When looking at the Pirates projected 2009 opening day lineup, there are very few veterans on it. 

When looking at the Pirates farm system, there are very few prospects in it.

Therefore, the Pirates are very likely going to need to move a few more veterans for prospects if the young guys in that opening day lineup don't step up.

Freddy Sanchez, Jack Wilson and Adam LaRoche are the only "veteran" position players on the team who could get a "decent" return of prospects. The exchange of these players will be imminent if the young guys in our lineup don't produce.

Therefore, if Andy LaRoche and guys like him (aka Brandon Moss, Nyger Morgan) don't produce Adam Laroche and guys like him (aka Freddy and Jack) will have to be traded.

I wonder if Andy realizes that he holds the key to his brother's future with the team?

Dejean reports that the first question asked at tonight's Q & A was the following:

"Why is it that, anytime you get somebody decent like Jason Bay, you have to get rid of him?"

Can anyone tell me when Neal and Company traded away "somebody decent" before the Bay and Nady trades? I'm sick of people talking about the current "regime" as if they had a hand in the past 16 losing seasons. Unfortunately for Neal and Co. they didn't have a hand in it, but rather it was what was handed to them.

What has Neal Huntington done that has hurt this organization? For once we have options for starting pitchers (No more VanBenny starting every time someone goes down) and we have legitimate prospects with names other than McCutchen and Walker. Neal is doing everything right.

Neal Huntington is not Dave Littlefield, nor is he Cam Bonifay. Despite the fact that he may do similar things to what they did, the difference is, Neal is doing those things right. 

I'm frustrated with the years of losing too, but I'm smart enough to realize that for once we have front office personel who are doing things right. These guys have been here for less than two years. Give them a chance. Where have they done us wrong?

Mark my words: "Years from now people will be praising Neal and this front office staff for how they turned a perenial loser into World Champions."

Keep doing your thing Neal.

I know this isn't "big news" by any means, but the Pirates are unveiling new uniforms on Friday. I was a fan of the red, but apparently most weren't. 

Clearly the new uniform won't be red or grey and since they already have two white ones it probably won't be white either. That leaves black or yellow from what I can see. But, I could be wrong.

Point of the post: What color do Pirate fans want the new jersey to be?

One of my friends called it long ago and Dejan finally confirms it. The Pirates are looking into signing Pedro Martinez.

A veteran like him would be great for our young guys and I'd love to get him but not for the $7 mil he's looking for. He would be a great teacher and mentor and would probably throw a few good games too. But to me, he's not worth the $7 million he's asking.

Dejan's Article

Each year I wait in anticipation of the releasing of the promotions schedule. I have every bobble-head given away in the last five years and seeing what new ideas and giveaways the Pirates will reveal each season was always something I looked forward to. 

If one looks at the promotional schedule for 2009 it is easy to see that they have drastically reduced the number of promotions they are having. Despite the fact that there are only three bobble-heads and much less promotions all-together, a person who enjoys the giveaways like me shouldn't be disappointed.

The fact that the Pirates are finally dumbing down their promotional schedule is a great sign for Pirate's fans. It shows that management is finally getting away from all the off the field nonsense they had done in previous years and shows that management wants the focus to shift back to the play on the field and that they mean no nonsense anymore. 

Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but I was very excited to see the promotions schedule this year, not because of the Nate McLouth All-Star Bobblehead, but because it has much less on it which shows management is ready to shift the focus back to the field and to baseball. The way Pirate's baseball should be.

Of all the free agent outfielders left for the Pirates to pick over, the only one that jumps off the page to me is Jacque Jones. At this point, any players worth spending a lot of money on have already been taken by other teams. Jones made a little over six million last year and considering he hit only .147 in 42 games with FLA and DET he would command a much lower salary. With the exception of last season, Jones has hit .285 or better in all but two of his previous nine seasons and has played at least 135 games in eight of those nine. His career numbers are good and with his off year last season his salary will certainly be lower. As long as it is five million dollars or lower, I think the Pirates should make an offer to Jones. He hit .314 in 29 winter ball games and as long as he can prove his eye surgery isn't affecting him, I see nothing to lose by offering him a deal.