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Q: Just read the breaking news that the Pirates lost five players in the Rule 5 draft. I understand that this does not mean these players are necessarily gone forever, but what bothers me is this: The five Pirate players were selected with selections 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6. This leads me to believe that either other teams did a better job in protecting their prospects than did the Bucs and their players were the best (or only) eligible players to be chosen or the selecting teams have greater respect for Pirates prospects than they do. Either way, it doesn't fill this Pirates fan with confidence in David Littlefield's "develop from within" plan. Your thoughts?
Mike Anitori of White Oak
MEYER: I admit losing five players from an improved minor league system that quickly in the draft is a bit startling. I figure it shows one of two things. The Pirates either are awfully strong in the minor leagues or this is a huge blow to the organization. I think the loss - for now - of third baseman Jose Bautista is the largest surprise for the Pirates. They had to think that a position player who had a broken hand and missed much of the 2003 season and who hasn't played above Class A wouldn't be taken by another team. The Pirates love Bautista's potential. Apparently so does Baltimore, which also recently claimed Pirates minor leaguer Walter Young on waivers. It remains to be seen, though, if the Orioles will be able to carry Bautista all of the 2004 season on their major league roster.
By the way, interesting to note that the Pirates losing five players in the Rule 5 draft generated a ton of Q&A submissions on the subject in a 24-hour period. Almost all of the submissions - which arrived fast and, mostly, furious - were highly critical of the Pirates. There's absolutely no way all of them could be run in this space, so if yours didn't make it, be cool. Please be content knowing you were far from alone in your views.
Q: I understand why the Pirates left Chris Shelton and Jose Bautista off the 40-man roster. Is there any reason, however, why the Pirates couldn't have protected them on the 40-man roster until after the Rule 5 draft and then taken them off the 40-man roster to make room for the anticipated free agent signings? Or are teams only allowed to move players around on the 40-man roster at certain times?
Ben of Sewickley
MEYER: I don't know of any restrictions on movement on the 40-man roster, Ben. And I, along with a ton of readers, don't understand why the Pirates really have to keep three spots open on their 40-man roster for free agents who might not be signed until February. Or March. The argument is that three of the players who were lost in the Rule 5 draft could have been protected on the 40-man roster and thus kept. However, here's a thought. Players lost in the Rule 5 draft must remain in the major leagues with the selecting team for all of the next season or be offered back to the original team. That means the Pirates could get at least some of the five players they lost back. But if, say, Chris Shelton had been placed on the Pirates' 40-man roster and then the Pirates signed a free agent and needed roster room for that player and wanted to trim Shelton, he'd have had to have been placed on waivers. If a team took him on a waiver claim, that team doesn't have to keep him at the major league level in 2004. He can go into that team's farm system and be lost to the Pirates forever - whether he makes the major leagues or doesn't.
I guess that's the only explanation I can offer for the openings on the 40-man roster and the non-protection of some minor league prospects. The Pirates hoped to get those players through the Rule 5 draft untaken, figuring the risk for another team in the Rule 5 draft is far greater than the risk of that team taking a player on a waiver claim.
Q: I am not too excited with what I have been reading and hearing these past few months. What are we doing here? There seems to be no end to this 11-year losing streak. I mean, how much more can fans tolerate? Same old stuff I have been hearing in Pittsburgh for years -- no money, no money! Cutting the payroll to $35 million? What a joke! Hey, McClatchy, you buy a baseball team to make money, yet you won't spend a dime to build a team! I don't get it. When was the last time the Pirates' payroll was over like $70 million? Give the team a chance to get some big players and if it doesn't work, then you can bicker about no money and we have tried. But there is no effort in spending money to build this team, so I guess fans will have to suffer another drought for the next 11 years. Juan Acevedo and Daryle Ward. Laughable -- and yet it still makes me nauseous.
Frank Bartletta of Hainesport, N. J.
MEYER: The Pirates haven't made any real good news this whole offseason, Frank, unless one counts the lowering of ticket prices on some seats at PNC Park. To answer the question you have in your submission, the Pirates' payroll has never been anything like $70 million. I don't think it's ever even been $60 million. And it will be a long, long time before it is $60 million. If ever.
Q: I must say I am surprised that more people cannot recognize exactly what Dave Littlefield is doing. He is simply ridding the system of players who were here before he arrived, including Brian Giles, Aramis Ramirez -- and soon to follow Jason Kendall if at all possible. I realize some of these players were productive. However, sometimes there are other issues at hand. I know it is politically incorrect to write anything negative about certain players, but having played sports at a high level I am well aware of some negativity that creeps into the locker room regarding a struggling franchise. In order to stop this, you need to sever all ties and build from the bottom up or this will manifest itself in the form of new prospects who are exposed to it. I am also aware that guys like Kenny Lofton, Reggie Sanders and Matt Stairs do not fit into this category, but by witnessing their performance it was clear they came from outside the organization and did not carry with them these attitudes.
Furthermore, none of them is young enough to play an integral role in the Pirates once again surfacing as contenders. Since I am sure you know that (Littlefield) is working on a plan, how many of the pieces of the reconstruction do you feel are presently in the Pirates' system? Who are they? And where do they need to look to complete the puzzle? Thanks for keeping me posted here in Asia -- where believe it or not I have found other loyal Bucco fans!
David Bobalik of Taichung, Taiwan
MEYER: It's not surprising, David, that you've run into other Pirates fans in Taiwan. Stuff like this seems to happen no matter where in the world somebody is.
I do think there are some players on the Pirates' roster now who could be part of a contending team here in, say, 2006. Start with Kip Wells and Oliver Perez in the rotation. Maybe Dave Williams. Catcher Ryan Doumit is a probability. J.R. House? Don't know yet. We'll have to see if the Pirates can afford Jack Wilson as their shortstop by 2006, but young infielders Jose Castillo and Freddy Sanchez should be here. I figure by 2006 Craig Wilson will be gone to another team, but the outfield surely will include Jason Bay and maybe Tike Redman. The jury is way still out on J.J. Davis.
From the farm system - or what's left of it - figure at least two of there five starters will be with the Pirates -- John VanBenschoten, Bryan Bullington, Paul Maholm, Ian Oquendo and Sean Burnett. Left-hander Mike Johnston could be a fixture in the bullpen by then. And probably one of these other two left-handers - John Grabow and Mike Gonzalez - will be in the bullpen, too.
I'm not going to delve too deeply into the farm system beyond this. It's too early to tell for sure about players not on the 40-man roster. And one never knows how many Pirate prospects will survive another Rule 5 draft.
Q: As a kid growing up in the 1970s, I was spoiled, I guess, by the Pirates being a competitive team each and every year. With free agency causing salaries to skyrocket, the Pirates have become a spectator of the playoffs and World Series, as I am. They put nine guys on the field year in and year out, but the playoff teams in Pittsburgh are gone. Personally, I feel that Pittsburgh will not see another playoff team with the present system in place. What are your thoughts?
Jim Rickenbrode of Ross
MEYER: I think it will be a while before we see another Pirates team in the playoffs, Jim. The Pirates could be contenders within two or three years, but that doesn't mean they'll make the playoffs. I think it's possible the Pirates can reach the playoffs given baseball's current economic structure - heck, other teams have done it - but it's going to be next to impossible with a $35 million payroll. Get that payroll back up to $55 million and, hey, now you might be talking.
Q: Do you think that Dave Littlefield and company are even trying to field a competitive team at the major league level in 2004? If so, could you outline a scenario that would actually produce a better record than last year? Seems to me that the only goal for the season, and for the foreseeable future, is to maximize financial gains by cutting as many high salaries as possible. As a long suffering fan, I hope that you can tell me I'm wrong.
Mike Morgan of Murray, Ky.
MEYER: Looks as if you're not wrong, Mike, but I can't believe Dave Littlefield and his staff aren't trying to put together a competitive team for 2004. That doesn't mean they'll succeed, however. Even Littlefield conceded recently that the current roster - and the current projected 25-man opening day roster - is "unimpressive.'' And that's probably an understatement. Littlefield will try to cull additional players from what's likely to be a miasma of as-yet unsigned free agents and non-tendered players, but there aren't going to be many "diamonds in the rough'' in that watered-down pool. As of now, the Pirates really will have to go some to avoid a 90-loss season in 2004.
Q: What is going on here? The Pirates are going from bad to worse as quick as they can. I am a Dave Littlefield fan. However, I do have to question the logic behind all the moves during the summer and the lack of moves in this off-season. We heard about wanting to sign Matt Stairs, and he was offered $200,000 less to play this year for them! I think the Pirates could have dished out a little more for a "fan favorite." Hello, we at least need nine players to take the field come opening day, and Matt Stairs' $1 million contract would not have busted the bank. I just don't understand the short term and/or long term plan and I honestly have to wonder as a long time Pirate fan if the Pirates have a plan. We need to look at all the promises made about the farm system and building a program we have heard about for the last 10 years. The prospects that we've waited for finally start turning the corner and they are shipped off for a couple of prospects. Will there ever be an end to this awful cycle for Pirate fans?
Todd A. Lamarque of Gorham, N. H.
MEYER: Doesn't seem like it, Todd. The reason the Pirates offered Stairs less money for 2004 than they paid him in 2003 is because they question his physical shape. Stairs, who will turn 36 years old in February, had a couple injuries in 2003 (finger, hamstring), and the Pirates thought there probably would be more time lost because of injuries in 2004.
Q: Who is going to bat cleanup for this team? The lineup as I see it now goes Tike Redman, Jason Kendall, Jason Bay, Craig Wilson, J.J. Davis, Rob Mackowiak, Freddy Sanchez and Jack Wilson. This does not exactly strike fear in the hearts of opposing pitchers. Upgrades appear necessary at first base and third base and right field. Have you heard of anything coming that will address any of these issues?
Alex Rutkowski of St. Louis
MEYER: You can note some of the answers above, Alex, but I certainly agree with your assessment of the lineup you presented. If that is indeed how the Pirates open the season, the pitchers had better be just about perfect. And if your lineup IS the opening day lineup, who's on the bench? Again, the Pirates - as of now - aren't going to be very good in 2004. And, probably, as of April, they aren't going to be very good, either.
Q: Can you tell me how the Detroit Tigers, owners of the second or third worst record in baseball history and a team whose overall attendance was worse than the Pirates' are able to shell free-agent money out to Fernando Vina ($6 million over two years) and were in the market for Miguel Tejada? Of course, the Pirates are busy signing Daryle Ward (.184) and Juan Acevedo. This makes the call for Kevin McClatchy to open the books all the more louder in my opinion. What do you think?
Mark Medford of Shaler
MEYER: Tiger ownership, which must have deeper pockets than Pirates ownership, gave general manager Dave Dombrowski the go-ahead to spend money to fill at least some of the holes the Tigers have. Vina is a good sign for Detroit. The fact the Tigers also signed free agent outfielder Rondell White is pretty insignificant. That contract could have gone to Reggie Sanders, if he'd accepted. Sanders has more left than does White. The fact remains, though, that while the Tigers seem to be increasing their payroll, the Pirates are trimming theirs.
Q: I have a question with a statement. Everyone downs the trade with San Diego, but if you recall we got Brian Giles for nothing (reliever Ricardo Rincon) and he became something. I believe that Brian was a great player, but give Jason Bay a chance. What is the worst that could happen? We have all three of the guys that we received in the trade fail and the team is no better off than before. How long have you been the Q&A guy?
Eric of San Diego
MEYER: The three-year anniversary of the Pirate Q&A is less than two months away, Eric. We started this in early February, 2001, so that answers that. And you're right about the Brian Giles trade. The worst that can happen is that Giles does well for the Padres and Bay, Perez and Cory Stewart do nothing for the Pirates. However, I'm predicting that Bay and Perez - at least - will become contributing players for the Pirates.
Q: What kind of prospects are third baseman Craig Stansberry and first baseman Brad Eldred? Following the minor league report every day, it seems the two of them did pretty well this year.
Ty Perry of Pittsburgh
MEYER: Stansberry was the Pirates' fifth-round pick in the June draft this year. A right-handed batter, Stansberry played on a very good Rice University team in 2003. At Williamsport, Stansberry, a second baseman at Rice, played third base and hit .307 with two home runs and 21 RBIs in 166 at-bats. Too early to tell what kind of prospect he is, though.
Eldred, a right-handed hitting first baseman, was the Pirates' sixth-round pick in the 2002 draft out of Florida International University. Eldred has some defensive shortcomings but has tremendous power. He hit 28 home runs for Class A Hickory in 2003, ranking second in the South Atlantic League. He also batted .250 and struck out 142 times in 420 at-bats, which tells you he has some holes in his swing. Eldred probably will move to Class A Lynchburg in 2004, but we'll have to wait until he plays for Class AA Altoona - if he gets that far - before we'll have a good idea of his true upside.
OK, folks. I'm taking next week off so the Q&A staff can enjoy the holidays. Here's hoping you do, too. See you again Dec. 31.
And now for the weekly comments and observations and rants 'n at. . .
COMMENT: Let's face it -- this ownership group has failed. Five of the first six picks in the Rule 5 draft were Pirate prospects! For a team struggling to rebuild, how can this happen? They were willing to sacrifice players like Chris Shelton, Frank Brooks and Jose Bautista in order to keep players like Abe Nunez, Joe Beimel and Brian Meadows? It also appears that only 37 players are on the 40-man roster. Why are these spots open? For the magical free agent that they are going to sign? Ah, yes, but I forget -- the secret weapon will be Jose Mesa, just to remind us all of Mike Williams, 2003 vintage. I'm sure McClatchy is thrilled about the Rule 5 draft results because of the $250,000 he gets for the selections. What a joke.
Dave Glass of Clearfield, Pa.
COMMENT: I am a diehard fan. I have been very patient with the Pirates' rebuilding. I understood when Dave Littlefield took over it would take several years. I have been following the minor leagues very closely these past three years, and with getting rid of the dead money from Derek Bell, Pat Meares and Kevin Young, I thought this would be the year the Pirates would make a move toward being competitive. The talk of the last labor agreement that this would help the small market teams was obviously a joke. The talk of the trades for financial flexibility is a jjoke. It was a salary dump completely. They just slashed their payroll by $20 million, and we lose two of the few offensive prospects we had (Walter Young and Chris Shelton for nothing) so we can protect Jason Boyd and Mark Corey. I love baseball and I love the Pirates, but I am rapidly losing patience with both.
Mike Germani of West Middlesex, Pa.
COMMENT: It seems every time I read Pirates Q&A someone is downing the team. My question is why? I live four hours away and every summer make a point to cheer on the Bucs. Yes, (players) make a lot of money, but in our world today we need those three hours or so of anticipating the next pitch or hit. Fill the stands and let the players know we are there for them and not just free giveaways or another chance to boo them out of town. No matter who management fields at PNC Park, positive support is what players and fans need. I ca't wait until April. Go Bucs!
Steve Thomas of Reynoldsburg, Ohio
COMMENT: I've been reading this Q&A section for a while now and a lot of Pirate fans want to know how the Pirates sit by without getting into the free agent signing race and why the Pirates keep David Littlefield. First of all, with the financial situation concerning the club being very tight, you'll most likely never see them or any small market teams (Minnesota, Milwaukee, Kansas City, etc.) jumping into the signing race. They just have to always try to fill the team with players that won't cost much and hope they still have something left in the tank. The stadium hardly ever being filled doesn't help with the financial situation. I don't live in the area, but I love the Pirates and I've followed them for 30 years now. I believe Mr. Littlefield is doing an admirable job with everything that has been given him. He cannot -- nor could anybody else -- work a miracle. He is doing the right thing by building up the farm system with pitching and position players while still trying to present a professional team with the budget constraints that he faces. Remember, he doesn't own this team. He just "plays" with the tools that he has at his disposal. Continued patience is the key here, but it'll always be that way for small market teams. It's time to back Mr. Littlefield for what he's trying to do. The money situation isn't his problem.
Dan Knapek of Waterloo, Iowa
COMMENT: Where is the outrage in the Pittsburgh media over the way McClatchy and Littlefield are driving the Pirates off a cliff? Littlefield's act wouldn't last five minutes here in New England, where the Boston media is basically a wading pool full of piranhas. Everyone at the PG is like a lamb. You're functioning like a house organ for the (people who have hijacked our team and turned it into a laughingstock. Littlefield trades for one second baseman, then another, and tried to get yet a third from San Diego. He tells us the player to be named later in the Cubs deal will make us forgive and forget, and it turns out to be Bobby Hill. Littlefield gets nothing when he sends the injured Brandon Lyon back to the Red Sox, and then he gets snookered a second time by Theo Epstein with another pre-existing injury in Freddy "DL" Sanchez, he of the Warren Morris glove and Pokey Reese bat. Don't give me his AAA stats. He's stunk in the majors. McClatchy's and Littlefield's incompetence are able to take root and flourish thanks to a somnolent media that is certainly not watching out for the fans' interest.
Charles Conley of Buxton, Maine
COMMENT: I am quite sure you are getting bogged down with questions like "Why would the Pirates sign Ward and Acevedo?'' I would like to make a statement. This is the dumbest move ever. I don't want to hear, "We needed to fill holes left by Matt Stairs and Julian Tavarez." Stairs and Tavarez? Is anyone taking the Pirates seriously, even within the organization? Either make up your mind to raise your own talent or sign huge free agents. With the latter being an impossibility for the Pirates, you would think they would at least give the former a try. I am a firm believer of trying to mold a team, which I think Lloyd McClendon may be able to do. However, with veterans who know they are going to be gone next season, why bother?
Mark of Washington, D.C.
COMMENT: I had the pleasure of meeting Jim Duquette (general manager of the New York Mets) recently at the Pittsburgh airport. Without knowing whom I was speaking to until the very end of our conversation, I found it fascinating how many kind words he had for David Littlefield and the Pirates organization. Watching the Buccos on a daily basis can be very frustrating, but he felt confident that Pirates baseball is heading in the right direction again. Consider just a few years ago the Pirates played baseball in a "stadium" and we were very close to losing our team altogether. Now we have the best "ballpark" in the country and are sincerely on the path of rebuilding. Will the Pirates contend in the next couple years? No. But we do have competitive baseball to look forward to in the not too distant future and a state-of- the-art facility we can be proud of. For many years our minor league system was a joke and over the past two years it has become obvious that it has become much improved. For the Pirates to contend again let us not forget that is where the majority of our team will come from without having the big bucks to pursue many big time free agents.
John Fox of Moon
