Turn PNC park into Shef-Field

Gary Sheffield was released by the Tigers today, due to his lack of production after signing his 2 year 28 million dollar contract a couple seasons past. His constant time on the disabled list, debilitating injuries while actually playing, his sub .200 spring batting average and acquisition of outfielder josh anderson have made him expendable and the tigers have decided to move on without the slugger, who is 1 home run shy of his 500th.

Now, I know I'm always saying we need to sign a slugger with a name sake worth taking a risk on. Whether it's barry bonds, sammy sosa, pedro martinez or ken griffey jr. So, why is sheffield any different? He's not, he's actually better. Not only does the guy still have pop in his bat, he can still run at the age of 40! He's stolen over 30 bases in his last 2 injury plagued seasons, and he would definitely only cost the pirates the pro-rated price of 400K, where the aformentioned players would have cost at least triple the cost.

For the price it would cost to sign sheffield, we could start him for a little while, let him surpass the 500 mark, then throw him on the bench with a thunder bat coming off the pine. It would be exactly what the pirates were looking for all offseason long. A right-handed, power-hitting, outfielder.

Of course, it wouldnt' happen. But, what do you guys think?

Oh Yahoo!, you so crazy...

I don't think I've ever seen Yahoo! crack a joke in player news, but here is a lame attempt at one in Robinson Diaz's profile:


Mar 28 The Pirates cut Diaz Saturday, choosing to go with Jason Jaramillo as the backup to starting catcher Ryan Doumit.

Recommendation: Diaz outplayed and outhit Jaramillo in spring training, but manager John Russell manager knows Jaramillo from his days in the Phillies' minor league system. Still, it wouldn't be surprising to see Diaz in Pittsburgh this summer, especially when Doumit suffers his annual injury.

Sad but true.

Two days left to vote in my poll

Pedro Alvarez Article

I disagree with you Jayson Stark.

Do we really care about this contract stuff? Don't we now expect a draft pick to be extremely hesitant to sign a contract with the low-spending Pirates? I can't speak for everyone, but I don't think Mr. Stark really understands Pirates' fans...All we want to do is win...Somebody back me up on this one please.

PBC Blog

They actually answered one of my questions in the Q&A about Sean Burnett. I would have done more research on it if I realized he might actually answer me...

Hot Girls!

A New Quiz is up on my blog. Let's just say, don't participate while you're at work...or attempt creating while you are at work like I am trying to do.

My Favorite Country

Wow, when was the last time I wrote something over here? Seems like forever. Anyways, the WBC made me realize how much I want to start my own team. Yes, I had enough problems getting enough people to play softball for an entire season, but this would be different. At the next WBC we would be representing a nation. A powerful one at that. What country would I want to represent? Let us look at the contenders:

USA: Way too much talent for me to even get a chance.

Russia: Sure, my grandfather came from Russia (or one of the new countries formed by the split of the USSR), but lets get real, convincing people to play for the Russian national team would probably confuse people and they would think I was starting some kind of Communist movement.

Germany: I think there is some German in me. However, German III kicked my ass at PSU, so fuck ze Germans. Sorry to any German readers out there.

England: Obviously not a country, but I am pretty certain some part of my family came from that region. They would never accept me though, my teeth are straight and I know nothing of cricket.

Damn, that pretty much screws up my theory of starting my own WBC team...or does it? I am sure at some point, at least someone from my ancestry has visited the country with coolest looking flag: Albania!


That settles it, I am starting the Albanian National Baseball Team. I would like us to be ready for play by 2012 (is that the next WBC? Shit, what year is this by the way???) We would definitely not win one single game, BUT we would dominate in jersey sales.

Can you imagine that flag turned into a baseball uniform? All red with a black, double-headed dragon on it. I get chills just thinking about it. What's that USA? You have Eva Longoria and a guy named Chase? Fuck you, we have cool jerseys, beat that.

A boy can dream.

Perhaps Waffles are the Breakfast Food du Jour

I never thought I'd write an engaging, interesting (I thought so at least) Pirates blog and get absolutely zero responses, but alas that day has occurred. I am stricken with sadness to realize that no one cares anymore about what I write, although I'm not surprised. I guess what I'm trying to say is, thank you all who did read for the fun conversations, it was nice having people care what I wrote, and maybe once the season starts interest will spark up again. We shall see.

All Things Pirates - Part 5: The Fab Five

Now that Spring Training is winding down, we can begin to get a picture of who will be part of the future worst rotation in baseball. With only 3 (partially) legit major league starters, it doesn't really matter who the last 2 are, but we can debate it anyway. Maholm has looked great all preseason, and Snell has done good work in the WBC. Duke has looked pretty good, for him at least, so the last 2 are basically between Gorzo, Karstens, Ohlendorf, and Virgil Vazquez (Who??). "Vasquez, a 26-year-old right-hander, went 12-12 with a 4.81 ERA for the Detroit Tigers' Class AAA affiliate." 4.81 ERA in AAA? 26? Perfect! Might as well throw in Rinku and Dinesh too! Anyway, I highly doubt Vazquez will grab a spot since he has sucked in preseason and was delayed due to injury, so that leaves 3.

Tom Gorzelanny: 9 IP, 5 BB, 4 K, 7.00 ERA
Ross Ohlendorf: 9.1 IP, 0 BB, 7 K, 0.96 ERA
Jeff Karstens: 9.2 IP, 1 BB, 3 K, 4.66 ERA

Obviously Gorzo has been terrible. His control has sucked, and he is doing nothing to erase his terrible season last year. I am starting to get sold on Ohlendorf, as are the Pirates. So, who has the upper hand? Gorzo with the experience and track record (2007), or the two promising youngsters who don't have much exp?

FYI, Sean Burnett 8 IP, 3 BB, 4 K, 10.13 ERA, 1 undeserved guaranteed spot on the roster. I'm considering renaming my blog something to express my distaste for Burnett. I'm not crossing my fingers that he blows out his arm again, but I'm not NOT crossing my fingers that he blows out his arm again, y'kennit?


On to other Pirates' news, Chunky Alvarez was sent down because he's too apparently too fat to be a third baseman. If Tony Gwynn could play OF, Alvarez could probably handle third, but looks like he's destined to be a 1B eventually. Shelby Ford was sent down, along with a bunch of pitchers who had sh*tty springs. Not surprising. Garrett Jones and Tabata remain with the big club for now. Jones is definitely intriguing, but there is just no spot for him. So far, no big surprises, but will keep you updated.

Some other notes:
- Did you know Andy LaRoche is hitting .538 with 2 HR's?
- Hansen and Veal finally gave up some runs. Control could be an issue for these 2.
- Brian Slocum has the best name on the team, unless he reminds you of Heathcliff Slocum.
- Pirates' execs used "Brian Bixler" and "optomistic" in the same sentence. Uh oh...
- Jason Bay, regardless of market conditions, is going to make a lot of money in the near future.
- The Pirates' still aren't going to overspend on Pedro Martinez, but wouldn't it be nice if they could underspend on some of that sweet, sweet Dutch talent? Some of those pitchers looked unhittable at times.

Lastly, speaking of the WBC, I think it is safe to say that the venture has been a success. Not for ticket sales, obviously, for anyone who has seen the stands during the games, but for extending baseball around the world. The USA is once again in trouble, needing a win against Puerto Rico, who mercy ruled them earlier, to make it to the final round. I think Japan will win it even though they have absolutely no power hitters. I guess all you need is pitching and slap hitting, to win. Maybe Pittsburgh should just sign the entire Japanese team, at least those not already in the majors. Nothing says "Pittsburgh" like a brand new Michihiro Ogasawara jersey.

Hi! My name is Craig Monroe, starting Left Fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates?

Craig Monroe crushed 3 home runs yesterday in a spring training game against his former team the Minnesota Twins. With those 3 home runs, he has 6 for the spring, has 9 RBI's and is batting .333. In comparison, Morgan and McCutchen are both batting .188, and Moss is nursing a sprained thrumb.

With Monroe's crazy spring numbers to this point, do you think he should be named the starting left fielder by the time the pirates break camp in april? Or, should the previously mentioned be given the benefit of the doubt? I know it may be hard for Monroe to continue this production for the entire spring, and probably near impossible to duplicate the production for the regular season, but I believe he's making a helluva push to be our opening day starting left fielder.

Here's your topic, discuss...

March Madness!

Teams that could and have made the NCAA tournament: Pitt, Penn St, Robert Morris, Duquense, WVU, American, Maryland, and Maryland Baltimore County. I think that would make it the most teams ever from the areas I've lived in, and could set up some fun matchups.

By the way, I've created a group at Yahoo! if anyone wants to do it for money:

Group ID#: 33625
Password: offord