The thought of the Steelers drafting Tyrann Mathieu is almost comical. It would likely never happen as the organization strives to bring in high character guys and "Honey Badger" already has an off the field track record bad enough to make most teams shy away. However, the Steelers aren't in a position to be picky. The team has a great need for playmakers coming off of a season that featured very few splash plays. Mathieu is a first round talent that has the playmaking skills the Steelers so desperately need. SunSentenial.com describes Mathieu as having "an Ed Reed-like knack for ball-hawking and making big plays whether it was a game-changing interception or fumble recovery as a defensive back, or as a crafty and elusive punt returner."
In my estimation, there's a possibility Mathieu will be available when the Steelers draft in the 3rd round. Over the last decade, the 3rd round has been one of the Steelers most productive rounds. The Steelers 3rd round picks have netted several current and former NFL starters and significant role players like Chris Hope, Max Starks, Trai Essex, Matt Spaeth, Mike Wallace, Kraig Urbik, Emmanuel Sanders, Curtis Brown, and most recently Sean Spence. Drafting Tyrann Mathieu in the 3rd is still a low risk - high reward pick that could add to the organization's 3rd round success.
Tyrann Mathieu is a first round talent and should absolutely be considered. Ike Taylor isn't getting any younger and Keenan Lewis is a free agent. Mathieu would help to fill an immediate void and he has the potential to be a great NFL cornerback. More importantly, Mathieu is trying very hard to turn his life around and to repair his damaged reputation. He's been to rehab, counseling, and he has a support system constructed of current NFL football stars like Patrick Peterson, Corey Webster, Darrelle Revis, and Morris Claiborne. He communicates with his support team on a daily basis.
Mathieu was asked if he was aware of how much money he's lost with his off the field issues. He responded by saying, "Yeah, millions. At the end of the day I'm not focused on money right now. I just want to start playing football again because for my whole life I played it for free. To play now for a couple hundred thousand dollars, it's still football to me." Mathieu also wants to drop the Honey Badger monikor as it's not representative of who he is today.
Tyrann Mathieu is doing and saying all of the right things. People deserve a second chance and the Steelers would be blessed to land him in 3rd round. He would fill a definite void on the team and could help solidify the aging secondary for years to come. He's worth the risk.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Trade Big Ben - Now or Never Time
Let me preface this post by saying that I love watching Ben Roethlisberger play football. He's big, strong, athletic and he's arguably a top 5 QB right now. I'm not in favor of trading Ben because I do not like him, but I'm in favor of trading Ben for sake of the salvaging the team's future.
I mentioned this idea in a previous post, but I'm sold on the idea now more than ever. The Steelers are in salary cap hell right now. They are restructuring restructured contracts in an effort to comply with the NFL salary cap. The team has aging veterans that should be released, but there is inadequate depth to fill in and produce at a playoff caliber level. Poor drafting overall for the last decade had created a significant problem. Even with Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers could be faced with mediocrity for a few years while they attempt to rebuild the organization.
Ben still has a few years of high level play in him. Because of that, Ben still has high quality trade value. Why spend 12 million a year for a guy that doesn't have the supporting cast to legitimately make another Super Bowl run though?
Although the move would be vastly unpopular, I'm in favor of making a run at the #1 pick in the draft. The Kansas City Chiefs hold the #1 pick and Andy Reid would gladly trade it for a quarterback that could make an immediate impact and secure his job for a few years. The Steelers could use the pick to draft the top quarterback in the draft (Geno Smith) and begin building for the future. Smith is like Roethlisberger in many aspects. He's big, mobile, and has great arm strength. Additionally, Roethlisberger would warrant additional draft pick(s) that the Steelers could use to continue to rebuild the depthless organization.
This would be a risky, ballsy move...but sometimes successful executives make risky, ballsy decisions to be successful. It's now or never time and the Steelers should consider making an unpopular decision that would help build for the future and help relieve them from salary cap hell.
I mentioned this idea in a previous post, but I'm sold on the idea now more than ever. The Steelers are in salary cap hell right now. They are restructuring restructured contracts in an effort to comply with the NFL salary cap. The team has aging veterans that should be released, but there is inadequate depth to fill in and produce at a playoff caliber level. Poor drafting overall for the last decade had created a significant problem. Even with Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers could be faced with mediocrity for a few years while they attempt to rebuild the organization.
Ben still has a few years of high level play in him. Because of that, Ben still has high quality trade value. Why spend 12 million a year for a guy that doesn't have the supporting cast to legitimately make another Super Bowl run though?
Although the move would be vastly unpopular, I'm in favor of making a run at the #1 pick in the draft. The Kansas City Chiefs hold the #1 pick and Andy Reid would gladly trade it for a quarterback that could make an immediate impact and secure his job for a few years. The Steelers could use the pick to draft the top quarterback in the draft (Geno Smith) and begin building for the future. Smith is like Roethlisberger in many aspects. He's big, mobile, and has great arm strength. Additionally, Roethlisberger would warrant additional draft pick(s) that the Steelers could use to continue to rebuild the depthless organization.
This would be a risky, ballsy move...but sometimes successful executives make risky, ballsy decisions to be successful. It's now or never time and the Steelers should consider making an unpopular decision that would help build for the future and help relieve them from salary cap hell.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Could the Perfect Storm Propel the Pirates to the Playoffs?
I've been thinking about the upcoming Pirates baseball season and I can't help but think what would happen if "The Perfect Storm" occurs in the Pirates clubhouse. We've seen improvements to the club over the last few seasons, but they seem to have been missing a few key pieces to take the next step. That said, the organization added a few pieces that could either help the cause or push them into a 21st losing season. So, I thought of several best case scenarios that could put the Bucs in position to win the division and make the playoffs. Yes, win the division.
Here's my optimistic, Pirates-homer, glass half full, perfect storm analysis:
1B - Garrett Jones - Although Garrett Jones split time between RF and 1B last season, he put up his best statistical numbers of his career. He batted a respectable .274 with 27 hr and 86 RBI. For a good portion of the season, he was one of the club's most reliable hitters. Jones suprisingly led the club with hr/ab with 17.4. With a crowded outfield this season, it's likely Jones will spend most of his time at 1B in a platoon role with Gaby Sanchez. If Jones can produce similar numbers in 2013, the Pirates will have plenty of pop at 1B.
2b - Neil Walker - Walker missed a good bit of time toward the end of the 2012 season with a nagging back injury, but he still managed to post quality numbers at the plate. Walker hit .280 with 14 hr and 69 RBi. Walker has become a quality major league second baseman and his ability to hit the baseball makes him a very complete player. Walker could be on track for his best season ever. It wouldn't be shocking if Walker flirts with .300 and hits over 20 hr while playing quality defense.
SS - Clint Barmes - If the infield has a weak link, it's most definitely Clint Barmes. Barmes had a rough 2012 campaign at the plate as his .229 batting average was 20 points lower than his career average. Barmes baffles me in the field sometimes too. Last season, he often made very difficult plays seem routine while booting routine plays that are consistently made at the high school level. Barmes appeared to benefit from Clint Hurdle's inexplicable sense of loyalty. However, if Barmes can play decent defense and displays a batting average closer to his career average, he could contribute to the club winning a few more games.
3B - Pedro Alvarez. Pedro and I have a love/hate relationship that he isn't aware of. It's hard not to fall in love with Alvarez's raw power, but his inconsistent play and strikeout rate tend to drive the common fan insane. His production comes in bunches and then he likes to disappear for a few weeks. All said, Pedro had a breakout season of sorts in 2012. He popped 30 home runs while driving in 85 to help ease the pain of his strikeouts and .244 batting average. If Pedro can find a way to put it all together in 2013, he could rival Andrew McCutchen for the most beloved Pirate role. One interesting fact - The Pirates 3B/1B combo was second in the NL in home runs in 2012 and was 1 home run shy of tying the Washington Nationals for the most corner infield home runs in the NL. A more consistent Pedro could be a lot of fun to watch.
C - Russell Martin - Martin's best season was in 2007 with the Dodgers. Martin had a career high batting average (.293) while hitting 19 home runs. However, Martin's batting average has decreased every season after and bottomed out last season with the Yankees where he posted a lowly .211 average. The hitter friendly ballpark in New York helped his power numbers as he hit 39 home runs in two seasons with the Yankees. What Martin brings to the Pirates is superior defense compared to their recent starting catchers (Ryan Doumit, Rod Barajas). Martin could be a very nice addition if he can somehow, someway maintain similar power numbers and inch his batting average closer to his .260 career average - while offerng much improved defense.
Infield Recap
The Pirates 2013 infield could produce a lot of offense this season. It's quite possible that 3 of the 4 starting infielders will hit more than 20 home runs this season - with the exception being Clint Barmes...cause he sucks. Regardless of production, Russell Martin will be an improvement over Rod Barajas behind the dish - even if he only posts similar numbers to his 2012 Yankees season.
LF - Starling Marte - Marte struggled at times during his rookie campaign, but he did enough to display all of tools he has at his disposal. He hits for power, he can hit for average, he runs very well and is a savvy base stealer, he plays great defense, and he unquestionably has the best OF arm. In only 47 games played in 2012, Marte posted a .257 batting average with 5 home runs and 17 RBI. He also swiped 12 bases in that short period of time. It appears the Pirates plan to use Marte as a leadoff hitter and if he breaks out in 2013, he could be one of the best leadoff hitters in the NL. He has some work to do, but he's a career .303 hitter in the minor leagues and has all of the tools to be a very quality major league player.
CF - Andrew McCutchen - Cutch is the face of the organization and undoubtedly the Pirates best player. In 2012, McCutchen seemed superhuman for most of the season. Cutch finished 2012 with a .327 batting average accompanied by 31 home runs and 96 RBI. However, in the latter half of 2012, McCutchen's production dropped off considerably. Although McCutchen may be the fastest big leaguer when running from 1st to 3rd, his raw speed doesn't seem to translate to stealing bases. McCutchen has been working on the art of base stealing over the offseason and that addition to his arsenal makes him an even more complete player. If he can find a way to be productive for a complete season and increase his number of stolen bases, his 2013 season has the possibility of surpassing his tremendous 2012 season.
RF - Travis Snider - I hate to discount some of the other outfield options, but it seems evident that Travis Snider will be the starting right fielder when the team opens up the season in April. Snider was acquired from the Blue Jays for relief pitcher Brad Lincoln to help bolster the outfield. Snider was once a heralded prospect drafted in the frist round. He has a great deal of talent, but he's yet to put together a highly productive season. His best major league season was in 2010 with the Jays where he hit 14 home runs in less than 300 at bats. I have some doubts with Snider, but sometimes a change of scenery is the best thing for a player with his talent. If Snider flourishes with the Pirates, he could be a quality addition to the outfield. If not, but Pirates have a plethora of depth in the outfield with Jose Tabata likely topping that list.
Outfield Recap
The outfield features more question marks than answers, but if the perfect storm occurs in the outfield, but Pirates will have a very productive and capable squad. Jose Tabata and Alex Presley are quality depth options and both have had some success at the big league level.
Starting Pitchers
AJ Burnett - AJ revived his career in Pittsburgh last season. The Yankees practically paid the Bucs to take him and he ended up having a tremendous season as he cemented himself as the ace of the staff. Burnett led the Pirates in wins (16), ERA (3.51) and strikeouts (180). Coming from New York to Pittsburgh, Burnett allowed 30% fewer walks and 45% fewer home runs and posted his best season since his rookie season. AJ has won a minimum of 10 games in each of his last 8 seasons and there is no reason to believe he won't do the same in 2013. Burnett will be making his first opening day start of his quality major league career at 36 years of age. In a perfect storm, Burnett will have similar success in 2013 as he did in 2012. Increased offensive output may help his cause as well.
Wandy Rodriguez - Wandy had a phenomenal career in Houston and most Pirate fans (me included) hated when he pitched against the Pirates. Wandy was a strikeout pitcher and a front of the rotation guy for a long time. The Pirates acquired Rodriguez to bolster the rotation while they were making a playoff run last year. Although his strikeout numbers have dissipated, he is still a very quality major league starting pitcher. Despite a slow start in Pittsburgh, he calmed down and regained his composure. In 75 innings of work with the Pirates, Wandy posted a 3.72 ERA with a strikeout rate of 6.0/9IP and 9 of his 12 starts were "quality starts". AJ and Wandy make for a nice 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation.
James McDonald - JMAC has proven that he can be extremely effective on the bump as a starting pitcher. At the midway point of the season, he appeared to lose his stuff. He had difficulty locating pitches and lost his confidence completely. Despite him falling apart, he finished the season with a 12-8 record and a 4.21 ERA with 7.95 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched. If JMAC can pull himself together in 2013, the Pirates could rival any team with their top 3 starting pitchers.
Franciso Liriano - I love this signing. A fresh start in the National League with the Pirates could be just what the doctor ordered for Liriano to revive his career ala AJ Burnett. He is an effective strikeout pitcher, but his control has been a problem in recent years. In his last 3 seasons, he's posted an ERA over 5 and a BB/9 IP over 5, despite maintaining a strikeout rate over 9K's per 9 IP. Hopefully, when he's not injuring himself trying to startle his children, he's working on getting his mind right and regaining the control he once had. In a perfect storm, Liriano returns to his dominating fashion and becomes a reliable 4th starter.
Jeff Locke, Kyle McPherson, Jeff Karstens, Charlie Morton - The 5th starter is up in the air at this point. It looks like Jeff Locke has the early lead, but it's hard to argue if the nod is given to Jeff Karstens. Over the last few seasons, there are several consistencies with Jeff Karstens: He's always fighting for a job and he consistently keeps the Pirates in the game when he starts. Morton is hopeful to return at some point from Tommy John surgery and Kyle McPherson has the ability to start as well.
Pitching Recap
If nothing else, the Pirates have more starting pitching depth than they've had in a very long time. I didn't even mention that Garrit Cole will likely join the rotation at some point early in the season. Cole will likely become the Pirates best pitcher quickly and Jameson Taillon might not be too far behind him. The Pirates pitching staff should be more than adequate for the season with the interchangeable parts they have on the roster.
My Take
I believe this is the year the Pirates break the Godforsaken losing streak. In fact, I wouldn't be shocked if they contend for the division and make the playoffs. The young core of the club should all be hitting their prime together and the young additions and veterans might just give this team the spunk they need to get the job done.
Here's my optimistic, Pirates-homer, glass half full, perfect storm analysis:
1B - Garrett Jones - Although Garrett Jones split time between RF and 1B last season, he put up his best statistical numbers of his career. He batted a respectable .274 with 27 hr and 86 RBI. For a good portion of the season, he was one of the club's most reliable hitters. Jones suprisingly led the club with hr/ab with 17.4. With a crowded outfield this season, it's likely Jones will spend most of his time at 1B in a platoon role with Gaby Sanchez. If Jones can produce similar numbers in 2013, the Pirates will have plenty of pop at 1B.
2b - Neil Walker - Walker missed a good bit of time toward the end of the 2012 season with a nagging back injury, but he still managed to post quality numbers at the plate. Walker hit .280 with 14 hr and 69 RBi. Walker has become a quality major league second baseman and his ability to hit the baseball makes him a very complete player. Walker could be on track for his best season ever. It wouldn't be shocking if Walker flirts with .300 and hits over 20 hr while playing quality defense.
SS - Clint Barmes - If the infield has a weak link, it's most definitely Clint Barmes. Barmes had a rough 2012 campaign at the plate as his .229 batting average was 20 points lower than his career average. Barmes baffles me in the field sometimes too. Last season, he often made very difficult plays seem routine while booting routine plays that are consistently made at the high school level. Barmes appeared to benefit from Clint Hurdle's inexplicable sense of loyalty. However, if Barmes can play decent defense and displays a batting average closer to his career average, he could contribute to the club winning a few more games.
3B - Pedro Alvarez. Pedro and I have a love/hate relationship that he isn't aware of. It's hard not to fall in love with Alvarez's raw power, but his inconsistent play and strikeout rate tend to drive the common fan insane. His production comes in bunches and then he likes to disappear for a few weeks. All said, Pedro had a breakout season of sorts in 2012. He popped 30 home runs while driving in 85 to help ease the pain of his strikeouts and .244 batting average. If Pedro can find a way to put it all together in 2013, he could rival Andrew McCutchen for the most beloved Pirate role. One interesting fact - The Pirates 3B/1B combo was second in the NL in home runs in 2012 and was 1 home run shy of tying the Washington Nationals for the most corner infield home runs in the NL. A more consistent Pedro could be a lot of fun to watch.
C - Russell Martin - Martin's best season was in 2007 with the Dodgers. Martin had a career high batting average (.293) while hitting 19 home runs. However, Martin's batting average has decreased every season after and bottomed out last season with the Yankees where he posted a lowly .211 average. The hitter friendly ballpark in New York helped his power numbers as he hit 39 home runs in two seasons with the Yankees. What Martin brings to the Pirates is superior defense compared to their recent starting catchers (Ryan Doumit, Rod Barajas). Martin could be a very nice addition if he can somehow, someway maintain similar power numbers and inch his batting average closer to his .260 career average - while offerng much improved defense.
Infield Recap
The Pirates 2013 infield could produce a lot of offense this season. It's quite possible that 3 of the 4 starting infielders will hit more than 20 home runs this season - with the exception being Clint Barmes...cause he sucks. Regardless of production, Russell Martin will be an improvement over Rod Barajas behind the dish - even if he only posts similar numbers to his 2012 Yankees season.
LF - Starling Marte - Marte struggled at times during his rookie campaign, but he did enough to display all of tools he has at his disposal. He hits for power, he can hit for average, he runs very well and is a savvy base stealer, he plays great defense, and he unquestionably has the best OF arm. In only 47 games played in 2012, Marte posted a .257 batting average with 5 home runs and 17 RBI. He also swiped 12 bases in that short period of time. It appears the Pirates plan to use Marte as a leadoff hitter and if he breaks out in 2013, he could be one of the best leadoff hitters in the NL. He has some work to do, but he's a career .303 hitter in the minor leagues and has all of the tools to be a very quality major league player.
CF - Andrew McCutchen - Cutch is the face of the organization and undoubtedly the Pirates best player. In 2012, McCutchen seemed superhuman for most of the season. Cutch finished 2012 with a .327 batting average accompanied by 31 home runs and 96 RBI. However, in the latter half of 2012, McCutchen's production dropped off considerably. Although McCutchen may be the fastest big leaguer when running from 1st to 3rd, his raw speed doesn't seem to translate to stealing bases. McCutchen has been working on the art of base stealing over the offseason and that addition to his arsenal makes him an even more complete player. If he can find a way to be productive for a complete season and increase his number of stolen bases, his 2013 season has the possibility of surpassing his tremendous 2012 season.
RF - Travis Snider - I hate to discount some of the other outfield options, but it seems evident that Travis Snider will be the starting right fielder when the team opens up the season in April. Snider was acquired from the Blue Jays for relief pitcher Brad Lincoln to help bolster the outfield. Snider was once a heralded prospect drafted in the frist round. He has a great deal of talent, but he's yet to put together a highly productive season. His best major league season was in 2010 with the Jays where he hit 14 home runs in less than 300 at bats. I have some doubts with Snider, but sometimes a change of scenery is the best thing for a player with his talent. If Snider flourishes with the Pirates, he could be a quality addition to the outfield. If not, but Pirates have a plethora of depth in the outfield with Jose Tabata likely topping that list.
Outfield Recap
The outfield features more question marks than answers, but if the perfect storm occurs in the outfield, but Pirates will have a very productive and capable squad. Jose Tabata and Alex Presley are quality depth options and both have had some success at the big league level.
Starting Pitchers
AJ Burnett - AJ revived his career in Pittsburgh last season. The Yankees practically paid the Bucs to take him and he ended up having a tremendous season as he cemented himself as the ace of the staff. Burnett led the Pirates in wins (16), ERA (3.51) and strikeouts (180). Coming from New York to Pittsburgh, Burnett allowed 30% fewer walks and 45% fewer home runs and posted his best season since his rookie season. AJ has won a minimum of 10 games in each of his last 8 seasons and there is no reason to believe he won't do the same in 2013. Burnett will be making his first opening day start of his quality major league career at 36 years of age. In a perfect storm, Burnett will have similar success in 2013 as he did in 2012. Increased offensive output may help his cause as well.
Wandy Rodriguez - Wandy had a phenomenal career in Houston and most Pirate fans (me included) hated when he pitched against the Pirates. Wandy was a strikeout pitcher and a front of the rotation guy for a long time. The Pirates acquired Rodriguez to bolster the rotation while they were making a playoff run last year. Although his strikeout numbers have dissipated, he is still a very quality major league starting pitcher. Despite a slow start in Pittsburgh, he calmed down and regained his composure. In 75 innings of work with the Pirates, Wandy posted a 3.72 ERA with a strikeout rate of 6.0/9IP and 9 of his 12 starts were "quality starts". AJ and Wandy make for a nice 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation.
James McDonald - JMAC has proven that he can be extremely effective on the bump as a starting pitcher. At the midway point of the season, he appeared to lose his stuff. He had difficulty locating pitches and lost his confidence completely. Despite him falling apart, he finished the season with a 12-8 record and a 4.21 ERA with 7.95 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched. If JMAC can pull himself together in 2013, the Pirates could rival any team with their top 3 starting pitchers.
Franciso Liriano - I love this signing. A fresh start in the National League with the Pirates could be just what the doctor ordered for Liriano to revive his career ala AJ Burnett. He is an effective strikeout pitcher, but his control has been a problem in recent years. In his last 3 seasons, he's posted an ERA over 5 and a BB/9 IP over 5, despite maintaining a strikeout rate over 9K's per 9 IP. Hopefully, when he's not injuring himself trying to startle his children, he's working on getting his mind right and regaining the control he once had. In a perfect storm, Liriano returns to his dominating fashion and becomes a reliable 4th starter.
Jeff Locke, Kyle McPherson, Jeff Karstens, Charlie Morton - The 5th starter is up in the air at this point. It looks like Jeff Locke has the early lead, but it's hard to argue if the nod is given to Jeff Karstens. Over the last few seasons, there are several consistencies with Jeff Karstens: He's always fighting for a job and he consistently keeps the Pirates in the game when he starts. Morton is hopeful to return at some point from Tommy John surgery and Kyle McPherson has the ability to start as well.
Pitching Recap
If nothing else, the Pirates have more starting pitching depth than they've had in a very long time. I didn't even mention that Garrit Cole will likely join the rotation at some point early in the season. Cole will likely become the Pirates best pitcher quickly and Jameson Taillon might not be too far behind him. The Pirates pitching staff should be more than adequate for the season with the interchangeable parts they have on the roster.
My Take
I believe this is the year the Pirates break the Godforsaken losing streak. In fact, I wouldn't be shocked if they contend for the division and make the playoffs. The young core of the club should all be hitting their prime together and the young additions and veterans might just give this team the spunk they need to get the job done.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
My Unexpected Trip to Arizona Cactus League Spring Training
I live in PA and work as a Regional Sales Manager for a manufacturer based just outside of Altoona. My job is to grow sales with key distributors within my region (TX, AZ, NM, CO, and UT). So, half of my year is spent traveling in the southwest. It sounds pretty cool, but I spend a lot of time away from my wife and 3 boys. It can be very tiring mentally and physically. However, sometimes there are fringe benefits and experiences that are priceless. One of those experiences happened this week.
I flew into Phoenix early Monday morning with plans to spend time with 3 different resellers throughout the week. On Tuesday, I didn't have to meet with my customers until noon. Knowing that pitchers and catchers reported on Monday for nearly every team in AZ, I decided to stop at the Diablo Stadium complex in Tempe to see the California Angels. I arrived in the morning just in time to see the hoard of pitchers and catchers coming out of the clubhouse and spreading out across 6 fields. I didn't expect to see many position players as they weren't required to report just yet.
I was quickly amazed by how up close and personal people are to the players at Spring Training. It's the equivalent of watching a little league baseball game. You hear all of the coaches instructions, player conversations, etc. More shockingly, there were no more than 25-30 fans there to watch practice - even with free admission.
As I walked through the complex, I could hear the the sound of baseballs exploding off of a bat. To my surprise, I walked up to a field used for batting practice to find two position players that arrived early to camp taking some morning hacks - Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton.
Although I'm a die hard Pirate fan, there isn't much more exciting than watching two of baseball's greatest sluggers quietly taking batting practice. Pujols seemed to be working on situational hitting, rather than popping the ball out of the park. Hamilton had other ideas - He hit quite a few monster shots. I was fortunate enough to snag one of them.
Then I walked over to the field where the catchers were working out. I watched Mike Scioscia instruct the big league catchers in bunt-fielding drills and coaching them up like a little league coach. After the catcher's drills, Chris Ianetta walked past me holding a few baseballs. I made some small talk with him and he discovered that I had 2 boys currently in little league. He proceeded to sign a few balls for me to give to boys - Awesome guy.
On my way out of the complex, I noticed the MLB-ESPN tour bus and saw the makeshift TV set in the parking lot. I walked over to see the one and only Tim Kurkjian up close and personal. I was staring at him the way a 7 year old stares at a giraffe at the zoo. I'm pretty sure he realized I was surprised to see him on set, so he gave me a friendly wave and said hello - likely hoping I would walk away and stop creeping him out.
Then - off to work. But, there's more to the story...
Today, I was making joint sales calls with a sales rep when we passed the Chicago Cubs Spring Training complex in Mesa, AZ. The Cubs were just taking the field, so the rep asked if I'd like to stop and check it out. That was a no-brainer for me.
Once again, I was surprised that more people were not in attendance. I arrived in time to see a group taking BP, including Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo is a physical specimen and has tremendous pop in his bat. He put on a power display poking several balls well over the 375 mark with 10ft fences surrounding the field. As I stood behind the backstop watching BP, Theo Epstein walked directly in front of me to chat with Manager Dale Svuem and to observe his investments taking their hacks. As he was blocking my view, I jokingly said, "Hey Theo, I'd like to watch too." He and Dale both turned around with big grins and engaged in light hearted conversation. Once again, I was totally shocked how up close and personal people are at Spring Training to the players and team brass. They were both fantastic, down to earth guys - Although Theo looks more like a bat boy than a GM in person.
We didn't have a lot of time to spend at the park, so we stopped by one more field in the complex in time to catch the pitchers going through fielding drills. They had the pitchers separated into groups that were obviously developed based on their status with the organization. Starting pitchers were working together, relievers in another group, and minor leaguers in another. I watched the starting pitchers (Jeff Smardja, Edwin Jackson, and Matt Garza to name a few) repeatedly do the fake throw home, ground ball to 1st, cover the bag drill. They must have each done the drill 100 times before moving on to the "hit a line drive at your face - repeatedly drill"...seriously.
Unfortunately, I had to go back to work and left the Cubs facility. The experiences at both complexes were incredible and I never would have had the opportunity if not for my job. Although my job has its drawbacks, it also enables me to see things I may have never seen otherwise. What an awesome experience.
I flew into Phoenix early Monday morning with plans to spend time with 3 different resellers throughout the week. On Tuesday, I didn't have to meet with my customers until noon. Knowing that pitchers and catchers reported on Monday for nearly every team in AZ, I decided to stop at the Diablo Stadium complex in Tempe to see the California Angels. I arrived in the morning just in time to see the hoard of pitchers and catchers coming out of the clubhouse and spreading out across 6 fields. I didn't expect to see many position players as they weren't required to report just yet.
I was quickly amazed by how up close and personal people are to the players at Spring Training. It's the equivalent of watching a little league baseball game. You hear all of the coaches instructions, player conversations, etc. More shockingly, there were no more than 25-30 fans there to watch practice - even with free admission.
As I walked through the complex, I could hear the the sound of baseballs exploding off of a bat. To my surprise, I walked up to a field used for batting practice to find two position players that arrived early to camp taking some morning hacks - Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton.
Although I'm a die hard Pirate fan, there isn't much more exciting than watching two of baseball's greatest sluggers quietly taking batting practice. Pujols seemed to be working on situational hitting, rather than popping the ball out of the park. Hamilton had other ideas - He hit quite a few monster shots. I was fortunate enough to snag one of them.
Then I walked over to the field where the catchers were working out. I watched Mike Scioscia instruct the big league catchers in bunt-fielding drills and coaching them up like a little league coach. After the catcher's drills, Chris Ianetta walked past me holding a few baseballs. I made some small talk with him and he discovered that I had 2 boys currently in little league. He proceeded to sign a few balls for me to give to boys - Awesome guy.
On my way out of the complex, I noticed the MLB-ESPN tour bus and saw the makeshift TV set in the parking lot. I walked over to see the one and only Tim Kurkjian up close and personal. I was staring at him the way a 7 year old stares at a giraffe at the zoo. I'm pretty sure he realized I was surprised to see him on set, so he gave me a friendly wave and said hello - likely hoping I would walk away and stop creeping him out.
Then - off to work. But, there's more to the story...
Today, I was making joint sales calls with a sales rep when we passed the Chicago Cubs Spring Training complex in Mesa, AZ. The Cubs were just taking the field, so the rep asked if I'd like to stop and check it out. That was a no-brainer for me.
Once again, I was surprised that more people were not in attendance. I arrived in time to see a group taking BP, including Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo is a physical specimen and has tremendous pop in his bat. He put on a power display poking several balls well over the 375 mark with 10ft fences surrounding the field. As I stood behind the backstop watching BP, Theo Epstein walked directly in front of me to chat with Manager Dale Svuem and to observe his investments taking their hacks. As he was blocking my view, I jokingly said, "Hey Theo, I'd like to watch too." He and Dale both turned around with big grins and engaged in light hearted conversation. Once again, I was totally shocked how up close and personal people are at Spring Training to the players and team brass. They were both fantastic, down to earth guys - Although Theo looks more like a bat boy than a GM in person.
We didn't have a lot of time to spend at the park, so we stopped by one more field in the complex in time to catch the pitchers going through fielding drills. They had the pitchers separated into groups that were obviously developed based on their status with the organization. Starting pitchers were working together, relievers in another group, and minor leaguers in another. I watched the starting pitchers (Jeff Smardja, Edwin Jackson, and Matt Garza to name a few) repeatedly do the fake throw home, ground ball to 1st, cover the bag drill. They must have each done the drill 100 times before moving on to the "hit a line drive at your face - repeatedly drill"...seriously.
Unfortunately, I had to go back to work and left the Cubs facility. The experiences at both complexes were incredible and I never would have had the opportunity if not for my job. Although my job has its drawbacks, it also enables me to see things I may have never seen otherwise. What an awesome experience.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Are the Pirates REALLY Trying?
Pirate fans have been 'calling bullshit' on the organization for as long as I can remember. The Pirates have been notoriously near the bottom of the payroll barrel for many years. The fan base has been clamoring for the organization to spend money on quality free agents (usually their own) to return to relevance.
Flashes of success over the last two seasons have reinvigorated the faithful fan base. Ticket sales have increased and the momentum in Pittsburgh seems to be changing. To top it off, the Pirates payroll may tip $70 million dollars this year. Yes, $70 million.
However, is the organization spending an un-Pirate like sum of money to appease the fan base or are they truly trying to get better? The reason I ask this question is because most of their free agent acquisitions are guys that used to be household names amidst the prime of their careers, but are nowhere near the players they used to be.
AJ Burnett for example. Who didn't know AJ Burnett before he was traded to Pittsburgh? AJ was a former front of the rotation star before dropping off considerably. The Pirates traded a few mediocre minor leaguers for him - oh yeah, and made the Yankees pay the majority of his salary. This was a low risk, high reward move for the Pirates. A move that obviously worked out very well and they reaped the benefits of a fantastic season from AJ.
Wandy Rodriguez is another guy that was a front of the rotation guy in Houston for his entire career. Wandy was a high strikeout guy that often dominated opposing hitters. Well, as with some of the others, Wandy began to lose his dominance and started pitching to contact rather than striking batters out. The rebuilding Houston Astros unloaded him to restock their system and the Pirates took a chance. I have to give the Pirates credit here - They had playoff aspirations and wanted to strengthen the starting roation. After a slow start in a Bucco uniform, Wandy pitched well in his last few starts before the end of the season.
Franciso Liriano is still negotiating a contract with Pittsburgh after sustaining a broken arm in a "don't drop the soap" shower incident. Liriano is par for the course for the Pirates though. He was once one of MLB's hottest pitching prospects. He had 3 or 4 great years and seemed destined to assemble a terrific MLB career. However, injuries plagued him and he appears to have lost his effectiveness. I believe Francisco is a high risk, high reward guy with the amount of money his original contract was for. From what we hear, the Pirates are trying to convert him to a low risk, high reward guy in terms of contract. Regardless, Liriano has done nothing recently to make anyone believe he will ever be the guy he once was. BUT, we all know who he is.
Jonathan Sanchez is reportedly working on signing a minor league deal with the Pirates. Sanchez is famous for once throwing a no hitter - the only complete game of his career. Sanchez boasts a 39 - 55 career record and has assembled only one winning season in his career. There is very little risk in this deal for the Pirates (if it culminates), but I'm not hopeful that Sanchez will make the Pirates a better team. BUT, people konw his name.
Russel Martin. Once again, Martin was once one of the better catchers in baseball. He hit for average, had adequate power, and was a quality defensive catcher. In New York, Martin put up nice home run numbers in the hitter friendly park, but his average was awful. He is still a good defensive catcher, but his best playing days are certainly behind him. BUT, Sure - We've heard of Russel Martin!
So, my question is this. Are the Pirates trying to add enough veteran leadership to support the talented young core of the team? Are the vets holding the fort down until guys like Cole and Taillon are ready to take the torch? If so, they may have enough talent right now to compete in the NL Central and possibly make another run at the playoffs. If these moves are a fix, and not just butterfly stitches, then the fan base has been blinded by the amount of cash the Pirates are throwing out there. But, average fans remember former stars and will likely buy tickets to see these old timers play.
Time will tell - Either way, baseball can't get here soon enough. Less than a week until Pitchers and Catchers report!
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