SB Nation User Blog: jonoz13

Akinori Iwamura is Officially A Pirate

jonoz13 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:07:54 -0000

According to the Pirates website http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091103&content_id=7614836&vkey=news_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit Iwamura is now a Pirate, and Jesse Chavez is not. This is probably not a move that brings the Bucs any closer to contending, but it stablizes a position where the in-house options are limited. If Iwamura can stay healthy, and that is a big if, he should be able to help out the pitching staff (Zach Duke should be happy with this). Another bonus; DY can go back to the bench role for which he seems more fitted. We will miss Chavez, but overall I think it's an upgrade.

This I Believe

jonoz13 — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:20:21 -0000

I believe that the Pirates will be good one day.

I believe that Neal Huntington is on the right path.

I believe that Charlie Morton will make the McLouth trade look great.

I believe that Neal raked the Yankees over the coals with the Nady/ Marte trade.

I believe that Andy LaRoche will be an above average major league second basemen.

I believe that given enough talent John Russell will do fine as a major league manager.

I believe that Lastings Milledge will make the Morgan/ Burnett trade a steal.

I believe that Garrett Jones will hit 30 homeruns next year.

I believe that Cutch will be an all-star for years to come.

I believe that Hanrahan will be a quality closer.

I believe that Ross Ohlendorf will win 15 games next year.

I believe that a year from now we will have witnessed a measurable improvement at the major league level; 70 plus wins.

I believe that Pedro Alvarez will make an impressive major league debut next year.

I believe that what Neal has done over the last two years is discernibly from what the Pirates did for the previous fifteen; therefore I believe that the national media, that pays little attention to what the Pirates are actually trying to do, should shut their pie holes.

I believe that many Pirates fans will come back like they did at the of the 1988 season, when they see a young team gain momentum.

I believe that Cedeno will be a serviceable major league shortstop.

I believe that Duke and Maholm will both win 15 games in a season while wearing a Pirates uniform.

I believe that one day we will not have to give nick-names like “Wreck Specs” and “Black Hole” to Pirates players.

I believe that Jesse Chavez is becoming a quality set-up guy.

I believe that there is no other place on Earth I would rather be than PNC Park.

I believe I will witness the Pirates win their 6th world championship.

The Bible says “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” I choose to hope and believe because the Pirates have, and will always be, my favorite team. I have followed them closely since 1982, and I will never give up on them. Much of what I have stated above may not come to pass, but given the choice of being optimistic or pessimistic; I choose to believe that the Bucs will be good one day. This is a belief I will never give up on.

Paulino Traded Twice in One Day.

jonoz13 — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:50:16 -0000

The legend of Ronnie Ballgame continues. He was traded from the Phils to Giants, and then from the Giants to the Marlins in one day. He's hit over .350 against left handers in his career so the Marlins plan to use him against south paws. But that same plan did not really work here last seaon when he hit .212. My question is whether he can rake south paws when he's not playing everyday. Also, he had a lousy spring hitting .194 with the Phils, where he was unable to unseat Chris Coste as Carlos Ruiz's back up. Can't say I miss the lackadaisical Paulino, though I did see him hit a majestic moonshot into the bushes in center against the Reds in 2007. He better make the most out of this chance with Marlins.

Bautista Non-Tendered

jonoz13 — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 03:38:50 -0000

According to Dejan, Denny Bautista and his 6.10 ERA in 35 appearances were not offered arbitration. I don't quite understand why the Bucs didn't use Bautistas roster spot to protect Kyle Bloom or Jamie Romack. I don't think losing Bloom will end up being to big of a deal, but why not hold on to him? Hopefully because they are planning to sign another free-agent, to a major league contract, to fill the roster spot. Mark Texiera is still available.

C.C. Sabathia Decides on Yanks

jonoz13 — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:31:20 -0000

Apperantly evil still reigns; According to sportsline.com, C.C. Sabathia has agreed to a seven year, $160 million contract, the richest contract in MLB history for a pitcher. The Yanks outbid the Red Sox and Angels. Now that the K-Rods and Sabathias are falling into place maybe we will see more moves, and maybe the Bucs will start signing the likes of Paul Byrd (no talk about him in a while though huh?) and David Eckstein. I can't wait!

Ed Wade's Expectations of Mike Hampton

jonoz13 — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:48:23 -0000

Ed Wade said this about Mike Hampton; "I don't think there's any reason based on the performance at the end of the season, based on the medical information that we gathered ... for us to feel that he's not going to be able to go out there every fifth day and answer the bell for us."

Ed Wade also says; "From the footage I've watched, Bigfoot appears to be real."

"From what Donald Rumsfeld told me the insurgency in Iraq is in its death throes"

"From the tapes we've watched Carl Pavano could win next years Cy Young award"

"Based on the Zapruter film I think Plexico Burress was shot by Lee Harvey Oswald"

"From the charts I have looked at, I really think it's a great time to buy Enron stock"

"Based on the tapes I have looked at Matt Millen was a great GM"

"The reports we have indicate smoking is good for pregant women"

"Based on the reports from my drug dealer this is great ecstacy"

The Pirates in the Dominican

jonoz13 — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 07:28:58 -0000

Dejan is back and he wrote a great article about a Pirates tryout in the Dominican Republic. It is a nice feel good story. I like the article for two reasons; (1) it gives insight into what the Bucs are doing on the island, and internationally; (2) I have taken several classes on Latin American history and geography, and the article gives a nice snapshot about life and baseball in the D.R.

The Bucs have a long way to go before they will be a competitive major league franchise, and I think the 2009 season is going to be a long one for us, but this story and the recent international signings are giving more me hope that Pirates are on the right track. Lastly I just wanted to say how glad I am that Dejan is back, he is a tremendous writer.

Rockies Hire Tracy

jonoz13 — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:41:15 -0000

The Colorado Rockies have tabbed Jim Tracy as their bench coach. Will Tracy advise Rockies manager Clint Hurdle on how to try and recreate the 2004 LA Dodgers in Colorado? Jim Tracy was pretty bad in the Burgh, but bad managers always seem to resurface as malor league coaches. Tracy was bench coach under Felipe Alou in Montreal and with Davey Johnson in LA from 1999-2001. After watching the Bucs fall apart in late 2007 under his leadership, its hard to envision him getting another chance to manage in the majors.

Pirates Sign Two Pitchers From India

jonoz13 — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:24:24 -0000

The Pirates signed Indian pitchers Dinesh Patel and Rinku Singh to minor league deals. They were finalists in something called "the Million Dollar Arm" contest in India. Like the signing of Mpho Ngoepe, the South African shortstop, these guys may never pan out, but its good to finally see the Bucs going after international talent. The Bucs need to be looking for talent where ever they can find it; signing these guys can only help.

UPDATE by Charlie: Check out this USA Today article for the background here. This story is incredibly strange.

Singh and Patel threw the javelin in India, and Singh played some cricket. When they came to the USA in May, Singh and Patel had no idea how to play catch, let alone use a water fountain. The first time they played catch, they threw the ball, and when it came back, they dropped their gloves and caught barehanded.

The first time they saw a baseball game, watching USC play Washington State, Patel was confused.

"What did the shortstop do wrong?" he asked.

House: "Why do you say that?"

Patel: "He's the only one in the infield without a base."

These guys sound like they're more raw than tomatoes that haven't come out of the ground yet. Singh can throw 87 without a problem and, of the two, has the best control; Patel throws harder, but apparently doesn't throw strikes. Expect some serious mental errors if and when they play minor league ball for the Pirates. One scout quoted in the article gives both of them a good chance of making the majors, but I don't think that will happen. Singh, who's supposed to be the strike-thrower of the pair, hit five batters in an inning as recently as July. Really, this is about establishing a presence in a region where talent might emerge later.

September Call Ups

jonoz13 — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:38:45 -0000

According to the Post Gazette the Bucs have called up pitchers Ross Ohlendorf (who will start tomorrow), String Beam, (the water cooler abusing) Craig Hansen, Romulo! and Marino Salas; infielders Brian Bixler and Luis Cruz; outfielder Steve Pearce; and catchers Ronny Paulino and (the recently traded for) Robinzon Diaz. All are from AAA Indy.

I am disapointed not to see Andrew McClutchen on this list, but glad to see Ohledorf, Beam, Pearce and Diaz coming up. I am indifferent to everyone else, though Hansen, Romulo! and Salas fit in with fire making bullpen.