It's pretty hard to criticize this move from the Pirates perspective.
It's pretty hard to criticize this move from the Pirates perspective.
"This isn’t stats vs scouts - this is stats and scouts working together, building an organization that blends the best of both worlds. This is the blueprint for how a baseball organization should be run. And, whether the baseball men of the 20th century like it or not, this is where baseball is going."---Dave Cameron, U.S.S. Mariner
Old school 1983 (09-28-2013)
I still don't "get" all MLB trading rules
"I had a cigar in my back pocket...I didn't wanna break it." - Bartholomew "Bump" Bailey
Great teams have enough talent in the minors, that during September call ups they stock themselves with enough talent, (Billy Hamilton) that they don't have to sacrifice the future for one year rental players.
Not always. Sometimes a key deal can play a role - ala Broxton last year. Juan Guzman in '99. BUT, neither of those guys cost a top notch prospect that really hurt long term (unless you feel missing Donnie Joseph is gonna cripple the Reds future). But if Vic Black and Dilson Herrera cripple the Bucs future, then the Pirates didn't have much of a future anyway. Black is a Partch like relief prospect and Herrera a good hitting 19 y/o 2nd baseman - HRod with more power and better glove but limited to second because of an iffy arm. I'd trade them for Buck and Byrd and a better shot. With the weakened state of the Reds farm and less need for Buck, and Byrd limited by Ludwick to a pinch hitting role, I don't know that I'd do a similar deal from Cincy's standpoint.
That's just it, in today's farm system you never know who is a major league talent, and who isn't. 50th rounders are making the majors, while first rounders are being cut and picked up by the Astros in rule 5 drafts. I thought the Latos deal was going to hurt the Reds, but I can admit I was wrong.
Volquez has never regained his form, and has moved on from the Padres. Grandal was busted for PEDs. Alonso has been with three teams I believe since the trade and can't find a regular playing role, and Boxberger is just a project.
I also didn't care for the Stubbs deal, I thought giving up on the speedy Stubbs and the future SS for the Reds in Gregorius for a one year rental player in Choo was a dumb move. Stubbs hasn't done much in Cleveland, Gregorius has flashed a nice glove in Arizona but not hit any better than Cozart, while Choo has been a nice bridge that has allowed the Reds to transition Billy Hamilton from SS to CF.
The Reds still have talent in the minors, it's just not Puig type talent where fans are beating down Jocketty's door asking for them to be called up, but if you look at the Red's every day line up, where are their holes? Left field? There won't be if they put Hamilton in center and resign Choo to play left. After that the team is filled. They could use a young lefty for the bull pen to take Marshall's place, and it looks as if Hoover will be taking Broxton's place as the right handed set up man. So a left handed middle reliever or situational guy? That's about it. It's a nice position to be in. Personally I don't like not having an every day threat of a hitting catcher, but if Mesoraco and Hannigan continue to play good defense and handle the pitching staff the way they do, it's something I'll have to live with.
Bringing this back up!! It was a terrible move by the Reds to not block that trade!! Looks even worse now!! No excuse. Bad bad move by our GM.
Redsfansince72 (09-28-2013)
I can think of one GM who wishes he could go back and make a claim....maybe 2 gm's if Byrd can help the pirates beat the cardinals....it was talked about in several threads here...you put in claims to not only help your team but to block other teams from picking them up, especially teams you are fighting against for a playoff spot. Historically bad move by our GM..historically.
BuckeyeRedleg (10-04-2013)
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