By Dejan Kovacevic | 12:40 a.m. Friday
Hey, who turned on the lights?
Hope everyone had a terrific Thanksgiving, as well as all the other time that lapsed so quickly since the final out in Cincinnati. From a week in Mexico to a drive to Niagara Falls to simply teaching the kids some street hockey in the driveway (yes, the back is all the way back), it has been an outstanding break. But, as with all such breaks, the itch to resume making calls, asking questions and looking ahead to 2010 comes back -- with a vengeance, actually -- right near the end of it.
And so it was that we get off to a start today with a catching-up interview with Neal Huntington that looks over the broad scope of the Pirates' offseason, as well as why they sound determined to stick with what they have, particularly with Jeff Clement, right, at first base. You also will see the names of Rick Ankiel -- again -- and Hank Blalock in the piece, though those names and others of prominence probably should be kept in context: Fact is, the Pirates' immediate plan really does not involve some significant upgrade at any one position other than second base, which they addressed with the trade for Akinori Iwamura.
I never have seen Clement play baseball, so my views on his talent will be limited to the numbers, which show promise in terms of power and not nearly as much in other facets, especially defense. But he is 26, and he has kicked the Class AAA tires enough already that a look-see in the Steve Pearce mold might be a better move than bringing in a one-year guy like Ankiel or Blalock. Or not, depending on your viewpoint.
This is Clement's official page.
And this is a brief chat I had with him earlier this month.
And this, as a final note, is how you pronounce his last name: CLE-ment. In other words, it's not how Matt Clement pronounces his, though Jeff says he gets that a lot.
Anyway, things might look a little different in terms of some coverage this offseason, all aimed at upgrading, but more on that in the days to come. For now, I can tell you that the weekly Hot Stove notebook will resume Sunday, in print and online.
And thanks to so many of you for somehow keeping this place as vibrant as it was in this time.
Linkage to the general coverage ...
> Main story: The aforementioned can be found here. Included in the package is a depth chart I drummed up from some talks with Pirates people this week. Obviously, this is subject to significant change by the time the Dodgers hit town.
> In case you missed it: Chuck Finder detailed Jose Tabata's fine fall in a piece that ran Wednesday.
And from other realms ...
> A round of a Clement batting practice from 2007 ...
> Jenifer Langosch at the Pirates' official site describes Thanksgiving at the team's Dominican facility.
> Bryan Bullington is still trying.
> Charlie Wilmoth at Bucs Dugout examines new pitcher Chris Jakubauskas. Yes, it probably will be that kind of winter in these parts.
> Pat Lackey at Van Slyke is thankful for Andrew McCutchen.
Posted
Nov 27 2009, 12:40 AM
by
Dejan Kovacevic