Neal Huntington - 2008 Review

After taking a couple months off to concentrate on Football, I'm back to thinking about the Pittsburgh Pirates. With the season only a couple weeks away, the Pirates roster is starting to take shape. I must also admit that I'm more excited for this year's minor league teams than I am about the major league team. To the more hardcore fans, I'm sure I am not alone in this thought.

All of this is due to the moves Neal Huntington made during his first year as General Manager. I'm going to rate these moves as positive, negative or indifferent. Keep in mind that some of these moves have not played themselves out yet, and others could still swing from positive to negative or vice-versa.

1. November 16th, 2007 - Cesar Izturis granted free agency
Izturis was picked up during the 2007 season from the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later. Before the trade, Izturis was hitting .246 in 191 AB's and no power. He had a sub-.300 OBP and was worth nothing. Dave Littlefield traded for Izturis to fill in for an injured Jack Wilson. He hit .276 after the trade and played his usual good defense. With Jack Wilson returning to health for 2008, non-tendering Izturis was a no-brainer. In 2008 with the Cardinals, Izturis hit .263 in 414 AB's.
Rating: Positive

2. November 20th, 2007 - Selected Jimmy Barthmaier off waivers from the Houston Astros
Barthmaier was coming off a season on Houston's AA team in which he went 2-9 with a 6.20 ERA in 90 IP. Prior to that, he was one of the Astros' top pitching prospects. At 23, however, he proved much too young to give up on, and Houston surely regrets putting him on waivers. Splitting time between AA and AAA in 2008, Barthmaier bounced back to go 5-5 with a 4.37 ERA in 115 1/3 IP. More importantly, he showed he had regained the stuff he showed early in his career, and earned a call-up to Pittsburgh late in the year. Barthmaier also has a chance to earn a roster spot out of spring training in 2009.
Rating: Positive

3. November 28th, 2007 - Released Josh Phelps
Phelps was acquired by Dave Littlefield off waivers from the New York Yankees. Phelps hit .351 with 5 HR's in only 77 AB's with the Bucs, but doesn't play defense. Despite coming up as a catcher, by this point in his career Phelps could only play 1B, and was not cost-effective for the Pirates to retain. In 2008 with the Cardinals, Phelps spent most of the season at AAA, hitting .291 with 31 HR's in 461 AB's. He also got a September call-up, but amassed only 34 AB's. He would have provided good depth at AAA, but was arbitration eligible.
Rating: Indifferent

4. November 28th, 2007 - Shane Youman selected off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies
Youman got a shot with the Pirates in 2007, and went 3-5 with a 5.97 ERA in 57 1/3 IP. Huntington sensed that Youman was not major league material, and exposed him to waivers, where the Phillies took a shot. Youman, at AA, in 2008 went 0-1 with an 11.28 in 22 1/3 IP for the Phillies before they released him. No loss here.
Rating: Positive

5. December 3rd, 2007 - Selected Ty Taubenheim off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays and Josh Wilson off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays
Taubenheim was 6-8 with a 5.24 ERA in 120 1/3 IP between AA and AAA for the Blue Jays in '07. In 2008, Taubenheim went 4-9 with a 5.60 ERA in 98 IP at AAA with the Bucs. The Pirates released him in September. This is a tough call, because these are the types of players the Pirates needed to take chances on, even if most don't pan out.
Wilson played servicably with the Rays in '07, hitting .251/.291/.645 in 263 AB's. He lost out to Luis Rivas and Chris Gomez in spring training of 2008, went to AAA and hit .276/.347/.743 in 293 AB's before finishing the year with Pawtucket, AAA team of the Boston Red Sox.
Rating: Indifferent

6. December 6th, 2007 - Released Jose Castillo
This was a very interesting move. Castillo was eligible for arbitration, and was out of a starting role because of the emergence of Freddy Sanchez and Jose Bautista. In 2007, Castillo hit .244/.270/.605 in only 221 AB's. The Marlins took a chance on Castillo, matching him against Dallas McPherson and Jorge Cantu to determine a 3rd baseman. Cantu won, McPherson was sent to AAA, and Castillo was released. Picked up by the Giants then the Astros, Castillo hit .246/.292/.668 in 421 AB's, and will be fighting for a roster spot somewhere this year. Keeping Castillo to replace Chris Gomez or Luis Rivas would have a good move, but not at arbitration price.
Rating: Indifferent

7. December 6th, 2007 - Selected Evan Meek from the Tampa Bay Rays in the Rule 5 draft
Meek went 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA in 67 IP for the Rays' AA team in '07 as a 24 year old. He was exposed to the draft because the Rays' system was so rich in pitching already. Huntington loves power arms, and Meek certrainly had that. Reaching 99mph regularly, Huntington ignored the control problems, a common theme. Meek was exposed terribly at the major league level however, and was not able to be hidden in the bullpen with the Pirates due to their starters' inability to pitch late into the game. Meek was retained, per Rule 5 draft rules, in exchange for some amount of money, and pitched well in the minors, going 1-1 with a 2.51 ERA between AA and AAA. He will be given evey opportunity to win a bullpen spot with the Bucs in '09.
Rating: Positive

8. December 7th, 2007 - Traded Salomon Torres to the Milwaukee Brewers for Marino Salas and Kevin Roberts
In an attempt to rid the team of clubhouse problems, Torres, a dependable bullpen arm, was traded for a couple suspect prospects. In 2007, Torres went 2-4 with a 5.47 ERA in 52 2/3 IP. After almost retiring, he went 7-5 with a 3.49 ERA and 28 Saves in 80 IP in '08. He decided to retire following the season at age 36. Salas was 0-1 with a 2.77 ERA between AA and AAA in '07 as a 26 year old. In 2008, Salas went 4-4 with a 3.47 ERA in 57 IP at AAA, and was not successful in several brief stints with the Bucs. 2009 is crucial for him to show he can be a piece of the Pirate bullpen. Roberts was 6-3 with a 3.50 ERA in 64 1/3 IP at high-A ball as a 23 year old in '07. He then went 1-6 with a 4.76 ERA between A+ and AA. He needs to rebound this year, or this trade will look even worse than it already does.
Rating: Negative

9. December 11th, 2007 - Signed Luis Cruz as a free agent
In 2007, while in the San Diego Padres system, Cruz hit .219 with 9 HR's in 393 AB's between AA and AAA. Mostly around for his defense, he hit .279 between AA and AAA last year as a 24 year old. He also played pretty well in a short stint as the Pirates starting short stop when Jack Wilson was injured. Cruz has an opportunity to earn a bench rols in 2009.
Rating: Positive

10. December 12th, 2007 - Granted Brad Eldred and Brian Rogers free agency
Eldred had a monster year in 2005, was injured almost all of 2006, then bounced back to hit .209/.275/.674 in 309 AB's at AAA and even worse in 46 AB's for the Bucs in '07. After signing a minor league deal for 2008 with the Chicago White Sox, Eldred hit .244/.305/.851. Despite hitting 35 HR's and 100 RBI's, Eldred took only 28 walks against 144 K's. Without the batting eye, he'll never be a major leaguer.
Rogers was obtained in a trade for Sean Casey from the Detroit Tigers. In '07, he went 2-1 with a 3.05 ERA in 65 IP as a 24 year old. He was resigned for the '08 season, but was released after an issue with the team. He went a combined 2-2 with a 3.35 ERA in 53 2/3 IP between four different teams in AA and AAA. It's possible he becomes a bullpen arm for someone next year, but he was unhappy with the Pirates and keeping him probably would not have been in either's best interest.
Rating: Positive

11. December 12th, 2007 - Signed Chris Gomez as a free agent
Gomez played for Baltimore and Cleveland in 2007, hitting .221 with 1 HR in 299 AB's as a 36 year old. No longer able to play short stop effectively, Gomez was limited to mostly playing 3B and 2B for the Bucs. Without the bat for third, he is only effective if playing 2B. In 2008, he hit .273/.322/.655. He was not retained for 2009.
Rating: Indifferent

12. December 21st, 2007 - Signed Michel Hernandez, Mike Thompson and Jorge Velandia as free agents
Hernandez spent 2007 in the minor leagues, hitting .297 with 7 HR's and 35 RBI's in 246 AB's as a 28 year old. He was brought in as competition for the backup catching role in spring training. He was cut and spent 2008 with AAA Indianapolis, hitting .266 with 3 HR's and 17 RBI's in 252 AB's. He was bought in September by the Tampa Bay Rays as insurance at the catcher position
Thompson was a former big-time prospect who had a disappointing 2007 with San Diego's AAA team, going 4-11 with a 6.25 ERA in 132 2/3 IP as a 26 year old. He didn't fare any better in a brief call-up that year. The Pirates brought him in to pitch at AAA, and he went 3-3 with a 4.25 ERA in 59 1/3 IP as a swingman. He'll probably be brought back for the same role this season.
Velandia was next in a long line of middle infield filler for the Pirate's AAA team. Much in the same vein as Luis Ordaz, Gookie Dawkins, Alfredo Amezaga, Luis Figueroa and a host of others the Pirates signed to play shortstop at AAA through the years, Velandia doesn't hit enough to play in the majors, but has a decent glove. In 2007, Velandia hit .249/.294/.654 with Tampa Bay's AAA team. Velandia didn't make the Bucs in a utility role and was released in spring training 2008. He bounced around in AAA, but ended up hitting .233 with 3 HR's and 20 RBI's in 300 AB's.
Rating: Indifferent

13. January 7th, 2008 - Signed Adam Bernero and Elmer Dessens as free agents
Bernero was a typical AAAA pitcher before undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing all of 2007. The Pirates signed him as a free agent to see if he had anything left. He went 0-0 with a 3.24 ERA in 16 2/3 IP. He'll be in the mix for a bullpen spot somewhere this year.
Dessens split 2007 between the Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies as a 35 year old, going 2-2 with a 7.15 ERA in 34 IP. The Pirates signed him to see if there was anything left. After determining there wasn't, he was released during spring training. The Atlanta Braves signed him in August, and he finished 2008 at 0-1 with a 22.50 ERA in just 4 IP.
Rating: Indifferent

14. January 11th, 2008 - Signed TJ Beam, Raul Chavez and Jose Macias as free agents
Beam spent 2007 in the New York Yankees farm system. He went 4-3 with a 3.59 ERA in 47 2/3 IP while showing good command. He was regarded as a decent bullpen arm by the Yankees, but was granted free agency after 6 years in the minors. The Pirates signed him, and Beam went to AAA, posting a 2-1 record with a 3.09 ERA in 43 2/3 IP. Beam also impressed at the major league level in 2008 as a 27 year old, going 2-2 with a 4.14 ERA in 45 2/3 IP. Beam looks to lock down a bullpen spot in spring training with the Bucs this year.
Chavez was a journeyman catcher, playing for the Yankees AAA club in 2007 as a 34 year old. He ended the year at .221/.265/.575 in 290 AB's, which is absolutely horrible. The Pirates signed him for his defense and stashed him away at AAA. He spent the year bouncing between AAA and the Bucs, playing pretty well in both places. He may be brought back as insurance again this year. Chavez was a good pick-up for a team needing to show Ronny Paulino wasn't guaranteed a roster spot.
Macias played for the Milwaukee Brewers' AAA team in 2007, hitting .242/.276/.599 while playing just about every position on the diamond. The Pirates decided to give him a shot at their open untility spot, but Macias was cut in spring training.
Rating: Positive

15. January 24th, 2008 - Signed Hector Carrasco, Casey Fossum and Jaret Wright as free agents
Carrasco was signed after a 2007 season with the Los Angeles Angels where he went 2-1 with a 6.57 ERA in 38 1/3 IP. After not pitching well in spring training, he was released. The Chicago Cubs signed him to their AAA affiliate, where he went 5-6 with a 3.86 ERA in 67 1/3 IP as a 39 year old. No loss here.
Fossum is a classic soft-tossing lefty, who has stayed around because he nibbles at the corners. In 2007, as a 29 year old, Fossum went 5-8 with a 7.70 ERA in 76 IP. The Pirates found no use for him, and granted him free agency at the end of the 2008 spring training. He was signed by the Detroit Tigers and went 3-1 with a 5.66 ERA in 41 1/3 IP. Despite his record, Fossum was not reliable in relief.
Wright is a pitcher who had been overused early in his career with the Cleveland Indians, and was only brought in due to Neal Huntington's past with the Tribe. Wright was injured for most of 2007, and managed to go 0-3 with a 6.97 ERA in 10 1/3 IP with the Baltimore Orioles. Wright was cut in spring training and hasn't played since.
Rating: Indifferent

16. February 1st, 2008 - Signed Carlos Maldonado, Luis Rivas and Brian Rogers as free agents
Maldonado had been a Pirate farmhand since 2005, and was resigned to backup at AAA. In 2007, he hit .219/.325/.595 in 137 AB's at Indianapolis as a 28 year old. Despite getting a brief call-up, he is not major league material. With AAA in 2008, Maldonado hit .248/.312/.704 in 125 AB's. He'll probably be back this year.
Rivas was a former starting second baseman for the Minnesota Twins. In 2007, as a AAA player with the Cleveland Indians at 27 years old, Rivas hit .263/.341/.741 in 410 AB's. He earned a utility role with the Bucs in 2008, and hit .218/.267/.578 in 206 AB's. Despite what Huntington says, Rivas is not a useful major league bench player. Hopefully he won't be back this year.
See December 10th for info on Rogers.
Rating: Negative

17. February 1st, 2008 - Claimed Ray Olmedo off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays
Olmedo was 26 years old in 2007 playing for Toronto's AAA team. He hit .290/.345/.686 in 328 AB's playing short stop. The Bucs decided he wasn't the answer in spring training and cut Olmedo. The Washington Nationals signed him to their AAA team, where he went .252/..292/.632 in 353 AB's. Looks like the right move was made.
Rating: Positive

18. February 11th, 2008 - Signed Doug Mientkiewicz as a free agent
Somehow, after a 2007 season with the New York Yankees as a 33 year old hitting .277/.349/.789 in 166 AB's, there was no major league contract for Mientkiewicz. The Pirates signed him to a minor league contract with a virtual promise that he would make the team. Mientkiewicz did make the team, and hit .277/.374/.753 in 285 AB's. In addition to his solid play, Mientkiewicz provided some much needed fire to the 2008 Pirates. Both Mientkiewicz and the Bucs would like him back next year, but that has yet to happen.
Rating: Positive

19. February 24th, 2008 - Signed Byung-Hyun Kim as a free agent
Kim was once a dominant reliever, but had a horrible 2007 season split between the Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks and Florida Marlins as a 28 year old. He went 10-8 with a 6.08 ERA in 117 1/3 IP. Kim was signed to a $1 million dollar contract, but the Pirates ate that after he did not make the team out of spring training. He did not pitch elsewhere in 2008.
Rating: Negative

20. March 26th, 2008 - Released Juan Perez
Perez was a Pirate farmhand, who in 2007 at the age of 26 spent some time with the Bucs, but primarily pitched in AAA going 3-2 with a 4.69 ERA in 55 2/3 IP. He was released at the end of spring training 2008, but was resigned to AAA and went 2-2 with a 3.57 ERA in 22 2/3 IP before undergoing surgery and missing the rest of the season. He is a free agent and should resume minor league pitching sometime in 2009.
Rating: Indifferent

21. March 26th, 2008 - Traded Todd Redmond to the Atlanta Braves. Received Tyler Yates
Redmond pitched at high-A and AA in 2007 for the Bucs, going 8-13 with a 4.39 ERA in 160 IP as a 22 year old. Redmond has exceptional control, but less than average stuff. For the Braves' AA team in 2008, Redmond went 13-5 with a 3.52 ERA in 166 1/3 IP. He projects as a 5th starter in the major leagues, probably in 2011 or 2012.
Yates spent 2007 in the Braves bullpen, compiling a 2-3 record with a 5.18 ERA in 66 IP as a 29 year old. He really had a tale of two seasons, pitching rather badly after the all-star break. The Pirates bought low, and in his first season in their bullpen, 2008, went 6-3 with a 4.66 ERA in 73 1/3 IP. He is seen as a middle reliever going forward, but without better control Yates will never be the overpowering pitcher his stuff gives him the capability of being.
Rating: Positive

22. April 8th, 2008 - Signed Craig Wilson as a free agent
Wilson had fallen on hard times since being traded from Pittsburgh and, after undergoing a significant shoulder operation, was unable to land a bench spot in the major leagues. In 2007 Wilson hit .172/.304/.563 in just 58 AB's before being released by the Atlanta Braves. After signing with the Bucs to play 1B at AAA, Wilson hit only .230/.327/.723 in 217 AB's before being traded for future considerations. The Seattle Mariners picked him up for the remainder of the season, again as insurance at AAA. Wilson fared marginally better, but still did not get a major league call-up. He'll be looking for a bench spot elsewhere in 2009.
Raring: Indifferent

23. April 27th, 2008 - Released Matt Morris
The day couldn't have come soon enough. In one of Dave Littlefield's last dashes to completely destroy the franchise, he had traded for Matt Morris and his $10 million dollar salary in exchange for a young outfielder named Rajai Davis. Morris' 2007 was ugly. All together, he went 10-11 with a 4.89 ERA in 196 2/3 IP. However, after the trade Morris was 3-4 with a 6.10 ERA in just 62 IP. As a 33 year old in 2008, Morris started the year 0-4 with a 9.67 ERA in 22 1/3 IP. Fans around Pittsburgh rejoiced as Morris was cleaning out his locker, a clear sign Neal Huntington wasn't lying in his quest for accountability.
Rating: Positive

24. June 4th, 2008 - Signed Franklyn German as a free agent
As a 27 year old toiling away in the minor leagues of the Texas Rangers, German went 2-2 with a 3.49 ERA in 59 1/3 IP in 2007. German was a flame thrower, and like many flame throwers floating around, had no idea where the ball was going once it left his hand. He made the Rangers out of spring training and went 1-3 with a 2.08 ERA in 21 1/3 IP before being mysteriously released. The Bucs picked him up, and later traded him to the Chicago White Sox. All in all, German went 2-2 with a 3.71 ERA in 34 IP at AAA. If he can ever figure out the control issues, he may stick around as a reliever.
Rating: Indifferent

25. June 25th, 2008 - Traded Kyle Pearson to the Detroit Tigers. Received Denny Bautista
Pearson went 1-6 in 2007 as a 22 year old in A-ball. Deceivingly, his ERA was 3.66 in 78 2/3 IP. The Pirates were betting Pearson wouldn't hold up to better hitters, and thus far they look to be right. His total 2008 stats look much less impressive, at 2-2 with a 6.75 ERA in only 33 IP. If he ever makes the majors, it will likely be as a mop-up man or long reliever.
Bautista was a classic case of a guy with so much potential able to do so little with it, that teams will give him a chance time after time. In 2007, Bautista went 3-2 with a 2.92 ERA in 64 2/3 IP as a 24 year old. He struck out twice as many as he walked, and earned a call-up to the big leagues for a brief time. with the Pirates, Bautista pitched poorly (surprise). He ended 2008 with a 5.22 ERA in 60 1/3 IP split between the Bucs and Detroit Tigers. He is back with the team in 2009 and is trying to earn a roster spot.
Rating: Indifferent

26. June 25th, 2008 - Released Kevin Thompson
Thompson played sparingly for the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees in 2007, getting only 35 AB's at the major league level. Thompson has historically been a speed guy in the monir leagues but has not hit well enough in the upper levels to merit an actual look in the bigs. Playing for AAA Indianapolis at 28 in 2008, Thompson hit .282/.358/.768 before being released. With Andrew McCutchen in AAA, there was no need for Thompson any longer.
Rating: Positive

27. July 10th, 2008 - Bryan Bullington selected by the Cleveland Indians off waivers.
Bullington, a failed Dave Littlefield pick, never made it back successfully after shoulder surgery. After a somewhat ok season in 2007 for Indianapolis in which Bullington went 11-9 with a 4.00 ERA in 150 2/3 IP, and more importantly stayed healthy all year, Bullington was expected to fight for a roster spot with the Bucs in '08. This never materialized and he was sent back to AAA at age 27. In 15 starts, Bullington went 4-6 with a 5.52 ERA in 75 IP before being released, then went 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA in 14 2/3 IP for Cleveland after a brief September callup. He was released this offseason and picked up by Toronto. He will be playing for a roster sopt in spring training with the Blue Jays.
Rating: Indifferent

28. July 10th, 2008 - Traded Craig Wilson to the Seattle Mariners for PLTBNL.
Wilson, for some reason, was not given a bench spot at the beginning of 2008, after cutting his 2007 short for shoulder surgery. The Pirates picked him up shortly after spring training '08 at the age of 31 and assigned him to AAA in hopes of having a bench player. Wilson, of course, had spent several previous seasons with the Bucs. Wilson did not hit especially well and was shipped off for nothing. His overall AAA numbers for 2008 were not bad, hitting .256-22-67 in only 391 AB's. Wilson would be a solid guy to have around this season, but it's unclear if his shoulder injury is preventing him from playing outfield. the Pirates, likely, will only see cash in return.
Rating: Indifferent

29. July 26th, 2008 - Traded Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to the New York Yankees. Received Jeff Karstens, Ross Ohlendorf, Dan McCutchen and Jose Tabata.
For months GM Neal Huntington had said he was serious about rebuilding, and on this day it came to fruition. This trade was met with mixed reviews. Some saw the potential of Tabata and Ohlendorf. Some saw the same old Pirates. Looking back months later, this trade is turning out very well for the Pirates.
Xavier Nady was in the midst of his best year as a regular, and possibly the ceiling of his ability. He finished the year at .305-25-97 after a fall-off last couple months with the Yankees. Nady is under contract this year for New Yrok and will be a Scott Boras free agent after the season. The Pirates would not have been able to afford Nady.
Damaso Marte was also in the best year of his career, and was a type-A free agent this offseason. He resigned with the Yankees in large part because he wouldn't have gotten much interest outside the organization. Nobody particularly wants to give up a 1st round draft pick for a LOOGY. Marte, 33, also played poorly after the trade, raising his cumulative 2008 ERA to 4.02 in 65 IP. Before the trade he was at 3.47 in 46 2/3 IP.
Jeff Karstens, 25, was a fringe major league starter for the Yankees, and it looks like his future is as a 5th starter/long reliever for the Bucs. He finished 2008 with the Pirates after the trade, going 2-6 with a 4.03 ERA in 51 1/3 IP. That includes a near perfect game against the DiamondBacks. Karstens will most likely start 2009 in the rotation, but a move to the pen looks likely.
Ross Ohlendorf is a 26 year old RHP with a blazing fastball, but not much else. The Pirates are going to try him as a starter, but it seems likely his future is in the bullpen. In 2008, Ohlendorf went 1-4 with a 6.46 ERA in 62 2/3 IP, split between the Yankees and Pirates. He'll be the 4th starter this season.
Dan McCutchen is a throw-in to the trade, who could turn out to be the best pitcher out of the three. He is old for a prospect, at 26, but wasn't in the minor leagues until age 23. In 2008, split between AA and AAA McCutchen went 11-12 with a 3.57 ERA in 171 1/3 IP. He'll open 2008 in the Indianapolis rotation with a shot at coming up during the season if he can keep the ball in the yard.
Jose Tabata is by far the most interesting piece of this trade. He has the potential to make Yankee fans sick for years. He'll be turning 21 in August with a full year of AA already under his belt. The Yankees soured on him after several attitude problems and a couple injuries. Tabata seems happy now, and finished 2008 in strong fashion. The overall numbers, .272-6-49 in 383 AB's, are not very impressive. However the bat speed and build of this youngster have power written all over them. Tabata his .348 after the trade, and will take his stick back to Altoona to open the year. Once Andrew McCutchen is called up to play in Pittsburgh, Tabata will most likely find himself in AAA.
Rating: Positive

30. July 31st, 2008 - As part of a 3-team trade, traded Jason Bay to the Boston Red Sox. Received Andy LaRoche and Bryan Morris from the Los Angeles Dodgers and Craig Hansen and Brandon Moss from the Boston Red Sox. In addition, the Boston Red Sox sent Manny Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
This trade was rumored for months, and as of 4pm on the 31st, looked to be dead in the water. It's hard to think that confusion was not part of this deal because the Pirates ended up getting a lot in return as compared to the other teams involved.
Jason Bay was having a bounce-back season in 2008 at the age of 29 after a disappointing 2007. He would finish the year hitting .286-31-101, and played well for Boston in the postseason. Due to contract demands, it does not seem likely he'll sign an extension. The Red sox may have overpayed for a year and two months of Bay, especially if they can't win the world series with him in left this year.
Andy LaRoche was once a top prospect in baseball, but had floundered after a couple of quick trials with the Dodgers. Still only 25, the Pirates installed himas their 3rd baseman after the trade and he didn't look like himself at all. The 2008 numbers were ugly - .165-5-18 in 224 AB's. He is retaining the 3rd base job this year largely due to an impressive minor league track record. It seems likely he'll turn out to be solid or better, but no results thus far.
Bryan Morris spent 2008 coming back from Tommy John surgery at 21. He has #2 starter potential, and flashed it after the trade at Hickory in low-A ball before injuring a toe. The overall numbers were 2-6 with a 3.47 ERA in 96 IP. He'll start in high-A this year with a good chance to finish the year in AA.
Craig Hansen is a bit of a wild card. Actually a lot of the wild part. The 2005 1st round pick of the Red Sox has not yet put the ball over the plate nough to merit his status. Armed with a 96 mph heater, Hansen hasn't been able to develop the secondary pitches he'll need at the major league level. In 2008, Hansen spent considerable time in the big leagues, going 2-7 with a 6.22 ERA in 46 1/3 IP. The reliever is now out of options, so the Pirates will let him sink or swim in the bullpen. If he sinks, it will be interesting to see how far the Pirates allow him to fall before they cut bait.
Brandon Moss was a former top-10 Red Sox prospect who had earned a bench spot with the team in 2008. He started the last 2 months of the year in left and right field for the Pirates, ending the year at .246-8-34 in 236 AB's. Moss will start in right field for the Pirates, but looks to be cut out as a reserve outfielder once McCutchen and Tabata make their debuts, probably sometime in 2010.
Rating: Positive

31. August 10th, 2008 - Traded Franklyn German to the Chicago White Sox. Received PTBNL.
In another cash deal, 28 year old Franklyn German was sent out after being picked up earlier in the season from the Texas Rangers. It's hard to figure out what was wrong with German, as the Rangers cut him after going 1-3 with a 2.08 ERA in 21 1/3 IP for them. Regardless, German spent the rest of the year in AAA. He seems to be someone the Pirates should have taken a look at.
Rating: Negative

32. August 21st, 2008 - Traded Jose Bautista to the Toronto Blue Jays. Later, the Toronto Blue Jays sent Robinzon Diaz to the Pirates.
It's hard to believe a young third baseman like Bautista, 27, is only worth a backup catcher. Bautista finished 2008 at .238-15-54 in 370 AB's. After a promising start to his career, Bautista went steadily downhill as an everyday player. His future with Pittsburgh seemed to be as a super-utility player, but that never came to be for reasons unknown. He is athletic enough to play every position save catcher. He'll be playing for Toronto this year once Scott Rolen gets injured, which will probably be sooner than later.
Robinzon Diaz is a 25 year old catcher. He was brought in to be the heir apparent to Ronny Paulino, who was traded earlier this offseason. Diaz bounced around quite a bit last year, but ended up at .290-4-29 in 214 minor league at bats. He has a good enough stick not to be a deadbeat backup catcher.
Rating: Negative

33. August 31st, 2008 - Sold Michel Hernandez to the Tampa Bay Rays.
An organizational catcher most of his career, Hernandez, 29, was hitting .266/.317/.690 when the Rays decided they needed a backup catcher for September who couldn't hit in AAA. Hernandez will be back in AAA somewhere this year, as catchers can play forever in the minors.
Rating: Indifferent

34. September 2nd, 2008 - Released Ty Taubenheim.
An interesting player, Ty Taubenheim is the quintessential AAAA player. He's not old at 25, has decent stuff, can be a starter or reliever, but has been abysmal in the major leagues. The Pirates stashed him in AAA where he went 4-9 with a 5.60 ERA in 98 IP before getting a spot-start. The Pirates resigned him this offseason, and Taubenheim will bring his antics back to Indy to start 2009.
Rating: Indifferent

The totals:
Positive: 14
Negative: 5
Indifferent: 15

That's it for now, check back later this week for the 2009 Season in Preview part 1.