Pirates talk extension with Casey

[savafan]

http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/baseball/article/0,1406,KNS_318_4754148,00.html

By DEJAN KOVACEVIC
June 5, 2006

The Pittsburgh Pirates are planning a push to sign first baseman Sean Casey to a long-term contract, a team source said.

Management has not yet contacted Casey or his agent, Ron Shapiro, but the source said ownership has authorized general manager Dave Littlefield to pursue a deal sometime this summer that would keep Casey from leaving through free agency, as he is eligible to do following this season.

Casey said in March he would be amenable to staying in Pittsburgh - he was born in Upper St. Clair, Pa. and makes his home there - and reiterated that Monday.

"Sure. No doubt about it. Definitely, I would," he said. "But my main goal right now is getting back to playing at the top of my game. If something came up, I'd look at that."

Asked if he had made up his mind to try free agency no matter what, he replied: "No, no, no, I haven't made up my mind. This is obviously my first time I'll have an opportunity at free agency, with my being with Cincinnati the whole time before this. But it's just not something I've thought about."

Casey, 31, is making $8.5 million this season in the final season of a four-year contract. The Reds are paying $1 million of that, as per the terms of the teams' December trade.

Management has liked what it has seen of Casey, although he just missed six weeks to a fractured back. He is batting .274 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in his 17 games.

An equally large issue for the Pirates, it appears, is that their internal options for first base seem limited.

The team has rebuffed offers from veteran Craig Wilson to negotiate an extension, and it is highly likely he will be dealt by the July 31 trading deadline. If not, he is a virtual lock to depart through free agency after the season.

Brad Eldred, the system's top power-hitting prospect, probably is out for the season after his thumb was dislocated in April. This was to be a pivotal year for his development, given the team's wish to see him improve his eye at the plate, and he will be 27 by the middle of next season.

No one else in the organization is on the cusp of making an impact at first base. The Pirates tried catcher Ryan Doumit there briefly last month, but management's long-term aim is to keep him behind the plate.

Littlefield said in March that he was open to trying to keep Casey, based on his performance and the progression of Eldred, and he's sticking to that stance.

"Nothing's changed in that regard," he said. "Obviously, what has taken place to this point in time is that Sean did well early, was out for six weeks and has come back and done a nice job. Obviously, Eldred is now hurt for four months, so those are some of the issues that play into it."

[KronoRed]

Hope they keep him around.

[Jpup]

it wouldn't suprise me if he offered the Reds a big discount to take him back, but in reality, I don't think it would be a good idea.

[realreds1]

it wouldn't suprise me if he offered the Reds a big discount to take him back, but in reality, I don't think it would be a good idea.

I doubt it. He grew up watching Pittsburgh and he lives there now. He's got a sweetheart deal going... why even think about coming back here?

[GAC]

The Pirates have been real good in the past at signing/giving away monies they can't really afford to do.

Remember Derek Bell?

They aren't too smart.

As long as it's not the Reds still doing it. ;)

[RedsBaron]

The Reds are more or less getting Sean Casey numbers from Scott Hatteberg, and for a lot less money.

[smith288]

I wouldn't be against him coming back at a Hatteburg-esque contract. If he thinks he getting 8 a year, he can go to the suck that is Pittsburgh

[jimbo]

I wouldn't be against him coming back at a Hatteburg-esque contract. If he thinks he getting 8 a year, he can go to the suck that is Pittsburgh

I agree, if he came cheap I wouldn't be against bringing him back. He'll put up better numbers than Hatteberg.

[vic715]

Unless the Pirates made him an offer he couldn't refuse he might as well try the free agent Market. I don't think he'll ever get 8 mill or even close but who knows.I'd take him back here in a minute for 2 or 3 mill.You take away the 3 years Casey was hurt(98, 02, 05) and he still averages 90 RBIs a year.I realize keeping him healthy is a risk but he's still a major upgrade over Hatte and Rich.

[PickOff]

It will be interesting to see what kind of contract he'll get. I don't think he is worth more than 3.5 million, but we shall see. I hope Krivsky isn't gaga over a reunion though.

[TeamBoone]

I doubt it. He grew up watching Pittsburgh and he lives there now. He's got a sweetheart deal going... why even think about coming back here?

He wouldn't think twice, he'd only think once if the opportunity presented itself.

Regardless of where he grew up, he moved on a long time ago... just like many of us don't return to our hometowns to live, even though we always think of them as home in a retrospective sort of way.

Sean Casey loves Cincinnati and if he was offered the opportunity and a deal he could live with, my guess is he'd do it in a heartbeat.



I wouldn't be against him coming back at a Hatteburg-esque contract. If he thinks he getting 8 a year, he can go to the suck that is Pittsburgh

To be perfectly honest, I don't think Sean has 8 more years of baseball left in him. Nothing against him personally; I just don't think his body is capable.

[flyer85]

I say, go Pirates

[Johnny Footstool]

Hilarious. The Pirates are thowing crazy money at Sean Casey and throwing Craig Wilson to the dogs.

That's why they're the Pirates, I guess.

[flyer85]

Hilarious. The Pirates are thowing crazy money at Sean Casey and throwing Craig Wilson to the dogs.

That's why they're the Pirates, I guess.not much guessing about it. They need to keep Burnitz and Casey and dump Wilson.

[Maldez]

The Reds are more or less getting Sean Casey numbers from Scott Hatteberg, and for a lot less money.

Yeah, but Hatteberg doesn't have half the at-bat antics that Sean Casey has. I mean, just the sound of Case rippin' his velcro wrist-bands off and on is worth at least 1 mil a year.

[Caseyfan21]

He still has his home in Mason if I remember correctly. If the Reds offered him the chance to come back, there's no doubt in my mind he would give them a discount. If he's willing to take Scott Hatteberg money than I'd love to have him back. If he's thinking the Reds will throw $8 million at him than he can stay in Pittsburgh.

[Shaggy Sanchez]

To be perfectly honest, I don't think Sean has 8 more years of baseball left in him. Nothing against him personally; I just don't think his body is capable.

I think he was referring to him getting 8 million a year not an 8 year contract.

[EddieMilner]

S Hatteberg $750,000
CIN 1B 47 147 19 42 12 0 3 12 63 25 13 0 1 .389 .429 .286

S Casey $8,000,000
PIT 1B 18 63 12 17 5 0 3 10 31 5 6 0 0 .333 .492 .270


Hatteberg is the deal of the century. The reds are getting as good (if not better) production for less than 10% of the cost.

I don't want Casey back, unless he comes back for $750,000/year. We overpaid him for way too long.

[TeamBoone]

I think he was referring to him getting 8 million a year not an 8 year contract.

You're right; I read it wrong.

That said, I hardly think Sean expects 8 million. I honestly don't think he does.

[jimbo]

S Hatteberg $750,000
CIN 1B 47 147 19 42 12 0 3 12 63 25 13 0 1 .389 .429 .286

S Casey $8,000,000
PIT 1B 18 63 12 17 5 0 3 10 31 5 6 0 0 .333 .492 .270


Hatteberg is the deal of the century. The reds are getting as good (if not better) production for less than 10% of the cost.

I don't want Casey back, unless he comes back for $750,000/year. We overpaid him for way too long.

It's hard to compare those stats without keeping in mind the fact that Casey has missed a lot of games because of a fractured back. Besides, looking at those numbers the two are pretty close even though Casey has had less than half the at-bats that Hatteberg has had.

[EddieMilner]

It's hard to compare those stats without keeping in mind the fact that Casey has missed a lot of games because of a fractured back. Besides, looking at those numbers the two are pretty close even though Casey has had less than half the at-bats that Hatteberg has had. Casey is just a much better overall hitter.

Casey is paid over 10x what Hatteberg makes. And Hattebergy has a significantly better OBP. You can't score unless you get on base.

[jimbo]

Casey is paid over 10x what Hatteberg makes. And Hattebergy has a significantly better OBP. You can't score unless you get on base.

Casey has scored 12 runs compared to Hatteberg's 19, yet has 80+ less at-bats.

If you are basing your opinion on salary alone, then I agree completely with you. Hatteberg is the better value. On talent alone though, Casey is a much better overall hitter. I don't want him back at $8 million, but if he'd take $1-$2 million I'd take him in a heartbeat.

I think TeamBoone is correct, Casey won't be looking for anything in the same ballpark of $8 million next season and he is the type of person who would take a discount to play where he wants.

[TeamBoone]

Fielding:


G GS INN TC PO A E DP PB SB CS RF FPCT

Casey 1B 16 16 123.2 121 114 7 0 12 -- -- -- 8.81 1.000

Hatte 1B 45 39 359.1 350 325 22 3 21 -- -- -- 8.69 .991


Hitting:


G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG

Casey 18 63 12 17 5 0 3 10 31 5 6 0 0 .333 .492 .270

Hatte 47 147 19 42 12 0 3 12 63 25 13 0 1 .389 .429 .286

[KronoRed]

it wouldn't suprise me if he offered the Reds a big discount to take him back, but in reality, I don't think it would be a good idea.
I think it would be a bad idea as well, no chance of moving Dunn if he's at 1st and what about Votto? bad idea.

[Matt700wlw]

The Reds are more or less getting Sean Casey numbers from Scott Hatteberg, and for a lot less money.

And less double plays :D

[RedsMan3203]

And less double plays :D


And less Hugs! :p:

[Ltlabner]

Casey is a great person, and that I don't think anybody can argue with. I always liked him as a ballplayer and thought he added alot to our team. That being said, bringing him back would really be a sentimental move that doesn't fit with where we're going as a team.

Bringing him back would simply replace the log-jam that was previously the outfield, then became the log-jam at 2B with a log-jam at first base. Assuming Hatti and RA are still here in 2007 (which I doubt), plus the possibility of moving Dunn to 1B, maybe putting Valentine there and the very long shot of moving EE there means you'd have 6 people all bunched up again. It just further limits the options to have him here.

Love the guy but his time in Cincy has passed.

[TeamBoone]

And less Hugs! :p:

But hugs are a good thing!