Pirates add Monroe, remove Romulo Sanchez

No more Romulo?

I'm praying they send Chavez down.

Only way I can see Chavez making the 25 man roster for Monday...is if they DL Meek.

Anyone aquired by Neal will make the team. It's anybody's guess on the other players. Remember there are no scholarships. Neal puts no stock in spring training or September performances. The roster was all set except for a couple jobs.

How about  a signing and send chavez down+ dl meek? Gonna be real upset when we get a rare solid from the starters to have gasoline thrown all over it in the 7th.

another baseball tradition goes by wayside.   Good luck Bob.

www.fannation.com/.../60221-yankees-voice-of-god-calling-it-quits

Re Negative Nellies from a couple of threads ago:

I am feeling really bad at being so late with this. I want to add my support to apk and madturk for my colleague Ms. Plenty of Hope. The term "negative nellies" is so innocuous I cannot believe anyone - especially the guy with the circle/slash - is offended. It's a descriptive term, maybe not endearing, but certainly not vicious or offensive. I checked with Nellie King and even he is not offended. Srsly.

GMan-I'm with you too.Same with circle/slash guy comment too.

A solution to the one too many Reliever issue may be to put Meek on the 15 day DL to start the season, as he has been ailing.  

BTW, Negative Nellie's cousin is "Gloomy Gus."  Just in case ya wanted to know!

Lets go bucs

G-man,

Rest assured I was not offended by the "negative nelly" comment. I've certainly been called much worse.

;-)

I just think the blog is better if we stick to debating the opinions, optimistic or pessimistic, vs. making character and personal assessments, regardless of how innoculous they may be.

It seems to me that the folks with optimistic attitudes are not very tolerant of dissenting opinion and as a result resort to personal comments.

I'm fairly certain if those of us with pessimistic attitudes toward the performance and motivation of the owner and front office responded in like fasion with personal comments such as "dreamy sillyhearts" and the like that it would not be viewed upon very kindly.

To lighten nellies load I really was not asking if he was saying FFP was the object or I was the object, I was confirming that he was calling someone a name, which he did answer.

Hostage -

First, let me say I have come to know and respect you here even though I don't harbor the same specific opinions you do of the ownership and FO. For what it's worth, I am not the happiest guy in the world over FC and Neal. But they are the people in charge right now and I see some potential for the team to get better. Maybe, maybe not.

Point noted that you were not offended. It seemed that way to me but we all know written word in blogs and e-mail is often misinterpreted.

I see your point about character and personal assessments and to a great extent agree. But it's not a perfect world and not every line to be crossed is sharp and clear. I just don't think "negative nellie" is a big deal. Neither is dreamy sillyhearts or similar things.

As for the folks with optimistic attitudes being intolerant, some are but I also sense many of them are just tired of being beaten down (16 years) and are pushing back. As I said, lines are not always clear.

Anyway, I appreciate your expanded comments.

Mets prospect ready for MLB Debut

vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/.../index.html.

That's iRomulo!

Of that 5 pitcher group, Craig Hansen scares me the most. He just doesnt throw enough strikes. He gets lucky when gun shy rookies swing at his fast pitches that are out of the strike zone. When he faces veterans, he won't have that luxury.

Jessie Chavez throws strikes, but has a longball problem.

I think it's gonna be one of the other who goes.

Not to drop names or anything, but as I was walking to my car after work today, who do I run into but Frank Coonelly his own self.  Rather than insult him or do him actual physical harm, as some in this forum might advocate - and you know who you are - I had a brief chat, got a good report on Cutch, and wished him well.  I have met him before, and find him a most engaging and smart chap.

i suppose I could have asked "why so many fireworks nights?", but I preferred to talk about, you know, actual baseball.

I meant one OR the other. Either Hansen or Chavez is going.

@ K-Kid

Is "Gloomy Gus" related to "Cranky Al"?

Negativity/Positivity -- I saw irony NH's reaction to "Negative Nellies", probably still smarting from the wrist slapping he got last week.  

It was brutal in here earlier.  Seemed like everything I said rubbed somebody the wrong way.  There was some appreciated support, too.  Of all the responses that took an opposite view, NH's was the most civil.  

I continue to be positive about the upcoming season.  Someone pointed to Bay and Nady and asked if we thought we were stronger going into this season than we were at the beginning of last season.  Never got to it because the web was running slow today.  Here's one person's point of view.

1B -- LaRoche -- Same guy ... I think he will be slightly better this year, will probably have a better first couple of months, but a slump more toward the middle of the season -- ending with slightly improved numbers, but the majority will think because he was better out of the gate he is vastly improved.

2B -- Freddy was injured most of last season and will play better than the blind winged shadow of himself that we saw for most of last year.

SS -- Jack's new stance will take awhile, look for more power with the average off (at least at first) and fewer GIDPs.  His fielding will remain his strong suit.

3B -- Andy probably won't have the same sort of season as his early spring -- but it won't be the disaster that was August and September either.  If he does get hot he has the potential to be a ROY candidate, but I see a slight upgrade over Bautista.

LF -- Moss is not Bay.  He can hit with power, has the better arm, but will not in his rookie year be hitting for high average.

CF-- McLouth will improve slightly.

RF -- Morgan is intriguing, need to learn to play under control.  Will not measure up to Nady's hot year even if things go well.

4OF -- Monroe can hit for more power than Michaels and will probably see enough playing time to bring his average up/

OF/Inf -- Hinske is an upgrade all the way around from Mientkiewicz

Inf -- Vazquez upgrade over Gomez, Cruz and Rivas a wash at this point.  See how Cruz settles into MLB life.

C -- Doumit is still a growing boy, he will get better for another couple years until he gets catcher's knees.  Jaramillo for Paulino was a good trade.

SP -- Maholm improved, Duke improved, Snell couldn't get worse could he?, Ohlendorf vs Gorzelany -- plenty of hope here; Karstens vs. Morris -- hate to say it, but even here we've improved.  On failure we have more talent in the wings and Dumatrait on the DL vs next to nothing last year.

C -- Capps, same guy

RP -- Yates has a year under his belt, Grabow should be steady, Meek is vastly improved over the scared kid we took north last year, Marte vs Veal -- based on the beginning of the year, advantage goes to Marte, but Veal is not without potential, Burnett vs Dumatrait -- Dumatrait was an unknown quantity at the beginning of the yearl, Burnett had a rough start midyear after shining in ST.  Still don't know what we have in the guy, but given the upside I like Burnett despite his bad ST this year.  That leaves Hansen vs. Osoria.  Advantage Hansen.  

So improved infield, outfield down, catcher a little better, starting pitching vastly improved and bullpen slightly better.  

Pitching being the most important part of the game, I'd say this team is much improved over the one that went north last year.

Burnett, Veal, Hansen, and Meek. Not a very hard decision for me.

I like the send down Chavez DL Meek sign someone

NH -- Name calling goes both ways, or I'll be a Kool-Aid drinking, Opie Loving, pathetic apologists who loves to lose.

JHadar

Nice team profile. And I think you are right on the money. But dont forget, we have Cutch and Tabata waiting in the wings (not sure about Tabata, someone said earlier 2012 for his debut, but it will certainly be sooner than that, if not this year).

No one seems to mention that our farm system looks better this year as well. There really is no way you could dispute that... I dont think, anyway...

i like the idea of keeping Burnett, Veal, and Hansen, send chavez down, DL Meek, and bring someone in from out of the organization. That to me seems like really the best option, Burnett had a strong second half last year and I expect him to continue that and Veal has been really intriguing throughout spring. With Hansen i think it could go either way but i really like his upside. But i don't want to keep someone thats injured and Chavez could stay, but i think best bet is him in AAA with outside help coming in.

I think Negative Nellie is better than being called "delusional", personally.  Just because I have a different outlook, doesn't mean I'm delusional.

CullenH...I brought that up last night, but didn't have the energy to repost today...too much garbage going on.  And I don't think it will take Tabata that long to see Pittsburgh.  He's on the 40-man roster...I would not be surprised to see a Sep. callup for him.

JH...Nice team break down.  But did you intentionally flip Moss and Morgan? LF/RF?  ;-)

Dmac

I figured someone had brought it up at one, I just don't see anyone being excited about it too much. Also, I dont read every post, though I wish I could :)

Dmac, one other thing

I'm with you. I think by the end of this year, we are going to have McLouth, Cutch, and Tabata, left to right. And that is exciting!

@JHadar - great concise assessment of the team.  @CullenH, I'm right with you.  I will be equally following Indianpolis along with the Bucs this year.  Even with the... challenges that the Pirates are going to have, I find myself more excited then ever for the start of the season.  

Has anyone been following the Cardinals durint ST?  I have to confess that I haven't so I don't have any assessment for opening day.  Anyone care to take a stab at the matchup?

DMac-I agree on Tabata and the Sept call up.If he scorches the ball PA could be up June 1st 2010.Imagine an OF of AMac,Nate and Tabata next year.Offensively,defensively, and speed.Put PA at 3rd.There was a blogger last night who stated they would not be a .500 club till at least 2012.Now who's drinking the artificially colored,unsweetened, drink mix?

DMac -- But did you intentionally flip Moss and Morgan? LF/RF?  ;-)

No, I did it unintentionally.  That was the way they lined up in August, and then they tried it the other way in Sept. if I recall correctly.  

Cullen...Since we've had a couple of trolls running around the last couple of days, I'm not surprised it got missed by folks.  Not everyone, but I don't blame you at all.

Basicall, last night I said that I thought NH was doing a pretty good job, considering he had a hole to dig the system out of.  There was more, but that was the gist of it.

GGG...have not been following the Cards.  

In his chat today, FC says (or at least sounds like he is saying) that Pedro could make for a September callup this year if he plays well enough and develops in the areas he needs to develop. Wow. Could you believe that? Cutch, Tabata, and Alvarez all arriving in the same year...

I need more meds... NURSE!

I live in Cardinal/Cubs country so I tend to ignore it until I pick it up by osmosis during the regular season.

The only news I've overheard at the water cooler is that the Cards are having trouble picking a closer.

JHadar -

That was a really outstanding analysis of the two teams. I think your assessments are fair and reasonable. Of course, at end of the day, it's not just individuals but how the pieces come together synergy-wise. I expect a better record this year though not as good as my colleague Ms. PoH predicts.

Let the games begin!

::takes a 200mg shot of Seroquel in the rear:: (head falls to shoulders)...

Back and caught up with threads--here is the last update on the predictions for today--119 and counting

First Annual PBC Blog Pirate Season Record Contest Update:

---------------------------------------------------------------------

LosingStopsHere..100-61 / 164 HR’s

Bucco...............99-62 / 173 HR's

POH..................96-66 / 173 HR's (Proxy vote by Sir L)

DMAC................90-72 / 150 HR's

Impliedi………..89-73 /  178 HR’s

Menkrick……….88-74 / 163 HR’s

BucFanCT………88-74 /  158 HR’s

Bjohnson921……87-75 / 144 HR’s

Groat2Maz.........86-76 / 166 HR's

Baywatch...........86-76 / 144 HR's

WhyStanBelinda..86-76 /  156 HR’s

Gio Marsico……..86-76 / 177 HR’s

WabbitSeason….86-76 / 130 HR’s

BillyKidd………..86-76 / 127 HR’s  (submitted by e-mail to JAL)

66 @ Lincoln…….86-76 /127 HR’s

Heyfred………...85-77 / 172 HR’s

Diehard..............85-77 / 150 HR's

Luckydog……...85-77/ 131 HR’s

Arriba Wilver......84-78 /  140 HR's

Pirata 13..............84-78 / 138  HR’s

Ttoy44………….83-79/ 137 HR’s

Bloomsday……..83-79 / 175 HR’s

BigPoppaPump...83-79 / 163 HR's

Pirate Radio…....83-79 /  150 HR’s

PapaCoach........83-79 / 151 HR's

Uncle Dude........83-79 / 147 HR's

Teddykinz..........82-80 / 166 HR's

PghFanin NH......82-80 / 141 HR's

Bob in FranklinPark..82-80 / 141 HR’s

TripleG................82-80 / 145 HR's

Pig Legs Robinson…82-80 / 123 HR’s

JHadar.................81-80 / 165 HR's

Larry Z...............81-81 / 136 HR's

Pirates018..........81-81 / 145 HR's

Pi-Rat……….81-81 / 166 HR’s

JaxBuc………….80-81 / 144 HR’s

JosePagan..........80-82 / 168 HR's

damikmikjeal….80-82 / 160 HR’s

DingerBucFan.....80-82 / 145 HR's

ForbesFieldMem..80-82 / 137 HR's

Popsfan………….80-82 /  123 HR’s

ForbesFielderProdigy.. 79-83 /150 HR’s

CAPN.................79-83 / 134 HR's

A-Ron..................78-84 / 176 HR's

BucFan54............78-84 / 155 HR's

PI Stingray...........78-84 / 144 HR's

Indianafanatic......78-84 / 139 HR's

JL........................ 78-84 / 140 HR's

Kragbax...............78-84 / 137 HR's

CandleArea……..78-84 /  108 HR’s

UglyKen...............77-85 / 147 HR's

KMRempel............77-85 / 141 HR's

Cullen H………….77-85 / 134 HR’s

CecilioGuante21…77-85 / 159 HR’s

Pipecock………….77-85 / 127 HR’s

Egscoach…………77-85 / 122 HR’s

gregenstein………..77-85 / 155 HR’s

Yak……………….76-86 / 136 HR’s

Game 5…………...76-86 / 144 HR’s

BayareaBuc..........76-86 / 141 HR's

KooperKid………76-86  / 133 HR’s

Ya'Zhynka………75-87 / 166 HR’s

JAL......................75-87 / 162 HR's

Radio Wave……..75-87 / 145 HR’s

Marty 34156…….75-87 / 135 HR’s

G-man..................75-87 / 128 HR's

SavingFace……  75-85 / 142 HR’s

BondsGoat............74-88 / 147 HR's

Shane..................74-88 / 137 HRs

CubReporter.........74-88 / 133 HR's

Duke 84………….74-88 / 128 HR’s

Emoneypitt...........73-89 / 145 HR's

Juan Pizarro……..73-89 / 129 HR’s

Iratefan................72-90 / 137 HR's

Bizrow.................72-90 / 132 HR's

DFlash…………..72-90 / 125 HR’s

GetYoungTalent...71-91 / 138 HR’s

AllSmilesRanda…71-91 /  137 HR’s

Drew.....................71-91 / 128 HR's

CincyBucco…….70-92 /  171 HR’s

Bringbackbonds....70-92 / 144 HR's

JoeyBats..............70-92 / 135 HR's

Dan W...................70-92 / 136 HR's

Mendoza Line……70-92 / 99 HR’s

DrewRit21.............70-91 / 119 HR's

BuccoBlues..........69-93 / 131 HR's

Nitro.......................69-93 / 122 HR's

TBD1977………..69-93 /121 HR’s

Iceman…………..68-94 / 125 HR’s

PDXPirate.............67-95 / 133 HR's

DHARR18……...66-95 / 142 HR’s

Demery………….66-96 / 119 HR’s

WietersforPres…..65-97 / 133 HR’s

Cave Bonifield......65-97 / 127 HR's

Disgruntled Goat...65-97 / 121 HR's

Frustrated 314……65-97 / 121 HR’s

21sthebest..............64-98 / 121 HR's

The Deacon………64-98 / 149 HR’s

Yotum...................63-99 / 132 HR's

Jack Sparrow……..63-99/  122 HR’s

AmarilloFats.........62-99 / 126 HR's

STLRFANRC........61-101 / 120 HR's

Cisco Kid…………61-101 / 93 HR’s

JuniataKid............60-102 / 139 HR's

Thunder................60-102 / 140 HR's

Allarmy…………59-103 / 129 HR’s

PATM…………...54-107 / 31 HR’s

JayPo……………50-112 /  100 HR’s

Andy Van Slice....10-152 / 3 HR's

Cullen-I'm sure the Negative Nellies will have a fit...but here goes.Next  year the Bucs could have 2 candidates for ROY.Plus they were both obtained by THIS regime.

I get the feeling I missed some action tonight.

Happy to see Craig Monroe make the team (was hoping up until the last week that we'd see Garrett Jones stick as well, but I'm sure we'll see him at some point).

Was thinking about how this is truly a make-or-break year for a lot of these guys (obviously) both in the majors and minors, because I noticed that the following guys are not on 40-man roster: Denny Bautista, Chris Bootcheck, Jason Davis, Brian Slocum, Garrett Jones, Shelby Ford, Andy Phillips, Andrew McCutchen & Jeff Salazar.  And as a number of these guys will probably see time in Pittsburgh this year, there's going to be a ton of movement on the 40-man. Quite a few releases happening this year.

Still so strange not to see McCutchen on the 40-man.

Good evening, CullenH, G-Man, GGG, DMac, JHadar, Mazbolino, buc_fan_in_CT, Marty, BobFranklin, PigLegs (any relation to Elroy Hirsch?), Cocktails, WhyStan, JJ, Kooperstown, TToy, BondstheGoat, Dem, Thunder, Gio and ...

Hostage - You can call me "Dreamy Sillyheart" all you want, Big Boy (He said, blinking his eyelashes several times in a flirtacious way, raising his khaki shorts hem above his garter)

All - I was surprised The Chief was on the 40-man to begin with.

My money's on Chavez being cut.

Pens win 6 - 1.  Good night inmates.

@Bay - I'll take a piece of that... Chavez is gone.

@JL

Morgan, yep you have supported him and have not changed or altered your belief in any way. Kudo's to you for sticking all along with him.

impl

McCuthhen not 40 because he doesn't have to be protected.  Since the Pirate signed him before he was 19 he does not have to be protected until he has spent 5 years in the system.  Last year was McCutchen's 4th for so he will not have to be protected until the time of 2010 Rule 5 draft, by which time he will probably be on the 25.

sportsillustrated.cnn.com/.../pirates

SI has the Pirates at 64-98 and state they should trade McClouth.  HOW DARE THEY!

I go for Chavez too.

JAL, disappointed to see I've dropped out of the starting 9 on the contest! I may have to adjust ... too many of us predicting 86-76 anyway ... Maybe we can have a starting 10 and I'll play short field.

Bay

Good evening to you--see you survived another round of the pizza wars:)

I think it's time for me to call it evening, too -- thanks all for your kind words, and a few more welcomes as needed tor the new folks.  Getting to be so many folks here that it's hard to keep track and that's a good thing.

Bay -- Crazy Legs Hirsch, LA Rams.  I remember.

Remember, I'm pullin' for ya', we're all in this together.

My vote is for Chavez to go as well.  

WSB...We don't get any love from anyone do we?  Why in the world would we trade Nate? I'd say some bad words, but we've seen enough ugliness here today.  ;-)

@JH:

Respectfully disagree about the 'pen. I think it's worse than last year.

You guys are BEAUTIFUL! I'm telling you, even with as ugly as it can get at times ... the posts tonight - from so many - read like music to me. Of course, I'm an old hippy ... it's just my way of saying "You guys are some kind of groovy ... far out.

Bay

A lot of entries today--86 wins and 78 wins seem the two most common.

Cocktails--

Might be--a lot depends on how the returners pitch--Capps only pitched half a season so if could go the whole season pitch like 2007 that would be stronger--then you Grabow, Burnett (probably) and Yates in the same roles as last season.  Other than no Marte the rest of the pen can't be any worse and if Hansen and Veal can throw strikes they might better.  I like the potential of the pen better--that doesn't mean they will fulfill it.

Dmac

Not for here but if you get a chance send me an e-mail about what happened while I was out.  Sounds like it may have been more infantile than last night.

If the pen isn't as overworked this year like it was last year, it will be okay, I think.  If they're not having to go in during the 3rd inning every night, they won't have to put in as much work.  I think that's a lot of what happened last  year.

All - Anyone interested in going to a Pirates game/games with me and Mrs. Bay on the non-Gathering day (Sunday, June 28), details on the Other Stuff side.

Yeah, Sports Illustrated picked the Bucs to go 64-98.  They also picked the Mets (gasp! choke!) to win it all.  How much credibility do they have?

Hiya folks.

This time next week, were playing our third game of the year. It seems like we've been waiting FOREVER. Count me in as one of the optimists. I think our starting pitchers are obviously the biggest improvement over last year (though that's not saying much). Admittedly, we're only a few arm injuries away from being exposed there, though. The offense won't be as strong as it was in last year's first half, but it's already looking better than it was when we first started ST. And though we haven't discussed it much (with notable exception to Leadoff), our defense, especially up the middle, should be as strong as it's been in memory. In short, I stand firm by my 78-84 prediction, with an eye on doing even better.

JL  

Hi and bye

time for me to shut down for the night

Goodnight to all and to all a good night

Hello, Maahi Ve! And goodnight, JAL!

Night, JAL.

Just as an update...since JHadar made the suggestion in his team synopsis earlier in the day. Andy LaRoche is NOT eligible for Rookie of the Year this year. The most AB you can have prior to a ROY season is 135...Andy had over 200 last year...so he isn't eligible. This isn't a slap at JHadar...just pointing out that no matter how good or bad Andy is this season...he can't win the award. Morgan, Pearce and Moss are not eligible either. We'll have to wait for Cutch or Pedro.

BTW...since Mark the Shark reported Sports Illustrated has the Mets winning it all...Sporting News has the Yankees beating the Cubs in the World Series. Of course, they also have the Pirates in their usual spot.

I guess that the good part is that they have 3 teams rated worse than us...with SD on the bottom. SN figures we will be out of the race by mid-June...which at least is better than SD being out of the race in mid-April.

Eww... a Yankee-Cubbie WS?  I hope not.  

Thanks for the info on Andy...that kinds sucks for him, but it is what it is.  I hope he has a stellar year anyway...Moss too.

We don't get any love from anyone, do we?  I guess the Pirates will just have to go and shock them all. *grin*

DMac and Thunder,

We'll "shock and awe' 'em!

LOL...Sounds good to me!  :-)

Cardinals front page:

www.stltoday.com/.../cards

"Cards Talk" message board:

www.stltoday.com/.../viewforum.php

I believe they are starting Wainwright, Lohse, Wellemeyer and (healthy so far) Chris Carpenter in the Pirate series.

Starters:

C - Yadier Molina

1B - Pujols

2B - converted OF Skip Schumaker

SS - former Padre Khalil Greene

3B - David Freese (power hitting minor leaguer last year; replacing injured Troy Glaus)

OF rotation - Rick Ankiel (CF), Chris Duncan, Ryan Ludwick, rookie (and #1 prospect) Colby Rasmus

Their bullpen is young but talented.  Their new closer, Jason Motte, has only 11 IP in the majors, touches 100 with the fastball, and had an incredible Spring Training. ERA below 2.00 16Ks/1BB.  LaRussa may go closer-by-committee early in the season.

The Cards have some question marks on defense (with position changes, injuries, injury comebacks), but they are probably the Cubs' closest competition in the NL Central this year.  

I could see the Pirates winning one, maybe two, in St. Louis.  I don't think they can beat Carpenter - though that matchup is vs. Ohlendorf, I'd guess.  I figure the Cards will win their home opener, even facing Maholm, who is by far the Pirates' best.  But call that one 50/50, as I wouldn't want to say anything NEGATIVE.  The Bucs have a shot vs. Wellemeyer and Lohse, who both finished off ST kind of shaky.

There's a very good chance Pujols puts an Ian Snell pitch in the seats.