Pirates Protect Four from Rule 5 Draft

Today was the final day for the Pirates to add players to their 40-man roster and protect them from the Rule 5 Draft.  For those unfamiliar with the draft, every MLB team can draft a player from another team's organization if he is not on that team's 40-man roster and he has been in the organization for so long.  If you carry that player on your 25-man roster for the entire season he becomes your property.  If you don't keep him on your 25-man roster the whole year, he is returned to his original team.  There are some instances of this working, Johan Santana was a Rule 5 pick, but it usually doesn't produce stars because the best prospects are protected.  The Pirates did this today by protecting four players.

Gregory Polanco

This was a no brainer.  Polanco is a top twenty prospect in the MLB and is this team's future star (I believe he'll be better than Cutch).  We signed him out of the Dominican Republic in 2009 and he has been ripping up the minors ever since.  His potential is as a high average hitter who can hit between 20-30 home runs.  He also has the best range of any outfielder in the majors right now for the Pirates.  He has the speed to steal a lot of bases.  I've never liked comparing Cutch to Barry Bonds but I have no problem doing that with Polanco.  He'll be up in 2014 some time playing right field.

Alen Hanson

Another no brainer.  Hanson is a top five prospect in the Pirates system and the #38 prospect in America.  He is another Dominican signing from 2009 and is the team's future shortstop.  He can definitely hit for average and will make a great leadoff hitter if everything goes well.  The knock on Hanson is that he may not be able to stick at shortstop because of his defense.  From what I gather, Hanson will make a great play at short and then make an error on a routine play.  With more maturity he should stick at short and start for the Pirates some time in 2015.

Joely Rodriguez

This was a surprise to me at first but I can understand the move now.  Rodriguez is a lefty SP from the Dominican.  Also signed in 2009, he has never pitched above high A.  From reading, I see he can throw 95 and has three quality pitches.  Since the Pirates, and most other organizations, don't have much promising left handed pitching depth this was a good move by the Pirates to keep him because I have no doubt someone would have picked him.  Think a young Wandy Rodriguez who could be here in 2015.

Casey Sadler

I don't think we should have added Sadler.  He has good numbers as a starter but he doesn't throw a lot of hit and miss pitches.  That can be good if our defense stays the best in the history of the game but that's not likely with Hanson coming up and Pedro/Walker likely gone by 2016.  I would have preferred to protect Gift Ngope.  He is a SS who apparently has the best defense in any organization in baseball.  His bat is awful but still.  He can serve as someone's Clint Barmes and I would think someone will draft him as a defensive ace off the bench.  Back to Sadler, he should be here by 2015 and his upside looks to be like a Jeff Karstens.

Pirates Free Agency Preview

Well everyone the season didn't end in a Pirates World Series win but there were many positives to the season. And of course the season never stops. The offseason is the most important part of an MLB season so I will do a preview of the offseason right now. It's also the biggest transaction period of the year, my specialty, so I need to keep up on it. I'm going to keep it brief with six topics. Non-tender candidates, extension candidates, right field, first base, shortstop and starting pitcher.

Non-tender candidates:

Garrett Jones

Jones' playing time got cut completely when Morneau was added and he's over the hill looking to get over $5 million I'm arbitration. No chance he's back next year, sorry ladies.

Travis Snider

He still has tons of potential but it's not a project the Pirates can take on anymore. We already have Tabata and Polanco on the way so there really isn't room for him.

Michael McKenry

The Fort can still contribute but he's out of options and the emergence of Tony Sanchez should push him off of the team.

Melancon, Gaby, Charlie, Pedro, Walker, Locke, and all the other young pitchers will get offers

Extension Candidates:

Pedro Alvarez

If we can sign Pedro and eliminate free agent years that's huge. He's not going to be a lifetime Pirate but he needs to stay as long as we can keep him because there are zero replacements currently in the minors. If he'll sign a four or five year extension worth around $10-11 million a year it will be a great deal.

Neil Walker

Walker has shown nothing to me to warrant an extension. He's an average second baseman and you can get those easily. But because he's from here, the Pirates will try to extend him. Anything more than a four year extension worth about $6 million a year would be dumb.

Starling Marte

He would be the best one to extend. He's still getting used to the MLB but has Cutch potential. A lot of these types of extensions are getting done as well. Anthony Rizzo, Starlin Castro, Evan Longoria, and Paul Goldschmidt have all done extensions at this point. So 7 years $55 million would be ideal.

Right Field

Internal options:

Jose Tabata

Tabata played great last year but he's not very good on defense. Plus I'm not sure about the consistency. He's more of a 4th outfielder to me.

Gregory Polanco

He won't be ready until June at the earliest.

Andrew Lambo

Was inconsistent when he came up but may get another chance to win the job.

Marlon Byrd

Byrd was a star last season and an RBI machine. He seems to be a fan favorite and would be a great mentor to Polanco. He wouldn't be my first choice but my second choice because of his age. Still, a two year deal for say $8 million would be a good deal.

External options:

Carlos Beltran

This should be the Pirates #1 priority. Sign Beltran. It will be a bidding war but we can win it. It may cost a draft pick but it's worth it. Carlos can still hit and he is still stellar in the field. Plus you all know what he does in October. He would bring such great leadership and play that the Pirates would instantly be considered a top NL team. Plus the mentoring he would give Polanco. Even if we can't win the bidding, Byrd is a fallback. A two year $18 million deal would be worth it.

Giancarlo Stanton

This trade could go down in the offseason if the Marlins decide to listen. You'd have to give up Polanco, Taillon, and a little more but my opinion is it would be worth it. Really doubt it happens though.

First Base:

Internal options:

Gaby Sanchez

He crushes lefties and that's all he should be asked to do. Bench player or platoon.

Andrew Lambo

Only in a platoon with Gaby. Plus he doesn't play first that often. It'd be a project.

Justin Morneau

Morneau was pitiful as a Pirate on offense. Also only good in a platoon. Old and name value will drive up the price.

External options:

Kendrys Morales:

He may be tricky to get if the Mariners give him a qualifying offer. He's not worth a draft pick but he is valuable to the Pirates. He's a switch hitter who hits both sides well with power. He'll command around $10 million a year.

Mark Trumbo

Trumbo would be a huge get. He has huge power and is under control through 2017. The Pirates have tried for him in the past and it's a big price. If you want him, better be willing to give up Morton and/or Melancon.

Corey Hart

Hart was a star in Milwaukee but missed all of last year. He's a risky signing with big potential, a signing the Pirates love, so don't be shocked if he's brought in.

Shortstop:

Internal options:

Jordy Mercer

He hits lefties well but I'm not sure how he'll hold up in an entire season. Plus his defense is sketchy.

Clint Barmes

His bat is awful but his defense is fantastic. He deserves a bench spot on a one year deal for about $2 million no matter what they do.

External options:

Jhonny Peralta

Great offense and defense but how much of it was PEDs? He'd be a risky signing but I would take a chance.

Raphael Furcal

He's 37 now but is still good at the top of the order and on defense. He did miss all of last season but is a similar risk to Corey Hart.

Starting Pitching:

Internal options:

AJ Burnett

AJ is still a very good pitcher and innings eater. I just don't think he'll be back. He adds great leadership but he's getting older and a little whiny. But with a rotation where only Liriano, Cole, and Morton are guaranteed spots until Wandy gets back, his signing could be necessary.

Jeff Karstens

Hahahahahahaha ya right

External options:

Josh Johnson

He's this years Liriano. Coming off some bad years but a former ace in Miami a good pitching coach could get him back to that level.

Jason Vargas

Coming off a so so year with LA, Vargas is a steady lefty who could be a great #3 starter with a shift to PNC.

These are just a few people and things the Pirates can pursue this offseason. I can't wait to see what happens starting on Monday and as always I'll keep you posted on any and all moves.