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!