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In the last week of July, the Pirates attempted to improve their 2012 ballclub via 4 deadline deals:
– SP Wandy Rodriguez from the Astros for three minor leaguers (Robbie Grossman, Colton Cain, and Rudy Owens)
– OF Travis Snider from the Blue Jays for RP Brad Lincoln
– 1B Gaby Sanchez and minor leaguer Kyle Kaminska from the Marlins for Gorkys Hernandez and their competitive balance lottery 1st round draft pick
- RP Chad Qualls from the Yankees for Casey McGehee
Wandy Rodriguez replaced #5 starter Kevin Correia in the rotation. Since joining the Pirates at the beginning of the 2011 season, Correia has a 4.88 FIP, 1.354 WHIP, and 78 ERA+. Rodriguez (4.00 FIP, 1.306 WHIP, 107 ERA+ during that same span) will clearly be an upgrade to their rotation, effectively slotting in as their 3rd best starter.
The rest of the team’s moves were designed to help the offense. The primary contributions at each position for the Pirates this season:
| Pos | Player | PA | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | OPS+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Rod Barajas | 244 | 0.203 | 0.279 | 0.355 | 0.634 | 76 |
| 1B | Casey McGehee | 293 | 0.230 | 0.297 | 0.377 | 0.674 | 87 |
| 2B | Neil Walker# | 423 | 0.291 | 0.358 | 0.444 | 0.802 | 123 |
| SS | Clint Barmes | 318 | 0.208 | 0.237 | 0.295 | 0.532 | 48 |
| 3B | Pedro Alvarez* | 360 | 0.235 | 0.306 | 0.480 | 0.786 | 115 |
| LF | Alex Presley* | 281 | 0.231 | 0.270 | 0.379 | 0.649 | 79 |
| CF | Andrew McCutchen | 421 | 0.373 | 0.432 | 0.632 | 1.064 | 193 |
| RF | Jose Tabata | 280 | 0.230 | 0.295 | 0.341 | 0.636 | 78 |
| 1B/RF | Garrett Jones* | 291 | 0.272 | 0.299 | 0.518 | 0.817 | 123 |
The Pirates are expecting the trades for outfielder Travis Snider and first basemen Gaby Sanchez, along with the promotion of prospect Starling Marte, to upgrade the production at 1B, LF, and RF without breaking the bank for a big-name, marquee rental player. McGehee has been traded to the Yankees, Tabata has been sent to the minors, and Presley has been pushed to the bench.
Starling Marte has only played 7 games in the majors, but has done no worse than Presley in left field. In the past two minor leagues seasons (AA & AAA) he has a .860 OPS in just over 1000 at-bats.
Travis Snider is a 2006 first round draft pick with a .976 OPS in 797 AAA plate appearances. With inconsistent playing time in Toronto, Snider posted a .735 OPS in a little over 900 plate appearances. If the left-handed batter gets the majority of the playing time in right field, those numbers are still better than what the Pirates have gotten from right field so far this season.
Gaby Sanchez has had a terrible year (.202/.250/.306), so it was surprising to see the Pirates trade their 1st round draft pick for him. The Pirates are clearly hoping the old “change of scenery” trick turns him into the hitter he was from 2010-2011 (.269/.346/.437).
The Pirates made most of these upgrades without touching their current major league roster. The exception was a downgrade in one bullpen arm. Brad Lincoln (2.73 ERA, 1.096 WHIP, 9.1 K/9) was moved to the Blue Jays in the Snider deal and replaced with Yankees Chad Qualls (4.89 ERA, 1.578 WHIP, 4.9 K/9.)
On the surface, none of these deals catapult the Pirates into World Series favorites, but these deals will help prevent the second half collapse the Pirates faced last season. The Pirates are now a better team overall, shoring up some offensive weaknesses and making them a tougher opponent down the stretch in the battle for the NL Central crown.
Of course McCutchen has a lot to do with the Pirates Success. His batting average of .373 in 421 PA is insane. At this point (with Votto’s absence) McCutchen has to be the front runner to win the MVP. One can draw a lot of similarities between these two clubs.
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It seems to me that the Reds have historically had a difficult time hitting against Chad Qualls. That being said, I doubt if he’s what he used to be when he was with the Astros.
Also, I’ll say this here even though I am preaching to the choir: GO TO ALL THE GAMES THIS WEEKEND IF YOU CAN. In the past it’s been “just the Pirates,” but now it’s a legitimate series and there better not be any black and gold or empty seats visible on MLBN tomorrow, or, you know, the other 2 days.
If the Reds take 2 of 3 in this series, it’s going to be a huge positive in my book, seeing that the Bucs are arguably pitching their 3 best starters and we are pitching our lately shaky 2, our very shaky 5, and our 3. We also know that we are without Votto, possibly Brandon and Mes. The odds seem to favor the Bucs, but since the Reds are smoking hot right now, just as Ludwick is, it should make for a great series.
It seems like the Pirates made a bunch of changes but, other than Wandy Rodriguez, stayed away from guys who would improve the team. I was surprised they traded Brad Lincoln after he was a big part of the team’s successful bullpen. In Travis Snider and Gaby Sanchez they’re just gambling on getting improved production out of two questionable hitters. Kevin Correia is apparently still hoping for a trade. Oh well, whatever makes Pirates fans happy.
I think losing Brad Lincoln was a big enough blow that these trades won’t amount to too much improvement for the Pirates. They didn’t get anyone who is a really big improvement, aside from Wandy. I’m hoping that the Pirates’ chemistry weakens due to all these trades and that that, combined with a weaker bullpen, leads to a weaker team overall.
I agree. Their offense isn’t going to be much better (if at all) from these additions, and their bullpen (a major strength) has been weakened.
But I also agree with Greg that they are not going to just disappear. They are better than last season.
This series is going to be tough. Realistically it could be a sweep in any direction.
Good chance to make the Pirates finally go away. Hopefuly McCutchen starts playing like a human.
Against the Pirates in Cincy, the Reds have gone 2-7 in 2011 & 2012. This would be a nice time to turn that around.
@pinson343: This first game is Huge, Huge, Huge. Obstensibly our #2 guy against their #4 maybe #5 starter. This is the reason that we gave up so much (4 – MLBers) to get Mat. I pray that he mows them down, just as we know he can. This whole weekend, if the starters give us a strong 6 innings, we should be okay. But the Pirate pen is only second to our own so that cuts both ways. Better be in the lead or at least tied after 6 or either team is in trouble, IMO.
@Jared: I hope so, but really only a sweep gets that done. Not likely based on how they’ve been playing the Reds this year. I’ll take two out of three and just keep hoping for a game here and there by attrition at this point. I have full respect for the Pirates.
The Cards, on the other hand, there is nothing they can really do. I just like saying that. It would be the Cincy’s own fault if they got back in it at this point.
I just think this is going to be a great gut check after feasting on the weaker teams of the NL. Can the offense keep churning out some runs? Can the pitching settle in? I’m pumped to see how the team responds to another good team.
I deep worry is that it’s been so long since the team has played a real team they either: A) Press, or B) lost their fine edge.
They should be better. It has been 20 years since they have drafted low. About time.