I'm late on this news so you've probably already read that the Pirates cut loose Lastings Milledge. They decided at the midnight Thursday deadline not to offer their right fielder a contract, making him a free agent. What a great reaction to one of by better Milledge jokes of all time.
It is a fairly unusual move to cut loose a player entering his first year of arbitration eligibility, since teams still usually get those guys at a significant discount. However, Milledge was not a candidate to start - and a player who can't field, throw, run the bases, or hit right-handed pitching is not terribly valuable on a team's bench.
Coming to Pittsburgh in 2009 in the Joel Hanrahan deal, Milledge hit .291/.333/.395 with four home runs in 58 games that year. He was considered a breakout candidate entering his age 25 season in 2010 and opened the season as the Pirates' #3 hitter. Instead, every aspect of his game declined. He hit .277/.332/.380 with four home runs in 113 games and lost the starting job. Milledge will be 26 in 2011 and his prospect sheen hasn't totally worn off - which means he'll be running from second to third on a grounder to the shortstop for some major league team.
Also non-tendered were infielder Argenis Diaz and pitchers Brian Burres and Donnie Veal. The Pirates traded Adam LaRoche for Diaz in 2009, thinking Diaz could learn to hit. He never did. Non-tendering Diaz is more surprising to me since despite his deficiencies, he could have been a good-fielding utility infielder at the major league minimum. Burres wasn't terrible in 2010 (4-5, 4.99) but there's no reason he should be part of the Pirates' future plans. The Pirates hope to sign Veal who is still recovering form injury.
Cedeno, Karstens Return
On the negative side, the Pirates signed Ronny Cedeno for $2 million for 2011 with a club option for 2012. Shocking, I know. I'm not sure what he did to merit an $875,000 raise. Cedeno is one of those players who really looks like a baseball player, has enough skills to make you think he's a good player if you don't pay attention, but then at the end of the year has had another terrible season. I really wanted a new shortstop and I think we're not getting one.
Jeff Karstens signed a one-year deal for $1.1 million. He's fine as a long reliever/emergency starter but he should not pitch 123 innings as he did in 2010.
Showing posts with label Brian Burres. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brian Burres. Show all posts
December 4, 2010
April 12, 2010
Ohlendorf Hurt / Penn Gone
PITTSBURGH, Pa. / April 11, 2010
No longer wanting to pitch batting practice during actual games, the Pirates designated Hayden Penn for assignment today. Penn now has a 9.51 career ERA making him a contender for worst Pirates pitcher ever. His 30.86 Pirates ERA should actually be worse, but the Dodgers stupidly made their first out against him at home plate.
I would have to think Penn clears waivers but I can't imagine it would be a good idea to keep him in the organization.
Unfortunately the reason for the move is that Ross Ohlendorf was scratched from tonight's start. Not much word on the injury but the Pirates claim he will start Sunday.
For this World Championship run the Pirates will need their top three starters to stay healthy all season, and at least one has to have a big year. Hopefully Ross only misses the one game because the rotation takes a big hit if he's replaced by anyone. Without even considering the World Series, he'll be needed to start Game 2 and a possible of the Division Series against Colorado.
This injury comes at the worst possible time, with Brian Burres the only rested starting pitcher at either Indianapolis or Pittsburgh. So Burres it is. Rather than starting at Toledo tonight he'll start at San Francisco, the Toledo of the West.
Burres has a 6.08 career ERA and gave up more than ten hits per nine innings in the Pacific Coast League last year. He was last seen giving up a three-run homer to Jason Michaels at Camden Yards in June 2008. Is it too early to get nostalgic for Jeff Karstens?
Finally, Joel Hanrahan came off the disabled list. He'll take the spot of Daniel McCutchen, who is back in Indianapolis since the Pirates won't need him again until April 25th.
Hanrahan should really help to solidify the back end of the bullpen. Hopefully Hanrahan is really healed because he's back much earlier than expected... Anyway, he's a much better 7th/8th inning option than the likes of Penn and Jack Taschner. I think the Pirates would like to go Hanrahan, Donnelly, Dotel in the last three innings. The problem right now is getting there.
No longer wanting to pitch batting practice during actual games, the Pirates designated Hayden Penn for assignment today. Penn now has a 9.51 career ERA making him a contender for worst Pirates pitcher ever. His 30.86 Pirates ERA should actually be worse, but the Dodgers stupidly made their first out against him at home plate.
I would have to think Penn clears waivers but I can't imagine it would be a good idea to keep him in the organization.
Unfortunately the reason for the move is that Ross Ohlendorf was scratched from tonight's start. Not much word on the injury but the Pirates claim he will start Sunday.
For this World Championship run the Pirates will need their top three starters to stay healthy all season, and at least one has to have a big year. Hopefully Ross only misses the one game because the rotation takes a big hit if he's replaced by anyone. Without even considering the World Series, he'll be needed to start Game 2 and a possible of the Division Series against Colorado.
This injury comes at the worst possible time, with Brian Burres the only rested starting pitcher at either Indianapolis or Pittsburgh. So Burres it is. Rather than starting at Toledo tonight he'll start at San Francisco, the Toledo of the West.
Burres has a 6.08 career ERA and gave up more than ten hits per nine innings in the Pacific Coast League last year. He was last seen giving up a three-run homer to Jason Michaels at Camden Yards in June 2008. Is it too early to get nostalgic for Jeff Karstens?
Finally, Joel Hanrahan came off the disabled list. He'll take the spot of Daniel McCutchen, who is back in Indianapolis since the Pirates won't need him again until April 25th.
Hanrahan should really help to solidify the back end of the bullpen. Hopefully Hanrahan is really healed because he's back much earlier than expected... Anyway, he's a much better 7th/8th inning option than the likes of Penn and Jack Taschner. I think the Pirates would like to go Hanrahan, Donnelly, Dotel in the last three innings. The problem right now is getting there.
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