Trader Neal

The Pittsburgh Pirates traded away Jack Wilson and Ian Snell to Seattle, the Freddy Sanchez to San Francisco.

Wilson could be a free agent at the end of the season.  Sanchez could be as well, provided he does not reach 600 at bats.

BTW Thought: Remember Mike Williams?  Traded to Houston only to resign with the Pirates in the offseason… Remember that thought come January.

The Pirates received a slew of players in return. 

Return for Freddy Sanchez:

right-handed pitcher Tim Alderson:

Prospect Rankings*
2008 - #84 ranked MLB
2008 - #2 ranked for SF
2009 - #4 ranked for SF
*According to Baseball America

(From Diamond Cutter)

Tim Alderson
Position: Pitcher | Statistics | Video | 2008 Rank: NR
Bats: Right | Throws: Right | Height: 6-7 | Weight: 210
Scouting Report: As good as Alderson is, he keeps getting forced into comparisons with Bumgarner which isn’t fair because he doesn’t have the stuff he does. But what Alderson does have is plus-plus command which translates to an almost non-existent walk total. His pitch repertoire includes an average fastball which sits in the low-90’s, an average change and a curve that continues to get better and better and has become a plus pitch. Alderson has quite the mound presence especially considering he’s 6 foot 7 with a very unorthodox delivery. His delivery is very deceiving and fortunately does not cause any issues with his control. Alderson looks to project to be a solid number two starter with incredible control.

BTW Take:

An excellent return for both teams.  We all know the quality player Freddy had been for the Pirates, he will be missed in the community as much as he will be missed on the field.  Alderson looks to be a really nice addition for the Pirates.  He and Morton are the next arms to watch for the Pirates.  Huntington has done a great job in building young depth for the rotation.  Alderson is slated for Altoona, but could be in Indianapolis soon.  (Vasquez could be out of the rotation very soon, Gorzelanny could be returning.  I’ll save that for another post.)

San Francisco, you will love Freddy.  Start chanting Freddy and watch for the magic to begin.

 

Return from Jack Wilson/Ian Snell:

catcher/first baseman Jeff Clement:

Prospect Rankings*
2006 - #33 ranked MLB
2006 - #1 ranked for SEA
2007 - #62 ranked MLB
2007 - #2 ranked for SEA
2008 - #42 ranked MLB
2008 - #1 ranked for SEA
*According to Baseball America

From Sportsnet.ca

Scouting Report

Assets

Has great power potential and a knowledge of hitting that is uncommon for a catcher. Is improving behind the dish and versus left-handed pitching.

Flaws

May outgrow the catching position, and he's still very raw defensively. Must become a better leader of a pitching staff in order to stay behind the plate.

Career potential

A good offensive catcher.

shortstop Ronny Cedeno:

Prospect Rankings*
2006 - #94 ranked MLB
2006 - #3 ranked for CHC
*According to Baseball America

From Sportsnet.ca:

Scouting Report

Assets

Can spray line drives from line to line and has good speed. Defense is his forte, showing phenomenal tools and plenty of versatility.

Flaws

Hasn't been able to harness his speed into base-stealing ability. Still needs to learn how to get ahead in the count more often at the plate.

Career potential

A strong utility infielder.

right-handed pitcher Aaron Pribanic:

right-handed pitcher Brett Lorin:

right-handed pitcher Nathan Adcock:

BTW Take:

Huntington landing Clement for a soon to be free agent/retiree (remember Jack’s thoughts on retiring at the end of his current contact over the winter?) and a pitcher who had worn thin the welcome mat, add in 3 additional prospects and a shortstop with MLB service time, and it feels like Seattle may have overpaid in yet another trade.  Depending on Snell’s future performance, more than Wilson’s, to determine the overpayment in this deal.  The Pirates included $3.8M in the deal to land the prospects.

Although referred to as a first baseman in many reports, Clement has been a catcher all through the minors.  His arrival could lead to a Doumit trade before the deadline. 

Jack will also be missed on the field and in the community.  Seattle, you have a great person who just joined your community, if only for a few months.

 

BTW Summary:

Since Huntington has arrived he has nearly cleared the cupboard of any remnants of previous GM’s acquisitions.  Capps, Grabow and Doumit are the only non-starting pitchers still on the 25 man roster who were not acquired by Huntington.  This is now officially Huntington’s team, I can’t ever recall a GM cleaning house so thoroughly so quickly.

 

For Alison:

The Parrot has not yet been traded, although rumors persist that he could be sent to San Diego for the Chicken.