The 25th Man

One of the least interesting battles during any spring training is for the final position player spot on the roster. This is a guy who will barely play and usually will be optioned out by May. As a reliable source of uninteresting Pirates-related news, I figured I would cover this battle.I consider 12 position players locks to make the roster: catchers Ryan Doumit and Chris Snyder; infielders Pedro Alvarez, Garrett Atkins, Ronny Cedeno, Lyle Overbay, Josh Rodriguez, and Neil Walker; and outfielders Matt Diaz, Garrett Jones, Andrew McCutchen and Jose Tabata. With the starting pitching situation what it is, the Pirates certainly will carry seven relievers. So there's one position player spot left on the roster.

The coaches are saying Rodriguez still has to make the team, but rest assured the Pirates aren't shipping their #1 Rule V pick back to Cleveland at the end of spring training. Atkins likewise is supposedly in competition for a spot, but he's a Clint Hurdle guy from their years in Colorado and I'd be shocked if he doesn't go north with the MLB team.

It's too early to evaluate spring training stats, and they're largely meaningless even over the full month. But for better or for worse, decisions like this are made based on spring performance. Here are the candidates to watch for that 25th man spot:

OF John Bowker is probably the most likely player to get this spot simply because he's out of options. He hit .232/.312/.391 in 77 plate appearances after coming over from the Giants last year - not good by any means, but better than most of the guys on this list could muster. Bowker also would provide a lefthanded bat off the bench - the only one on days when both Doumit and Jones are in the starting lineup. I'm not saying Bowker is the best choice, but teams will usually take the player who is out of options if the roster spot is even in question. I don't see the Pirates waiving Bowker so soon after trading for him.

1B Steven Pearce is another front runner. He'll be 28 this year so there's no need for more seasoning. He also hit well last year, .276/.395/.414, albeit in only 38 plate appearances. Personally I would be fine with Pearce on the team as a platoon partner for Overbay. However, I see no use for Pearce when Overbay is the everyday starter and Atkins, Jones and Diaz are all also able to play first base.

3B Josh Fields isn't a great defender, but has absolutely murdered lefthanded pitchers in his career with a .293/.357/.600 slash line. He would be a great weapon off the bench, particularly since having lefthanders Jones, Alvarez, and Overbay in the middle of the lineup is sure to summon lefthanders out of opposing bullpens. However, Fields is here on a minor league deal and can be easily stashed at Indianapolis.

C Jason Jaramillo would be my choice. He didn't hit at all (.149/.227/.207) last year, but with backups already covered at every position I think Jaramillo gives the greatest roster flexibility. With another catcher on board, Clint Hurdle can use his best pinch hitter, Ryan Doumit, in any situation without worrying about a possible catcher injury. Chris Snyder is also the only player in the everyday lineup who would require a pinch runner in the late innings, so it helps to have a good defensive catcher to come off the bench in that likely event. Jaramillo can also come in for Ryan Doumit as a defensive substitute when Snyder has the day off.

3B Andy Marte fields well at third base and hits well enough against lefties (.253/.328/.380) to give Pedro Alvarez an occasional rest. He could be a defensive replacement for Alvarez in the late innings as well. However, I think the Pirates will let Alvarez sink or swim in all situations. Marte is here on a minor league deal for a reason.

SS Pedro Ciriaco is a great fielder and had a single, double and a triple in six at bats last fall. I think he would be the first choice to play every day if Neil Walker or Ronny Cedeno (O hope of hopes) go down with injuries. However, he has options left, could use some more minor leage at bats, and probably is redundant with Rodriguez already on the roster.

Spring Training Destination Guide

For those of you who can't get tickets to PNC Park, it's time to start planning your spring training trips. All away games in Grapefruit League play are driveable, you know, once you get to Bradenton. And my new place on the South Side cuts my Bradenton commute from 1,068 miles to 1,066. Who better to review these away game destinations than someone who has been to one FSL stadium in his life?

At Port Charlotte (Rays) - Feb. 26, 28, March 11, 25
I've never been to Port Charlotte because nobody has been to Port Charlotte. It looks like a really offensive suburban trash town wih no jobs. Also, it seems like it should be on the beach and isn't. It's kind of close to the beach, meaning that you'll attempt to drive there after the game and get there like 40 minutes before sunset. It's only 60 miles from Bradenton but Florida traffic rules apply.

It's sad that the Reds left their longtime and nearby home in Sarasota for one in the middle of nowhere in the desert - which apparently made the Rays Pittsburgh's primary spring training opponent. What went on in 1987, in 2009, is still history and shouldn't be thrown away. Recommended Dining: Beef O'Brady's, 1825 Tamiami Trail.

At Dunedin (Blue Jays) - March 3, 12
An hour's drive in the opposite direction lies Dunedin, a quiet town of retirees. This is a good destination because Dunedin Stadium is a classic and historic minor league type of spring training park, where seats are really close to the field. There's really nothing to do there since it's primarily residential, but Clearwater is directly south and has some nice stuff along the beach. And by nice stuff I mean girls from the University of Mississippi who are on spring break. Recommended Dining: Beef O'Brady's, 1100 Tarpon Woods Blvd., Palm Harbor.

At Clearwater (Phillies) - March 5, 18
Bright House Networks Field is at the other extreme. Luxury boxes, video boards, plazas, fountains, batting cages, fake Spanish architecture - the Phillies have built themselves a real palace. It's good for what it is. Just keep in mind that it's impossible to get anywhere in Pinellas County. It's a regular grid system yet you always get lost. There's no way to make a left turn even; you have to make a U-turn and then turn right. You can be lost while you can see your destination. There's a large Scientology presence in Downtown Clearwater but by the beach it'll be Spring Break of course. Games end around 4 and Spring Break girls become intolerable around 5 so there's a short window. Recommended Dining: Beef O'Brady's, 10799 Park Blvd., Seminole.

At Fort Myers (Twins) - March 8, 28
Hammond Stadium is a nice stadium, underrated like Comiskey Park. In 1991, construction people weren't really concerned with real historical buildings, but they were concerned with building nice and clean designs that omitted fake historical features. So that's something. This is the longest road trip at about 90 miles so don't expect to see many stars make the trip. Especially since there is one star on the Pirates team. Despite being small, Fort Myers is a legit city with a fairly large ghetto. So overall, a nice location and trip. Recommended Dining: Beef O'Brady's, 11841 Palm Beach Blvd.

At Tampa (Yankees) - March 9, 26
Tampa is a charming city where the main library has more homeless people than books despite having a lot of books, and you have the opportunity to get shot on a quaint and charming street paved in red brick causing a tapestry of red colors the likes of which haven't been seen since the book cover to the bullshit new paperback edition of some book by Ernest Hemingway that came out in 1955 but somehow costs $18.95.

I've explained this to several people, but here's the deal with Yankees fans. There's nothing wrong with Yankees fans who have a legitimate claim to Yankee fandom. Like you're from Middletown, New York, you're a Yankees fan, go for it. Unfortunately during spring training you will deal with a heavy concentration of Yankees fans from like, Sandy Springs, Georgia, and there is something wrong with non-New York metro Yankees fans. Plan accordingly. The March 9 game is the only one of these away games that's at night. Recommended Dining: Beef O'Brady's, 4235 West Water Ave.

At Sarasota (Orioles) - March 14, 24
Once the Reds moved out of Sarasota, the Orioles moved in. Sarasota is the closest spring training town to Bradenton so it's surprising that the Pirates make only two trips there.

I stayed in Sarasota once with some friends once. We were 20 years old. There were two non-senior citizen girls in the city, ages 26 and 27, and both amazingly hot. We talked to them and they advised us to go to Key West. Recommended Dining: Beef O'Brady's, 5170 Clark Road.

At Kissimmee (Astros) - March 20
Don't even think about using this part of I-4 unless you have a joint. And it's illegal to have a joint. Catch-22. Recommended Dining: Walt Disney World Character Breakfast.

A Four Man Rotation?

PITTSBURGH, Pa. / March 10, 2010

Recently I have had a chance to listen to several of the radio broadcasts of the Pirates spring training games. Yes, I realize that is pathetic, but isn't it more pathetic to be reading a blog about someone listening to these games on the radio?

Anyway, the announcers were talking about the possibility of carrying only 11 pitchers out of camp. The advantage is obvious, in that keeping 11 pitchers would buy some time to keep both Brandon Moss and Delwyn Young on the roster. Young is their best pinch hitter, while Moss is their best defensive outfielder. Both are out of options and would certainly be claimed by another team if the Pirates tried to pass them through waivers.

In Weaver on Strategy, Earl Weaver talks about why he went with a nine man pitching staff. That tenth pitcher would be only used in blowouts, Weaver reasoned, while an extra pinch runner, pinch hitter or defender would be used in tight games. The same reasoning holds doubly true when we're talking about a 12th pitcher. I have no problem going with 11 pitchers all season. WIth 12 pitchers it is always a challenge finding enough work for everyone.

What surprises me is that the Pirates are discussing not a six man bullpen (essentially what they used last year with Donnie Veal as the rarely used seventh reliever) but breaking camp with a four man rotation. Of course not a real four man rotation, 1971 style with everybody starting 40 games - but at least four men until we get through off days in April. This would buy some time to make a roster move or wait for an injury so Moss and Young can remain in the organization.

Looking at the schedule, with no rainouts a true four man rotation would necessitate using whoever started on April 7 on three days rest on April 11. I have to think there's no way they would do this, especially with a day game scheduled on the 11th. However, D.J. Carrasco or another long reliever could make this start allowing the Pirates to option their fifth starter (probably Daniel McCutchen) to Indianapolis until the 24th. With rain outs it could be longer.

I actually think this course of action seems likely, because I just can't see the Pirates giving up on Moss considering what they gave for him. I also can't imagine they would want to get rid of Young's bench bat. This would have the added benefit of keeping everyone pitching every fifth day in April.

Here's the roster I expect to see on Opening Day:
C (2) Ryan Doumit, Jason Jaramillo
IF (6) Ronny Cedeno, Jeff Clement, Bobby Crosby, Akinori Iwamura, Andy LaRoche, Ramon Vazquez
OF (6) Ryan Church, Garrett Jones, Andrew McCutchen, Lastings Milledge, Brandon Moss, Delwyn Young
SP (4) Zach Duke, Paul Maholm, Charlie Morton, Ross Ohlendorf
RP (7) Brian Bass, D.J. Carrasco, Brendan Donnelly, Octavio Dotel, Javier Lopez, Evan Meek, Jack Taschner.
DL (1) Joel Hanrahan

I have Jack Taschner taking the final relief spot, because he throws with his left hand. That's not to say that he isn't f'ing horrible, spring results notwithstanding. I would prefer Jeff Karstens there.

Then on April 24, you call up Daniel McCutchen to make his first start. Presuming none of the outfielders have gotten injured yet, choose who is doing worst out of Crosby, Vazquez and Cedeno and DL them with a phantom injury. Five infielders is fine for a while with Jones able to play first base and Young able to play second.

Time to play ball!

PITTSBURGH, Pa. / March 2, 2010

The Pirates finally start their Grapefruit League schedule Wednesday afternoon against the New York Yankees. Live from Legends Field in Tampa, the game will be shown on national TV on the MLB Network. And in the Pittsburgh area, the radio broadcast will be on 104.7.
Cy Maholm will pitch the first inning and Cy Ohlendorf will pitch the second inning for the Pirates. The Pirates haven't said which position players will travel, but with Thursday's game in Kissimmee I would expect to see the whole starting lineup make the much shorter trip to Tampa Wednesday.

Even in the spring there's a heightened excitement facing the Yankees, but don't look for the Bucs to show too much against their potential World Series opponent.

One position battle I'm watching is for the final roster spot or two - Brandon Moss vs. Delwyn Young vs. John Raynor. These battles are usually somewhat of a pointless crapfest since the loser goes to AAA and is back in May. But Young and Moss are out of options and Raynor is a Rule V pick - meaning that one or two of these guys could be out of the organization by Opening Day. All three should get a lot of playing time this spring, especially Raynor since he's new to the organization.

Jeff Clement is another guy who should play a lot. He has the bat to start in MLB, but even though he's the projected starter I don't think the Pirates are 100% sold on him at first base. If he can't field the position they'll move Garrett Jones back to first and start Ryan Church most days in the outfield.

34 days until the real Opening Day.

Pirates Start Training For WFC Season

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training at noon today.

I really prefer that pitchers and catchers report to spring training during the worst possible weather here in the Great White North. It creates the greatest possible difference between current life and hope. While we're sitting here hoping garbage collection resumes, somewhere Donnie Veal is long tossing and Jason Jaramillo is doing wind sprints. It really uplifts the soul.

And I almost don't need to mention it, but there's a special air of optimism knowing that there's a 100% chance of a Pirates title this year.

Finally, apologies for the lack of posts lately. Admittedly this blog has been suffering so our staff can bring you the Fantasy Winter Olympics Blog. Check the site out, it's F'ing Awesome.

It Turns Out There's Nothing To Post About Spring Training

PITTSBURGH, Pa. / January 8, 2010

It's the evening of Friday, January 8, and we're already drunk. But as forward-thinking drunks, even while debating between an additional unnecessary 6-pack and an additional unnecessary case, we're also wondering: How can we get drunk at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday, March 2?

Luckily, that's the date and time of the Pirates' annual charity exhibition against Manatee Community College. The game coincidentally will be played at the same time as the Pirates-Manatee Community College Drinking Game.

1. Chug one beer every time Manatee Community College changes its name to State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.

2. You should have chugged that beer on July 1, 2009. Chug a second beer to catch up.

3. Shit, we're not caught up at all. Imagine how drunk we would be if we started drinking in July. We would wake up tomorrow morning with no memory of how Chris Bootcheck even got on the team.

4. There's no Pens game tonight.