I have issues with three of of the comments:
On the losing streak: "This group has been together 162 games, not 14 years. Let's remember that."The fans don't have issues with the current group of players. The fans have issues with ownership and management trying to hide the 14 years of losing with catch phrases, remember "Financial Flexibility", or lame attempts at fielding a competitive team. This comment can be added to the list. Tracy, with this comment, aligns himself with McClatchy and the Nuttings becoming a company stooge.
On the team's reluctance to trade a starting pitcher for that coveted left-handed bat: "For us to fill a void and create a hole in the rotation ... you just can't do that. Also, you have to look around baseball at what people are paying -- maybe overpaying -- for pitching right now. And we're going to give that up? Can't do that."Starting pitching at the MLB level is at an all-time premium. The worth of a starter who is even palatable is out of hand. When you have as many young pitchers as this franchise has, even with three coming back from injury, that has to be a strength. The team is in need of positional players, a definite weakness. These young arms will never be more valuable in trade than they are now. Play from a strength to fill a weakness. The only way you don't trade the pitching is if you think you are ready to contend which this team is not.
Why would it be a bad idea to get more for a player than he would normally be worth? Play the market and reap some rewards for so many years of drafting a pitcher in the first round.
On the leftover money in payroll: "Do you just spend it because it's there to spend? If you don't like the situation, just put it in your pocket. I think it sends a good message, that we're dedicated to the players we have, that we're only going to bring someone in if it makes sense within this group."Just what the fans want to hear, "Just put it in your pocket". This is the most irresponsible and incompetent remark made. MLB has investigated the use of money from luxury taxes and the fans have all claimed the ownership is pocketing a huge windfall. This only adds to the fire. This is not only an incompetent comment, it approaches idiotic.
More than anything I have issues with that single comment which made all the others harder to swallow. Once again this comment makes him look like a company stooge.
Don't take me in the wrong light. I do not believe Tracy is incompetent, but the comments make him appear so. Time will tell if he is a good fit for this team, but I don't have a warm and fuzzy over his comments recently. I had doubts the beginning of last season, but found hope after the All-Star break. Hopefully these were just poorly worded sentiments and not what he was trying to convey.
2 comments:
I agree with you on the first comment and disagree on the second and third.
Only bloggers should be allowed to mention the phrase "14 years." When management says it, nothing reasonable can follow. Still, I see Tracy's point: Give him a chance to "work his magic." One season does not a team make.
I just put up a post dealing with the Pirates' SP using some analysis from The Hardball Times. I wouldn't say that our rotation is a strength. Jeff Sackmann's model might not be the best, but it's workable--and the results aren't pretty for the Bucs.
As for spending just to spend: Nooooooooooooooooooooo! I wholeheartedly agree with pocketing the money, especially if it avoids another washed-up vet signing. Now, in actuality, if $15m doesn't get spent now, it might not ever get spent. In theory, though, it'd be nice to earmark a few more dollars for scouting, allow for some in-season acquisitions, etc.
Tracy probably shouldn't have made some of those comments in a public forum--I'll agree with you there. But, do I think that he's on the right track? Yes, I do.
And, BTW...I don't have the warm and fuzzies either. But, there is a reason my blog's titled "A New Pirates Generation."
Keep up the great work--Bucs Trade Winds is chock full of good talk.
--Cory
Cory,
I really think that the 15 million is not the story, nor spending it just to spend it. DK said in the Jan 2 Q&A that other teams of similar market, Milwaukee and Cincy were his examples I think, are still spending 15-25 Million more than the Pirates if they start the season at a 50 million payroll. Add that to the 13-17 Million waiting on a taker and we could have signed Zito and Soriano and still had some change left over.
My fear is there will be sanctions on the Pirates owners for pocketing the cash and the team gets nothing more than a fine from MLB allowing the Nuttings to say we had to pay this fine, so we are trading Freddy, Jason, Jack, anyone making more than $2M a season and a few pitchers to make up for the fines. Unlikely I know, but anything could happens with these bozos at the helm. I would also like to add Commissioner Bud into the Bozo category because I am sure he would do nothing more than fine them.
The Pirates don't need to have another investigation into their finances because Tracy opens mouth and inserts foot.
I still believe the Pirates should cash in on the overpaying for starting pitching. Even if it is not a major strength, like middle reliever, it is an asset than could help bring in another young pitching prospect and a batter with some upside and power.
I hate that DL and now Tracy say never when you don't know what another GM is willing to offer. Another GM could overpay for the talent and land the Pirates multiple players with similar or better upside.
If this team is truly building for the future, these are the moves a GM has to make. The unpopular or risky moves that builds a franchise for more than the next 2 to 3 seasons.
Anytime someone will pay $10 million to average pitchers, that same GM might mortgage even more for a young pitcher with experience, potential and a league minimum contract.
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