Monday, November 29, 2010

Childhood Idols

Recently, my son and I watched “Chasing 3000,” the story of two young brothers and their journey across the country to witness the 3000th career hit of Roberto Clemente. These two brothers idolized Clemente, their home town hero, emanating his walk to the plate, and his at bat routine, and followed all news written about him, when not able to watch or listen to the game. Finally arriving in Pittsburgh, the brothers witness Clemente’s 3000th and final hit, a memory they will forever have. There were thousands of young kids that looked up to Clemente, as before him were; Wagner, Waner, and Kiner.

Every generation, of Pirates fans, has a select few players that get idolized. Their jerseys are worn by fans of all ages, signs are waved in the air as they come to the plate, and names are chanted. As a child, I looked up to nearly every single Pirate; Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonilla, Andy Van Slyke, Jose Lind, Jay Bell, Jeff King. The glory days, of 1990-1992, I would be forced to go to bed in the late innings, and would wake up, first thing in the morning, and turn on ESPN for the highlights, arguably the highlights of my childhood.

It’s been 18 years, since my glory days, and still do admire those players, for what they were, no matter where they went and what they did after they left the Pirates. My son, David, is 9 years old now and fully understands the game of baseball, but not the business. As he attends nearly 20 games a year, follows games on the internet and television, he is constantly talking about; Garrett Jones, Neil Walker, Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez and Jose Tabata. As he sits in the stands watching his favorite players, I always smile and wonder if he would ever experience my joy, enjoy the his memories as I do.

Who will be that one player that will stick out in the future of all young Pirates fans? Could Neil Walker be the hometown favorite? Will Pedro Alvarez’s bat win the heart, and lead a new Lumber Company? There is so much to look forward to in the next few years. I am eager to find the answer.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Free Agent Starting Pitching: De La Rosa or Francis?

With the recent release of pitcher Zack Duke, the Pittsburgh Pirates have almost ensured the signing of a free agent starting pitcher. There has been several names rumored to be sought out by the Pirates; Jorge De La Rosa, Brandon Webb, Jeff Francis and Justin Duchscherer, just to name a few. Newly hired, and former Colorado Rockies manager, Clint Hurdle, has experience managing De La Rosa and Francis. Both, De La Rosa and Francis, are in their prime, at 29 years of age, 30 years by the start of the 2011 season.

Jorge De La Rosa, a seven year veteran, debuted with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2004 and was side lined for the remainder of the season with blisters. He had two other stints on the disabled list; one in 2008 with a left groin injury, which he missed the post season, and in 2010 with a torn left flexor tendon band in his left hand, sidelining him for two months of the season. In the 2010 season, he made $5.6 million, and is said that he is looking for at least a three year deal, though the Colorado Rockies informally offered him $15 million for two years, it was not agreed upon.

Jeff Francis, also a seven year veteran, made his debut with the Colorado Rockies in 2004. In 2006, after winning his 30th career game, he became the most winning left handed starter, in Rockies history. In 2007, was the first Canadian born pitcher to win a post season game, and after an atrocious 2008 season, he admitted to playing through a shoulder injury, which sidelined him through the entire 2009 season. Making his return in May of 2010, he only pitched in 20 games and was unable to get back into form. Francis made $5.75 million in 2010, and was in line for a club option at $7 million, which the Rockies declined.

The Pirates, actively pursuing both, are set to expand the payroll by $10 - $15 million, and wouldn’t be able to sign both, without giving up hopes of signing another bat. Starting pitching was the major downfall of the 2010 season, and is in definite need of an upgrade, while at the same time the offense, who struggled severely, needs an upgrade. There have been numerous rumors, surrounding the Pirates and several big named, big money, free agents, it is unlikely they will be able to sign more than just one, without both sides having to concede a little.

Jorge De La Rosa Career Stats: 49 – 47; 5.02 ERA; 603 K’s w/ 3 teams (MIL, KC, COL)

Jeff Francis Career Stats: 55 – 50; 4.77 ERA; 603 K’s w/ 1 team (COL)

Playoff Expansion: Good or Bad for Baseball?

Baseball is America’s past-time. Team’s have been playing professionally since 1884, and each year have had a champion. The modern day “Fall Classic” made its first appearance in 1903, where the Boston Americans beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, in a best of nine series, 5 – 3. This Word’s Championship Series, later shortened to, the now, World Series, was played by the team with the best record from both, the American and National League, until 1968.

In 1969, Major League Baseball divided the two leagues into two divisions and introduced the League Championship Series (L.C.S.), and was played in a best of five series until 1985, when it was then played in a best of seven series . In 1981, the season was shortened with a players strike, and settled prior to the playoffs . Major League Baseball lost a lot of revenue, and attempted to recoup the lost revenue, by adding an additional round of playoffs. After the 1993 season, MLB and owners went to a three division league, creating, the now, Divisional Series, giving two rounds of playoffs, to get to the World Series.

Commissioner Bud Selig, for the past few years, has been talking about expanding the current playoffs, from eight teams, to ten teams. He has created a commission, consisting of current and former managers, to further study the proposed expansion. Any proposed expansion would not be put into place until 2012, due to the current players contract that ends in December of 2011.

The proposed brackets (imaged below), would be similar to the current set up, with the only changes being, the addition a Wild Card Series (WCS). The WCS would be played by the two Wild card teams from both leagues, and the winner would go on to play the top seeded team in their league, in the Divisional Series. The addition of a third series would bring more revenue to MLB with television deals and the teams involved with ticket sales.

It has been reported that MLB’s revenue, for this year, is nearing a record $7 billion, and it’s apparent that they are not in need of any more money. There have been various opinions, through out the league and media, concerning the proposed expansion, there are both upsides and downsides.

Downside: With the addition of a third series, the World Series would get pushed further into November by a week. The series would only involve the two wild card teams, from each league, and would place more fatigue onto those players involved. Currently players, that are post season eligible, must be on the 25 man roster by September 1st (unless a player is injured and an appeal can be placed to replace the player), will this be extended by a week?

Upside: There will now be five teams from each league appearing in the post season, with the additional series, those teams involved would receive revenue from tickets and merchandise sells. For the divisional champions, they would have a week off to rest, while the WCS was being played.

In my own opinion, the expansion of the playoffs would be great for Major League Baseball. It has been successful, for the three other major sports in the U.S. (NBA, NFL, NHL), to have three playoff rounds, to get to the championship round. Though I am not in favor of how MLB wants to have the brackets, there would be no other way to do so unless they would go to a 12 team format.

Monday, November 8, 2010

New Pirate @ The Hot Corner?

3 days into free agency, there have yet to be any blockbuster deals and don’t expect to there to be any, at all, this off season. There are only a few, relevant, big names available on the market;  Cliff Lee,  Carl Crawford,  Victor Martinez, Jayson Werth, Adam Dunn and Adrian Beltre. An argument can be made on the relevancy of Derek Jeter and Manny Ramirez, both,  who are over the hill, in baseball terms.

This past September,  the Pittsburgh Pirates President, Frank Coonelly,  suggested, in an interview, that they would be adding $10 – 15 million, onto the payroll. The increase, would add a little over 40%, to the payroll and give the opportunity to shop around. Though it’s a long shot to land any of the big names available, the Pirates have already been rumored to be pursuing 3B Adrian Beltre.

Adrian Beltre, coming off a great 2010 season with the Boston Red Sox (posted:  28 HR, 97 RBI, .328 avg, and .941 ops), will be looking for mid to long term contract. Beltre, 31 years of age, would be a great pick up for the Pirates, adding a strong glove at 3B and much needed bat on the right side of the plate. If, and only if, his addition to the roster, were to happen, the eventual move of Pedro Alvarez to 1B would come sooner than expected.

Beltre’s 1 year, $5 million contract, with the Red Sox, had a player option for 2011, that was triggered when he reached 640 at-bat appearances, was worth $10 million, though he informed the team that he was declining the option. In December of 2004, the Seattle Mariners signed him to a 5 year, $64 million contract, after declining $10 million for next season, it  is difficult to see what he may be asking for, being in his prime. It should also be noted that, statistically, 2010 was his best year in 6 seasons.

Realistically, it is unlikely the Pirates will come to terms, with Beltre, though it is possible (more unlikely). In my own opinion, he can be gotten for 3 – 5 years, initially making $7 million a year and increasing over the duration of the contract. With the Pirates farm system having plenty of prospects, his services may not be needed towards  the end of, such, contract, and would become trade bait, thus fulfilling the ‘circle of life’ as a Pirate.

‘Circle of life’ to be explained in a later post.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Welcome to my temporary Pirates Blog Site!

I am working on a permanent domain, but I have felt  so useless this off season so I need to start writing