Hi, I was wondering if anyone could suggest a site where a fantasy commissioner can track the progression of Minor League players into the MLB? I'd prefer a free site, but am also open to a pay site. I'd like to track 240 players, weekly, to make sure players are picked up as they move into the MLB from the MiLB.

The best I have seen so far is First Inning, but they don't always have the players I am looking for and their data also sometimes lags.

http://firstinning.com/

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I recall the FO said they had $25 Million available to put towards free agents this off-season. I can't say that I know where it went? Not that I can't figure it out, but that I think there are some on here who'd be able to tell me off the tops of their heads. Did the Pirates eventually invest the full amount in FAs or is there something left, and if so has anything been said about how it'll be invested?

Break it down for me please.

Maybe I missed it on here, but it seems to me that if anyone would consider Doug Davis, Dave Bush or Brandon Webb as a viable pitcher (at least to take a chance on), that a guy like Chris Capuano should also be on that list. It appears (based on a promising late-season 2010 campaign) that Capuano has rebounded from his Tommy John Surgery. I have read that his fastball is finding it's old velocity, and his changeup continues to impress.

It's true he's 31 and may taper off some with age, but considering his baseline is already much better than anyone the Bucs already have, he could be a really good candidate to fill any of the first 3 spots for the Pirates.

Just thought he'd be a better solution for the staff than giving Webb a year to rehab with the team, and is much better than either Davis or Bush.

Thoughts?

Don't know if anyone has posted anything about this yet. It's not that important, except that they both came in to Pittsburgh by trade, and while it's too bad to se them go, I wish them both better luck elsewhere.

I guess the Brass has decided they've added enough new talent either by trade or draft to let these two go? If it was because contracts ran out that makes sense for all since neither had a real stake in anything for the MLB team, and they should both get another chance on another team.

Here's some of the fire and pep I think many of us wish JR would display once in a while, provided by the State College Spikes' Gary Robinson:

http://blog.prorumors.com/2010/08/rumors/video-minor-league-manager-ejected-autographs-first-base-and-gives-it-to-fan/

While this is not a "Gary Robinson should replace John Russell" promo, I would like to see JR get the hatchet in the off-season.

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Hi, I'm being a little lazy here, but I was wondering if anyone could point out where I can find a current list of Free Agents? I thought I had bookmarked a link to something, but I can't find it.

Also, do you know where I can find contract info? Not specifically for the Pirates. I’ve started to think about the off season, and what FA’s may be worth a look.

My kneejerk reaction to my own thought is that they should steer completely clear of such thoughts. But it is always interesting to mull over possibilities, and knowing who’s contracts are coming to an end is very helpful.

Thanks again for feeding me ... since I'm too lazy to do so myself (at least right now).

This is obviosly not a very big deal, but I was wondering why they let Luke Carlin go? Are they making room for someone on the depth chart, or what? I realize with Erik Kratz back in Indy and Jason Jaramillo already there they would have had 3 catchers, but wondered if there may have been anything else that played a factor? Please tell me what you've heard or know about this? And thank you.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/transactions/_/name/cle/cleveland-indians

I saw this today:

CSN's Jim Salisbury tweets that the Astros, Rays, Giants, and Pirates all have scouts at today's Phillies game. Both J.A. Happ and Jayson Werth are appealing to other teams.

And immediately thought, wow so their actually looking at Werth! And then after a smile to my inside joke, I started to wonder what they may have to part with for JA Happ? I'm not going to speculate, instead I'd like to know if anyone has heard anything with regard to a trade with the Phillies for Happ?

I was looking at the remaining SP depth around the league, and came to the conclusion that there's not much left out there for the Reds to trade for. I see they've add Springer, who's OK, but let's be honest, if the Reds want to clinch the Central (against a very tough and talented Cardinals team) they're going to need some extra pitching firepower. Oswalt would be just the right man for the job, because he's a dominant #1. He'd instantly become the ace of the staff, and he'd be available longer term (he's indicated he'd like to have his option picked up for next season.

Which brings the only major drawback to him. Can the Reds afford him? He'd cost them about $9million this year and another $16MM (assuming they pick up the option) next year. By eating most of his contract, I would expect the prospect cost would also come down, perhaps only one prospect of any significance.

It'd be a steep price to pay, but I think it would make the Reds favorites to win the Central, and they'd also have much better prospects in the playoffs. He may be this year's Cliff Lee, which is enough reason to take a chance on him now.

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I just saw this on MiLB, and thought some on here may enjoy it. I haven't seen the field myself (in SC), despite having grown up just out of town, but my Mom has been there a few times, and says she's really enjoyed herself. Which means a lot coming from a woman who until very recently had little to no interest in sports. But at 65 she now can FINALLY talk baseball with me, thanks largely to the Spikes, and their special promotions that landed her there in the first place.

Please enjoy this article, and feel free to comment on it, too.

Unfortunately for the Pirates, Andrew McCutchen, while having been most productive in the 3 hole this season, has not been able to drive in the runners who’ve been on base ahead of him (only 16 RBI). Combined with Jose Tabata’s struggles leading off, this has no doubt led to the recent changes in the lineup moving McCutchen to leadoff, Tabata 2nd and Neil Walker up to 3rd from 2nd.

On the upside it looks like Neil Walker has found success whether batting 2nd or 3rd in the lineup,  and Pedro "The Savior" Alvarez has of late got his bat going, hitting .289-3-6 over his last 10 games.

The backend of the lineup is Ok, with Ryan Doumit (.261-8-31), and Lastings Milledge (.272-2-25) before we get to the void at SS with Ronny Cedeno (.220-4-16) or Bobby Crosby (.236-1-11)

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The Bucs might send Hayden Penn to Japan:

Chiba Lotte is closing in on an agreement to bring in Hayden Penn, who is currently playing for the Pirates’ 3A affiliate. Rotation depth is Lotte’s weakness, particularly with Yuki Karakawa on the shelf, and the Marines have a foreign roster spot to allocate, so another starter is a sensible acquisition.

If this goes through, what do you suppose the Pirates can hope for in return? Money? Not having to worry what to do with Penn?

UPDATE by Charlie: Yes, definitely cash.

Will someone please give us a mid-season minor league update. I'd like to know how our top prospects are doing so far. Whos played above expectations, who's below them, and any surprises?

A big thanks in advance to whomever contributes.

I read about Nathan Baker's almost no-hitter for the Power on BA today, under their "Helium Watch" section of the "Prospect Hot-Sheet." Gotta feel for the guy. I realize pitch-counts are crucial for saving young arms, but 5 more pitches may have been all he needed to finish the game.

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I saw this footnote at the end of the last night's Yahoo recap of the Bucs and Phils. When I saw it, I was kind of surprised, because it's hard to believe that a team with 51 losses to 29 wins is actually 22-0 when leading after 8 innings. I was sure they'd have given up some late inning games, but apparently not. It's also kind of surprising to see they've won 7 games when trailing after 8.

Lately I have been trying to find good things, or "bright spots" to focus on with the Bucs, in an otherwise forgetable month. This stat plus four nice pitching performances this week (Maholm, Lincoln, McCutchen, and Ohlendorf), has helped me feel better about my team (the Pirates).

I know it'll be hard for this team to continue to score enough runs to be ahead by the 9th, but if they do, from now on I'll consider the game a lock for the Bucs to win.

With all the buzz about Pedro comming up, the shuffling of the roster, possible trades, and who'll manage our Bucs next year, I haven't heard anything (sans Vlad's post) about the draftee signings. I also follow the Reds blog (because I manage a Fantasy team - Bucs weren't available), and tehy have been posting weekly updates about who've they inked since Draft day.

So, can anyone clue me in on the progress made, if any, by the FO?

I'm in a Keeper League and want to trade Troy Glaus, but would like to know what you think he's worth?

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I've got him on a fantasy team, and when I look for him on MiLB he's listed as active on the AAA team, but he's got no stats, and there's no transaction about an injury or any other thing?

Is he on extended Spring Training, on the DL or what!?

Hopefully he's OK. I'm really looking forward to him playing. He and Chris Carter. They're both on my minor league roster.

I'm not a fan of Tony Kornheiser, because he's incapable of supporting any of his comments with fact, but I had to ask if you heard his comments a day after the Bucs lost 17-3 to the Brewers. TK said the he felt that MLB should intervene in Pittsburgh because a team like the Pirates will never be able to right it's own ship (in so many words).

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After tonight that will likely fall even lower. In my search for an answer as to why the Pirates can't hit the Brewers, I began to play with the idea of mixing up the lineup. With that in mind I thought I'd suggest some changes to tonight's lineup, while keeping all the starters that Russell played tonight.

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12:05pm: Speier reports that the Pirates receive pitcher Hunter Strickland and shortstop Argenis Diaz.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/07/adam-laroche-trade-close.html

Any confirmations about this? I think I read Dejan has also posted it?

11:15am: Kovacevic says the Pirates have traded LaRoche to the Red Sox.

And what about the players the Red Sox sent us? Any word?

Ok, so it's been only two weeks, but it's been a pretty smooth transition for a player many people on here suggested we wait to introduce next season. It's too early to point fingers or say "I told you so," as much as I'd like to, but I do feel a bit of redemption watching him play so well early.

That said, I have a question for the Stat-heads on here. Would it be crazy to bat Andrew McCutchen 2nd, or is there a prospect of seeing this if not this year maybe next year?

IMO its not farfetched. Even though he's (at least at this point) the quintessential leadoff man, with great speed, good contact and has made improvements on his pitch selection. But one thing that the Pirates lack in this lineup now, and likely next year is whre the RBI's are going to come from. If they go ahead and trade Adam, and potentially Freddy, they'll lose a lot of RBI's (56 to date). While it's not that many, on the Pirates it's a ton.

Cutch historically has a good slugging percentage (many XBH) for a leadoff hitter. Which in my mind suggests that despite his speed he could log some good RBI numbers hitting second over first. His numbers to date:

2009 MLB   .492 SLG   (9 RBI/13 G)

2009 AAA    .493            (20 / 49)

2008 AAA    .398            (50 / 135)

I'd add more if I could access it.

Given the state of the lineup, and until they trade Morgan, I think he'd be a good fit at #2, where he could provide a bity more bang for the buck IMO.

With Cutch in the mix I was wondering where they would throw him in? Also, thought although they've been easy on Andy batting him late, with less pressure on him, if they'd move him up into the top four? I think its worth a try since theirs nothing to lose at this point.

If I were manager my lineup would look like this:

1. Morgan
2. McCutchen
3. Sanchez
4. Andy
5. Adam
6. Jaramillo
7. Moss
8. Wilson
9. Pitcher

(mind you this is an ideal, and my lineups tend to be a li'l different from most)

I just read this nugget on MLB Skinny, and it got my ire up, b/c I have to agree with them. June 1st can't get here fast enough! If they pass on his promotion then, the PBC may be need to look for work, b/c this guy is more than ready, and we need him.

Prospecting
Andrew McCutchen(notes), Pit, OF – With more than 700 at bats, a .288 batting average and a 109:86 K-to-BB ratio at the Triple-A level, McCutchen has definitely proven himself deserving of finally getting a taste of major league pitching. In his past seven games for Indianapolis, McCutchen is 13-for-30 (.433), including his International League-high eighth triple. Speed’s the name of the game here, as he also paces the IL in Runs (32) and is seventh in stolen bases (9 SB in 10 attempts). It’s time to end the Brandon Moss(notes), Craig Monroe(notes), Delwyn Young(notes), Eric Hinske(notes) outfield shuffle. C’mon, Pirates, move Nate McLouth(notes) to right field and promote McCutchen already!

Thoughts?

I realize that most of you have probable already read this article, I myself just read it since I've been away, but I thought I'd pass it on to those who may have missed it.

I liked the article, because I think it really captured the mood of Game 7, a game in which one team played competitively and the othr lost its way.

Enjoy:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=ApOE3MtDz28bWqW235BnRh97vLYF?slug=ma-hockeycoloumn051309&prov=yhoo&type=lgns