For those of us who read way too much online about the Pirates, you know that ESPN's "Sweet Spot Blog Network" has long been missing a Pirates Blog. No more. This season marks the addition of "PittPlank." I was instantly curious as I had been waiting for quite some time and was wondering who they got to write it. I didn't recognize the name of the blog, nor the writer from anywhere and was thrown for a loop, as I had expected someone from the existing online Pirates blog community to be brought aboard.

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Seriously??  According to Kristy Robinson, Harrison (who is hitting .283) playing 3B and 2B will be demoted.  However, no news on Ciriaco, the backup SS to backup SS Brandon Wood.  If you don't know that's him in the picture above FYI.  It's very likely that you don't recognize him as he has never actually appeared in a game for the Pirates.

BUT HE CAN PICK IT!!! Seriously though, can someone explain this?  My apologies for wasting your time if there is a move that I dont know about, or if he retired this morning, etc.

UPDATE:  Lincoln joining the team soon to make the July 2nd start against DC via Kristy via Rob B, both on Twitter.  Stay tuned.....

UPDATE #2:  ALLLLL BETTER!  Neal was actually just gaming the system YOU SLYSUMMAMAGUN YOU!!  See link -------> http://blog.triblive.com/bucco-blog/2011/06/23/darnaud-presley-lincoln-on-the-way/

The Jay Hay kid will be back shortly, with the other Pedro heading down to make room for Elvis.  I'm not sure why just sending down Ciriaco and calling up Chase a week a go wouldn't have avoided all of this, but I guess they wanted everyone getting as many at bats as possible, except Ciriaco of course.  Do you think he has his own bats, or just borrows them from other guys like when the AL pitchers have to hit in interleague?

All season we have seen Andrew McCutchen hitting for more power, but his average has been lacking, spending most of the early season down around .240, well below his avg of .286 each of the last two seasons.  He currently has a 10 game hitting streak going, during which he has been killing the ball with 5 of those 10 being multi-hit games raising his average 28 points to.......284

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Big draft.  Big walk off by a big star.  Big game tonight, go get 'em Jeff.

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So it is getting to be that time of year again where we start looking at minor leaguers, guys in crowded infields and outfields, and once top prospects that may have lost some of their luster, or just enough to no longer be untouchable.  Please refrain from railing against trading for other people's garbage because that isn't what this post is for.  It's for weighing in on your level of interest in a player, where they might fit in on our team and what you might be willing to pay for him.  If the answer to any of these is "zero" so be it, but please keep it on an even keel.  I welcome anyone to post one of these using the very catchy feature name I tacked on there, so that it will be obvious what the post is rather than 10 "Dexter Fowler?!?!" and "Lars Anderson the answer at 1st?" threads.  Of course I'm way to lazy to do a large number of these but this probably wont be the last.  Windowshopping: Chris Davis...after the jump

Its a picture!

via cdn.bleacherreport.net

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I was afraid this column had died out at ESPN in favor of the Coors Light 5 Bud Facts about the quaker state spring training Yankees RedSox Binford Tools Rivalry preview but apparently UniWatch is still alive.  If you're into graphic design, or just uniform intricacies like me this article is always cool.  Paul Lukas does a great job running down every change to team uniforms this year.  Buccos are eliminating the last remains of red from their unis and the pinstripe Vest uniform, which I know a lot of people liked but I never did. 

via imgsrv.955thegame.com

Disclaimer:  I am a huge Clay Matthews fan and would kill to have him in our defense.

The long and short of this post is that I want the 49ers to draft Casey Matthews (no, not in the first round), Ideally in the third, or even second round.  While I know he is not Clay, I think he will continue to improve and think he would be great to have picking up his grandfathers legacy on the Niners and playing alongside Willis inside for years, or possibly moving outside as suggested here at Draft Soup.

I feel that he has a lot of the same knocks that Clay did coming into the draft and that he still has room to get better as far as strength and conditioning and gaining size.  I have seen him in mocks going as early as the second, or as late as the third with speculation that he could move up even higher with good combine numbers.  I am still waiting on those but I think based on his performance at Oregon, leading the Ducks with 73 tackles, but also added 8.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.0 sacks, three interceptions and five passes defended.  He runner up for the Butkis award and all Pac-10 in addition to his abilities, intelligence on the field, obvious pedigree, and room for further growth I would be willing to take a bit of a flier or even move up in the middle rounds to grab him.  This would be particularly true if we take a CB in the first and trade for a QB, dont see our QBOTF in the draft.

CHECK OUT THE HIGHLIGHT VIDEO HERE

Anyone else like to weigh in?  I'd be very curious to see if anyone else was interested in putting a Matthews back in Red and Gold, if they think he could grow into a 3-4 pass rusher or play inside etc.  Where would you be willing to take him?

So I aw this last night when i got home from work and since it's Thanksgiving, I dont know what the holiday work schedule is at a free blog, soooooooo Zack Duke traded to the Diamondbacks for a PTBNL.  Justin Upton?? Probably

Link here: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5848545

Q: Where do Pirates fans voice their displeasure with ownership?

A: In the suggestyinz box!

wokka wokka wokka wokka wokka

For everyone who freaked out about the Pirates books and accused Nutting or the minority owners of "using the Pirates as their own personal piggy bank," you should check this out.  Using profits to pay taxes on profits is common snese, it's what you do every day.  taking out 100 million dollars on your baseball team to go screw around in Napa or Italy on the weekends is just scumbaggery.  Im also going to post about my recent rtrip to Citi Field to watch Zack Duke get oblitereated in person (but Pedro signed my clemente jersey!) but Im hung over and have to got to  a wedding.

Eff you McCourt family

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/news/story?id=5582003

Is anyone else watching Posey this season (or have him on their fantasy team) and think maybe the Pirates should have taken him before Pedro?

We could have then used the Sanchez pick on a prep arm or else drafted both and moved one or traded him.  We would have either Andy, NW, Pearce or player x there at the moment, with Posey catching, and if we still were as bad, just keep the seat warm for Rendon eventually.  I know hindsight is 20 20 and it's way to early to rush to judgement about this, but it seems like Pedro's ceiling might be Adam Dunn-ish.  Anyone feel like maybe Posey shoulda been the choice knowing what we know now?  I asked Keith Law (known to be not high on Pedro) today and got a  response

Alex NY Bucco (NY)

Hindsight, or even if you thought so at the time...should Pirates have taken Posey over Alvarez?

Klaw   (2:14 PM)

I had Posey ranked over Alvarez. I think I had Alvarez fourth among guys available to the Pirates behind Posey, Smoak, and Hosmer.

UPDATE:  Posey, who is hitting .100 better  and OPS'ing .160 more than Pedro (in 80 more AB's) also played SS in college, so it's safe to say he could handle 2nd and probably 3rd with his quickness and arm.  I think what no one really saw coming was his power.  he was supposed to be a line drive hitter yet has 10 HR and is slugging .516 in 292 AB

So I was reading about the Tiger's needs here and my thoughts turned to Doumit and Andy.  Doumit would give them some production behind the plate, in addtion to having the option of them DH'ing him, especially if they brought in a better defensive option down the road.

Andy would certainly have the glove to fill in for Inge and an average bat.  He would fill the super utitlity role for them, especially if they have him start taking grounders as an emergency shortstop.  I know Neal will always have a soft spot for him, but clearly Pedro and NW are the 3b and 2B of the future in Pittsburgh.  Seemed like a nice oppotunity to move them both.  Just a thought, I'm not suggesting that we would get anything incredible.  His value will only drop as he plays less.

Does anyone know about the Tigers system or who they might be willing to move?  I know their bullpen is depleted since losing Zumaya again so even a Doumit - Andy - Carrasco/ dotel package crossed my mind as our best chance to get something of value if we could fill all of a teams needs in one trade.  Neal is done trading guys valuable to us for the sake of building the minor league system and is relauctant to trade anything he sees as part of the future.    None of these guys fit that mold or  is bringing in a real haul alone, but possibly as a package a la the Nady-Marte Deal?

Thoughts?

Is there any possibility that Huntington puts together a trade for Jason Bartlett?  I was just reading about the logjam of young talent the Rays have up the middle, with no place to put him once he returns from the DL: Briegnac, Rodriguez, with Zobrist also able to play up the middle if needed with their deep talent at OF as well.  They also have Beckham in the minors, though he is a ways away.

I have touched on it before, but I think with our young pitchers, as well as young IF of Pedro, Walker, (Pearce/ Clement/Jones?) RonRon :(edeno is the one huge hole in our lineup that has no chance to improve anytime soon, and a young vet like Bartlett could go a long way in shoring things up on D, while plugging that black hole in the batting order.  Many people point to :(edeno's D but even if he is a + glove at SS, his hitting is terrible.  While this better than a no/ glove no bat, and common in MLB, as someone pointed out in the comments, it can be hidden on the best teams, a weak bat at SS is still a weakness and hurts teams without great lineups even more.  On a weak hitting team it's just an automatic out.  For every Vizquel or Ozzie Smith there are 50 :(edenos and Rey Ordonez's.

Look at the teams in the playoffs last year

Yankees (Jeter), Phillies (Rollins), Twins (acquired O Cabrera), Cardinals (had Lugo, used Ryan and his 340 OPS), Dodgers (Furcal), Angels (Aybar, 350 OPS ), Red Sox (Acquired Alex Gonzalez), Colorado (Tulo)

Can we get him?

Obviously there would be a lot of teams interested in adding a good, affordable, relatively young glove at SS who has  hit at or near 300 the past few years, but I just think it would make us better in the immediate future and in the next few years without spending too much money or blocking anyone.  I know most people would laugh at the idea of us being "buyers" around the trade deadline, but this wouldnt be in the traditional "rent-a-player" sense.  We would be buying low on him as he was not hitting well this year and has been on the DL with a  hamstring injury that may even keep him from helping too much this year.  That may reduce competition for him, and we would be making the type of trade that you usually see in the offseason...during the season while they have a situation to deal with and his stock is low.  It would be more of a move for the next 2-3 years than this year.

And no need to point out how our last trade for an injured Rays IF went.  If anything they owe us a favor, but in all seriousness at least there is a precedent for making this sort of trade with the Rays.

Who do we trade?

The Ray's need relievers and obviously we have some of those to spare (well not really, but they're of value to other teams and we can just sign replacements in the offseason because this year is history).  Possibly Dotel could be enough to pry Bartlett lose but I would be skeptical. 

Our biggest trade chip appears to be Doumit.  The Ray's have been looking for affordable production from the DH spot and Doumitt fits the bill perfectly.  He has an affordable contract, a good bat and terrible glove.  Everyone knows he's better off in the AL.  However, a straight swap, many would argue, leaves the Buccos on the short end.  In that sense we would need someone else in the package coming back...which would probably be too much.  In which case my hypo-trade is this: Dotel, Doumit and cash for Bartlett and Matt Joyce. 

Joyce is a classic Huntington target - great minor league track record, poor in brief stint in the majors.  Potential (phantom ) power that has yet to develop and has fallen out of favor with other teams (traded for Jackson, poor showing for Rays).  While the Rays will need young OF talent given Crawford and Uptons situations, they have Jennings and Ruggiano knocking on the door, in addition to catching talent they can put in the OF and seem more likely to move Joyce.  Given that MIlledge isn't looking like the answer, I like the idea of a Tabata-McCutchen- Joyce OF in the future.

Is this really an improvement?

Another point that will come up from this trade is: How much better would this make us?  If Doumit is gone that means we have Jamarillo behind the plate, at least until Sanchez arrives, hopefully late next year.  The first thought is well now we have a Glove first, weak bat playing a premium D position, just a different one.  However, I think the 3 keys are:

1.  Jamarillo would just be a place holder till Sanchez arrives (assuming we dont sign a 1 year FA in the offseason)

2.  Bartlet is = Ronny with teh glove and much better with the bat.  Jamarillo worse than Doumit with the bat, but Much better on D.  What we gain at C defense and SS offense is worth more than we lost at C offense.

3.  If we can get another potential difference maker (Joyce) than we have greatly improved in the long term while not becoming worse short term.

In the end I just think that having any guys who are terrible on offense will just continue to hurt a team like us and there appears to be no one in the near future to shore up the position.  I realize that towards the end everything got really "if, but, or and then" but I'm just suggesting ways to improve the team with what we have.  I think it would be great to address this weakness for the near future, and years to come while moving guys we could/should move anyway.

"He's got to face nine of the best hitters in the world"

-Lastings MIlledge regarding Stephen Strasburg's debut

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Disclaimer:  The following idea is unlikely, entirely hypothetical, and will probably never happen.  However, I am having fun thinking about it and I'm sure everyone else will too.

Situation:

Bryce Harper falls to the Pirates and they draft him.  By the time hot hitting, but me-frst type Harper is at AA Tony Sanchez is an all star catcher on the Cutch/ alvarez/ tabata led buccos.  Alvrarez is hitting like Prince Fielder, but eating like him too and playing 1B while Andy is playing top-caliber 3B, hitting 290 and 20 HR's a year. Buccos lock up team leader Sanchez with an extension and the team, while competing for the division and winning the wildcard with their young core, appears to still need more impact players to really threaten the Cardinals who have just locked up Pujols by buying out InBev and making him majority shareholder of Anhueser-Busch instead of a standard contract.

The Pirates decide to trade Harper for the pieces that could make them a playoff team for years to come...what could they get?

 I realize the most logical move is to move Harper to 1B, but hypothetical Pedro is there! Also Harper has stated that he insists on leaving once he hits free agency and is talkign about A-Rod money while in the minors.  He and boras publicly resist any notion of him moving from catcher due to decreased FA value.

For the no fun people who say: Nothing, trade Sanchez and keep Harper's service time.......if you insist on no playing along, then fine, what could Sanchez fetch?  Hypothetical fantasy Tony is a great clubhouse guy and receiver similar to Pudge in his prime.

I just feel that the idea of putting a super prospect on the market for several lesser super prospects is interesting, since when premiere players go on the market its usually at most only a year or two from free agency.  What if the Braves could've gotten Neftali Feliz, Smoak, Andrus and another prospect for Heyward?  Do you do it?  That's along the lines of what Im thinking here.

GO!

Look.  I know the Pirates aren't going to have a winning season.  Maybe not even next year.  I live in New York and I'm not working right now.  That means Monday I'm going to the bar in my Clemente jersey and sit there with the doors open eating hot dogs, drinking beers and without a doubt more than one depressed Mets fan will try to make himself feel better by giving me a hard time about how much the Pirates suck... and I will tell them all the same thing

"I would rather have our team than yours any day"

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FOR ANYONE ELSE WITH MLB NETWORK AND FREE TIME.

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I'm sure that he wants to "create his own identity" and "not try to fill anyone's shoes"  but I really think that the coolest thing Tony Sanchez could do for the fans is wear #12.  For a city that is working class and bummed about all the old players leaving, could there be an easier way to win fans than saying "hey, you paid good money for those jerseys and now theyre worthless...not anymore! You now own a Tony Sanchez jersey"  He'd be a hit, everyone would break out their old #12's and he'd be everywhere.

Also can all agree that Erik Kratz's nickname should be Kratz Davis?  Old slugging minor league catcher who can't quite make it to the majors?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4897641

Other fun facts about the statue:

-They also plan to use the statue as a defensive replacement for Matt Gamel in tight games

-Selig will be depicted wearing one of his trademark Men's Warehouse 3 button suits, but with his shirt untucked

-The statue will be concrete so as not to distract Prince Fielder, since bronze looks too much like chocolate wrapped in foil

-In the statue Bud will be depicted as 350 pounds, so as not to freak out any Brewers fans with his "emaciated 200 lb frame"

- There was debate as to whether it should be in the stadium or a local park, but they called it a tie and are putting it in the  mIles of glorious revenue generating parking lots

-The statue will open the season in Japan, at night to reflect Bud's legacy. 

-Additionally, when asking for a budget, the artist was told he could spend as much as he wanted

-If someone is bitten by a dog near the statue, the statue will always side with the owner

-When you pull his arms it will dispense beer and cheese respectively from Bud's mouth (I made that  one up, that would be cool)

When Huntington became the Pirate's GM he stressed investing the teams money wisely and finding undervalued commodities.  This is one of the main ideas of "Moneyball" as most know by now.

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Today, Jerry Crasnick posted an objective, interesting article about Huntington's complete overhaul of the Pittsburgh Pirates on ESPN.com  I thought it was a good read and definitely worth checking out, even if most of it isn't news to us.

Andre Mccutchen is very good at baseball.  In fact he is so fast that in the time it took me to write these extra words he rounded the bases three times.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=4373943

I just figured that since this is where a lot of us come to talk baseball and there is no current post for it that I would put one up.  I wanted to keep it separate from Pirates Trades and talks because that's a whole 'nother ball of wax.                

A few things in play right now:

-The biggest thing that is flying under the radar to me is that Adrian Gonzales is some what in play.   If you are the Red Sox I don't know how you don't give up a Halladay like package for him.  You lost out on Texiera, but Gonzalez may actually be better and is signed pretty cheap the next few years.  I honestly think he's the closest thing there is to Pujols.  He has 27 homers right now with a 390 OBP and an OPS over 900....playing on a crap team in Petco park.  Additionally he is a top tier/ possible gold glove defender at 1B.  I think he puts up better #'s than Tex if he goes to Boston.   If possible maybe even take on San Diego's worst contract in the deal to lessen the package you'd have to send...only because you cannot send but so much cash due to MLB rules.

Check out his #'s.  His average is lower than it was earlier in the year...but he sees almost no pitches.  He's already walked more than he did all of last year when he hit .280 and his OBP is 30 points higher.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7054

-Josh Fields wants a trade.  This guy has never hit for average but wants out and it seems the White Sox have given up on him a la Lastings (although without the behavior problems).  It seems like he could be had on the cheap and has proven power in the majors hitting 23 homers in 300-som-odd at bats his rookie year.  What would it take to get him?  Could the buccos get him for slightly more than the delwyn deal?  Could he play 2B if Andy cant?  I know I said non-pirates, but I was referring more to trading away our guys 9freddy, grabow, jack, capps, duke snell etc)

Thoughts?  new deals?

I was wondering if anyone knew more about, or had scouting reports for a few guys tearing up the DSL and VSL.

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First of all, I think it's worth noting that the collection of nationalities on this team is insane.  They have 2 pitchers from India, a pitcher from Australia, and a 2B from South Africa in addition to the usual mix of Americans, Dominicans, Purto Ricans and Venezuelans.  Must be an interesting clubhouse.

Team Stats are here:

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ibp&cid=470

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First off, let me preface this by saying I loved Nyjer! Morgan aka Mr. Tony Plush.  After Nate, my favorite player was traded, he became my favorite.  He was a former hockey player and quote machine that usually had about 4 ounces of chew in his mouth.  He played awesome D, hit for a decent average, and ran fast as hell on the bases (although often 3 feet too far, or 1 second too early, thus turning his previous hit into an out).  His uniform was always dirty and you couldn't not like him.  He won me over from the "I-can't-believe-this-guy-hitting-190-in-Bradenton-is-guarunteed-the-starting-LF-job" camp which is saying a lot.      

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For the one millionth time.  Ryan Doumit's numbers are good offensive numbers for a catcher, but very average for a 1B.  By moving him to 1B  we would have an average 1B under contract occupying a premium hitting positionand average catchers.  This is not beneficial compared to having an above average offensive catcher and either Adam at 1B, taking a look at our younger guys at 1B or someone we acquire in a trade or eventually move far down the road (Pedro).  It is common knowledge that in the AL he'd DH, but we're not in the AL, so his bat has the most value at catcher.  It seems like in every third thread, someone proposes moving Doumit to catcher and then Vlad or someone else explains this.  It's incredibly redundant and I'm sure will be the new defacto question to ask now that Andy is hitting consistently and McCutchen has been called up.

...and because I love this pictue and still miss The Trouth.  RIP NATE

via www.allthetests.com

NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

via cm1.theinsider.com

I previously had a big explanation of how future superstar prostpects aren't getting traded anymore, but I'm still too mad for that.  I tried to rationalize it but its 2 days later now and I'm still really pissed.  I keep coming back to thinking about if we had Nyjer Cutch and Nate in the OF.  I can't really think about the future as much as I want to.  Honestly, this sucks.  RIP NATE.

I have to admit that when he was struggling in Spring Training I was one of the people who wanted Nyjer Morgan nowhere near the Bucco's lineup.  Please forgive me, Nyjer.  I was ignorant.  Nyjer has since become my second favorite Pirate (behind Nate McLouth).  Morgan is easily the team's most entertaining player on and off the field and if he gets traded or loses time to McCutchen I will miss him dearly.  Nyjer's uniform is almost always filthy by the end of the first inning and while he doesn't walk or hit for power, he's hitting .300 in a Pirates uniform which is quite an accomplishment in this orginization. While he runs the bases with efficiency (or lack thereof) that would make Germans weep, he is undoubtedly awesome.  If he ever figures out how to time moves and not overslide, it will be amazing.

Charlie can be credited for naming his exciting quality...Sparkpluginess.  He's like a human SkyBlast.   When asked who was the funniest Pirate in Spring Training Nate answered "I would have to say Nyjer Morgan, if anyone.  It's not exactly Comedy Central in here."  Not exactly a ringing endorsement but I'll take it.  Last night's phenomenal helmet spike and ejection reminded me just how much more entertaining Pirates games are with him in the lineup.

Some of my favorite Nyjer quotes and moments.  If you have any others, or pictures, please post.

- He refers to left field and the stands around it as "Morgantown"

- In Wrigley when the fans chant, he waves his arms like he's conducting an orchestra.

-I cannot remember what game I saw it in, but he occasionally celebrates a great play by picking up one leg and resting his arm on it a la "Captain Morgan"

-Regarding the defensive alignment:

"I love it," Morgan said. "More room for me to run, and I love to run, man."

Informed of his ultimate zone rating, Morgan first needed an explanation, then replied, "That's cool. I just want to catch the ball."

-Regarding his injury:

"This is the first time I've really opened up and said something when there was really minor pain in there," said Morgan, ever the hockey player. "So I kind of feel like a sissy right now. It's just eating at me. It's killing me so bad, because I want to be out there and grinding with the boys, man. I just figure I got to be smart about this, too, and get over this little hump right here."

UPDATE:  RIP Nate.  NYJER!  is all we've got now.  Thank you to everyone for your Nyjer posts.  They have been of great comfort in this dark time.

This picture is even better.  LADIES AND GENTLEMEN MR TONY PLUSH!

via xavier-nady.com

This chick brought her 7 month old niece to her first Pirate game and they got Nyjer to do some dance called the "Stanky Leg" at 2:40   Any infants first Bucco experience should include the 4 words : Nyjer Morgan Stanky Leg.

Kendall's First Pirate Game! (via CarleyLenz)

First of all I'm not really sure what we can get for a guy with a crappy attitude who leads the NL in walks and losses AND our minor league system isn't exactly teeming over with SP.  At this point, when we chalk up #17 and the selling starts, I'm not sure I would be devastated by Vazquez or Gorzo (or someone we get in another trade later) taking Ian's starts.  Hopefully Lincoln's ready by 2010?

However on the plus side, he is young, healthy, and has good stuff.   He is making $3.2 million this year, and 4.25 next year, with team options for 2011 and 2012 that I doubt would be picked up.  Thus while not dirt cheap he is more than a half season rental and if he ever turned it around, is under contract another 2 years.  The guy would probably benefit from a change of scenery at this point.

With a lot of teams looking for pitching at the deadline, and everyone wanting a kings ransom for top tier guys (Peavy, Oswalt, Bedard, Lee).  Nobody really wants to pay anymore after the Bedard, Texiera and other trades showed the value of young, controlled talent.  Something that was magnified by the  economy.   There could be a strong market for mid level guys, as long as GM's don't price them out of the trade market. 

Snell would make the most sense for a team that needs SP and something else we can offer in a package.  For instance, if there were a long term injury to Reyes, or Delgado isn't coming back.  Snell and Jack/ Adam to the Mets.  However, I hear they don't like Adam or his salary, but that could change quickly if he heats up.  They committed a lot to Perez and another big contract also makes Snell less appealing.  Same goes for any team that needs SP and then either CF/SS/2B.  I don't particularly see the Mets happening for financial reasons, but they could afford it if they needed to and any further injuries might do it.

A trade that I think makes a lot of sense for both sides is Nyjer and Snell to San Diego for a package prospects that is good, but not a ridiculous asking price.  Particularly if they move Peavy/ Young first and have a clearer idea of what their system looks like.  Nyjer can cover ground in Petco at a price they'll love.  He isn't hitting homers anywhere, so if it has any affect on his offense it would be positive, given all that real estate for base hits to drop in.  They aren't typical buyers in a trade market but Snell is a would definitely benefit from a pitchers park, so he is more valuable to them.  He gives them a live arm SP to plug in if they move Young or Peavy, at a much cheaper price than Peavy, and 2 mil less than Young.  Nyjer sweetens the team for a team looking to keep payroll down and juuuuuuust might be in the wild card hunt, so they can continue to field a competitive MLB team.

Just wanted to float the idea out there of packaging a talented young SP with a team friendly contract and another trade chip.  Anyone else have scenarios they think are realistic?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERqN7WSr5rc

Just because it's been a while for anyone who doesn't live in Lynchburg.  I know it's old but come on, who doesn't want to watch Pedro Alvarez be really good at baseball for 5 minutes?!

My favorite parts:

The first swing/ absolute bomb

1:20  the sound the bat makes is like a gunshot

1:30  Hits an absolute bomb then plays rock paper scissors with David Price

2:40  Bomb

3:25 Another bomb

Also nice to see him play some nifty D.  I know everyone talks about  him moving to 1B, but ideally in my mind, he sticks at 3B, Andy moves to second, Calvin Anderson develops at 1B and Friday, D'Arneaud or Mercer pans out at SS for our 2012 IF

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOsO3dB68_c&feature=channel

Interview with "Vandy Lance" at 1:05, 1:40  Awesome.

VIVA EL TORO!