Quick hits:
– Sit down for this good news/bad news hit. First the bad news: two sources have finally confirmed that Bob Nutting was recently (last 18 months) approached by at least one party to sell the franchise but he wasn’t inclined to do so. Ouch. The good news: I’m aware of one capable buyer that remains interested.
– Dejan talked about Frank Coonelly not worrying about his GM and manager entering a lame duck year. Of course Coonelly isn’t worried, he’s probably already talked extension with Huntington and I’m guessing you’ll hear about it late January or the first few weeks of February.
– Dejan has also excessively whined about Matt Capps departure and in his latest post wondered: “Did Frank Coonelly and Huntington make a mistake in giving Capps a two-year extension in the spring of 2008? And by that, I mean, might that have contributed to Capps’ approach to his conditioning?”
We all know the answer to that – hell yes. Capps pulled a ‘Benson’ on this club over his two-years and that’s exactly why I stated his value to us was worth less than $2M per year.
– Stay focused on Doumit being dealt after Molina lands. Can you hear me now?
– Once again this blog has been invited to join a sports network and this time I’m actually considering it. Since I’m dropping my guard, if someone else out there has an opportunity they would like to discuss now is the time to shoot me an e-mail.
– So far it looks like I’ll have our affiliates in the Florida State League and Eastern League covered for 2010 and be able to provide you with nightly updates. This will be a first for this blog and one I’m very excited about.
Back Tuesday night with a little more gab. Man I love the holiday break!
Related posts:
Doumit to da Sawx for some chowda
Tip of the cap to you for a ‘scoop’. Unfortunately, there’s no news there. Nutting’s not going to sell, unless forced to. There are only 2 ways this could happen. Bud could declare the PBC is not being run in the best interests of baseball, which I don’t see happening. Or the next CBA causes collapse in the industry.
With current economics being what they are and some/several MLB teams losing money, a lockout would force some ownership changes. BN would lose his cash cow and instead of being gifted millions a year, would see a deficit. IMO, that is the only way ownership changes.
> Nutting’s not going to sell, unless forced to. There are only 2 ways this could happen..
actually, there’s a third way.
The fans and/or local business force him out of town.
As long as Nutting remains nothing will change.
is he a cancer?
HAHAHAHAHAHA
The Pirates are FOR SALE. Someone has to make him an offer he can’t refuse. I don’t want someone (maybe I do) to pay too much they are handcuffed to run the team properly, but almost everything is for sale, at the right price. Don’t ask him if he is willing to sell. MAKE AN OFFER. Someone someday will rescue this organization.
> Don’t ask him if he is willing to sell. MAKE AN OFFER
a considerable offer was made.
Do you know the details of the offer?
no – I don’t.
Everyone has a price
Agreed, and that is exactly what ex-Bucs director David Roderick said to me. However, timing is just as important as price I’m told.
Maybe table games will lead to the sale. I was shocked when he gave up the gambling for the Bucs. Now that table gaming is in play he may change his stance for Seven Springs. You say timing, that may be the time. I am pleased to hear he was offered instead of asked. How many actual offers has he received in the last 5-10 years that we are aware of?
Odds of Bay being a bust in NY?
Bay will go back to jason bay instead of pulling the ball like he did in boston almost all of last year.
The Bay signing will pave the way for their decision on Molina as well. We’ll see if Jake is right about Doumit. Maybe to the Bay for Crawford? Not Tampa Bay, although that would be a great deal for them. SF would have to include a pitcher or two as well.
Bay contract- 4 years- 66mil , 5th year vesting option worth 14 mil.
Looks like Molina signed with the Mets for 2 years. let the Doumit stakes bein…..Seatle for Lowe and change 0r Truiffle the SS prospect??Toronto for Accardo or Morrow ???Red Sox for Hermedia and..
Giants?What do you folks think?No Jonhnson for us-not that we really need him.
Bill
If Doumit is traded for pitching prospects, I’d see it as pretty much a punt on the next 2 years unless the Pirates find an MLB catcher. I just can’t see the current lineup + Alvarez + Tabata contending with Jaramillo, Cedeno and the sorry hitters which are the Pirates pitchers.
When was the last time a Pirate trade rumor came true. Doumit will bring nothing!