last updated 4/5/12 PITTSBURGH PIRATES 2012
For 2011 Opening Day roster, click HERE. For End-of-Season roster, click HERE.
*Players on the 40-man roster: BOLD.
*Players who are injured: +
*Players who are Out of Options: ##
*Baseball America '12 pre-season prospect rankings: BLUE #
*Baseball Prospectus '12 pre-season prospect rankings: GREEN #
'MLBDepthCharts Magazine' includes this roster projection feature but includes additional info, such as player age, 2011 level and stats, 2012 salary and contract info in an easy-to-read, printer-friendly pdf file and excel spreadsheet.
*40-man roster total (40)
*Projected 2012 Payroll: est. $42,000,000 according to MLBDC Magazine
Disabled List Position Players
IF Gustavo Nuñez** BP#20 +UPDATE 2/20 - placed on 60-Day DL (ankle injury) Pitchers RHP A.J. Burnett+UPDATE 4/4 - placed on 15-Day DL, retroactive to March 26th (fractured orbital bone) RHP Charlie Morton## +UPDATE 4/4 - placed on 15-Day DL, retroactive to March 29th (recovery from hip surgery) RHP Chris Leroux## +UPDATE 4/4 - placed on 60-Day DL (strained pectoral muscle)
Optioned to Minors Position Players SS Chase d'Arnaud SS/2B Jordy Mercer OF Gorkys Hernandez BA#20 BP#19
Lost in Rule V Draft/Lost off Waivers/Released/Traded •C Brian Jeroloman* UPDATE 11/23- lost off waivers to Blue Jays •IF Diego Goris UPDATE 12/7 - traded to Royals •OF Exicardo Cayones UPDATE 2/17 - traded to Yankees •OF Xavier Paul* UPDATE 11/18- DFA'd UPDATE 11/28 - cleared waivers and released UPDATE 12/20 - signed minor league deal with Nationals •RHP Jeremy HefnerUPDATE 12/12 - lost off waivers to Mets •RHP Ryota IgarashiUPDATE 3/30 - traded to Blue Jays •RHP Brett LorinUPDATE 12/8 - drafted by Diamondbacks (Rule V) •RHP Diego Moreno UPDATE 2/17 - traded to Yankees •RHP Ross OhlendorfUPDATE 12/7 - released UPDATE 2/16 - signed minor league deal with Yankees •RHP Brooks Pounders UPDATE 12/7 - traded to Royals •RHP Jose VerasUPDATE 12/12 - traded to Brewers
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
OFFSEASON PREVIEWposted 9/15/2011
On July 19th, the 1st place Pirates were 51-44 with a 1/2-game lead in the NL Central. Even if they couldn't hold on to the division lead, they were looking like a good bet to end a streak of 18 consecutive losing seasons. Pirates baseball mattered once again in the city of Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, they've lost 38 of 54 games since and extended the streak to 19. So how can they possibly avoid 20 losing seasons in a row playing in a very tough division? They're probably one or two big bats and a top-of-the-rotation starter away from making that happen.
McCutchen joined the 20-20 club in 2011.
Picture courtesy of Icon Sports Media, Inc.
The Bucs were hoping that third baseman Pedro Alvarez would be an impact bat in 2011 but it just never happened. After ending the 2010 season on a tear (.318 BA, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 10 2B, 9 BB in his last 28 games), the 24 year-old has been unable to get on track this year (.548 OPS in 63 games). He has too much talent to give up on but it probably wouldn't be a good idea to count on him hitting in the middle of the lineup to start the year. Andrew McCutchen, on the other hand, is a good bet to be the #3 hitter in 2012 after joining the 20-20 (23 HR, 20 SB) club this season. Jose Tabataand Neil Walker are locks to play on a regular basis whileAlex PresleyandGarrett Joneswill be on the bubble if GM Neal Huntington is able acquire a first baseman and/or corner outfielder this winter. The other holes in the lineup can be filled by simply exercising the club options for shortstop Ronny Cedeño and either catcher Chris Snyder or catcher Ryan Doumit. There is a chance they decline on all three, although they could try to re-sign one or two of them at a discounted rate.
Another club option likely to be declined is that of starting pitcher Paul Maholm, who had a 3.66 ERA before his season ended because of a shoulder injury. While he is probably one of their five best pitchers, it would cost over $9 million to retain him so I can see the Bucs passing. They could try to re-sign him at a lesser cost but there appears to be some depth with lefties Brian Burres, Jeff Locke, and Aaron Thompson all in the mix for rotation spots. Charlie Morton, James McDonald, Kevin Correia, and Jeff Karstens all deserve to start the season in the rotation while Brad Lincoln, Ross Ohlendorf, and the aforementioned lefties will all be battling it out in Spring Training for the last spot. Don't count out Gerrit Cole, the first overall pick in this year's draft, from making the Opening Day roster without ever throwing a pitch in the minors. A mid-season call-up, however, may be a more realistic timetable for the 21 year-old.
One area that the Bucs probably have enough talent to leave alone is the bullpen. Joel Hanrahan has been one of the best closer's in baseball while veterans Jose Veras and Jason Grilli have both contributed with solid seasons. They did miss 2010 All-Star Evan Meek, who missed a majority of the season with shoulder tendinitis. If he can return to form, the Bucs' bullpen has a chance to be very good in the late innings. The middle relief should be fine, as well, with Jared Hughes, Chris Leroux, Dan McCutchen, Daniel Moskos, Chris Resop, and Tony Watsonall in the mix. Considering that at least three of those guys won't even make the Opening Day roster, it's safe to say that the Pirates have some pretty good bullpen depth.
•UPDATE 10/31 - The club options have been declined on Snyder, Doumit, Cedeño, and Maholm.
•UPDATE 11/10 - The team signed free agent Rod Barajas to be their starting catcher for 2012. The deal includes a club option for 2013.
•UPDATE 11/21 - Shortstop Clint Barmes has agreed to a two-year, $10.5 million deal. The 32 year-old was considered the third best shortstop on the free agent market behind Jose Reyes and Jimmy Rollins. •UPDATE 12/6 - Nate McLouth has agreed to a one-year deal, returning to the team that drafted him back in 2000. The former All-Star has struggled since leaving Pittsburgh in the 2009 trade that sent him to the Braves. He'll likely battle for playing time with Presley in left field. •UPDATE 12/7 - Left-handed starter Erik Bedard has agreed to a one-year deal, giving the team a veteran lefty in their rotation at a reasonable $4.5 million salary.
Good 1st half but had an ERA around 8.00 over his last eight starts. Morton was their best pitcher and actually looked like a #1 starter at times. McDonald looked really good for most the season, as well. Bedard was pitching really well before he was traded to Boston in July. If Correia is #3 or 4, it's a good thing. Means the rotation is in a lot better shape going into 2012 than it was in 2011.
Avidly following the AL East, I know of Yamaicco Navarro and what he can do at the plate occasionally. He is most certainly a valuable player off the bench defensively and offensively, but I just don't see him making a bench role simply because of his age. Is there anybody else you could see taking that bench spot heading in?
They need a backup SS. Navarro is the best bet to fill that role, and he can also play 2B, 3B, RF. Rule V pick Gustavo Nuñez was in the mix but he's been placed on the 60-Day DL. Anderson Hernandez is a non-roster guy who is an option but not as good as Navarro. Mercer/d'Arnaud need to play everyday in the minors.
If it's a keeper league, you definitely have to go with Tabata because Starling Marte is close to the big leagues and will take a corner OF spot when he's ready. This could be as early as mid-season, but he's very likely to be in Pittsburgh by early 2013. Tabata is signed to a long-term deal so he's not going to the bench. I like Presley, though. Just doesn't appear to be a spot for him long-term in the Pirates outfield.
Both are pitching well. Grilli is on the 40-man, Cruz is on a minor league deal.That's the biggest difference. Jared Hughes is also in the mix. Still early.
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14 comments:
Wait, so did they sign Barmes or not?
Very close, according to sources, but hasn't been announced yet.
Why not Correia as the ace?
RE: Correia
Good 1st half but had an ERA around 8.00 over his last eight starts. Morton was their best pitcher and actually looked like a #1 starter at times. McDonald looked really good for most the season, as well. Bedard was pitching really well before he was traded to Boston in July. If Correia is #3 or 4, it's a good thing. Means the rotation is in a lot better shape going into 2012 than it was in 2011.
Barmes highest paid player on team now, doubt they put him in 7-hole. Probably 2-hole. (with McGehee at 7 and GJones spelling Presley)
I believe Hurdle said he plans on hitting him in the #7 spot. That can change depending on how the rest of the lineup is doing, of course.
Why is Taillon ommited from the Outside looking in pitchers. He's possibly better than Cole.
Only going with Spring Training invitees on these pages. Cole got one, Taillon did not. Possibly better, but probably not closer to the big leagues.
Avidly following the AL East, I know of Yamaicco Navarro and what he can do at the plate occasionally. He is most certainly a valuable player off the bench defensively and offensively, but I just don't see him making a bench role simply because of his age. Is there anybody else you could see taking that bench spot heading in?
They need a backup SS. Navarro is the best bet to fill that role, and he can also play 2B, 3B, RF. Rule V pick Gustavo Nuñez was in the mix but he's been placed on the 60-Day DL. Anderson Hernandez is a non-roster guy who is an option but not as good as Navarro. Mercer/d'Arnaud need to play everyday in the minors.
I'm in a deep draft now, and i'm trying to decide who I should choose out of Presley and Tabata. What do you think?
If it's a keeper league, you definitely have to go with Tabata because Starling Marte is close to the big leagues and will take a corner OF spot when he's ready. This could be as early as mid-season, but he's very likely to be in Pittsburgh by early 2013. Tabata is signed to a long-term deal so he's not going to the bench. I like Presley, though. Just doesn't appear to be a spot for him long-term in the Pirates outfield.
why not juan cruz over jason grilli and where do you think matt hague fits in
Both are pitching well. Grilli is on the 40-man, Cruz is on a minor league deal.That's the biggest difference. Jared Hughes is also in the mix. Still early.
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