Pirates designate Monroe, recall Pearce

"Yeah, this one was a surprise. I felt like ... wow ... to go into spring training and pretty do everything they asked, I thought I did an excellent job. It's just unfortunate that I didn't get at-bats, that I didn't get a chance to be productive or help."

Perhaps because you FAILED TO RUN OUT A MISSED 3rd STRIKE?

I am having a cocktail to celebrate this. Monroe was a waste of space on this team.

Now - who's going to gripe that THIS is a "salary dump?"

Pearce is going to get his chance to sink or swim. Too bad Moss is on such a short leash, and that Monroe took away some valuable at-bats from this youngster who has every chance to be a productive 3rd or 4th OF on this team.

SALARY DUMP!  ;-) There, now we can get on with our lives. Too bad for Monroe, but this is a move based on the miserable average and, as you said cocktails, a lack of hustle. Good luck Pearce, hope this time around is a bit more smooth.

If Pearce gets consistent AB's, will it also be at the expense of Young?  Young as a PH I can handle.  I think if Pearce hits, Adam gets traded, Pearce goes to 1B, Moss gets back in the field at some point.  Moss is probably our 2nd best OF (in the field), but I think he's a RF.

I guess I'm wondering where this leaves Moss? We know Monroe wasn't getting many ABs.So if they give Pearce some of Moss' ABs  or do they give him some of Nyger's?I have no doubt Moss is better with the glove than Pearce.Perhaps a few starts at Adam's house.

Could it be that an Adam LaRoche trade is immenent?  And maybe include a major leaguer coming this way?

I doubt it was a salary dump.I think he signed a minor league contract.

Cocktails, how's it going, Buddy! I don't really think Monroe took too many at bats away from Moss ... To me, Monroe just didn't really earn much playing time ... he had really just the one great game, where he hit two home runs.

And you're right. He sure didn't help himself by not running out that third strike pitch ... that was terrible.

As for Moss, I'd say management has bent over backwards with PLENTY at bats, hoping he could play himself out his funks ...

I like this move. I mean Pearce has been part of their youth movement, too, and now he gets his chance. I think with this we'll see Delwyn Young going back to pinch-hitting duties.

Also, Pearce will be getting in sync if the time comes for him to take over for the traded Adam LaRoche.

Do you think it is possible that there is already trade talk for Adam LaRoche and the Pirates brought up Pearce so he is here when they trade Adam?

It helps to have someone who regularly plays 1b if he would be traded right before a game.

Monroe's contract was loaded with incentives

mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/.../pittsburgh-pirates_08.html

LLOYD - Looks like we had the same idea.

We also have Hinske

The first thing I thought of was that LaRoche is on his way out very soon (of course no surprise).

Monroe was no saviour and he is over 30.

However, to let a guy sit after he hits about 10 HR's in exhibition games is something that only Russell/Huntington would do.

As I remember, he had a two HR game early in the season, and the very next night they had him sitting on the bench like a wet blanket.

When one sits like a goofball for 2 1/2 months....You tend to lose all interest & energy.

I think we will see a little more of Moss in LF. Nyjer is playing his way OUT of an every day role at this point.

I take it as a signal the "tradewinds will soon envelop the PBC"

Sure did IRATE.....I'm thinking he only played 1st at Indy this year so he's not coming to play the OF and he's considered a prospect so he's not coming here to pinch hit.  You on that page man?

They did have Pearce playing the last couple of nights in RF.  I know, I'm in denial...I don't want to see Adam go.

Monroe, for all his experience, could not hit coming off the bench, like DY has shown he can.  And Monroe had to know he wasn't going to get a ton of playing time anyway.  I wish him well.  

Lloyd - Pearce did play some OF (where most of his 5 errors came from), but the Pearce-as-Adam replacement has got to be out there.

BTW - Morning links are up Ants...

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I see it like this: Monroe was a one year rental and was gone no matter what he did. If he had hit the ball better, he may have been traded for some A ball or AA ball prospect. And that prospect would not be a high end guy. They really did not need to cut Monroe at this point.

Bringing up Pearce when they did not need to bring him up tells me that a deal for Adam is in the works because as you said, he is not coming here to sit the bench or play in the OF.

Adam will be gone and it may be sooner rather than later.

While I think that there is something going on with Adam LaRoche, I was in the bleachers with one of my sons last Sunday when the Buccos beat the Tigers.  Monroe caught some serious flak from our section for not hustling after a groundball to the OF.  Maybe there is something to getting rid of those who don't give 100%.  That would be great!