SB Nation - Craig Hansen

Pirates Dump Denny Bautista, Craig Hansen, Chris Bootcheck

Charlie — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:22:23 -0000

Sorry there's no picture for this post; the only photos that come up in SB Nation's widget when you search for these players' names are shots of hitters homering off them.

Bautista and Bootcheck are no surprise. The big news here is the removal of Hansen, who was one of four players acquired in the Jason Bay deal. Hansen has a nerve disorder that could take years to heal, which is bad enough, but there's also the fact that he was hardly a reliably great pitcher even before that was diagnosed. Perhaps he'll wind up back in the Pirates' minor league system, but they were probably wise to take him off the roster.

These moves should allow the Pirates to move Jose Ascanio and Evan Meek from the 60-day DL back to the 40-man roster. (Hansen was already on the 60-day DL and was not occupying a roster spot; the same is true for Tyler Yates, though I can't imagine he'll be protected.)

News & Notes: Yankees, Dodgers, Pirates and The August Waiver Period

Matt Buggenhagen — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 00:08:47 -0000

More photos » by Kathy Willens - AP

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The non-waiver trade deadline has passed, but that doesn't stop FOXSports.com baseball guru Ken Rosenthal from dishing the dirt. In his latest full count video Rosenthal touches upon a few interesting stories that we didn't see prior to July 31. Have a look at some of the things Rosenthal had to say.

Yankees:

Rosenthal spoke with Yankees GM Brian Cashman who said he was heavily involved in everything. According to Cashman he was after high-end starters, low-end starters and relievers.
The Yankees were most interested in Mariners starter Jarrod Washburn, but the Mariners wanted Yankees CF prospect Austin Jackson, which the Yankees weren't willing to give up.
The Yankees were one of several teams, including the Red Sox, to inquire about Mariners starter Felix Hernandez.
As for relievers the Yankees top target was Heath Bell, the Yankees were hoping to land Bell and move him to the set up role, and possibly put either Phil Hughes or Alfredo Aceves back into the rotation.

Dodgers:

The Dodgers were never close to pulling off the supposed blockbuster with the Padres that would have sent them Heath Bell and Adrian Gonzalez.
Rosenthal wonders what the Dodgers would have looked like had they just gotten Bell.
As Rosenthal puts it, the Dodgers would have acquired two all-star closers in one day, which certainly would have made their starting rotation much less of an issue. Furthermore, he notes that the Dodger rotation still is an issue. Only two fewer teams are getting less innings pitched out of their starters than the Dodgers.

Pirates:

We wont know the returns on the Pirates trades until at least 2012.
Early returns on the Jason Bay trade aren't good. The Pirates acquired Craig Hansen, Brandon Moss, Andy LaRoche and a minor league pitcher name Brian Morris. None have been serious contributors to the major league club.
The Rays were also after Jason Bay, and might have offered a superior package.
Rosenthal believes that the Rays would have probably parted with either Edwin Jackson or Jason Hammel in a package for Bay, both Jackson and Hammel were later traded from the Rays.

August Waiver Period:

Rosenthal says relievers and hitters will be in abundance during the August waiver period.
However, the market for quality starting pitchers will be very weak.
The best starting pitcher who might be available could be Diamondbacks left-hander Doug Davis
Davis likely will clear waivers, and Rosenthal believes the team needs to be realistic about what they expect in return, because it's unlikely the D-Backs will offer him arbitration.
Rosenthal says there was very little action on Davis in July. Rosenthal noted to a D-Backs official that the offers likely wont be any better in August, and the official replied, "They can't be much worse."

Minor League Roundup: Owens Dominating Without Two-Seamer

Charlie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:47:57 -0000

How about I just pretend this whole Wandy Rodriguez thing didn't happen, and focus on the minors?

BaseballAmerica.com: Blog: Owens Breaks Out
Nice profile of Rudy Owens, who's dominating the South Atlantic League without even being allowed to use one of his pitches (a two-seam fastball). He's getting more outs in the air than on the ground right now; it'll be interesting to see if that changes once he returns to the two-seamer.

Lynchburg Hillcats: Scoreboard: Wilmington vs. Lynchburg
Bryan Morris got rocked today against Wilmington. It's too soon since he returned from injury to worry much about him, but Morris needs to start producing soon to make any progress at all this year. With Andy LaRoche slugging .388, Brandon Moss doing almost nothing with the stick and Craig Hansen being Craig Hansen, the Jason Bay trade looks worse by the day.

Is this thing on?: The boss is watching
Scott McCauley reports that the Pirates have signed former Padres prospect Tagg Bozied and sent him to Indianapolis. Bozied is a pretty generic AAAA slugger; he hit 50 homers combined in 2007 (in Memphis) and 2008 (in Albuquerque), but he lacks secondary skills. But if Garrett Jones can be mistaken, however briefly, for a real big-leaguer, I'm not really sure why Bozied can't.

Minor League Baseball: Stats: VSL Pirates
It's nice to see Jonathan Barrios and Exicardo Cayonez, who were among the Pirates' top singings in Latin America last year, hitting well in Venezuela.

Much has changed since the last time the Pirates and Rockies met

Poseidon's Fist — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:22:00 -0000

More photos » by John Heller - AP

It sure isn't Nate McLouth pirating flyballs to center these days.

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First, the Rockies had to prove they could win a series (Cardinals). Then they had to prove it wasn't a fluke (Brewers). Then the Rox had to show it could translate at home (Mariners). Then there was the challenge of winning against a world-class offense (Rays). And we've done all that.

So what does a series with the Pittsburgh Pirates offer? How about winning a series while being clearly the better team for once? Believe it or not, this is the first series the Rockies have gone into with a better record than their opponent since April 10th, the first home series of the years against the Phillies. Can we respond now that we are no longer the underdog? It would be our first series win (in two tries) against a team with an inferior record.

Or how about redemption? One month ago, the ~~Pirates embarrassed the Rockies~~ Rockies embarrassed themselves in Pittsburgh (see 10-run, 2-error inning). A dramatic ninth inning home run by Brad Hawpe was all that staved off the sweep. That series more or less sealed the fate of Clint Hurdle. After failing to lose series at Atlanta and Detroit, the move was delayed, but the losing attitude was smothering.

So now's the chance to get back and show the Pirates what real Rockies baseball is. They have treaded water at 15-14 since the series, and the Rockies have gone 19-11, passing Pittsburgh and five other teams in the wild card race in that month. We won't have to face Nate McLouth, who was traded to Atlanta, but Charlie Morton - who came in that trade - is slated to pitch on Saturday.

Also, check out Bucs Dugout, Pittsburgh's SBNation site. Check it out, but be friendly.

Pittsburgh Pirates (31-35, L1, t-5th, 6 GB)

Friday-Sunday : 3-game series at Coors Field

The Bats: D+

A weak offense got weaker when Nate McLouth got shipped to Georgia, but it should be noted that two young players have stepped up in his absence. Delwyn Young (1.120 OPS in June), who Pittsburgh basically got for free from the Dodgers this spring, and top prospect Andrew McCutchen (.849 OPS since his callup June 4) have really excelled with regular playing time. Still, they are only 20th in wOBA this season and 19th in runs, and that ought to be adjusted downward by tossing out McLouth's contributions. Then consider their 40 home runs, second to only the Giants' 38 for MLB futility. Take McLouth's nine out of the equation...and their roster is by far the weakest in the bigs. I mean, the Rockies have six players who have more dingers than Freddy Sanchez, second on the roster.

LINEUP	Avg	HR	RBI
Andrew McCutchen - CF	.333	1	9
Nyjer Morgan - LF	.256	1	24
Freddy Sanchez - 2B	.314	5	25
Adam LaRoche - 1B	.260	9	32
Delwyn Young - RF	.360	1	11
Andy LaRoche - 3B	.278	3	31
Robinzon Diaz - C	.295	1	15
Jack Wilson - SS	.274	1	20

Ryan Doumit is still on the DL, so Jason Jaramillo will get one or two starts this weekend. Brandon Moss still finds a start about half the time in the outfield, and Eric Hinske, Craig Monroe, and Ramon Vazquez fill out the bench.

The Arms: C-

The Pirates started strong in allowing the fewest runs in the league, but after getting three shutouts in four games April 17-20, Pittsburgh has failed to record another one in the two months since. Their ERA is a bit above average at 12th (4.24), though thier FIP is 22nd (4.51), and their tRA is even higher - 4.63 in the rotation and 5.00 in the bullpen. In fact the bullpen has the fourth worst FIP in the majors, partially due to Matt Dicus Capps having an ERA near 5.00 And yes, that's his real middle name.

Charlie Morton will take Jeff Karstens' rotation spot Saturday, and that may help things in the rotation, but they've still been deceptively below average. We will miss their worst starter so far this year (Ian Snell) but also arguably their best (Zach Duke), so the series will be a pretty fair shake.

The D: A

The Pirates have made just 27 errors, 3rd least in MLB, which has led to 24 unearned runs yet are also tied for the 3rd best UZR/150 rating at 6.6. Replacing McLouth with Andrew McCutchen in center also improves their defensive picture.

Probable Pitchers:

Tonight, 7:10 pm MDT

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2009 - Ross Ohlendorf	6-5	4.56	1.27	39	22

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2009 - Jason Marquis	8-4	3.77	1.35	41	31

Saturday, June 20, 6:10 pm MDT

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2009 - Charlie Morton	0-0	0.00	1.00	0	0

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2009 - Jason Hammel	4-3	4.10	1.48	42	15

Thursday, June 18, 1:10 MDT

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2009 - Paul Maholm	4-3	4.23	1.41	54	28

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2009 - Jorge De La Rosa	2-7	5.81	1.49	76	33

Adam LaRoche is really starting to heat up. He is 9 for his last 19 with 2 HR. Delwyn Young, Jack Wilson, Andrew McCutchen, and Freddy Sanchez are all OPSing over .930 over the past week as well. Ross Ohlendorf allowed only one run and two hits in his previous start.

Nyjer Morgan and Andy LaRoche have been the biggest flops recently, each collecting just three hits and one home run over the past week. Paul Maholm was torched for eight runs in his last start.

Ryan Doumit is still on the DL with a wrist injury he sustained April 20, when the Pirates were over .500. Tyler Yates (elbow) and Donald Veal (groin) are on the 15-day, and Phil Dumatrait (shoulder) and Craig Hansen (neck) are on the 60-day.

Poll

What says you for the last June home series?

The real Rockies have shown up. We'll have no trouble with the Pittsburgh. Something tells me Pirates would have trouble in the Rockies anyway

55 votes

We will inexplicably lose a game just because. But a series win is practically in pen now.

77 votes

Time for a letdown. Pirates take the series

6 votes

Aaargh. Jim Tracy must love his old teams too much. A sweep to the Pirates shocks us all.

0 votes

138 votes | Poll has closed

Rox to face another talented trio of arms in Pittsburgh

Poseidon's Fist — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:00:15 -0000

More photos » by John Heller - AP

This series of struggling teams could have been rejuvenated with the battle of the two young catchers Iannetta and Doumit. But Doumit had to go injure his wrist and will be out at least a month. Instead, the Bucs will be utilizing a catcher that abused the spelling of Robinson.

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Good showings could raise their series win percentage and Atkins' batting average above the Mendoza line

On April 26th, the Pirates were 11-7; from April 13-20, the Bucs recorded FOUR shutouts, each behind a different starting pitcher. But as the Pirates do, they fell on hard time and lost 12 of 13 and are back in the familiar NL Central cellar.

Pittsburgh has also underperformed their Pythagorean win percentage - they are 14-20 despite being outscored by just four.

The Rockies won the season series from Pittsburgh last year 5-2, sweeping a four game set at Coors and dropping two at PNC. Colorado also won the series in 2007 4-3 on the strength of a three game sweep at PNC.

Pittsburgh Pirates (14-20, L1, 6th, 6.5 GB)

Friday-Sunday : 3-game series at PNC Park

The Pirates are led by their starting pitching, which has the 3rd best ERA in MLB. The underrated young group of Paul Maholm, Zach Duke, Jeff Karstens, Ian Snell and Ross Ohlendorf (all 26, except Snell, who is 27) lead the majors in quality starts and are in a four way tie for third with 4 shutouts. The whole staff has a strong 3.50 ERA at PNC Park.

However, the Pirates have the largest negative split between FIP and ERA in the majors, and their BABIP allowed is second lowest so indications are they are getting a bit lucky, and it will only get worse for the Bucs.

The below average offense got a huge blow when catcher Ryan Doumit went down with an injury last week. The have managed with the emergence of Robinzon Diaz behind the dish.

LINEUP	Avg	HR	RBI
Nyjer Morgan	.311	0	17
Freddy Sanchez	.333	3	11
Nate McLouth	.280	5	23
Adam LaRoche	.234	6	16
Robinzon Diaz	.344	1	5
Andy LaRoche	.243	1	11
Brandon Moss	.224	1	6
Jack Wilson	.254	0	8

Of the regulars on Sanchez, McLouth and Diaz rate are at least average in terms of wRAA.

This is a series where the Rockies pitchers have an opportunity to impress. It is nearly a top ten pitchers' park this year against one of the bottom ten offenses. I'll leave it at that - sorry for cutting things short, but I have to run and grab some diploma thing.

Probable Pitchers:

Tonight, 5:05 pm MDT

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2009 - Jorge De La Rosa	0-3	3.53	1.21	35	16

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2009 - Paul Maholm	3-1	4.06	1.33	21	14

Saturday, May 16, 5:05 MDT

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2009 - Aaron Cook	2-1	5.03	1.58	21	19

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2009 - Ian Snell	1-5	4.50	1.58	27	24

Sunday, May 17, 11:35 MDT

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2009 - Ubaldo Jimenez	3-4	4.72	1.50	34	20

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2009 - Zach Duke	4-3	2.52	1.08	28	11

Robinzon Diaz (.389/421/.611) has really stepped up in place of the injured Ryan Doumit, especially in the past week. Freddy Sanchez (.333/.444/.400), Jack Wilson (.375/.375/.500) and Nyjer Morgan (.333/.455/.444) have all heated up as well.

Brandon Moss (.238/.238/.439) and Adam LaRoche (.200/.238/.450)have struggled the most recently. Paul Maholm gave up 7 runs in his last start.

Ryan Doumit, Phil Dumatrait and Craig Hansen are on the 15-day DL.

Poll

Forget WILL they win the series...is this team even capable of winning it?

No. Make sure the rum is not gone

25 votes

Maybe. We haven't won a series against a team with a better record than us yet so far this year, but if we win Friday, we will pass them by a half game. So it would be ok to win the series then.

14 votes

That last option was entirely too long

17 votes

Yeah...I guess...I mean it IS the Pirates. Surely we have the capability to beat the Pirates!

26 votes

82 votes | Poll has closed

Padres 4, Pirates 3: Extra-inning Loss Could be Costly

Charlie — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 19:24:14 -0000

More photos » by Lenny Ignelzi - AP

Jack Wilson went 0-for-5 with an error last night.

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The really bad thing about this game is that the Bucs had to use every functional arm in their bullpen to get through eleven innings, so they need either a dominant starting pitching performance or a blowout tonight to avoid the risk of Donnie Veal or Craig Hansen pitching in a close game. And tomorrow, as my friend pointed out at the game last night, they face Jake Peavy. So last night's loss could be a costly one.

Before yesterday I was getting ready to say that while these Pirates aren't going to be a contending team, or even a .500 team, I believe in them a lot more than I believe in past editions, because they do basic things like catch the ball and throw strikes, which previous Buc teams never seemed to be able to do. Most of the games the Pirates have won last year haven't felt like cheap wins that happened just because the other team did something dumb.

Last night, though, they were tough to watch. Not Ronny-Paulino-bungling-plays-at-the-plate or Freddy-Sanchez-lollipopping-throws-to-first tough to watch, but still--Ian Snell wasn't razor-sharp, Jack Wilson dropped a ball hit right at him, and then there was this beauty:

Pittsburgh - Top of 9th

N Morgan reached on infield single to second.

J Wilson bunt popped out foul to catcher.

N Morgan picked off first.

Really nice work there, guys. Morgan got picked off after about a hundred throws to first, too--it wasn't like the attempt should have surprised him. Morgan's a more valuable baserunner than your typical station-to-station guy, obviously, but fans who get excited when he makes his way around the bases with an error and a steal and a groundout always forget about moments like this one, where the Bucs' focus on getting him around the bases cost them not one but two outs.

If there was any positive development in this game, it was that Jesse Chavez entered the game with the score tied in the sixth and recorded four straight outs. I don't think he threw anything but fastballs, and that might catch up with him if it continues, but for right now I feel safer with him out there than I do with anyone else except Matt Capps (who, ironically, took the loss last night) and John Grabow.

Braves 11, Pirates 1: Another Blowout, But...

Charlie — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:40:21 -0000

More photos » by Gene J. Puskar - AP

Pitching coach Joe Kerrigan visits a struggling Zach Duke in the fourth inning of Sunday's game.

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If there's anything to be grateful about here, it's that the Pirates have now played two blowouts in a row, allowing them to spread work around in their thin bullpen. I missed most of this one, but tuned in for the end of Craig Hansen's dreadful outing. Donald Veal was up next and only allowed one run compared to Hansen's four, but otherwise Veal was just as bad, walking four batters and generally looking like he didn't belong anywhere near the major leagues.

Before them, Zach Duke got pasted for 12 hits and six runs in six innings, but... at least he didn't walk anyone? The offense, meanwhile, was quiet until a meaningless run came across in the ninth on an HBP by young Braves reliever James Parr. Before that, Javier Vazquez shut them down completely, with eight strikeouts in six shutout innings. The Pirates managed only one extra-base hit (a double by Freddy Sanchez) and one walk.

Oh well--the Pirates took two out of three, and they'll have a fresh 'pen for the series that starts tomorrow against the Marlins. What a difference a year makes--last season, four of the Bucs' first eight games went for extra innings, which created a huge problem because Rule 5 pick Evan Meek had to pitch in close games. This year the Pirates essentially have two Evan Meeks on the roster, but the Bucs have played in several blowouts, had one game postponed, and haven't had any extra-inning games, so there hasn't been a problem.

Cardinals 2, Pirates 1: St. Louis 1-Hits Bucs

Charlie — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 20:14:33 -0000

More photos » by Jeff Roberson - AP

Chris Carpenter shut down a depleted Pirates team Thursday afternoon.

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I saw about half of this game. It wasn't the worst the Pirates have ever played, but the cracks in the roster are already beginning to show, which is to be expected. First, Andy LaRoche was on the bench for the second consecutive day. (Adam LaRoche was out too, but he's sick.)

Then there was the decision to bring in Sean Burnett against a righty (UPDATE: the righty was a pinch-hitter--my fault) with two on and no outs in a 1-1 game. Burnett, who's a complete cipher (and actually, that description might be generous), wasn't an optimal choice there--actually, if you're willing to be even a little bit adventurous with your bullpen, Matt Capps would have been a great choice, but even if he weren't available, I'd prefer John Grabow, Tyler Yates and Jesse Chavez in that situation. Still, it's hard to be too tough on John Russell, if only because the choices are so uninspiring and there are two pitchers in the bullpen (Craig Hansen and Donnie Veal) who can't be trusted at all.

Then there was the fact that the Pirates were being no-hit into the seventh inning by Chris Carpenter. The Bucs still had a 1-0 lead because they were able to get a run without a hit, on a walk, a fielder's choice, an error, and another fielder's choice. Ross Ohlendorf kept runs off the board, but his performance wasn't exactly inspiring--he wasn't throwing terribly hard, he allowed a bunch of fly balls, and he only had one strikeout.

The Cardinals took a two run lead in the seventh on singles by Yadier Molina and Brian Barden. It should have been a much less complex inning--Freddy Sanchez let what should have been a double play get by him. Brandon Moss and Ryan Doumit ended what could have been a disastrous inning by nailing Molina at home. After that, though, the Pirates went quietly, and ended the game with a flyout by Craig Monroe. Anytime Craig Monroe is allowed to end a 2-1 game, well, your roster isn't deep enough.

Cardinals 9, Pirates 3

Charlie — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 03:07:01 -0000

More photos » by Tom Gannam - AP

Andy LaRoche makes his third error of the year.

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The Pirates have now played two incredibly sloppy games, but with a loss tonight, they have a .500 record. Maybe they've figured out a special formula to sustain that pace--yesterday, they got enough out of Paul Maholm to get the ball to their two good relievers (John Grabow and Matt Capps, and let's leave out Tyler Yates), who grabbed the win and the save, respectively.

Tonight, they played all kinds of sloppy baseball yet again and got blown out, but at least they were able to give Capps and Grabow a rest. Instead, they trotted out three bad relievers, with Sean Burnett sandwiched in between Donnie Veal and Craig Hansen. Veal and Hansen at least showed flashes of potential (they had three strikeouts apiece, and Veal had a wicked breaking ball going) but neither of them have any idea how to find the strike zone. It didn't matter, because Ian Snell was terrible and the game had already been decided by the time they entered.

So, tomorrow, the process needs to begin again. Zach Duke needs to pitch well enough to get the ball to Capps and Grabow. There's pretty much no margin for error, at least not if the rest of the Pirates play as they did tonight. Andy LaRoche was, again, terrible, botching what appeared to be a routine popup for his third error in two games. Freddy Sanchez had two hits, including a homer, but after him the Pirates only managed to reach base four other times. This has been a very, very bad .500 team so far.

Getting to know Virgil Vasquez

Charlie — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:13:25 -0000

More photos » by Keith Srakocic - AP

Virgil Vasquez

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The Trib on the Bucs' lack of a long reliever:

Wednesday, right-hander Virgil Vasquez was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis after losing the competition for the fifth starter's job. Relievers Jason Davis and Denny Bautista, who both can be used in multi-inning stints, were among seven players reassigned to minor league camp.

"We talked long about what's the best makeup for our bullpen," general manager Huntington said. "Do we put (Vasquez) in the bullpen, giving us a length option? Or do we build the bullpen so we have an optionable piece or two in it, then if we have a need for length we can pull a guy from Triple-A?"

"Optionable" is a cool word.

Anyway, the Bucs sent Vasquez to AAA, but he'll be back. Not only is he likely to be the first pitcher called when the Pirates need a starter, but he can work multiple innings out of the bullpen. The Bucs already have two pitchers in their bullpen in Craig Hansen and Donnie Veal about whom the phrase "question mark" probably isn't sufficiently strong to describe how unreliable they are. (If I were the GM, I would have kept Hansen, but I would've shipped Veal back to the Cubs for fear of another Evan Meek-iopening-2008 situation. One Hansen is plenty.)

The Bucs also have two confirmed mediocrities in Sean Burnett and Tyler Yates and a spot that hasn't even been filled yet. Sure, the rotation is shaky, but the bullpen is even worse, and unless Hansen or Veal turn things around in short order, they'll be hurting for innings. Personally, I'd like to see Dan McCutchen get some of those, but he doesn't appear to be in the Pirates' immediate plans.

So, speaking of props, what's the line on the number of innings Vasquez pitches for Pittsburgh this year? 80, maybe?