I suppose I should, for the record (cuz no one else really gives two farts about it) comment on the return on Jason Bay's trade to Boston. It was a three-way trade with the Dodgers, who really screwed the pooch.
To touch briefly on the Nady/Marte trade again (that prompted me to start this thread), I should add that the players the Bucs got back on that trade changed since it was reported, and so my perception has also. It is now an OK trade in my eyes, with the potential to pay off very well if one or two of the prospects reach their projected ceilings. One of the prospects, Tabata, was ranked very highly in the Yankee organization at the beginning of the year, and was an untouchable as recently as this spring. Now, back to the Bay trade.
Boston got, as we previously mentioned, Jason Bay, who, at 29, could reasonably be expected to give 2008-level Manny Ramirez performance for a few more years, and is under contract for just $7.5 million for next year, and is anything but an egotistic flake. It's conceivable Bay's numbers may improve, batting in the middle of a more talented lineup. Of course, the reverse is also true. 🙂 Bay's defense is better, as I've never seen Bay miss a fly ball, roll over top of it, and search for it behind his back while still on top of it. I have seen that from Manny.
The Dodgers got Manny for the rest of the season, then Manny's gonna ask for a 40-year contract worth a gajillion dollars. They should've picked up Bay. Their GM's been making questionable moves frequently, and is gonna be out a job in the next 2 years, sooner if they're smart.
From the Dodgers:
Andy LaRoche, third baseman, and brother of Pirate first basemen Adam LaRoche. Andy was the top prospect in the Dodger organization in 2007, and has less than a half-year of major-league time under his belt, so he's under contract for the next 5+ years. He had some back trouble last year, so his stock fell some. Playing 3B today for the Pirates.
Right Handed pitcher Bryan Morris, 21, throws an 97 mph fastball "on a good day", along with a good curve and slider. Had Tommy John surgery in 2006, but is pitching well now in class-A ball. Could be a future top-of-the-rotation guy.
From Boston:
Left-handed batting outfielder Brandon Moss, 24, was Boston's eighth-round pick in 2002. Last season, he was named Class AAA Pawtucket's most valuable player. He hit 41 doubles, an indication he could have a power bat. Is playing in right field for the Bucs today.
Right-hander Craig Hansen, 24, was a first round draft pick out of St. John's University after being named the Big East pitcher of the year, who will pitch out of the Buc's bullpen. "He's the enigma of the four [coming to the Pirates] because of command," a scout said. "If his command's right, he's unhittable."
Hansen, 6-foot-6, 230 pounds, throws his fastball comfortably between 93 and 98 mph and has a great, hard slider. Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said Hansen made an arm-angle adjustment in spring training this year that helped him throw more strikes.
Immediate yield of this week's trades:
Karstens, a pitcher brought over from the Yankees in the Nady/Marte trade, pitched for the Bucs today, and threw six innings of shutout ball against the Cubs. 3b Andy LaRoche scored the winning run. 🙂
Bottom line: these are the best trades since we got Bay and Oliver Perez back for Brian Giles, maybe the best trades since we GOT Giles for reliever Ricardo Rincon.
Interesting factoid:
Every starting player today against the Cubs was brought in by the current GM Neal Huntington (hired in September 2007) or by GM Cam Bonifay, who was fired in July 2001. None of the players were the product of GM David Littlefield, who was GM from July 2001 until September 2007.
