David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News is speculating  (http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20091112_Phillies_like_the_third-base_market.html) that Phillies GM Rueban Amaro Jr. has talked to the Pirates about a trade for Andy LaRoche.  I would be curious to see what Amaro would be willing to offer, but, to me, it does not appear to be a good time to trade Luigi. Neil Walker is not, and will probably never be, ready to start at the major league level. Pedro Alvarez will most likely start the year at Indy, so there is, at this time, no internal replacement for LaRoche. Most importantly, I think trading Andy now would be selling low. He developed last year, and it looks like he still has untapped potential.  

Via J. Langosch, Pirates' pitcher Ross Ohlendorf, who is interning with the USDA this off-season has posted his first blog entry about his experience.

... Instead of returning to Austin after the baseball season, I came to Washington, DC to take advantage of this great opportunity to learn about both agriculture and the government while also making a difference.

Interestingly,  the entry does not include any references to Congressional or Senate husbandry.

Perhaps he can get the Pirates some fat subsidies.

NH has shown already that he's at least going to be involved in talks this off-season with the Aki acquisition and the Hardy-Capps trade that wasn't.

Mlbtraderumors.com has a small piece on a few Tiger's players and I couldn't help but think the Pirates fit their needs very well, and vice versa.

First, the Tigers have too much money tied up in star players, so they're exploring trading Edwin Jackson before he becomes a FA in 2012. Jackson, once a TB prospect, had a breakout first half last season before struggling in the second half. Still, he's 26 and is controlled through 2011. This, to me, would be a guy the Pirates would have to target if he is available.

Second, the Tigers are exploring trading Gerald Laird to get an adequate replacement for a fraction of the 2.88 million he made last year. Jason Jaramillo has proven himself more than adequate when given the chance to play everyday and would be as good, probably better than Laird, who often looks slow and out of shape.

Third, RP Brandon Lyons recently became a free agent. The Tigers are interested in bringing him back, but the price Lyons may get on the market may be higher than what the Tigers want to pay. Clearly Matt Capps is a tradeable piece right now and would come cheap and controllable for the Tigers.

Now, maybe Jackson isn't even being considered in any deal, although I'd love the Pirates to grab him. Still, I think with the Pirates willingness to trade Capps and excess at the catcher position, the Tigers would be good trade partners this offseason.

Ideally: Edwin Jackson for Capps, Jaramillo, and... Gorkys maybe? A decent option for when Granderson's legs get a little slower in a few years. Seems pretty even to me.

Thoughts in general?

The Fielding Bible, which is a Bill James thing, has announced its conclusion of the best fielder at every position, and Jack Wilson wins at SS.  The link shows that they have been giving the awards since 2006, but Wilson is the first Pirate to show up (of course, at a time when he was no longer a Pirate).  Some players, like Pujols, have won every year, but at other positions it has changed every year, so the voters don't just go by legacy.

http://www.billjamesonline.net/fieldingbible/the-winners.asp

"The Nationals have hired former Mets and Orioles manager Davey Johnson as a senior advisor and Bryan Minnitti [sic], the Pirates' director of baseball operations, as Rizzo's assistant GM." -Ken Rosenthal, FOX Sports

Minniti had been with the Pirates for nine years, joining them initially as an intern while still in college at Pitt, and then working his way up through the ranks. Notably, he was one of the few Littlefield staffers deemed competent enough to be worth keeping around after Huntington was hired. Assistant GM is a promotion from his current position, so there probably isn't too much mystery about why he's leaving - he just got a better offer.

Best of luck, Bryan.

With the trade taking place for Iwamura. It certainly seems that barring any injury Andy Laroche will hold down 3rd at least until Pedro's arrival to Pittsburgh. Also, Pedro is going to have to get all the playing time at 3rd in Indy to prove he can be adequate at 3rd in the majors (speaking in terms of his defense of course). So where does this leave Neil Walker. I know his numbers haven't been impressive enough for him to supplant Andy at 3rd for the time being. Or, do you think he still has a shot at doing so. Or would he have any value as a bench player. Seems the future is pretty uncertain for Neil at this point. Any thoughts?

Congratulations to the Pitt Panthers for a sold performance today against Syracuse.   I keep trying to put a Pirate starting lineup together in my mind.  Sure is a difficult job.  Maybe we should go back to the Bob Prince "animal nicknames" for the players system.  Maybe ownership would keep them around longer if the players seemed more warm and fuzzy.  It's hard to do when the players aren't here very long.  Playing here is like being on a continuous road-trip - never really unpack.  But . . .  time to end the negativity !!!   This year we will get to know the names of all the players AND scare the league!

So the first three spots in the rotation, baring trades of course, are pretty much set with Maholm, Ohlendorf and Duke taking the three locks up.  But what abou the rest.  Free Agency starts soon and there are going to be some serviceable number 4 and number 5 guys out there.

I think Morton is going to be in the rotation baring injury.  I'd like to see him in more of 5th starter role rather than the number 4 guy.  Here are my candidates for the Pirates (Free Agent/Trades/Already in the organization)

Brett Myers:  Told today by the Phillies they aren't pursuing a contract with him.  Myers would be relatively cheap and could bring an experienced arm to our rotation.  He'd be a number 4 starter if we get him.

Daniel McCutchen:  Impressed a little bit at the end of the year in his September Callup.  I like him more as a long relief type but I don't think the Pirates Management see it that way.  Will be in spring training vying for the fifth starter job with Veal, Hacker, Karstens,Hart  and whoever else they bring in


Kevin Hart: Was the Pirates 5th starter once acquired at the trade deadline.  was very unimpressive but looks like the frontrunner for the 5th starter job.  Would really like to see him as a middle reliever though I think he can be a very solid MR. He was lights out for Iowa Cubs outta the bullpen.

Donnie Veal:  Pitched ok out of the bullpen this year but at times look like he didnt belong in the big leagues this year.  The looks like he's on the outside looking in on the rotation for next year and will start the season at AAA and will be called up when hes ready or someone in the rotation goes on the DL.

Virgil Vazquez:  More than likely not going to even make the opening day roster.  Was bad when he pitched this year in the big leagues with a few good outings.  He's in the same situation as Veal is.

Rich Harden: Cash would be a reason that he wont come, also might not want to play for a perennial loser.  But Pittsburgh could be appealing for Harden because hed be an ace on the staff and he could pitch for Joe Kerrigan.  Longshot this happens at best.

Jason Marquis:  Marquis could be enticing to Huntington because he will be reasonably priced and might be as sought after as Harden or Lackey.  He's familiar with the NL Central with his time with the Cubs and again Joe Kerrigan could be an enticing option for him.  Another longshot but not as much of a long shot as Harden.

I didnt put Brad Lincoln in this list because hes going to start at AAA and will be a september callup next year.

What do you think? Did I miss anyone?

My bad if this ground has already been covered.... but would Harden be a good move for the Pirates?  his contract is going to be hard to predict, given his injury issues, but say for a two-year contract?  The Pirates have enough spare payroll lying around that they could afford the risk, say 7 mil for two years, with some incentives?

On a simlar note, how about Ben Sheets?  He'd probably be worthless until midseason or later, but who is better positioned right now than the Pirates, to take a risk like that?  Risk: waste some money, and burn a roster spot while he shows he's toast.  Upside: Get an ace for cheap.

Wow the hot stove season has gotten off to an early start.  The Tehan trade was finally made official and I just read on MLBTradeRumors.com that JJ Hardy has been dealt to the Twins for Carlos Gomes.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/11/twins-acquire-jj-hardy.html

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