Today: Pirates-Rockies, 7-30-08; Yes, Bay is in the lineup

Bay could easily be scratched if a deal is made - just means nothing is done at 5:00 pm.

Thank the baseball gods,

I truly believe this team is just a top of the line starter from being a contender. Trade Grabow, Pick up another arm or 2, and LET'S ROLL THE DICE next year. 1 strong dependant, hard throwing starter, and THIS TEAM CAN WIN!!!!

Nady was pulled out of the game after the 1st inning, still a possiblity about Bay...

I admire your enthusiasm. But the team cannot win consistently. One additional good pitcher would probably have made us a >.500 team but not really a contender in our division or the wild card. As it is. we just finished losing 7 of 8 to the Rockies and Padres. We can win, we just find ways to trip over ourselves too often.

As a diehard fan of this team since "We are Family", and having witnessed the last 15 years of ineptitude, there is something different about this team. I mean 26 of 50 wins of the come from behind variety? And 44-5, when leading after 7 innings? Those kinds of stats tell me this team is just a Boafide #1 from real contention.

This weekend will be the big test. The division leading Cubbies in their own park. How cool would it be to see Karstens go 7+ innings Friday night?

I'm tellin' ya, we take 2 of 3 and I will have the first honest grin post trade.

If the Pirates trade Bay, doesn't that essentially go against management's stance that they won't "blow things up"? At that point, they should just go ahead and trade Wilson and Grabow and go into full blown rebuilding mode. What the hell, it can't hurt at this point.

I will grant you that the team has been more exciting to follow this year than in ages. Usually, the interest in the team is vaporized by the All Star break. This year, even with "the trade" and possibly a Bay trade today or tomorrow, the offense has given us hope almost every night. It has been fun for a change. We still have stuff to be angry about, but there are good things, too.

artgrz, they may be close if their pitching was solid, but how does keeping everything together put this organization in a place where we have sustainable development as far as talent goes? I don't want Bay to go...I think the return isn't there and he's my favorite player, but something has to be done to improve the depth throughout the organization because in five years what will this team look like? We need more talent throughout the organization.

This trade better go through!  I have been on here all day waiting on it!!!  This is the time to trade Bay.  

Hey Drunkin P,

I let five years down the road take care of itself. You get 20-30 new talented players in your organization evry year. With the right development, your farm system will produce. But like stated earlier, I feel we can contend in the next year or so.

One more piece is all we need. A BIG piece, that won't come cheap, but what the hey, it's been 15+ years already? They must have some cash layin' around somewhere. Why not take some of that 30-40 million they get from revenue sharing. C'MON  Mr. Nutting, why don't you step up to the plate?

I would hope that, even with a deal in place, Tampa would let Bay start the game to give the Bucco Faithful one last chance to show appreciation for what he's done for this team.  He could easily have mailed it in every year around this time, but he has been a good team player.  Would be sad to see him go.  Do we need to get good young players?  Yes!  But still sad.

I've been watching the Bucs since '57 and you're right, even though the record isn't what it ought be (when is it ever?) this team has been more fun to follow than any for a long time.  I've even caught myself saying "I like our chances" when we're a couple runs down in the sixth.  Haven't done that for a long time

I'm really conflicted about the possibility of losing Bay and/or Wilson.  I think that they need a lifer or two to be successful in Pittsburgh -- I think part of the equation is that there should be someone you're willing to go see, just to see him play, even when the team is down.  

In the 60's it was worth it to go see Maz and Clemente no matter how the game came out.  Then you would discover guys you never heard of like Matty Alou and Manny Mota and Alvin ONeal McBean.  

On the other hand, those guys might be Doumit and McClouth -- sooner or later we have to keep somebody!  I think or at least hope that Huntington's message is that when we start winning we'll start worrying about keeping people.  

If Bay gets through this, I hope he negotiates a no-trade clause.  If he doesn't, well I don't know enough about minor leaguers to comment on the value of getting this guy versus getting that guy or who might or might not be available -- but from what I've seen so far, I think that I have a great deal more confidence in Huntington than I ever did in Littlefield.

Anybody remember Bob Bailey?

I get the feeling that NH is baiting the Rays. It was reported on another site that TB was in on Nady/Marte. So NH deals them to NY, thinking that the Rays would have to make a move. He could get more from TB for Bay than from any other team. Plus, think of the marketing. Jason Bay, in Tampa Bay???? The possibilities are endless. But I'm also a conspiracy buff, so I could be wrong.

GetYoungTalent, I understand the sentiment, but if there's a deal in place, there's no way that Bay plays. It's not TB's call, it's the Pirates. They're not going to risk an injury.

Just in case

I hope the home crowd gives Jack and Jason a long standing "O" in their last at bat tonight.  

artgrz, you would think so...especially after 15 years of having high draft picks, but what do we have to show for it?  One guy in AAA.  

"I think that they need a lifer or two to be successful in Pittsburgh -- I think part of the equation is that there should be someone you're willing to go see, just to see him play, even when the team is down."

JHadar ... one of the truly sad things about MLB is that rarely does a player stay in one place for his career. It benefits a team when there's a popular, productive guy that year in and year out the fans love to see.  One of the reasons I've intensely followed this team for the past few seasons is the players on it. I did NOT follow the team as closely when the big names were Kendall and Giles because I could not stand them.

JHadar,

You nailed it. Jack Wilson, Jason Bay, And now McClouth and Doumit. Add a healthy Sanchez, and a complete year from Laroche, I would pay to see that team for the next 3-4 years.

And real potential exists!! It just takes 3 out of a handful+ of young starters to step up, with Maholm appearently on the right track, and, I hate to use the term, #1 STARTER!!

48jj said "... one of the truly sad things about MLB is that rarely does a player stay in one place for his career. It benefits a team when there's a popular, productive guy that year in and year out the fans love to see.  "

Couldn't agree more...  when I used the word "successful" I was thinking more about fan development than wins/losses.  You come out to see the stars, but go away liking a new kid.  Clemente fans become Stargell fans, and so forth.  But along the way there's a Sanguillen, a Parker, a Hebner . . .

That's the real shame of baseball's economic system.  It's not that small-market teams can't win, it's that they can't hang on to their talent when they do -- causing lower attendance, greater disparity between the rich and the poor; and a whole different atmosphere at the park.

The problem is, although we seem to have a good core of position players, that even if 3 SP do step up and suddenly we are in a playoff race, all it takes is an injury to one of those core players or one of those three pitchers (which will happen) will be impossible to overcome with the lack of depth we have.  There is also no guarentee that all of those players stay in Pittsburgh when they hit their walk years.  We NEED to build our system so when it comes time to let someone walk or trade them, we have people ready to step up.

How do you figure this one: Matt Holliday has 62 RBIs, with only 16 of those on the road! Is that Coors Field, or what?

JHadar,

You're very right. Great names your throwing out there. A lot of which are home grown and were part of the Pirates plans, present and future at that time.

At 6:53 p.m., two minutes after Bay's name was announced in the Pirate lineup, Tony Beasley began singing the national anthem. He did a very fine job.

Nobody in Florida thinks much of our PBC. There was an article in a Ft. Lauderdale paper naming Doumit as one of 4 catchers on the Marlins' radar. He said the Pirates may consider letting Doumit go because Ronnie Paulino is currently "rehabbing" in the minors and they could fall back on him. He needs to do his homework.

Is the game not on TV tonite, FSN is carrying news...? Some one help me...

Hey no plan is perfect, and injuries have derailed a season or 2, '89 and '76 come to mind.

I have to admit Doumit and McClouth are the key to my beliefs.

They are well above average offensive players who play 2 crirical roles. You lose nothing with McClouth's defense, and Doumit is really coming along. They are hungry, home grown, and under our control for the next few years. One is somewhat fragile, and the other may be undersized, but those two are great pieces to build a team around.

Yes, I do remember Bob Bailey, he of the heavy eyebrows. I've got his baseball card somewhere.

Roschke said -- "Yes, I do remember Bob Bailey, he of the heavy eyebrows. I've got his baseball card somewhere."

He was the original Bonus Baby -- $50,000 a record in 1961 -- brought up to be the third baseman of the future; had a journeyman career with the Bucs, Dodgers, Montreal.

Sometimes can't miss prospects miss after all.

Once again the pitcher batting eighth kills a rally. If this were such a bright idea wouldn't more managers be doing it?

Peter Gammons just said that the Rays don't think they'll get Bay...but Boston will.

MLB.com is reporting a 3 team trade with Marlins, Red Sox, and Pirates.  Bay to Boston, Hermida to Buccos, and Manny to Florida.  Take it for what it's worth

why on earth would the buccos trade bay for hermida? unless there were pitching prospects involved, why trade a stellar outfielder for another outfielder?

I have to imagine a three way deal with those names involved would be too complicated to pull off.  Who knows???

Make that two rallies that have died with the pitcher batting 8th.

I agree MSCulver.  I'm real tired of batting your worst hitter 8th.  It's a joke and simply makes us more of a laughing stock.

Why not bat Pearce in the 5th instead of Bixler?

Maybe the Pirates want Hermida's left hand bat for PNC park. It is not reported as a done deal. Just another rumor.

Maybe JR thought Bixler was Zack Duke and didn't realize Bixler was actually at the plate...afterall they have the same chance of getting a hit.

Fantasy "score" from mlb.com          Hermida 811  Bay 1152  Manny 1052.  I agree with Cullen.....if this trade goes through, we need to have some pitching prospects thrown in.  As this rumored trade looks now, Boston comes out on top just for not having Manny's attitude.      

Does Paul Myer know how to use this?  Why can't he post?  Manny Ramirez to Marlins, Jason Bay to Red Sox, many prospects/young major leaguers to Pirates.  I've seen Paul Myer in public a handful of times, often wearing sweatpants.  Can't use computer or pants without elastic waistband. Lets Go Bucs!

I am sure he is too caught up watching T.J. Beam let this game slip away for another potential come from behind Bucco win.

The Sun-Sentinel is poo-pooing the very idea that a trade is possible, much less imminent: blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_baseball_marlins