:19 AM EST up reply actions  

lighten up francis

"please buy the team mr. cuban"

by sweetleb on Feb 17, 2012 9:45 PM EST up reply actions  

I think your the one that needs to lighten up

Juat sayin.

Ovechkin-Leich-Semin: The greatest line in hockey..............................Tee Hee

Proud supporter of the following clubs: Pittsburgh Penguins, Erie Otters, Columbus Crew, Boston Celtics and the best football clubs in the land: Manchester United F.C.

The Manchester United Football Club: Winning countless trophies and making City fans jealous and full of envy since 1902.

by Bradley James McEachern on Feb 18, 2012 2:54 AM EST up reply actions  

Cashman no longer takes Huntington's calls

So they had to work out the entire deal via email!

by ElDuce on Feb 17, 2012 7:02 PM EST up reply actions  

Glad this is done...

this is the kind of risk they need to be taking right now. This makes the rotation pretty decent and if they are able to go deep into games consistently (as they did during the first half of last season) then they could have a decent season.

Of course Pedro needs to rebound and 1B needs to not be a liability but…

by Mick Kraut on Feb 17, 2012 2:24 PM EST reply actions  

I was watching video of Pedro yesterday.

His AB’s did really get better toward the end, though better is an arbitrary term here, and he really lost like half a human being this offseason. It’s kind of shocking if you watch video then vs. now.

I know the weight thing isn’t a huge, huge deal, but the vibe I’ve gotten is that he wants to turn it on and has been working hard at it. I’d put money on him to rebound.

"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the goddamn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
-Earl Weaver

by Nate Wilder on Feb 17, 2012 2:30 PM EST up reply actions  

he really lost like half a human being this offseason

Oh no, warning track power!

by BurgherKing on Feb 17, 2012 2:34 PM EST up reply actions  

+1

hahahahaha

"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the goddamn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
-Earl Weaver

by Nate Wilder on Feb 17, 2012 2:49 PM EST up reply actions  

Ding ding; winna winna


Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

by michaelbro8 on Feb 17, 2012 6:01 PM EST up reply actions  

oh he's going to rebound

Can we call him the “round mound of rebound”?

by lloyd95 on Feb 17, 2012 3:46 PM EST up reply actions  

Clubhouse Perspective

There’s another benefit to this deal so close to spring training, and it’s a positive sign to the team about the organization trying to improve the club. Everyone knows about the negativity about how the season ended after being in serious contention the first 103 games.

When everything is considered, I think the Bucs have improved the club from the 2011 version.

by SteelStealth on Feb 17, 2012 2:39 PM EST reply actions  

Exicardo Cayones

is the second prospect per Mayo.

by Enchinga on Feb 17, 2012 2:40 PM EST reply actions  

Epoc can come down from the ledge…

www.drstrangeglove.com

by nycbucsfan on Feb 17, 2012 3:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Ha!

Charlie-faster than a speeding bullet.

by Enchinga on Feb 17, 2012 2:41 PM EST reply actions  

Propsects

Tim Alderson, Calvin Anderson, and Diego Moreno most I would give. Moreno probably becomes a future All Star Closer though.

by BigB2323 on Feb 12, 2012 10:25 AM PST up reply actions

by BigB2323 on Feb 17, 2012 2:49 PM EST up reply actions  

Not sure if you're serious...

but I’ve had a crush on Moreno since the insane K% 2010 and have always had the gnawing feeling he’s not getting his due from the org. for b.s. reasons of some nefarious sort. So of course I won’t be surprised to see him in the pen for the Yankees at some time this season. At the same time, I keep trying to make my brain convince my gut that odds are Burnett will produce like his SIERA/xFIP sez he should for 2 seasons and thereby dramatically limit Correia’s innings (thus potentially providing more WAC than he does WAR), while Moreno will be a run-of-the-mill reliever at best, so why should I care?

by tobynotjason on Feb 17, 2012 3:15 PM EST up reply actions  

But there IS very tasty upside there.

Striking out 40% of the hitters you face in a year is just crazy.

While I’ve argued til I’m blue about the relative (non) value of relief pitching with non-stat-types, being an absolute shut-down guy over a course of a buncha years is worth more than WAR says it’s worth. Not as much as WPA says it’s worth, maybe, but still… I think at the extreme of effectiveness it’s a beautiful thing.

Imagine you have a robot you can send out to pitch perfect 3-strikeout innings once per game, 50 times per season. Is that worth merely 50 innings of 0 FIP ball, per fWAR? I think it’s worth quite a bit more. But as soon as you stray into “really good” territory (from “absolute shutdown” territory), WAR makes perfect sense to me.

Of course, the odds that Moreno will work out to be a Rivera-caliber guy are silly small, so this is semantics, ain’t it?

by tobynotjason on Feb 18, 2012 5:03 AM EST up reply actions  

striking out everyone gives you a crazy negative FIP

I think it’d be something around -2.80. Not sure how much it’d be worth in fWAR, but I guess it’d be reasonably high. Maybe only around 3 or 4, though.

Interestingly, bbWAR likes Mariano Rivera much much more than fWAR. It’s something like 56 bbWAR to 39 fWAR, and bbWAR is usually lower by a healthy amount. So you may have a point about fWAR underrating shutdown relievers.

Not actually affiliated with whygavs.

by WHYG Zane Smith on Feb 18, 2012 8:43 AM EST up reply actions  

striking out everyone gives you a crazy negative FIP

I think it’d be something around -2.80. Not sure how much it’d be worth in fWAR, but I guess it’d be reasonably high. Maybe only around 3 or 4, though.

Interestingly, bbWAR likes Mariano Rivera much much more than fWAR. It’s something like 56 bbWAR to 39 fWAR, and bbWAR is usually lower by a healthy amount. So you may have a point about fWAR underrating shutdown relievers.

Not actually affiliated with whygavs.

by WHYG Zane Smith on Feb 18, 2012 8:43 AM EST up reply actions  

I actually knew that re: FIP's nuts and bolts and the negative, but was making a...

theoretical point about total shutdown relief with auto 0.00 RA. Should’ve just said “perfect 3 K innings”, I guess.

To be clear, I am NOT saying WAR systematically undervalues good closers. Actually, it’s kind of the opposite, since I’m not sure I always buy the 50% bonus credit it gives them for leverage. I am saying that at the extremes of relief dominance – way past merely above-average – I think it might, for all the reasons traditionalists argue a shutdown reliever is valuable. (It’s just that I only want to say this about actual, real, bygod shutdown closers, not everybody with 35 saves this year.) I’d also like to have a long enough track record to know I’m evaluating talent, not random variance, so I’d be hesitant to throw it at a

Since fWAR tracks FIP and FIP stops tracking ERA at extremes, it would make sense that fWAR would lose a guy whose extremely low ERAs have been better than his FIPs 9 out of the last 10 years.

by tobynotjason on Feb 18, 2012 2:59 PM EST up reply actions  

Cayones and Moreno

hmm little more than I thought they should good get, but good deal overall for a salary dump by the Yankees

by BigB2323 on Feb 17, 2012 2:43 PM EST reply actions  

I think for the same reason I loved Exicardo,

what a great name. It’s a shame, now I have to hate him since he’s a Yankee.

by MDBuc on Feb 17, 2012 3:00 PM EST up reply actions  

TOTAL sadness.

.

________________________________
Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Feb 17, 2012 3:39 PM EST up reply actions  

Exicardo is pretty far down the depth chart now. They have a bunch of more promising outfielders in the low minors. He’d have had trouble getting PT.

Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!

by WTM on Feb 17, 2012 2:51 PM EST reply actions  

We win.

Now step 2 is to flip Burnett for more later.

I would have held out longer for more money but I can live with this.

Should the Pirates keep Neal Huntington?

http://www.bucsdugout.com/2011/5/16/2174135/poll-should-huntington-be-retained

by Kosstic518 on Feb 17, 2012 2:58 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

Assume Taillon and Cole exceed expectations WRT their development this season...

while Burnett pitches like his peripherals say he should. Do you flip him if there’s interest at the deadline or keep him around as a piece (complete with veteranosity for the rookie pitchers) in a potentially competitive 2013?

by tobynotjason on Feb 17, 2012 3:19 PM EST up reply actions  

I trade him the second he gets hot regardless of when it is.

Should the Pirates keep Neal Huntington?

http://www.bucsdugout.com/2011/5/16/2174135/poll-should-huntington-be-retained

by Kosstic518 on Feb 17, 2012 7:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Doesn't he have some kind of limited movement clause?

Wouldn’t that limit our ability to trade him? Or is that clause affected by him being traded here?

Also, I can’t believe we’re already talking about flipping a guy who has been a Pirate for less than a day.

by Superstar25 on Feb 18, 2012 5:40 AM EST up reply actions  

Don't worry

I was already talking about flipping him 2 weeks ago.

Should the Pirates keep Neal Huntington?

http://www.bucsdugout.com/2011/5/16/2174135/poll-should-huntington-be-retained

by Kosstic518 on Feb 18, 2012 7:37 AM EST via mobile up reply actions  

we bought his existing contract

he has a 10 team no trade clause, presumably all the westernmost teams.

by karreemofwheat on Feb 18, 2012 9:23 AM EST up reply actions  

flip him

like a half done pancake… prospects at the all star break, burnett pitching for ATL or Philly!

by lloyd95 on Feb 17, 2012 3:48 PM EST up reply actions  

Good deal. I hope they try and get one more quality starter though and really bump KC outta town.

Thats what she said! - Michael Gary Scott

by C Shint on Feb 17, 2012 3:22 PM EST reply actions  

I'd look up the Yankees

I’ve heard they’re pretty easy to deal with.

Maybe pick up Blanton and send Karstens AND Correia to the bullpen. They can can break camp with a 15-man pitching staff.

by Jitterbug on Feb 17, 2012 3:39 PM EST up reply actions  

I wouldnt mind that. I think there are cheaper/better options than Blanton though

Thats what she said! - Michael Gary Scott

by C Shint on Feb 17, 2012 3:56 PM EST up reply actions  

hey

lincoln can hit as well as anybody we got, so that’s one available PH

by BurgherKing on Feb 17, 2012 4:37 PM EST up reply actions  

Burnett is here for two years

I don’t think that they will look to flip him or Bedard. They are looking to fill the rotation and mildly compete while waiting for the youngsters to get ready. I think you are going to see Burnett eating up innings for at least a year and a half in Pittsburgh, hopefully with decent results.

by sidbreamslegs on Feb 17, 2012 3:23 PM EST reply actions  

~10 million for Burnett and Bedard vs. ~10 million for Paul Maholm

Time for some people to admit they were wrong – by a lot – about NH’s handling of the pitching staff over the off-season………

Solid stuff. As Tim said, dealt from strength (RP/OF) and built up a weakness (SP).

Well done, NH.

by Mr. Smizik on Feb 17, 2012 3:26 PM EST reply actions   2 recs

I think people would argue...

and I tend to agree, that we very well could have kept Maholm, and still added Burnett and Bedard. Round out the rotation with JMac, and Karstens to start the season (assuming Morton is on the DL), and let Morton replace an injured Bedard or back to earth Karstens. I still like our rotation better than last season, but outside of McDonald and Morton, I dont really think there are any pitchers on the staff that we needed to save innings for.

by goodtymes31 on Feb 17, 2012 3:32 PM EST up reply actions  

Maholm fetched considerably less on the open market.....

Picking up his option would have been an overpay by about 5 million dollars. Teams like the Bucs cannot afford those types of mistakes.

Plus, despite many on here, Maholm simply wasn’t and isn’t that good, especially at that salary.

Two better pitchers (obviously when healthy in Bedard’s case) for the price of one overpay. This offseason (in terms of SP) has been pretty well executed, by any reasonable measure.

by Mr. Smizik on Feb 17, 2012 3:45 PM EST up reply actions  

To be honest, they wouldn’t have known it was an overpay unless he actually signed for five million.

So, sure, now we know it would be an overpay — but if the Bucs took his option, I wouldn’t have complained due to the price.

Thank you Ned Colletti.

by ryebr3ad on Feb 17, 2012 6:09 PM EST up reply actions  

To be honest, they wouldn’t have known it was an overpay unless he actually signed for five million.

They may have guessed (or projected). Isn’t that what GMs are supposed to do?

by BurgherKing on Feb 17, 2012 6:13 PM EST up reply actions  

The Pirates will pay Burnett $5MM this season and $8MM in 2013, tweets Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

This lines up with the FO’s comments regarding salary growth with attendance growth, assuming things are indeed looking up in 2013.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t it mean there’s still a bit of room this year (without fantasizing about a new spending paradigm)?

by tobynotjason on Feb 17, 2012 3:32 PM EST reply actions  

just gonna leave this here...
Exactly. “@TrippingOlney: CAN’T WAIT TILL A.J. BURNETT POSTS A SUB-4 ERA WITH PITTSBURGH AND YANKEE FANS CALL FOR CASHMAN’S HEAD”

from “noted pirates hater” keith law

by johnnycuff on Feb 17, 2012 3:39 PM EST reply actions  

Sadly, though...

…even with a sub-4 ERA for the Pirates, his W-L record will still be something like 7-13 due to an alarming lack of offense if Pedro doesn’t get it together, Tabata and Walker don’t improve any and Presley turns out to be Chris Duffy 2.0.

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

by Bishop1973 on Feb 17, 2012 3:44 PM EST up reply actions  

Well if Presley disappoints, I hear there’s some Marte kid waiting to take his spot.

"So you think 25 percent of the country is retarded?! Yea. Atleast 25 percent. Well lets do a sample. There are 4 of us an you're retarded. Thats 25 percent." Southpark; Mystery of the Urinal Deuce
RIP Corey Keller, James Taylor, M. Jay Darby, Derek Davis.

by gorillakilla34 on Feb 17, 2012 4:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Cool beans. Even if the prospects turn out, they’re a ways away and there are plenty of other people in the pipeline ahead of them here. We still need some offense, though. Work the phones, NH!

by Aphthakid on Feb 17, 2012 4:05 PM EST reply actions  

I can see it now

Burnett shoves a pie into Manny Ramirez’s face many times this year.

by Jitterbug on Feb 17, 2012 4:16 PM EST up reply actions  

Not that Manny would be with the Pirates, Burnett will just be hunting him down wherever he is.

by Aphthakid on Feb 17, 2012 4:19 PM EST up reply actions  

The Yankees are dumping salary onto the Pirates? I guess the cap on spending in the MLB draft really is bringing about economic parity to Major League Baseball.

by Kidspud on Feb 17, 2012 4:11 PM EST reply actions  

I'm guessing

Tomateros de Culiacán of the Mexican League

by gorillagogo on Feb 17, 2012 4:18 PM EST up reply actions  

As always...

Hyundai Unicorns. They have a magic rainbow of money to spend but no one will take it. Sad, sad Unicorns.

by Aphthakid on Feb 17, 2012 4:20 PM EST up reply actions  

I don't know WHY this isn't green yet.

I’m very disappointed.

________________________________
Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Feb 18, 2012 10:46 AM EST up reply actions  

Huh? That makes no sense at all.

by Vlad on Feb 17, 2012 8:28 PM EST up reply actions  

He said they’d have to have traded Blanton first.

This explains why everyone outside NYC was the Pirates were the most likely all along.

Not actually affiliated with whygavs.

by WHYG Zane Smith on Feb 17, 2012 8:30 PM EST up reply actions  

Never realized

that Mike (from hit sit-com “The Middle” and also janitor in “Scrubs”) has a cameo.

by WVUColumbus on Feb 17, 2012 4:32 PM EST up reply actions  

star turn

Don’t forget his appearance as the subway cop in the Fugitive

by VanSlick on Feb 17, 2012 6:14 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Oh thank God!

Cole wasn’t include!! Don’t PANIC!

Seriously though, I love the idea of trading minor league relievers. NH has proven before that he is more than capable of putting together an effective bullpen from pieces that are readily available, so if we can use relievers to acquire talent, I’m all for it. I’m not suggesting we flip Justin Wilson and Bryan Morris for nothing, but you get the idea.

The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Perspectives become reality.
Twitter: @shanecglass

by glass0941 on Feb 17, 2012 4:34 PM EST reply actions  

I was talking to a Yanks fan on FB.

He heard it was going to be Cole, Taillon and Alvarez for AJ Burnett.

You gotta aim high to fail so big. - Trace Beaulieu

by IAPiratesFan on Feb 17, 2012 5:10 PM EST up reply actions  

Haha, that cannot have been legit.

must have been collaborating with sweetleb’s sources

The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Perspectives become reality.
Twitter: @shanecglass

by glass0941 on Feb 17, 2012 5:21 PM EST up reply actions  

If he was sincere, I suggest you rob him for all of his money and tell him it’s “stupid tax”.

Thank you Ned Colletti.

by ryebr3ad on Feb 17, 2012 6:11 PM EST up reply actions  

He was kidding.

I think that was pretty obvious.

You gotta aim high to fail so big. - Trace Beaulieu

by IAPiratesFan on Feb 17, 2012 8:11 PM EST up reply actions  

I am certain of nothing on the internet anymore, especially when a Pirate fan said that they heard the PTBNL in the Ludwig deal was Stetson Allie.

God, people are DUMB

Thank you Ned Colletti.

by ryebr3ad on Feb 18, 2012 8:56 AM EST up reply actions  

yep

i think there’s some upside there, though

and as pointed out earlier, we’ll find out whether Moreno’s lack of advancement was due to mishandling or his own limited abilities. Same with Cayones perhaps.

by BurgherKing on Feb 17, 2012 4:41 PM EST up reply actions  

Maybe

But if you’re 20 years old and aren’t producing in SS ball, maybe it’s not a mishandling…

The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Perspectives become reality.
Twitter: @shanecglass

by glass0941 on Feb 17, 2012 5:06 PM EST up reply actions  

i used mishandling wrongly

intended more to convey lack of proper developmental approaches in the case of Cayones. He was a high bonus signing, so they saw something there that they weren’t able to get to a point where he could handle a SS league. (Not that it precludes him simply not being good enough)

by BurgherKing on Feb 17, 2012 5:17 PM EST up reply actions  

Fair enough

I see what you’re saying. That could be, but at this point, it maybe too late to reverse that. Unless this turns into Jose Bautista all over again…

The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Perspectives become reality.
Twitter: @shanecglass

by glass0941 on Feb 17, 2012 5:23 PM EST up reply actions  

Cayones tore up the VSL if I recall

At one point I was pretty excited to see what he could do once he started in rookie ball and low A. Then he hit rookie ball and low A.

by gorillagogo on Feb 17, 2012 7:21 PM EST up reply actions  

One thing that happened with Cayones was that he didn’t mature physically the way the Pirates hoped. When they signed him he projected to play CF, but over a couple years he got a bit softer and his speed dropped to below avg., according to BA. Basically, by last spring he didn’t look very projectable any more. Just a hazard of signing 16-year-olds.

Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!

by WTM on Feb 17, 2012 7:42 PM EST up reply actions  

He actually 'tore' up

the GCL for half a year. Was hitting like .450 for a few months. Had a 9 hit double header or something like that. Problem was, his ISO was .060 or something.

Below WTM gets to the heart of why that GCL spurt was his shining moment.

by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Feb 17, 2012 9:16 PM EST up reply actions  

I actually thought we’d have to give up more than this, maybe somebody like ZVR or Dodson. Moreno and Cayones both have some tools to offer, but this was at the low end of the range of prospect costs that we could have expected. On top of that, NH didn’t have to hit the upper end of the dollar range people were projecting, which was about $14-15M. Very nice job.

Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!

by WTM on Feb 17, 2012 9:26 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Agreed

Worst case scenario he sucks alot and we gave up those two prospects.
Best case scenario he leads us to the playoffs
Middle case (and most likely IMO) he pitches decently to well and we flip him come July 31.

by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Feb 17, 2012 10:39 PM EST up reply actions  

Moreno

I know that he would have had to stay on the MLB roster, but you would think that the Yankees would have taken a flyer on Moreno during the Rule 5 draft if they had thought so highly of him.

by BrianO' on Feb 17, 2012 11:58 PM EST up reply actions  

This is a point no one seems to be talking about

Keep in mind that everyone had a chance to get Moreno for a negligible amount this winter (especially for the Yankees). And for a guy with his ability to miss bats, I feel like he’s someone who could hide in a bullpen all year.

The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Perspectives become reality.
Twitter: @shanecglass

by glass0941 on Feb 18, 2012 11:10 AM EST up reply actions  

Worst case scenario he sucks alot and we gave up those two prospects.

actually worst case, Burnett sucks, Moreno replaces Mariano as the next ‘Mo’ for the next 15 years, and Cayonez becomes a masher with plus defense in LF

by BurgherKing on Feb 18, 2012 12:31 AM EST up reply actions  

personally, i still like Cayones to be something useful in the majors

Thats what she said! - Michael Gary Scott

by C Shint on Feb 18, 2012 1:22 AM EST up reply actions  

Great names, though

I’m a bit surprised that they’re both legit upside guys (as opposed to Calvin Anderson-like types whose ceiling is Brad Eldred), but yeah, even if they pan out, it’s a fine deal.

This does explain the drawn-out process. I’m sure NH was hoping to give up less.

by JRoth95 on Feb 17, 2012 6:04 PM EST up reply actions  

This does explain the drawn-out process.

Yes it does. Especially when you considered that names suggested by the Pirates made the Yankees FO go “Who?” and then call up scouts who had to activate their scout network to find people who’d heard of these guys much less seen! No wonder it took days!

by BurgherKing on Feb 17, 2012 6:14 PM EST up reply actions  

Awesome.

The deal is finally done, and it’s a good deal at that. Hopefully, this means we can ship Correia to the moon or something. (And yes, I am aware that Nutting is probably too cheap for that, but still.)

Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.

"Matt Cooke and Evgeni Malkin for Brian Boyle, Derek Stepan, Brandon Dubinsky, Mike Rupp, and a first round pick." -JackCampbell

How many brooks would a Brooks Laich like if a Brooks Laich could like brooks?

by wg1of5 on Feb 17, 2012 4:46 PM EST reply actions  

Korea?

’Cuz his name…nevermind.

by Jitterbug on Feb 17, 2012 4:49 PM EST up reply actions  

Korea?

Ain’t far enough away.

Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.

"Matt Cooke and Evgeni Malkin for Brian Boyle, Derek Stepan, Brandon Dubinsky, Mike Rupp, and a first round pick." -JackCampbell

How many brooks would a Brooks Laich like if a Brooks Laich could like brooks?

by wg1of5 on Feb 17, 2012 11:04 PM EST up reply actions  

Well then...

I hope the Pirates know their minor leaguers better than the Yankees do, especially Cayones.

You gotta aim high to fail so big. - Trace Beaulieu

by IAPiratesFan on Feb 17, 2012 5:12 PM EST reply actions  

Eh

As far as all outfielders Cayones is way down on the depth chart…

Marte
Bell
Grossman
Willy Garcia
Gorkys Hernandez
Harold Ramirez
Mel Rojas
Evan Chambers
Wesley Freeman

All of those guys, plus more, are ahead of Cayones.

by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Feb 17, 2012 6:06 PM EST up reply actions  

Could potentially argue to include Quincy Lattimore

You know it’s rough when…

The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Perspectives become reality.
Twitter: @shanecglass

by glass0941 on Feb 17, 2012 9:10 PM EST up reply actions  

Bingo

The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Perspectives become reality.
Twitter: @shanecglass

by glass0941 on Feb 17, 2012 9:15 PM EST up reply actions  

I am loving how most Pirate fans have been saying this entire time leading up today that this would be a solid deal to help improve the buccos rotation this season. but NOW that it actually happened, im reading all over the place (probably the same people that favored it) that they are now upset at this acquisition of Burnett because they feel like this 13 million dollars is a total waste and that it will affect future contract extensions of Cutch and Walker….who are under team control until 2016 and 2017, respectively. or the usual “they shouldve spent that 13 million dollars on a better player!! they need to sign good players to get good!!”…even though we all know that playing for the pirates isnt an attraction for big name FA and that even when they give offers, players dont wanna take their money and obviously refuse to come here (ie: EJax and De La Rosa)

by rinsana11 on Feb 17, 2012 5:38 PM EST reply actions  

im reading all over the place (probably the same people that favored it) that they are now upset at this acquisition of Burnett because they feel like this 13 million dollars is a total waste

I suspect you arent reading this on BD, or the more sensible sites around like PP. It’s a reminder of why the smarter fans hang around these places!

by BurgherKing on Feb 17, 2012 5:54 PM EST up reply actions  

So y’all can get force the stupid out of me

Someone’s been hanging around sweetleb!

by BurgherKing on Feb 17, 2012 6:15 PM EST up reply actions  

Sir

I don’t think there’s much hope for that to happen for either of us.

The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Perspectives become reality.
Twitter: @shanecglass

by glass0941 on Feb 17, 2012 9:10 PM EST up reply actions  

definitely not on here or PP. this is on places like espn and even facebook

by rinsana11 on Feb 17, 2012 6:15 PM EST up reply actions  

Meh and we'll see

I am generally wary of career minor relievers, and with Moreno’ s erratic behavior and that a guy with that kind of arm got passed over in the rule 5 draft, I am not worried about losing him.

Cayones will have to wait on. I felt like he still had some skills to develop. Probably just another Gorky at best, but wanted to give him a little more time.

Regardless, good deal NH. Onward and upward.

by VanSlick on Feb 17, 2012 5:48 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

Good move by NH

Haven’t been a huge fan of any of his moves this offseason but I like this one. AJ should give us 200 innings and saves us from seeing Kevin C start every 5 days which is a win in itself.

by JCBucs on Feb 17, 2012 5:49 PM EST reply actions  

"Oh hey there, World Series"

In 2012, probably something more like, “Oh hey there, slight to moderate improvement.”

by Superstar25 on Feb 18, 2012 5:49 AM EST up reply actions  

aw

As far as unprofessional conduct goes, that’s kind of sweet.

Not actually affiliated with whygavs.

by WHYG Zane Smith on Feb 17, 2012 7:20 PM EST up reply actions  

Not that there's anything wrong with that!

Nothing at all!

The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Perspectives become reality.
Twitter: @shanecglass

by glass0941 on Feb 17, 2012 9:12 PM EST up reply actions  

Image Fail

The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Perspectives become reality.
Twitter: @shanecglass

by glass0941 on Feb 17, 2012 9:13 PM EST up reply actions  

Beer Temple

said $5 million this year and $8 million next. Mystery team kicking in $1.9 million?

by Jitterbug on Feb 17, 2012 7:23 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, the Phillies have to pay $1.9 million. How do you like that, Philadelphia?

by Charlie Wilmoth on Feb 17, 2012 7:27 PM EST up reply actions  

this might explain it

Buster Olney says the Yanks have already paid Burnett $1.9M this year, because they pay year-round. So if he looked at how much the Yanks had left to pay him and figured the PIrates were picking up the rest, he might have added $1.9M to our tab.

Not actually affiliated with whygavs.

by WHYG Zane Smith on Feb 17, 2012 8:29 PM EST up reply actions  

I can’t find that confirmed anywhere.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Feb 17, 2012 7:27 PM EST up reply actions  

its a post but by one of psa writers

Wow, $14.9M and two prospects? Cashman is amazing.

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
Follow me on Twitter @frankiecamp48
by Frank Campagnola on Feb 17, 2012 3:49 PM EST

by karreemofwheat on Feb 17, 2012 7:33 PM EST up reply actions  

Rec'd

Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!

by WTM on Feb 17, 2012 7:39 PM EST up reply actions  

JIM BOWDEN
@JimBowdenESPNxm
Follow
Confirming AJ Burnett & $18.1 million dollars has been traded from NYY to PGH in exchange for Exicardo Cayones OF & Diego Moreno RHP pending
2:58 PM – 17 Feb 12 via web · Embed this Tweet
Reply Retweet Favorite

by karreemofwheat on Feb 17, 2012 9:30 PM EST up reply actions  

That appears to be accurate...

2 years left on contract worth $33M. The Yankees have already paid him $1.9M this year (evidently he gets paid 12 months a year instead of only during the season) to lower it to $31.1M – the $13M the Pirates will pay over the next 2 seasons = $18.1M.

by Thunder on Feb 18, 2012 6:11 AM EST up reply actions  

Imagine

on Valentine’s day you’ve already been paid $1.9 mil. Wow.

Yinzers uber alles

by BostonBuc on Feb 18, 2012 8:13 AM EST up reply actions  

Wish I had that problem.

The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Perspectives become reality.
Twitter: @shanecglass

by glass0941 on Feb 18, 2012 11:11 AM EST up reply actions  

I bet he will actually improve coming to the Pirates.

We gave up two crappy prospects and am paying him what Maholm could have earned with us. I think the combination of NL Lineups and the relatively weak NL central lineups, he could get his ERA back down and become a better pitcher.

by dasox313 on Feb 17, 2012 8:12 PM EST reply actions  

and am paying him what Maholm …

Mr. Nutting?

by BurgherKing on Feb 17, 2012 8:23 PM EST up reply actions  

If it's him

YOUR CHEAP!!!! SALE THE TEAM!!!!!!!!!!

The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Perspectives become reality.
Twitter: @shanecglass

by glass0941 on Feb 17, 2012 9:14 PM EST up reply actions  

Huh?

Excuse me, but I do not get what you mean by that.

by dasox313 on Feb 17, 2012 9:29 PM EST up reply actions  

you said "am paying"

which is the verb that you would use if you were personally paying him, like Bob Nutting (owner of the Pirates). The folks are just giving you some good-natured ribbing about it.

Trust me that it’s good-natured — if you want to see ill-natured ribbing, check out what’s happening to sweetleb (who has earned it).

Not actually affiliated with whygavs.

by WHYG Zane Smith on Feb 17, 2012 9:44 PM EST up reply actions  

Ah

Ok, thanks. I tend to talk like that. Thanks for explaining.

by dasox313 on Feb 17, 2012 9:50 PM EST up reply actions  

Thanks for stopping by

And see what you can do about denying the Cubs a place to play while they work on Doublemint Field. I think U.S. Steel Yard in Gary, Ind., would be appropriate.

by Jitterbug on Feb 17, 2012 11:28 PM EST up reply actions  

what WHYGZS said

no offense (nor grammar-Nazism) intended!

by BurgherKing on Feb 17, 2012 9:49 PM EST up reply actions  

So NH traded someone the yankees could have had for free, and a former

16 year propsect who never grew? On top of that he backloaded the salary to a year where he has even greater payroll flexbilty? Somebody put one of those pods next to Pedro.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRVfGMjdGh8&feature=related

by Joe9195 on Feb 17, 2012 8:33 PM EST reply actions  

a rule 5 draft is not quite free, the yankees would not likely have roster spots free nor the patience to keep him all year, but the point is still valid. While I’m not competely sure about the yankee’s roster situation, what is funny is that they likely will expose him in the rule 5 next year…and if they lose him will have all of one excardo for their troubles.

by Yung-Han on Feb 18, 2012 12:36 AM EST up reply actions  

As a Cardinal fan

I like this move for the Pirates. I think moving to Pittsburgh should help him with his biggest problem of giving up the long ball. I would keep an eye on his velocity though. It has been dropping every year. Curious what it will be in Spring Training

by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 17, 2012 9:41 PM EST reply actions  

Not when they play 7 games in Wrigley, 9 at GAB, 7 at Minute Maid (at least this season). Not much different than playing in the AL East parks.

by Thunder on Feb 18, 2012 6:17 AM EST up reply actions  

geez Thunder

do you have anything optimistic to say about the Pirates?

Even Jake has some positive things to say about the Pirates sometimes.

by BadAndy on Feb 18, 2012 9:45 AM EST up reply actions  

Stating that Wrigley, GAB and Minute Maid

are just as favorable as Fenway, Rogers and Yankee Stadium for HRs isn’t a negative or a positive. And it has nothing to do with the Pirates as a team, just Burnett. Those EXPECTING a much more favorable HR rate for Burnett need to do it because they expect him to have better luck, or pitch better. If he pitches the same way he did last year, playing in the NL Central isn’t going to make a large difference.

A large difference between being pessimistic and realistic.

by Thunder on Feb 18, 2012 11:15 PM EST up reply actions  

Those EXPECTING a much more favorable HR rate for Burnett need to do it because they expect him to have better luck, or pitch better.

Or because the avg. AL East team, excluding the Yankees, hit 188 HRs while the avg. NL Central team, excluding the Pirates, hit 155.

A large difference between being realistic and pessimistic.

Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!

by WTM on Feb 19, 2012 1:43 AM EST up reply actions  

Oh, and Fielder and Pujols are gone.

Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!

by WTM on Feb 19, 2012 1:52 AM EST up reply actions  

Yep...Fielder is gone.

OTOH…the Brewers did pick up ARam. Assuming he’s healthy, the numbers that he put up for the Cubs when healthy aren’t a large drop from what Fielder put up. A drop…but not a big one…like maybe 10-15 OPS points.

by Thunder on Feb 19, 2012 6:37 AM EST up reply actions  

And we have 6 games vs the Tigers this year.

by Thunder on Feb 19, 2012 6:38 AM EST up reply actions  

Prince – .981
Aram – .871

Of course, you have to consider the changes of subtracting McGehee and adding Gamel.

With Prince, you also forget about “small ball” and Roenicke is into that so you can probably subtract a little bit of team production.

"Prince Fielder is too fat even for the Oakland A’s" - Billy Beane

by ol Pete on Feb 19, 2012 7:41 AM EST up reply actions  

ARam was already in the division.

Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!

by WTM on Feb 19, 2012 8:18 AM EST up reply actions  

There’s also the fact that the key difference between the two contexts is that Burnett will be pitching a full half his games in relatively pitcher-friendly PNC rather than homer-friendly Yankee Stadium. The way-smaller number of games he’ll have to pitch in Wrigley, Minute Maid and GAB don’t matter nearly as much. If Burnett pitches the same as he did last year, there should be a big difference in his home-run rate.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Feb 19, 2012 3:23 AM EST up reply actions  

Yankee Stadium has never been a large part of Burnett’s problem. The road…especially the AL East…has been a problem…and 3 of the parks in the NL Central are rather friendly to power hitters. I don’t expect a large change between Burnett’s Yankee Stadium numbers and his PNC numbers. And if he’s in that neighborhood, he’ll be better than the overall numbers the last 2 seasons. Again, it’s the road that will make the difference.

by Thunder on Feb 19, 2012 6:35 AM EST up reply actions  

Common misuse of splits.

The fact that Burnett pitched better at home doesn’t mean Yankee Stadium didn’t hurt him.

Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!

by WTM on Feb 19, 2012 8:20 AM EST up reply actions  

On the whole, I have to say that the argument that moving from the AL East to Comedy Central won’t help Burnett is . . . . . . . deranged.

Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!

by WTM on Feb 19, 2012 8:26 AM EST up reply actions  

Not much different than playing in the AL East parks.

Except that, y’know, the Astros play in Minute Maid and the Red Sox play in Fenway.

Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!

by WTM on Feb 18, 2012 10:19 AM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Pretty sure Toronto has kind of a long-ball oriented lineup in a...

y’know, kind-of long-ball oriented stadium, too. Hmmmm… Cubs in Wrigley (slightly below average HR factor last year, btw) or Jays in Rogers? Yankees in NY or Astros in Houston?

by tobynotjason on Feb 18, 2012 3:06 PM EST up reply actions  

Pitching at Wrigley and Minute Maid might not be an advantage

But facing the Cubs and Astros certainly is.

by maguro on Feb 18, 2012 10:21 AM EST via mobile up reply actions   1 recs

Considering we don't play in Wrigley...

until the end of July…I wouldn’t expect 20 mph winds toward home plate. We also don’t play in Cincinnati until May, so the home run oriented parks, we won’t be seeing in cold weather.

Our road games in April are LA, SF, Arizona and Atlanta. Cold, wet weather is only going to be a problem for home games this season. Other than the usual San Francisco weather.

by Thunder on Feb 18, 2012 11:23 PM EST up reply actions  

Considering we don’t play in Wrigley until the end of July…I wouldn’t expect 20 mph winds toward home plate.

Month doesn’t really matter. Hell the day doesn’t even matter. That shit changes at the drop of a hat.

________________________________
Free your ass and your mind will follow.

by cocktailsfor2 on Feb 19, 2012 9:40 AM EST up reply actions  

Wrigley really isn’t a hitter’s park anymore. The modern mallparks dragged the baseline up to the point where it’s basically a neutral environment, or maybe even a slight pitcher’s park.

by Vlad on Feb 19, 2012 12:28 PM EST up reply actions  

2011 Ranking in Park Factors

Runs

AL East — 3, 4, 6, 12, 29 (Avg. 10.8)

NL Central — 7, 8, 10, 17, 23, 25 (Avg. 15)

HR

AL East — 4, 6, 8, 21, 22 (Avg. 12.2)

NL Central — 3, 7, 11, 14T, 24, 27 (Avg. 14.3)

Most importantly, of course:

Yankee Stadium — Runs 6th, HR 4th

PNC — Runs 17th, HR 24th

Wrigley ranked 23rd in runs and tied for 14 in HR.

And all of that is without getting into the massive differences in the hitters who call those parks home.

Occupy MLB! Down with Seligula!

by WTM on Feb 19, 2012 1:15 PM EST up reply actions  

I absolutely love this deal

The Pirates taking on salary in what is essentially a salary dump from the Yankees? It really is a great storyline. With Bedard and Burnett, and a very weak NL Central, I think the Pirates have a much more realistic chance of winning the division in the ever-present “if everything goes right” scenario. While the Pirates may be a stronger team to compete in 2014-2016, the division is so weak right now I feel like this is as good a time to get some short-term pieces to try and compete as any.

It’s time for Spring Training, so I’m back. I am no warm weather fan, but I am not too active on these boards in the middle of NFL season.

by Pghfan987 on Feb 17, 2012 11:03 PM EST reply actions  

I like the enthusiasm

But I would say St. Louis and Cincinnati, in particular, will still be and handful in the division, and maybe even Milwaukee for stretches.

Additionally, while adding Bedard and Burnett (Bedett? Burnard?) pretties up the rotation and the pen looks fairly solid, I really think the lineup seems destined to struggle. The unknown (Alvarez), the known (Barajas, Barmes & Jones) and the hope-we-know (Presley & Tabata) all need to produce consistently for the Pirates to make a run at 83+ wins, and then a division title. IMHO.

by Jitterbug on Feb 17, 2012 11:16 PM EST up reply actions  

we can compete right now if Bedard, Burnett stay healthy, Morton, Karstens repeat last season and Pedro steps up in a big way. That all happens, I think we have a chance

Thats what she said! - Michael Gary Scott

by C Shint on Feb 17, 2012 11:17 PM EST up reply actions  

I think it's a pretty fair trade for what both sides were trying to do.

From the Pirates perspective, they get probably a league average starter at a little below market value and avoid the mess of Kevin Correia and a Lincoln/Locke/Owens combination if/when Morton/Bedard miss time (not that I don’t think the Lincoln/Locke/Owens trio does not have some potential, but relying on them would be foolish) without giving up any top prospects.

From the Yankees perspective, they free up cash to sign a left handed DH while losing someone who only would compete for a 5th starter position and actually get some value in return as while Moreno and Cayones are probably both fringy top 30 propsects in my estimation, Moreno has the stuff to be a very competent high-leverage reliever and Cayones is still young and apparently toolsy enough to be interesting.

Everything that guy just said is bullshit . . .thank you

by Scranton on Feb 18, 2012 9:18 AM EST reply actions  

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