One thing
Where Have You Gone, Andy Van Slyke? —
... I'm going to be at a symposium all day today (The BIG World of Little RNAs!), but there's one link that I had to share; Pirates might look to Pearce for power option. ...
Steve Pearce Could Make Team
Bucs Dugout —
... It sounds like the Pirates might use Steve Pearce off the bench. Pearce at least has a chance of providing power, which is something the Pirates need badly. His 2008 season was disappointing, but he wouldn't be the first talented player to go stale at AAA before contributing in the majors. If he makes the team, he stands some reasonable chance of wresting playing time from Nyjer Morgan, who I can't believe the Pirates' management likes very much. ...
Odds and Ends: Uehara, Roberts, Cruz, Smoltz
MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com —
... Pirates GM Neal Huntington said the team is looking at some comeback-type free agent outfielders. Dejan Kovacevic guesses that Emil Brown, Craig Monroe, or Jonny Gomes could fit the bill. ...
In The News: Hinske, Burrell, Gomes....
DRaysBay —
... interest in him.
The Rays don't expect to do anything major after Pat Burrell's bargain signing for $16 million over two years. His other offers were generally for $5 million over one year. So it's hard to blame him for jumping on the Rays' offer, even if it meant taking a 40 percent pay cut.
I'm kind of glad the Rays "overpaid" to get the guy they wanted. And did Hinske really have a "terrific year" just because he hit 20 home runs?
And from Dejan Kovacevic
On a free-agency front that is getting increasingly thin ...
Ahoy Mateys...Pirates In Pursuit Of PTown Popeye?
Pearls Of Wisdom —
Pittsburg Baseball blogs... and their newspaper ... are buzzing about the Buc hunt for a power hitting right handed outfielder. They are not above giving a proven hitter coming off a bad year a chance at a bounceback season. Now I like that attitude. Arr! Rocco Baldelli was courted by the Bucs, but he keelhauled his loyal Rays fans yesterday by signing with the enemy Red Sox. Sink me!!! Nick Swisher was high on the Pirates' list but he's owed $22M the next three years and well... that paycheck combined with his '08 stats have him bilged on his anchor ** if you ask me. I ...
Pearce up, Dumatrait down, Gomez out
Raise the Jolly Roger —
... After failing to acquire Rocco Baldelli, it seems like [the Pirates may turn to Steve Pearce for outfield depth]. I’ve never been a huge fan of Pearce, but he does deserve a chance and should certainly make the club as the fourth outfielder should we not acquire any FA outfielders. In fact, he may be just as qualified for the third starting spot as Nyjer Morgan, but Morgan’s stints in Pittsburgh have been surprisingly better than Pearce’s. We don’t NEED any outfielders, in my opinion, with McLouth, Moss, Morgan, Pearce, and Tabata and McCutchen in the ...
Pirates Rumors: Pearce, Swisher, Nady
MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com —
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette turned up a few more Pirates rumors:
Though the Pirates would like to sign a right-handed power-hitting outfielder, GM Neal Huntington says starting Steve Pearce is a "viable option."
It doesn't look like the talks between the Yankees and Pirates about Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher are going to amount to anything.
The PIrates would like to add a starter, but they are more likely to strengthen pitching in the upper levels of the minor ...
Hall, A Tribute and Some Links
Bucs Trade Winds —
... You will never see something like that again. (Sorry, I type slow, that took 18 seconds and I misspelled something and had to correct it.) Links: For anyone who missed this, I have to thank Dejan for the link and Tom Haudricourt for the laugh. While I was out of action, a few bad days for the Pirates happened. The potential ace of the staff had a setback and may be out of the mix, Pearce may be the power option for the Pirates, and the heart and soul of the team relocated. ...
Pirates Sign Craig Monroe
Bucs Dugout —
... Craig Monroe to a minor-league deal. The Pirates' preference is for Steve Pearce to play at Indianapolis, so Monroe now has a pretty clear shot at making the team. Which would be unfortunate, because he can't hit at all. Monroe has never drawn many walks, and his ability to hit for contact has deserted him in the past few years too, so all he's left with is a bit of power. I'm not sure he's an upgrade on Jason Michaels, and that's saying something. ...
