Pittsburgh Pirates Trade Block
| 11
|
by user Timothy Moreland(Bball3345)
These are some of the Pirates players that should find themselves in a different uniform come August 1st.
AGE: 37 years old
SALARY: $6.0 million- 2006/ $6.0 million mutual option or $70K Buyout- 2007
PLAYOFF EXP: None
2006 STATS: 159 AB .214/.260/.384 7 HRs 12 R 25 RBI
REPLACEMENT: Craig Wilson would likely shift to the outfield. If Jody Gerut is healthy by then, he would be the likely starting rightfielder.
WHY HE MUST GO: The Pirates have to finally decide to look toward the future, which a 37-year-old outfielder with a struggling bat is not part of. Signing Burnitz to a $6 million contract for this season was a big mistake. GM David Littlefield should consider himself lucky if he can receive anything of value in return for Burnitz. Hopefully, Burnitz can heat up with the weather and sell himself to a playoff contender looking for an extra bat off the bench for the stretch run.
AGE: 36 years old
SALARY: $4 million
PLAYOFF EXP: 3 games for the San Diego Padres in 2005. He went 4/11 and scored a run in a sweep by the Cardinals.
2006 STATS: 77 ABs .221/.247/.312 1 HR 4 R 7 RBI
REPLACEMENT: Freddy Sanchez and Jose Bautista would split time at third base, as they have while Randa sits out with an injured foot.
WHY HE MUST GO: As was the theme with the Pirates offseason, Randa, an old guy, took a job from a younger player, Bautista. Either Freddy Sanchez or Jose Bautista could have effectively been the Pirates Opening Day thirdbaseman. Instead, Littlefield brought in Randa for $4 million to produce below average. With no shot at the playoffs, this was the year to determine if Bautista could handle starting everyday, or if they needed to find another player to be the future thirdbaseman. Signing Randa set the team back even farther. Fortunately, he was injured and the Pirates found out both Bautista and Sanchez can hit. Like Burnitz, Littlefield should start praying someone will take Randa off of his hands.
AGE: 31 years old
SALARY: $8.5 million ($1.0 million paid by CIN)
PLAYOFF EXP: None
2006 STATS: 32 ABs .312/.353/.594 2 HR 7 R 5 RBI
REPLACEMENT: Brad Eldred would have taken over had he not broken his thumb, causing him to miss the rest of this season. Craig Wilson would likely take over if he is not in right field by the trade deadline. Jose Hernandez has seen time at first base this year; however, he hopefully will be traded. If healthy, young catcher Ryan Doumit could shift to first, opening up a permanent job for Ron Paulino behind the plate.
WHY HE MUST GO: Unlike offseason acquistions, Randa and Burnitz, Casey was hitting before a back injury sidelined him. Casey is the youngest of the three, but, as a pending free agent, a long-term deal does not make sense. If healthy, Casey may be able to attract a valuable prospect or two, as his name is mentioned each year as the trade deadline approaches.
Date
Tue 05/23/06, 11:53 am EST
