Pirates Sign Juan Cruz

[magnumo]

Seems like a decent pickup, especially on a minor league contract..... but another relief pitcher doesn't seem likely to make a significant difference.

Pirates sign relief pitcher

 

[thedddd]

Always good to have options for the bullpen. Especially one that is over worked like the Pirates last year.

In all honesty he is not much different than Veras in their numbers last year. If he can come in and pitch 50+ innings, them McGahee plays well that trade will look that much better. Not sure why I am rambling on about this, guess I am trying to find any silver lining in this team...

 

[magnumo]

Always good to have options for the bullpen. Especially one that is over worked like the Pirates last year.

Agreed. NH seems able to cobble together a decent BP..... although their performance seems to suffer each year due to workload. That's why I wish he would do more with the starting rotation..... but I fear that he plans to wait for his draftees to show up.

I'm worried about the starting rotation.

In all honesty he is not much different than Veras...

Exactly the same thought I had upon first hearing about the trade..... Cruz could replace Veras.

Not sure why I am rambling on about this, guess I am trying to find any silver lining in this team...

I feel your pain. As the off-season wears on, that search for silver seems to be getting increasingly difficult. I'm still hoping against hope that the Pirates will make some kind of significant addition. However, I'm convinced that Huntington is banking on Alvarez finding himself (THAT would be a silver lining) and the rest of the young guys taking a step forward..... and he's just trying to "stay even" with the rest of the roster.

The starting rotation still worries me a great deal.

It seems that the vast majority of observers think the team should add another starting pitcher and another reliable bat..... and just about everyone believes the team has money to spend. I'm baffled. The only explanation for NH's inaction that makes any sense to me is that he's banking on salary demands dropping further, or he has some kind of trade up his sleeve. Not holding my breath, though.

By the way, have I expressed my concern about the starting rotation?

 

[thedddd]

Funny....and yes I am in total agreement about the rotation. If they would have signed Maholm along with Bedard I would feel better but in essense replacing Maholm with Bedard scares me.

Yes I love Bedard and the potential he brings but he isn't a guaranteed 200 inning pitcher as Maholm was for the Pirates.

I guess thats why I keep looking at all the retreads (using elements term and it is fitting) because they need something if all else fails. I would love to see Locke and Lincoln perform well but as a fan we have been burned way too many times to be comfortable.

Like others I think Karstens was a fluke, Morton won't be ready for the open of the season, I really hope McDonald can get past the 6th inning for once and Correia like Karstens is probably better fitted for long relief spot start.

Like many have stated they do need another starter to go deep in games.

Interesting this one fell under the radar: D.Cabrera habría firmado con Pittsburgh|CandelaDeportiva - sorry it is in spanish. Not that it makes me any happier but this is the retread I guess I was looking for.... /sarcasm/

As for Alvarez the one weird thing is that I feel more comfortable going into this season. Not with him doing better but with the options if he fails again.

 

[magnumo]

Yeah, I remember reading about their signing of Cabrera. Didn't think much of it at the time..... something like, "Well, that'll be this year's Scott Olsen, although a healthy Cabrera wasn't as good as a healthy Olsen." Cabrera made a lot of major league starts from 2004-2008, but he carries a lifetime ERA of 5.10 and hasn't been healthy during the past 3 seasons.

Guess I shouldn't complain though, since signing Cabrera to a minor league deal carries low risk. But I think Chris Young and Rich Harden (depending on their health) represent a higher probability of success than Cabrera. Young hasn't pitched much over the last couple of years either, but he has been effective when he pitched. Harden seems like a better bounce-back candidate than Cabrera.

At any rate, it sure would be nice if Huntington caught some lightning-in-a-bottle, a la Littlefield during the 2002-2003 off-season (Reggie Sanders, Kenny Lofton, Matt Stairs, Jeff Suppan, Jeff D'Amico).

 

[element1286]

Agree I like the Cruz signing, good comp to Veras.

Nats are aggressively shopping John Lannan, would be a good fit in Pittsburgh, and could eat some innings.

 

[magnumo]

Nats are aggressively shopping John Lannan, would be a good fit in Pittsburgh, and could eat some innings.

It appears that Lannan will make $5 million in 2012, in his second year of arbitration. He seems a lot like Maholm, only a little better..... and certainly better than Correia. I agree, element, Lannan seems like a good fit at a reasonable price, and has a year of control left in 2013.

The MLB Trade Rumors site indicates that the Nats are looking for a position player in exchange, but doesn't get any more specific. I wonder what they're seeking, and whether the Pirates have anyone who would interest them?

 

[evolver115]

Agree I like the Cruz signing, good comp to Veras.

Nats are aggressively shopping John Lannan, would be a good fit in Pittsburgh, and could eat some innings.

Sounds like they're shopping Lannan cause they're about to sign Jackson

Edwin Jackson, Nationals nearing deal - Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

 

[thedddd]

Looks like they want an OF with preference to a CF. With their signings they probably want a major league ready OF so outside of Presley or McLouth there is none they could deal. Not sure the Pirates really want to deal Presley but is Lannan worth the gamble?

 

[magnumo]

Sounds like they're shopping Lannan cause they're about to sign Jackson

Edwin Jackson, Nationals nearing deal - Nationals Journal - The Washington Post

Certainly seems like the Nationals are committed to upgrading their roster (unlike the Pirates). To be fair, I guess Washington has a whole lot more money to work with than the Pirates.

At any rate, unlike the Nats, I'd rather have Lannan over Jackson, even if we're talking about just one year for each (and the Pirates would retain control of Lannan for one more year of arbitration in 2013). The idea of another lefty in the rotation is appealing.

Looks like they want an OF with preference to a CF. With their signings they probably want a major league ready OF so outside of Presley or McLouth there is none they could deal. Not sure the Pirates really want to deal Presley but is Lannan worth the gamble?

I would deal Presley for Lannan in a heartbeat. A reliable lefty starter, at Lannan's age and salary, is definitely worth the gamble in my opinion..... and I wouldn't be afraid to open the season with McLouth, McCutchen, and Tabata in the OF.

- I gotta feeling that McLouth will bounce back, at least to some extent.

- Guys like Evans or Fox can play corner OF, and hopefully Marte will come on strong at AAA.

 

[element1286]

Gorkys Hernandez and cash. Don't think I would give up Presley for Lannan.

 

[magnumo]

Gorkys Hernandez and cash. Don't think I would give up Presley for Lannan.

Do you think Washington would want Gorkys Hernandez? They already have Roger Bernadina, who seems like a better player.

 

[Illinest]

Dont know what voodoo magic lannan practices to have a 4.00 career era with as many walks as he gives up and how few strikeouts.
If you offer on lannan you offer gorkys. Everybody else is off the table.

 

[element1286]

Do you think Washington would want Gorkys Hernandez? They already have Roger Bernadina, who seems like a better player.

I don't know, but I don't think Lannan is that good, I don't think he is better than Maholm. Lannan has been worth between 1.1 and 1.4 fWAR the past 4 years, so he is remarkably consistent. And a jump to PNC would probably help his HR rate since he gives up a ton to right handed batters.

That being said, I like him because he has pitched 180 innings regularly and is left handed, and gets ground balls. The 5 million dollar price tag isn't a bargain, but the Nats are looking to shed salary/roster spot as much as pick up a CF, so I think it is possible, although the Pirates might have to offer another lower lever prospect or a fringy reliever.

 

[Etrius24]

Cabrera has absolutely electric stuff...

Control of his third pitch was always the big problem and now he has had to battle injuries... If this guy is finally healthy he has off the charts stuff... He throws very hard...94-98 with a high 80's slider that has a lot of bite..

Very low risk... and if healthy he could really give the team a nice boost...I like the fact that NH signs a couple of these players every offseason... Sooner or later you have to catch lightning in a bottle.

 

[magnumo]

For those who are interested:

- Cabrera did indeed throw hard (average fastball 96) back in in 2005. That's also the only year in which he had a high 80's slider.

- Since 2005, Cabrera's velocity has been declining steadily. By 2008 and 2009 (Cabrera's last 2 years in the majors), his average fastball was 91-92 and his average slider was clocked at about 80.

- In 2010, Cabrera appeared in 11 minor league games and didn't pitch particularly well. In 2011, he didn't pitch at all.

During that same 2005 season (when Cabrera used to throw hard), he posted his best ever major league ERA of 4.52..... and his lifetime major league ERA is 5.10. All Pirate fans hope for a resurgence from Cabrera, but his probability of success seems quite low.

 

[element1286]

I don't hate Cabrera as the #9 option as a starter. And he could be the type that could successfully transition to a bullpen role. I'm sure the Pirates have a plan for him.

 

[Etrius24]

It all depends on health... I mean if he cannot throw this is not going to go very well... A bullpen shift is very likely... With other starters that transition to the bullpen they throw even harder but for a shorter duration...etc...

If Cabrera can crank it up he could be useful.. but if he is soft tossing at 85 miles an hour instead of 95 this is going to be a waste of time.

But this guy cost the Bucs basically nothing... So if he does not work out it is not going to derail the whole organization.

 

[thedddd]

In all honesty I hope Cabrera never pitches an inning for the Pirates. That would mean the talent actually pitched well. But like stated a bullpen role is not a bad option.

 

[thedddd]

Also on the Lannan discussion there were talks of them wanting Bourjos so I would see the Nationals asking for Presley.

But yes I would offer them Hernandez now that they signed Ankiel hoping now that they have an major league experienced OF they would take a prospect for Lannan.