Winter Meeting Recap

Thanks to a wonderful site called Woot I have been sidetracked from writing.  Woot was kind enough to have a 3 day Woot-off during the Winter meetings.  Sorry people, my geek life takes precedence occasionally.

Now, onto the recap.

No Mo Ro Pa:

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies swapped catchers.  Ronnie Paulino was sent to the Phillies for a return of Jason Jaramillo.

BTW Take:

Looking at stats alone, it seems Jaramillo has a better eye in the minors based on his walk numbers alone.  Beyond walks, there minor league stats aren't much different. 

The sad think for Ronnie, he went from being a backup catcher to Ryan Doumit to potentially being blocked by Carlos Ruiz and Lou Marson.  People seem to think Paulino is a good hitting catcher.  He never showed a .310 average was in him while playing in the minors.  Remember it took a few injuries to even get a shot in Pittsburgh. 

He was praised for his handling of pitchers, but his defense was lousy and his offense came back to earth after his fluke of a .310 season as a rookie.  A .280 minor league hitter does not turn into a .310 MLB hitter.  Paulino also earned a tag of being lazy, whether he deserved that tag or not is something you can decide.

Jaramillo was considered a top prospect not long ago.  He is only a year younger than Paulino.  This seems to be a trade to grant Paulino his wish of a trade while getting a player back that Russell has managed in the past and was very high on.  More or less, a slacker for a hard worked.

 

Rule 5:

The Pittsburgh Pirates took Donnie Veal in the MLB portion of the Rule 5 draft.

In the Minor League portion, the Pirates did something unusual, grabbing players from the Latin Summer Leagues.  The players taken in the Minor League portion are Andres Santos ( 22, New York Yankees) Rafael Quintero (21, Cleveland Indians), Gerardo Esparza (21, Seattle Mariners). The first two were in the DSL, Esparza in Venezuela.

BTW Take:

Veal seems to be a solid pickup.  He has had some tough times over the last 3 years off the diamond.  If he can get his game together, this guy could be a steal.  I found this article on his personal problems over the last 3 years.  He lost both his parents, his mother to cancer and his father to a diving accident.

The minor league pickups I have not found much on, but the fact the Pirates went outside the norm makes these moves even more impressive in a creative kind of way.  Dejan has a nice little write up on this in the PBC Blog, the 6:05 update.

 

Free Agent Signing:

The Pirates are on the verge of signing a 2 year contract with Ramon Vazquez. 

BTW Take:

Everyone seems to think this is a precursor to a Jack Wilson or Freddy Sanchez trade.  I have my doubts.  This has the smell of a move to have an additional option if Andy LaRoche or Neil Walker can't take the Hot Corner.  Vazquez could play third or Freddy could move back to third if both prospects fail to make the grade.  Vazquez has played 255 games at third.

Just because rumors swirl about a Wilson trade doesn't make Vazquez the next shortstop.

 

Bixler a Marlin?:

Rumors swirl about the Marlins being interested in Brian Bixler.

BTW Take:

I'd hate to see Bixler go.  I had the opportunity to see Bixler play in College.  If you asked me to give a CHP (Can He Play) rating, I would say he can play.  I think he struggled with the initial call up.  Don't be surprised if he doesn't perform worlds better in his next call up.

 

McCutchen To Pittsburgh:

In one of Huntington's press meetings, he made a statement McCutchen will "likely" be on the MLB roster sometime in 2009.

BTW Take:

I am anxious to see what he can do.

 

The BIG News:

The Pirates are in discussions to sign extensions with Maholm, McLouth and Doumit.

BTW Take:

McLouth and Maholm make sense.  Doumit scares me with his injury history.  Last season he stayed mostly healthy, but I'd like to see him do it again before dropping a long term deal on him.

Trade Bait Special

Here are some rumors, and me shooting holes in a few...

Jack Wilson

The Detroit Free Press is reporting the Pirates could be working on a deal with the Marlins as a precursor to a deal sending Wilson to the Tigers.

Foxsports.com reported Saturday that the Pirates are attempting to acquire catcher Matt Treanor from the Florida Marlins and then package Wilson and Treanor in a trade with Detroit.

The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports claims the following teams are interested in Wilson: Det, Tor, Bal, CLE, LAD, ATL.

 

BTW Take:

The rumors are starting to fire up as we near the winter meetings.  My advice, take it with a grain of salt.  Huntington has said he will listen to offers, but don't read too much into that statement. 

Wilson is coming off an injury plagued season, his value is quite low at this point.  Wilson will take the field at PNC this spring in a Pirates uniform.  Huntington will hold onto one of his bargaining chips until his value is back where it should be. 

Why do I think this?

Bay and Nady could have been moved last off-season, but the return would be nowhere near what was gained at the July non-waiver deadline.  Wilson fits the same mold.  For the Pirates to gain, they need to be patient and hope a bidding war arises or Jack is hitting .300 in July to improve his value.

 

Freddy Sanchez

There has been a lot of speculating on Freddy's future with the Pirates.  Follow the same line of thinking for the former batting champion.  Freddy is coming off a season where arm, shoulder and eye problems affected him throughout.  The Pirates need Freddy to be healthy and hitting if he is to have any value on the trade market.

At the end of 2008, he was once again hitting like a batting champion.  Freddy needs to start 2009 the same way proving he is healthy and boosting his value. 

Freddy is the opening day second baseman for the Pirates.  No doubt in my mind.  I won't say he will finish the year with the Pirates, but he will start the season there.

 

LaRoche

Pick the brother, and either could be traded.  The more likely of the two is Adam.  A team in need of a defensive first-bagger who can carry a BIG stick late in the season will be interested, but not until that bat starts warming up.  Adam won't be traded until he starts hitting.  If he can start early in the season, that will make his value skyrocket.  Don't wait for fireworks though.  Adam has never hit in the first couple months of the season.  Teams will wait until his offense is worth picking up.   Another deadline day deal is in order here.

Andy is another story.  IF he can hit and play defense like he has in the minors at the Major League level, he will keep the position warm for Pedro Alvarez to arrive.  If he flails early in the season, Neil Walker will be on the bus from Indy to Pittsburgh.  Don't think for a second that Andy doesn't feel Walker breathing down his neck on the 40 man roster.  If he fails with regular playing time, he will either spend time in Indy or be traded as a throw in component for another deal.

If Andy LaRoche succeeds, don't be surprised to see him move to second after Sanchez is moved.  Look for him to get some time there in spring training as well with some spot starts throughout the season to spell Freddy.

Walker was not added to the 40 man to push Andy LaRoche, but that is what he will do.  Walker was added to protect him from the rule 5 draft.

 

John Grabow

Grabow is the one Pirate that will likely be moved this off-season.  He had a good left-handed year and will garnish some attention.  As mentioned earlier, if Matt Treanor is acquired, and possibly traded to Detroit, don't be surprised if Grabow is in the deal somewhere.  Most general managers covet lefty help in the bullpen and will pay a nice price to land even an average lefty.

 

Nate McLouth

I doubt his value could get any higher. 

He should be traded. 

He may be traded.

But...

This is the Pirates we are talking about.  They will hang onto McLouth and hope he hits well to start the season and see what happens on the trade front.  He still has 2 arbitration years ahead of him so the Pirates will roll the dice and hope for more of the same offensively from their new left fielder. 

He could be a mid-season trade if the offer is good enough to land a gold glove center fielder.

 

Zach Duke

Texas has shown a lot of interest in Duke, but I doubt there will be much of a return.  If Duke goes anywhere, look to the Lone Star State.

 

Rule 5

I look for the Pirates to be active in the rule 5 draft this year.  Huntington wants to get some talent in the minors and the drafts are the way to do it.  It would not surprise me if the Pirates actually took multiple players in the Major League portion of the draft and also be quite active in the minor league portion of the rule 5 fiasco.

 

That's it for now.  I'll start doing some "off-season" posts going over rumors and such.

 

Join The Buccos Forum and leave some thoughts there.  There are quite a few entertaining characters that hang out in the forum and will likely help you bash me.  There are always plenty of topics and plenty of opinions to keep you entertained and informed.

Last hour...

I wish I could say I have dug up something....It being 60 minutes to the deadline...

But not a peep from anyone.  My phone has been quiet.  Not a text message in sight.

Things should pick up soon...I hope.

 

Update 11:30:

30 Minutes and counting...nothing concrete...

 

Update 11:38:

Alonso (7th Overall Pick) signs with the Reds after the Reds said take it or leave it earlier in the day.  More signings should come quickly from other teams.  Hopefully including the Pirates.

 

Update 11:45:

No word yet....

 

Update 11:50:

see above...nada

 

Update 11:55:

RING-RING 

"Mr. Boras line 1."

"Tell him to hold, I am on the phone with Scheppers rep."

 

Update Midnight:

Ut-oh.  Give it 20 minutes before giving up hope.

 

Update 12:02

BA's site just crashed...

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/

 

Same at the PG...

Multiple posts must be happening....

 

Update 12:07:

Padres inked Dykstra...23rd overall

 

7 Unsigned..waiting on more info...

 

Update 12:10:

Not a peep from Pittsburgh so far...

 

Update 12:11

Rangers signed Smoak...6 unaccounted for.

 

Update 12:12

Fileds won't sign with the M's tonight.  He is a senior and can wait until the 2009 draft to sign...screwy rule there.

5 unaccounted for.

 

Update 12:13

Yankees failed to sign Cole.

4 Left

 

Update 12:17

No one at PNC is seeming happy....

 

Update 12:18

Giants sign Posey....

3 left.

 

Update 12:23

Crow does NOT sign with Nats.

2 Left

 

Update 12:28

Still 2 left...

 

Update 12:30

Sharpen pitchforks and oil the torches...

 

Update 12:33

I am not hearing anything yeah or nay.  Possibly they are still in touch with the commissioners office?

 

Update 12:36

Scheppers says no....Nothing on Pedro.

 

Update 12:40

KC signs Hosmer...one to go....

 

Update 12:41

Alvarez signs straight $6M deal...Minor League deal.  Only 2 first rounder's not signed.  Yanks and Nats can't come up with the cash....Poor Yankees.  It must suck to be in such a small market.

Draft Signing Deadline Post

Quinton Miller:

Neal Huntington and Frank Coonelly have done an extraordinary job of signing "unsignable" draft choices this year.  Today the Pirates have come to terms with 20th round draft pick Quinton Miller, sorry Tar Heel fans.  I'll let Wibur Miller give you the details on him:

http://users.rcn.com/wtmiller/positions/2008draft/qmiller.htm

Miller is a right handed pitcher said to have a 94 MPH fastball with a good slider and average change up.  He will be 19 in November.

Official press release: http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080815&content_id=3313632&vkey=pr_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit

BTW Take:

This is truly a surprising signing.  Yet another excellent job by NH and FC.

 

Scott McGough:

Look for Pittsburgh's own Scott McGough to sign with the Pirates today.  He was their 46th round draft choice who had committed to Oregon.  he plays shortstop but also possess a 93 MPH fastball.  Needless to say good arm.  The reason for holding out until now for the signing,  The Pirates already signed 3 shortstops who were in their top 10 picks.  The late signing will allow for the earlier signees to have a chance to establish themselves and possibly be ready to advance in the system to allow for an opening.

 

Tanner Scheppers:

With the recent signings of Miller and Grossman to Second or First pick money, the likelihood of signing Scheppers has greatly lessened.  It is believed the Pirates are using the money set aside for Sheppers to sign additional "unsignable" picks.  Unless Scheppers accepts second round money, he will likely return to Fresno State for his senior season.

 

Pedro Alvarez:

It is not 11:59:59 yet.  If Scheppers, Gagnon, Gardner and Shepherd are announced at top 5 round money, don't expect Alvarez.  At least not at greatly over slot money.

 

Visit http://users.rcn.com/wtmiller/positions/2008draft.htm for information on all Pirates draftees.

 

 

Update 4:56PM:

Baltimore signs 1st round Pick

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-osdraft815,0,5410825.story

Brian Matusz 4th overall pick at $3.2M bonus.

 

Update 5:04 PM:

Wilbur Miller ROCKS!

http://users.rcn.com/wtmiller/pirateprofiles.htm

Game 121, New Pirate, Links

Vitals:

CINCINNATI REDS (53-68)	RHP JOHNNY CUETO (7-11, 5.01 ERA)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (55-65)	RHP IAN SNELL (4-9, 6.06 ERA)
Game Time	7:05 EDT
XM	XM 183
TV	NA

 

New Signing:

An official announcement is scheduled for this afternoon on the most recent draftee signing. 

Update:  Sixth round pick outfielder Robbie Grossman was announced.

Links:

DK follows the latest Pirate signing here.

Baseball America has a draft blog entry that outlines the signing of Aaron Crow, the Nationals first overall selection, signing with Fort Worth of the Independent American Association.

BA also has a list of all unsigned draft picks from the first 10 rounds.

An interesting article on Frank Coonelly found at Yahoo Sports.  It highlights his dilemma on signing Alvarez over slot.

Instant Replay could be coming soon according to MLB.com.

And a weird story about a moon and two professors.

 

 

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