Game 132, 8 To Go, Duke's New Slot, Bautista Trade, We're Number 10, Thursday Replay, Round Table

Vitals:

CHICAGO CUBS (81-50)	RHP CARLOS ZAMBRANO (13-5, 3.29 ERA)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (57-74)	RHP IAN SNELL (5-10, 5.60 ERA)
Game Time	7:05 EDT
XM	XM 184
TV	FSN

 

8 to Go:

Only 8 more losses until the sweet 16th losing season...

 

Duke's New Slot:

The PG had this to say about Duke:

felt encouraged by his performance Friday night, when he used a glove-over-his-head windup designed to loosen his delivery for the first time in a game.

BTW Take:

I am wondering if this change in his delivery is more to disguise the pitch and hide it longer from the batter.  Considering Duke is by no means a power pitcher, being able to distract the hitters or hide the ball longer could only help him.  Hey, a Hooters restaurant in the batters eye could help the pitchers too.  Just need to close the door while the home team is batting, they are distracted enough as is.

 

Bautista Trade:

The Pirates received Robinson Diaz as the PTBNL in the Bautista deal. 

I haven't had an opportunity to comment on the trade yet, so here I go...

BTW Take:

Toronto inherited the best power numbers on their active roster.  Yes, Bautista's 12 HR's led the Blue Jays active roster as of the day of the trade.  The Piartes land a catcher who has 7 years of service in the minors.  He can make good contact (.300+ career minor league average) who rarely strikes out or walks with minimal power.  John Sickels ranks him as a C grade, so he should show up in a few top 20 lists.

I like the trade, utility infielder for backup catcher.  Catcher is a week spot in the Pirates system, considering their best catching prospect (Walker) was moved to third by Littlefield and crew.

Huntington got more in return than I was expecting for Bautista, especially after they demoted him.

 

We're number 10:

On the Forbes The Worst Cities To Be A Sports Fan the Pirates were able to bring Pittsburgh the distinction of landing in the 10 spot despite the best efforts of the Pens and Steelers.  Let's Go Bucs!

BTW Take:

It is kind of a hokey ranking system.  But the Pirates are noted for their rebuilding...

 

Thursday Replay?:

MLB.com has a press release from MLB stating Replay will begin Thursday August 28th in limited release.  Friday will begin the full slate of games. 

Instant replay will apply only to home run calls -- whether they are fair or foul, whether they have left the playing field, or whether they have been subject to fan interference. The decision to use instant replay will be made by the umpire crew chief, who also will make the determination as to whether or not a call should be reversed.

BTW Take:

MLB, welcome to the 20th Century.

 

Thursday Replay?:

MLB.com has a press release from MLB stating Replay will begin Thursday August 28th in limited release.  Friday will begin the full slate of games. 

Instant replay will apply only to home run calls -- whether they are fair or foul, whether they have left the playing field, or whether they have been subject to fan interference. The decision to use instant replay will be made by the umpire crew chief, who also will make the determination as to whether or not a call should be reversed.

BTW Take:

Get the joke?

 

Pittsburgh Pirates Round Table:

New Pirates Roundtable is up.

 

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Game 119, Links, Alvarez, Scheppers

Vitals:

CINCINNATI REDS (52-67)	RHP EDINSON VOLQUEZ (13-5, 2.93 ERA)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (54-64)	RHP JEFF KARSTENS (2-0, 0.00 ERA)
Game Time	7:05 EDT
XM	XM 183
TV	FSN

 

Pedro Alvarez:

While many fans fret the signing of Alvarez, there are a few things to consider. 

Boras is notorious for waiting until the last minute to get the most for his clients. 

Alvarez's family has stated Pedro will sign with the Pirates and Boras works for Pedro, not Pedro for Scott.

Why would Alvarez go back to College?  He can only move up one position in the draft and he would likely get more this year than next.  Returning to college can only hurt his draft status and risk injury. 

There are 11 other 1st round selections yet to sign.  The Pirates are not the only team in this predicament.

Tanner Scheppers:

Sheppers threw in the Bullpen about 30 pitches in front of all decision makers.  Word from local sources, the Pirates brass were very happy with what they saw.  I'd expect contract negotiations to continue through Friday and a signing likely before that time.

Links:

From Eric Saninocenio (Host of Baseball Digest Daily Live):

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/baseballdigestdaily/2008/08/09/BDD-Live

The link is to a podcast with Jim Callis of Baseball America.  About 20 minutes into the podcast, the interview starts.  One of the prime discussions is of Pedro Alvarez.  Callis believes the Pirates will sign him prior to the midnight deadline Friday, but he believes it will be right down to the wire.

There are quite a few other shows worth listening to, especially the trade deadline recap.

Thanks to Eric for forwarding the link to me. 

 

From frequent contributor Eric:

A pretty good article outlining Huntington's moves and what the future may hold.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=3525035&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines

 

Over at MVN they do a good rundown on the unsigned top 10 picks of the Pirates:

http://mvn.com/mlb-pirates/2008/08/12/remaining-unsigned-draft-picks/

Also check out the latest Pittsburgh Pirates Round Table

http://mvn.com/mlb-pirates/roundtable/

 

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Game 107, Great Nate Debate, Promotions, Links and DL.

Vitals:

COLORADO ROCKIES (48-59)	LHP GLENDON RUSCH (4-3, 5.74 ERA)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (49-57)	RHP YOSLAN HERRERA (1-1, 9.75 ERA)
Game Time	7:05 EDT
XM	XM 185
TV	FSN

Promotions: 

• Brian Bixler recalled from Indy and will be available tonight.
• Jason Delaney was promoted to AAA Indianapolis.
• Jamie Romak and Jim Negrych were promoted to Altoona.
• Matt Miller retired.

Great Nate Debate:

Some interesting notes on Nate McLouth:

• he leads all National League center fielders with 22 home runs and 72 RBI
• leads N.L. with 34 doubles, ranks fifth in total bases & second with 59 extra-base hits (Ryan Braun has 61).
• he leads all N.L. center fielders in fielding percentage
• he has yet to make an error in 254 total chances
• is six home runs shy of the club record for most home runs hit by a center fielder held by Brian Giles (28 in 1999)
• only two other Pirates have homered more times in one season while playing center field - Frank Thomas (25 in 1953) and Andy Van Slyke (25 in 1988)
• ranks third among National League leaders with 80 runs scored
• scored 20 runs in his last 19 games and is on pace to score 122 this season (Jason Bay led team with 78 runs in 2007).
• is the only player to hit one in the river this season, having done so on Monday.

Any questions on wether he deserved a shot at being an everyday center fielder?

Disabled List:

• Right-handed pitcher Matt Capps (bursitis in right shoulder) 15-day disabled list.
• Left-handed pitcher Phil Dumatrait (bursitis in left shoulder) 15-day disabled list.
• First baseman Adam LaRoche (right intercostal strain) 15-day disabled list.

Links:

The latest Pittsburgh Pirates Round Table is up on MVN.

 

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