Thursday, July 31, 2008

So you say you want updates????

Sorry for the absence,actually been able to sleep like a normal person for a few days and being busy kinda slowed things down.

You may get a few updates today on various topics that will range from any Pirate or Indian deals at today's trade deadline to an autograph based post to whatever else comes to mind.
I am not going to get into Pirate nuance of the last four games ( a 2-2 split) against the Padres and Rockies,but will be writing about the up and down moves of personnel and more discussion on the Yankee deal before it fades into the background with any moves today.

The Pirates added four new players to the rosters to replace traded players and Adam LaRoche's being placed on the DL.
Steve Pearce,Brian Bixler and Jason Davis were called up from AAA Indianapolis and
Jeff Karstens was added from the Yankee trade.
Karstens is expected to start either Friday or Saturday in his first Pirate appearance,Davis has already pitched twice from the bullpen (earning a win on Tuesday),while Pearce and Bixler are expected to see some action,but they are not guaranteed to step into the lineup full time.

I would like to see Pearce get the full time right field spot and keep Jason Michaels doing what he does best-pinch hit and in the 4th outfield spot.
Bixler needs to be the top infielder off the bench and should get the time vacated by Freddy Sanchez with Freddy having back problems,but if it was anything like the last time that Bixler was up,look for a lot of Luis Rivas.Ugh.

I don't think that Bixler is ever going to be the full time answer at short or second,but one never knows unless he gets the time on the field-after all you know what you have in Rivas already.
Karstens will get a chance to earn a spot in a less than stellar rotation and Davis could move up a step in the bullpen corps if John Grabow is moved at the deadline.

I do not understand why the media is so down on the Nady trade.
Jose Tabata is a gamble,but all prospects are.
I would have rather had a higher upside pitcher in the deal instead of Jeff Karstens,but remember Xavier Nady is having a career year and he is quite injury prone.
His value will never be higher than it was last week.
Ever.
This is an example of the national media knowing very little about minor league baseball so therefore they go to someone that does.
That person might not liked the deal and therefore the deal was bad.
I liked it and think it is is the type of things that the Bucs need to be doing.
Sue me!

Two of the Pirates intriguing,if not blue chip prospects were added to the Altoona Curve as
Jamie Romak and Jim Negrych were moved to the AA level from Lynchburg.
The move seemed long overdue and if either player can be considered a real prospect,they needed to be challenged by advancing higher in the organization.

Lots of wild Pirate rumors flying tonight and some sound really good,but I will believe it when I see as some seem a bit crazy.
Jason Bay would be missed,but a deal with Florida looks to be just the kind of deal that the Pirates need to make.

From the better late than never dept-Congratulations to Erik Arnesen for his promotion to High A Potomac.
Erik pitched well in his first High A start is he allowed just 0ne earned run in six and two thirds innings against the Wilmington Blue Rocks.

The Burger Division poll ends today and in the event of a tie,there will be a runoff and the non-burger division will be pushed back a week.

All for now,back later with some signing stuff,any trade news and a chuckle toward "Roll Over" Dungy!

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