What a choice we have.. Hart or McCutchen as the 5th starter. Hart has the inside track everybody is saying but I suppose it really doesn’t matter too much because they are both going to get hit hard. Probably so would Lincoln, for that matter. Or Morris. Or anybody else we have hanging around right now.
But what if we started Carrasco? I mean, so what if he’s +63 innings from 2008 to 2009 and so what if he hasn’t started games in the majors since 2005. He has four legitimate pitches, albeit his change isn’t exactly anything to write home to mom about so he’d have to start against primarily right-handed power lineups, but why couldn’t he throw 15 games and 90 innings for us then settle back into a relief role when Lincoln comes up?
I guess I’m a softie for his hook which he doesn’t throw enough in my book. But that pitch should play well at PNC. Plus, he keeps the ball in the park significantly better than Hart or McCutchen do. To me, it boils down to experience – I’d give the ball to Carrasco if he has a healthy arm since management hasn’t left us any other quality choice.
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TUCSON, Ariz. — With two relief appearances under his belt this spring, Cuban lefty Aroldis Chapman will make his first start on Wednesday afternoon against the Brewers.
How disssss-gusting.
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Here’s a snapshot of the Pirates hitting and pitching stats through March 15th in PDF form, and here is a snapshot of the NL hitting and pitching stats in PDF form through March 15th. The dynamics will change over the next couple of weeks so we’ll compare these stats to those at the end of the month to see if we backslide any.
Here is a rundown of where we are at right now in team hitting compared to where we ended spring training the last few years:
2010: .243/.318/.420
2009: .269/.342/.435
2008: .274/.346/.400
2007: .287/.339/.416
2006: .284/.353/.475
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One person’s take on the floating realignment proposal:
“And what really makes a “smaller market” team anyway? It’s not the size of the city or means to spend money to make the team better. It’s simply owners who want to spend as little as possible and eke by with a profit. …
Here’s an idea: Why don’t we encourage teams to compete by putting some extra incentive in to do so? Make it like some of the European soccer teams, where if your teams stinks, it gets sent down to another league.
I wouldn’t mind seeing the Royals or Pittsburgh Pirates get sent down to Triple-A.”
Hilarious.
Until the fans stand up and shout, not much is going to change in Pittsburgh I’m afraid.
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John Smoltz joins TBS broadcast team. Why can’t we hire men that know the game instead of listening to Tim Neverett (YAWN) or John Wehner (YAWN)?
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Nyjer Morgan is out with hammy issue. Not that you care..
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Andy’s just dandy but Perrotto’s copy editor is DOA:
‘“We told Adam we knew he was a better hitter than what he had shown and it was time for him to prove it,” Russell said.”
Oppss..
And what about this blurb:
“The Pirates asked LaRoche to go to the Florida Instructional League at the end of the last season to work on playing second base, then negated that move a few weeks later by trading for Tampa Bay’s Aki Iwamura. Alvarez, though, is likely to eventually move to first base and Iwamura is almost assuredly a one-year rental. LaRoche could still be the Pirates’ long-term answer.” (my emphasis)
What the heck is Perroto suggesting? That LaRoche will have to wait a couple of years until Alvarez gets too big and slow to handle third before taking back over? Then why isn’t Alvarez being taught first now in camp???
Or is he saying that LaRoche may have to hit the bench when Alvarez comes up, wait until Aki leaves, then learn how to play second until Alvarez shifts to first???
I’m lost how LaRoche fits any picture except at third or on the trade block.
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From one of Nutting’s employees written in a Nutting newspaper:
Duke shines in victory
“Duke allowed two hits and issued three free passes. The final two walks didn’t appear to be his fault…”
No walks are ever the fault of the pitcher in Pittsburgh.. always blame the ump.
“In the last three games, Paul Maholm, Charlie Morton and Duke combined to allow only one run on four hits in 10 2/3 innings. The performances were against the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees and the Phillies – the last three World Series winners.”
I love reading this kind of stuff.. actually reminds me of real baseball in Pittsburgh instead of the artificial game played in the media nowadays.
Related posts:
Can we cool it will the Champman updates? It rips my guts out every time I hear about how bad ace he is.
The whole quote:
“The final two walks didn’t appear to be his fault entirely as minor league umpire Justin Vogel had difficulties behind the plate.”
It’s not technically correct to place a single period at the end of a quoted phrase. Three would be preferred; otherwise the statement is misleading…or is that what you wanted?
LOL.. same old high school English teachin’ Tiz.
Corrected.
Then why isn’t Alvarez being taught first now in camp??? You mean from Day one. People wanna talk about mistakes this franchise make. This is by far the biggest. The Whole at first base is so huge. They think if they move him he’s less valuable. He will never be the fielder Laroche is. Laroche will move to second which should have been done six months ago. If this is the route u were planning.
You guys said Smith is well respected. My question is what do people around the game feel about Littlefailed?
Elijah Dukes released by nats. 25 year old might be worth a look
Wow-add him to our outfield would be interesting.could be low risk high reward move.He has to be better than Moss or Raynor. Wonder what team is interested in Vazquez?
Bill
Ive always loved Dukes and would sign him in a heartbeat. Unfortunately Huntington and company would rather keep stiffs like Moss, Walker, Crosby,Pearce, Raynor, Vazquez,etc etc etc.
(edit by jake): Moon, you can’t be saying things like “Ill kill you dog!” or voodoo pins in the head or any other kind of personal attack in the comments section. I generally understand what you mean but too many children read this board plus other folks don’t know your real intentions when you say things like that.
Keep it low key K?
Hart only 4 walks in the first inning.
Hart=Train wreck
can’t make it through the 2nd
Hart 6BB’s and a HBP in 12 batters
Bring Veal back up
Maybe Hart needs the black cross bones glasses like another Wild Thing we all know Rick Vaughn.
Ebby Calvin ‘Nuke’ LaLoosh.
Hart cant finish the second
BB 6 and hit a batter facing 12 batters
Perfect opportunity to for the Pirates to make some ticket sales in spring training. Batting Helmet DAy/Ruth Chris appreciation day at the Park for the spring training game Pirates vs. whoever if Kevin Hart hits your batting helmet while your sitting in the stands with one his many wild throws to home plate you will win a free steak dinner at the local Ruth Chris steakhouse.
How about Ron Washington testing positive for cocaine! and he still gets to keep his job!!!!!Is this the end of the Hart experiment??lots of players getting released already. looks like Petit from the Mariners was released today. seems like NH type of pitcher and only 24 years old.
Bill
There goes Bixler-at least we got a Jesus for him!!
Bill