A Season, A Game

In summing up the year for the Pirates, I got to thinking that this whole year, can really be summed up in one game that was played this season. That game was played on a warm night in Atlanta at the end of July. Yes the 19 inning affair that the Pirates lost in extra innings. That game was part of a critical stretch for the Pirates has they were competing for first place, but were going to be playing a host of top teams. Trips to Atlanta, Philadelphia, and then a stretch with divisional foes with a west coast swing. It was going to be the challenge for the team, especially at the trade deadline.

A Neil Walker triple, a Pedro Alvarez single, and a Mike McKenry home run put the Bucs up 3-0 through 3 and they looked to continue their winning ways. Then in the bottom of the 3rd the Braves tied the score on Jeff Karstens and the Bucs with a couple of base hits. It would stay tied for the remaining 16 innings until another infamous play at the plate in Atlanta gave the Braves the win. The Pirates, seemingly out of gas after this marathon, started to see the wheels fall off the wagon. The downward spiral for the season started to take hold.

The game is like the season in that the Pirates were in the lead then saw all their hard work go for naught. It also had its share of heroes, like Daniel McCutchen pitching heroically in relief. Questionable calls by Hurdle, like not pitching Hanrahan in the game irked many Pirate followers. A strong performance from the bullpen and a cast of characters making up the offense, summed up what typified the season.

A couple days earlier Mike McKenry hit a home run to win a game against the Cubs at PNC Park. That might be the most memorable win of 2011, but the most memorable game has to be this one. It was this game that seemed to make me believe in the baseball Gods again. The Pirates of my youth were dashed away when Sid Bream slide across home plate in Atlanta on fall night of 1992. The dreams of this season seemingly did the same when Julio Lugo, according to Jerry Meals, missed the tag of McKenry.

Add to this one more irony of it all. The game lasted 19 innings. It has been 19 years and counting since that fall night in Atlanta with Sid. The game really seemed to be a coming together of fate, hopes, and dreams for anyone watching that game as a Pirate fan. Perhaps that is why it is still vivid to me and will more than likely be for so long from now.

Previewing Brad Lincoln

There are plenty of interesting players to take a look at in the Pirates system. One such player is pitcher Brad Lincoln. He is interesting in that he has a long story in the organization and has not done much at the big league level. With the Pirates needing more pitching, could Lincoln step up?

The former first rounder has struggled to say the least in the Pirates organization since being drafted. Over work might have led to injuries early on and really ineffectiveness has hurt him since. Looking over his stats the ERA does not jump off the stat sheet, neither does hits or walks per 9. The WHIP does not either. If it were not for him being a first round pick, you really would have to wonder where the hype was.

That being said Lincoln has made it to AAA and the majors the past two seasons. He has had varying cups of coffee in the bigs the past two seasons, each with mixed results. 2010 was a bit of a disaster for Lincoln as he gave up a ton runs and hits.

Last season was no walk in the park, if him either, though he did drop his runs and hits allowed. His walks rose slightly, though so too did his strikeout rate.

Looking ahead to 2012, Lincoln is going to be 27 and we have basically seen his physical peak. It is not going to probably get much better for him. I have to wonder if now is a good time to ditch the starting and hope to make him a reliever. Granted there are plenty of relievers already, but Lincoln's stuff might work better out of the pen, where he can better utilize his fastball and breaking ball.

While the team might not exactly be thinking that, hoping that keeping him as a starter is better for depth, I would think a move to the bullpen would benefit him in the same way that the move benefited Daniel McCutchen.

Either way 2012 is a put up year for Lincoln. If he does not show marked improvement he could be on his way out or find himself lost in the shuffle of graduating arms.

Finding Pedro's Plan B

The Pirates made that move to add a backup option at third base. Strangely it comes from another team within the division.

After the Brewers signed former Bucco Aramis Ramirez to a contract, the Brewers no longer needed the services of Casey McGehee. It was then that the Brewers and Pirates found a match with each other and consummated a deal that sent reliver Jose Veras to Milwaukee for McGehee.

Veras who pitched very well for the Bucs, aside from occasional spurts were nothing seemed to work for him, was eligible to be non-tendered. Unlike Garrett Jones, there really was not much talk about Veras being a guy that might be on the way out in that fashion.

Adding McGehee the team gets a player that is used to the division and knows the pitchers. He also had a good season two years ago, but fell off last season. He still did hit 13 home runs for the club. Most of McGhee's success in 2010 were due to his high hit total, which dropped off last season and caused a drop off in many of his other numbers. That has to be troubling to see, especially as he is getting older.

But in adding McGehee the club is not looking to add a guy to start, instead they are looking to add a guy that can play on the bench and fill in if needed. If McGehee were to be an everyday player, we might be in some serious trouble, but as a fill in he is OK.

Losing Veras may not be all that much to worry about. There are plenty of arms in the minors, as well as potential free agent finds that could replace him. Granted you never really want to lose a tried arm, but bullpen guys are replaceable. Clint Hurdle will find another righty to call on.

While this is another move that may make some roll their eyes, it is a move eyed to stabilizing the team for this season not really down the line. Adding McGehee adds some insurance if Pedro falters. There could be worse options, and there could be better (mainly Pedro plays well), but this is OK, I guess.

Busy Day Three

The Pirates were extremely busy in the third day at the winter meetings. They went out and replaced Paul Maholm, shored up the bench, and removed some players from the roster to make some room. All of this for a shade under $6 million, without any incentives counted in.

First who left. Well one guy leaving, though if history is any indicator, he will be back is Pedro Ciriaco. Ciriaco acquired in a trade with the Diamondbacks, seemingly racked up the most miles possible between Indianapolis and Pittsburgh this season. Perhaps he will need to find a new AAA city to do that with, as he was designated for assignment today. I can't see where another team would really jump at him, unless they need a glove, so I would expect him to be back, at least not on the 40 man this time.

The second player to leave was catcher Jason Jaramillo. Jaramillo spent the majority of his time in AAA this past season. While I am not sold on him at the major league level, it is nice to have him around for depth. At 29 he is probably not going to be much more than he is now.

Who then joined the club? Well one was an old name, Nate McLouth, whose joining seemed to bring out a vitriol that I sort of did not expect. Sure many in the fan base love him as he was a scrappy can do guy that came out of nowhere and others just think he was a over hyped one year wonder. I have to ask myself if many would not think as negatively of him had he not won a Gold Glove, perhaps some in the stats community would not be as harsh.

As I mentioned earlier, adding McLouth is a better option than Xavier Paul. McLouth brings a broader skill set and more of a track record. If Nate can rebound a little, and perhaps being on the bench will do that for a more veteran player, he might be well worth it. As long as Nate is not taking time from Presley or Tabata, I am fine with the move. A backup was needed and Gorkys Hernandez is not ready, and in my opinion never will be.

Adding McLouth was not the only move, Huntington made today. He signed Erik Bedard to a one year deal, adding a free agent pitcher that has some upside. While he may not be the same Bedard that was once dominate and appeared to be the next ace of the American League, he is definitely better than most other options the Pirates could have taken. If Bedard can stay healthy, this could be a really good move.

As a lefty that struck out close to a guy an inning he could have real value at PNC Park. Bedard keeps the ball down and in the park, add that to a park that favors southpaws, and it is a possible good fit. I would say bringing in Bedard is immediately better than say Jeff Francis would have been.

While adding McLouth and Bedard may not get national headlines, the Pirates have made some holes a little less smaller today. Whether they have plugged them we don't know. Adding McLouth gives the bench some flexibility in the outfield and Bedard gives some strong upside on the mound.

Winter Meetings - Day One

The winter meetings start this week and the Pirates have some needs that they may be looking to fill. The most glaring is obviously at first base. A position that has seemingly been a glaring hole for years, continues to be one this season. The Bucs are hoping that Derek Lee will sign up for another go round, though there has not been much movement on that front as of yet.

In the early going of the meetings the Pirates have been looking to mainly add depth to the roster than to fill holes, like Lee would do.

In being proactive in case Pedro Alvarez continues to be the El Toro we have seen, the club has been looking for a backup or second option. Ian Stewart (can we get any more former Rockies?) is the one that is the rumor du jour. While the club is not looking to replace Alvarez, they surely feel that he needs competition and that the club needs a decent backup plan should we have a repeat of last season. While Stewart might not be all that glamorous, having him with d'Arnaud and Harrison looks a lot better than just d'Arnaud and Harrision.

Additionally the club is looking to add to the outfield, yes the outfield. Granted you may think all the starting positions are spoken for, with McCutchen, Presely, and Tabata, the club is going to be looking for a backup guy to man multiple positions. With the glaring need at first base, Garrett Jones, unless non-tendered, is the major candidate there. leaving the outfield with no one. Enter Nate McLouth.

Yes that same McLouth that has seemingly fell off the face of the earth since being dealt, could return to the black and gold. I have to say that when I saw he was up for free agency the thought crossed my mind, it might be worth a try to bring him back as a bench guy. Maybe the home cooking will do good. If not at least he is a passable bench guy that can play all three positions with multiple skills. He might be an upgrade over Xavier Paul.

While there might not be some huge move this week, I hold out hope of a Hanrahan trade for some useful piece, the club is looking at creating backup plans for young players while trying to do its best to build a bench yet again.