The New Pirates

[jamesfinch]

Trying to put an end to years of hurt I'm going to take over the Pittsburgh Pirates. My plan is to build up a decent collection of top level prospects...many of whom will come from Arizona the team I have had most success with.

So...let's give it ago.

I should note that I am playing on mogul difficulty level.

[jamesfinch]

The first moves

Pirates trade RP Damaso Marte (81/81) and 3B Yurendell DeCaster (74/77) to D'Backs for RF Carlos Quentin (78/91)

Pirates trade RP Mike Neu (75/75), LF Adam Boeve (69/80) and RP Josh Sharpless (69/89) to D'Backs for SS Stephen Drew (64/94)

Pirates trade LF Nate McLouth (81/83), 3B Travis Chapman (69/71), RP Giovanni Carrara (74/74), RP John Van Benschoten (71/88), SP Kip Wells (86/86), 2B Craig Stansberry (77/88) to D'Backs for SP Matt Torra (39/98), SP Garret Mock (68/98), SP Greg Smith (47/94) and SP Dustin Nippert (79/95).

The Pirates trade 1B Brad Eldred (74/83), C Humberto Cota (77/77), LF Ray Sadler (72/79) and RP John Grabow (77/81) for SP Mike Pelfrey (77/97).

Pirates trade CF Andrew McCutchen (76/88) and RP Mike Johnston (71/92) to the Dodgers for 3B Andy LaRoche (74/95).

Pirates trade C Ronny Paulino (75/83) and RP CJ Nitkowski (81/81) to the Tigers for 1B Jeff Larish (72/90)

So I've essentially managed to hold onto my biggest chips despite these deals whilst hugely bolstering my farm. I'd hope that these acquisitions will put my organisitation in a position to properly contend in a few years time. For now however...I have to maintain respectability for this season.

[jamesfinch]

The second phase...making sure we don't lose 100 games

SP Brandon Duckworth (71/71) and CF James Boone (74/83) to the Twins for SS Drew Thompson (75/88)

3B Joe Randa (78/78) and SS JJ Furmaniak (77/80) to the Braves for RP Peter Moylan (75/75)

RF Jeromy Burnitz (83/83) to the Giants for RP Jeff Fassero (74/74)

RF Craig Wilson (83/83) to the Braves for C Jarrod Saltalamacchia (75/94)

The first of these deals was to get a player in Thompson with a great eye who projects to have an OBP in the .360-.370 range, very valuable and will move to 3rd base to replace the departing Randa. The Randa deal was to relieve some of the salary problems that I start with as the Pirates. Similarly the Burnitz deal sheds me of $6mil of salary. I am now $8mil under budget.

The Wilson for Salty deal gives me a nice catcher for the future whilst relieving $3mil of salary.

[jamesfinch]

The tinkerings

Signed RF Richard Hidalgo to a 1 year $800,000 deal. He will start in RF.

Signed SP Bud Smith to a 2 year $1.1mil per deal. He will start in long relief.

And one not so small deal...

OF Jody Gerut (72/80), SP Oliver Perez (77/91), 1B Sean Casey (81/81) and CF Rajai Davis (72/80) to the Royals for 3B Alex Gordon (77/98).

Monster deal here sending $7.5mil in salary as well as 4 decent ballplayers for an absolute stud in Alex Gordon. This move certainly sets me up nicely.

[jamesfinch]

Opening Day

LINEUP:

1. CF Chris Duffy (80/86)
2. 3B Drew Thompson (77/83)
3. 1B Jose Hernandez (77/77)
4. LF Jason Bay (93/93)
5. C Ryan Doumit (83/87)
6. 2B Jose Castillo (81/87)
7. RF Richard Hidalgo (75/75)
8. SS Jack Wilson (83/83)

Rotation

1. Zach Duke (90/98)
2. Victor Santos (79/83)
3. Paul Maholm (81/92)
4. Bud Smith (72/81)
5. Ian Snell (84/91)

Closer: Mike Gonzalez (87)
Setup: Roberto Hernandez (81)
Short: Ryan Vogelsong (76)
Short: Salomon Torres (80)
Middle: Scott Strickland (76)
Long: Peter Moylan (75)

[jamesfinch]

Key Prospects

Hitters:
1B Jeff Larish (72/89)
SS Stephen Drew (64/94)
3B Andy Laroche (74/95)
C Jarrod Saltalamacchia (75/94)
RF Carlos Quentin (78/91)
3B Alex Gordon (77/98)

Pitchers:
SP Dustin Nippert (79/95)
SP Mike Pelfrey (77/97)
SP Tom Gorzelanny (78/94)
SP Joe Bauserman (69/95)
SP Matt Capps (69/93)

I'll update the prospects every two months with their minor league ball performances.

[jamesfinch]

Two Months In

I have increased my farm spending to $12million (first in the league) and after two months my record is 22-29. All in all not a bad start, certainly avoiding 100 losses wouldnt be bad for a first year with the Pirates.

Leaders:
ERA - Paul Maholm (4.21)
Wins - Ian Snell (4)
Saves - Mike Gonzalez (10)
AVG - Jason Bay (.337)
HR - Jason Bay (9)
SB - Chris Duffy (6)

[jamesfinch]

Four Months In

Record of 32-47. Not a great couple of months for me.

Leaders:
ERA - Victor Santos (4.44)
Wins - Santos (6)
Saves - Mike Gonzalez (11)
AVG - Jason Bay (.332)
SB - Chris Duffy (14)

Prospect Watch

AAA Hitters:

Larish .256/11/54/.393
Drew .270/6/47/.353
LaRoche .274/8/34/.360
Saltalamacchia .268/1/48/.318
Quentin .334/9/67/.423
Gordon .289/7/42/.416

AAA pitchers:

Nippert 3.37 ERA
Pelfrey 3.91 ERA
Gorzelanny 3.06 ERA

AA Pitchers:

Bayliss 4.68 ERA
Torra 4.76 ERA

[Red Sox Fan 734]

Good start! In 2-3 years you will be a force.

[Sanji Watsuki]

I hope McCutchen doesn't turn out as good in your dynasty as he did in mine. His eye and speed are crazy-amazing. He is dominating the steals board.