The Pittsburgh Pirates and their fan-base's spirits have been at an all-time high this year, thanks to the Pirates staying in the NL Central division race through the month of July, and possibly avoiding a 19th straight losing season.
However, recently the Pirates have lost 8 of their last 11, have fallen back by 4.5 games in the division, and are now just two games over .500. The Buccos just got swept by Hunter Pence and the Philadelphia Phillies. Talk about a slap in the face.
I, among others, have called out the Pirates ownership for not making any moves, not spending any money, and not showing any kind of real commitment to winning and fielding a competitive team.
However, the Pirates shocked the baseball world by making not one, but two trades this weekend, to improve their team.
First they traded for first baseman Derrek Lee from the Baltimore Orioles for Single-A first baseman Aaron Baker. Then they acquired outfielder Ryan Ludwick from the San Diego Padres for a player to be named later or cash.
The Pirates shocked me by not only getting two quality major league players, but also spent $4.8 million, and improved two positions that needed an upgrade. I also love the price tags. The Pirates did not give up any top prospects, and they stepped up by taking on $4.8 million in the two veterans' salaries.
Yes, Derek Lee is 36 years old but he's a free-agent after this year, will be playing for a better team, has a pedigree and big game experience, and is a huge upgrade in all aspects over Lyle "freaking" Overbay. Lee also has historically good numbers against the central division, hitting no lower than .278, 20 Home Runs or 82 RBI in any season.
Since the All-Star break, he is batting .298 -- 17 for 57 -- including a 4-for-5 output Tuesday in Toronto with an opposite-field home run and five RBI. And the Pirates' scouts saw other traits at the plate they found encouraging.
Ludwick, 33, has been on the decline for the past three years. After a monster year in 2008 in St. Louis -- 37 home runs, .299 average, his numbers in those stats have gone down, year by year, to 22 and .265, 17 and .251 and the 11 and .238 he had with San Diego this season.
Now a lot can said that Ludwick's numbers declined and suffered in San Diego because PETCO Park is arguably the worst hitters park in baseball. Not to mention that Ludwick wasn't in a very potent lineup and wasn't protected.
However, Ludwick's career numbers at PNC Park are very good. Since 2008, he's batting .306 with 5 hr's and 16 rbi's, in 72 at bats in PNC Park. So I think Ludwick and Lee will improve the offense drastically.
My everyday lineup once everyone is healthy would look like this:
C: Ryan Doumit
1B: Derek Lee
2B: Neil Walker
SS: Ronny Cedeno
3B: Pedro Alvarez
RF: Ryan Ludwick
CF: Andre McCutchen
LF: Alex Presely/ Jose Tabata
Not bad. Especially since it means no Lyle Overbay, who the Pirates should put on waivers.
Whether or not the Pirates can stay in contention even with these moves, only time will tell. If I'm betting on whether or not the Pirates win the division or not, I'm betting on them not. St.Louis and Milwaukee are still better. Better pitching, better hitting, and more experience.
Even if the Pirates would have gotten Hunter Pence and/or Carlos Beltran they might not have had enough to get over the hump. Pirates still need another quality starting pitcher. The starting pitching has been decent but is still inconsistent.
These moves might not mean a division title for the Bucs, but they show the baseball world, the fans, and the players that the organization is committed to winning. Pittsburgh is still considered a "baseball graveyard" by most players and fans. Big reason why Carlso Beltran and others chose to not waive their no-trade-clause for a trade to Pittsburgh.
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These moves can help stop that in the future. Especially if the Pirates can at least stay in contention until the end of the season. These moves had to be made for so many reasons. The biggest is confidence. Pirates ownership shows that they are willing to be buyers and spend money to improve the team. It gives confidence to the coaches, players, and fan-base.
Maybe this will be the last year that Pittsburgh will be considered a baseball graveyard in the near future.
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