Player-by-player roster assessment for 2013

[magnumo]

There's a comprehensive, player-by-player assessment by Rob Biertempfel in today's Trib about where the Pirates stand roster-wise and salary-wise going into 2013. It's well worth a read for anyone interested in such facts.

Biggest concern for me in the article is that Biertempfel expects Karstens to be non-tendered..... and he states that Karstens himself does not expect to return. I will be disgruntled, to say the least, if they fail to tender Karstens. Apparently, there's a pretty significant rift there.

Will Bucs be any better in ?13? | TribLIVE

Note: FWIW, I expect to take a break from the Pirates and baseball over the next few months..... and don't expect to be posting much. Meanwhile, here's hoping that the Pirates have a productive off-season, and that board regulars and Pirate fans everywhere can find renewed enthusiasm for the team in 2013.

 

[thecrow124]

I read that article, seemed about right to me. Karstens, while I like him in the rotation, he is just injured too much to be paying him $4.5-5 million. IMO if and when he leaves he will probably go on and have a Bronson Arroyo type of career.

 

[Darkstone42]

I like Karstens very much, and hope we can bring him back at a reasonable price. I think we should since we'll probably get a better price for his production than a similar pitcher on the free agent market, and that would save us a little money in terms of getting another, better starter to upgrade the rotation without creating another hole there.