In part 3, I will address some things that could help in the short term in the system as well as the parent club.
None of these measures would make the Pirates a contender, but they are items that could help set the future foundation for success and in some cases make things more fun to watch.
1) Trade Jack Wilson.
Now, I have nothing personal against Jack Wilson.
He always seems to try hard and is quite slick with the leather, but his bat is average at best and finally-he is just overpaid for his production level.
When one considers that we can play a similar player in Brian Bixler and pay him the minimum, it makes even more sense.
Now is the time to move Wilson during the pennant run for other teams.
I will not be targeting specific teams or players, but rest assured we will attempt to get some high-end prospects, even if those prospects are at the lower levels.
The former regime always wanted guys that are "Major League Ready".
Well, those guys are not usually great players.
If they were, their teams would want to keep them!
That is simply common sense, folks.
We will swing for the fences in these deals, after all, you cannot hit a homer if you are squared to bunt.
2) Damaso Marte and Shawn Chacon move on as well.
I will move Chacon for a marginal prospect.
He is a free agent after the season and the only way that the Pirates get a comp draft pick is if we offer arbitration and he declines.
The only thing is that he will likely accept and then we have him for another season at a high cost.
I'll take anything I can get for him, it beats nothing.
Which is about what he is worth.
Marte, on the other hand, has pitched well in his role as a lefty specialist, is signed at a reasonable rate for 2008, and could help a contender.
Considering all that, he could bring a solid prospect in return.
After all, look at Cleveland landing Max Ramirez for Bob Wickman last year.
Think the Braves might want a do-over on that one?
I do not want to give Marte away, he would be valuable bait next year as well, but not quite as valuable as now due to the contract situation.
3) Return Andrew McCutchen to Altoona
It has become clear that the Pirates rushed McCutchen too high too fast this season.
I cannot rip the Pirates for this, I agreed with it when the decision was made, but it has not worked out.
So at least for the first 6 weeks of 2008, McCutchen returns to AA Altoona instead of the next move up the ladder to AAA Indianapolis.
This will help his comfort zone, by being at the level in 2008 that he should be at.
After all, what is the rush?He is not going to put us over the top and at his age, there should be no hurry.
4) Sign a solid pitcher
I know that the budget will not allow a Smoltz or Zambrano run, but this team badly needs a solid veteran to add to the rotation.
You are not going to get a top of the line guy, but someone that still can eat innings and help nurture the young guys.
Maybe someone that has some questions about them and would therefore be cheaper than he would normally be.
An Example of someone that fits all those that will be a free agent at season's end?
Freddy Garcia.
Jason Jennings would be a great fit, but I would bet his price is more than out of our price range.
5) Make a minor deal
I could offer several of these without being specific, but here is an example of someone that could be moved.
We have 4 of the SAME GUY between Pittsburgh and Indianapolis that all play center field.
Do we really need all 4 of Chris Duffy, Nate McLouth, Rajai Davis, and Nyjer Morgan?
Some are faster (all 3 faster than McLouth), others have a small bit of power (McLouth) that the others do not, but still, they are all basically the same!
And that is- a below-average player.
Although I do like McLouth the best as being a 5th outfielder/pinch hitter.
I will swap 1 of these guys for some other team's blocked prospect that might need a chance to play in a new town.
Pick another one and trade him for a pitcher with a little bit of promise from short-season or low A ball.
You move two guys that aren't going to play and add some depth to the system.
Plus you never know what you wind up with when you make trades for prospects instead of middle relievers that help Indianapolis, not Pittsburgh.
6)Ryan Doumit is the catcher.
Face it-Ronny Paulino is not a good hitter and his lauded defensive abilities are seen only by the past front office.
Doumit is an excellent hitting catcher, just an average hitting right fielder.
The rap on Doumit is his game calling.
Ok, we can help with that.
The Mets supposedly want Paulino, we aim to please-Paulino to the Mets for (you guessed it) prospects.
7) Sign a cheap, veteran catcher.
Since Paulino is gone and Doumit has a weakness, let's correct it.
Sign a catcher that can catch a few times a month and has a rep as a good teacher/clubhouse guy to help Doumit improve.
Remember the goal is inexpensive and helpful, not too good a player, or too expensive.
8) Jim Tracy
Did I mention we fired him?
Oh, yeah- Jim, you are fired.
Of course, we go after Joe Girardi and he turns us down.
So then we look for one of two types of managers.
A young guy in his 1st shot or a grizzled vet used to the building process.
Well, It comes down to two choices and both have Pittsburgh ties.
It is close, but I hire Andy Van Slyke in a photo finish over Tony Pena.
A promising manager, with local ties, great PR, and could be the type of guy to be here 10 years.
So we get Andy in here before some other team takes him and reaps the potential benefits!
These are some short term moves to help the Buccos.
Part 4; the Long term plan and goals
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