Pirates Q&A with Paul Meyer

Wednesday, December 01, 2004

Q: What's your opinion of the Jason Kendall for Mark Redman-Arthur Rhodes trade? I feel it's a move in the right direction. Is there a possibility of another trade for a veteran catcher or is there a catcher on the free agent market that the Pirates could now afford? I'm sure with the acquisition of Rhodes and Redman one or more of the Pirates' pitchers are on their way out. What's your opinion on what may happen now that the first big trade has been made?

John of Lawton, Okla.

MEYER: The Kendall trade, especially given the number of days it took for the deal to be officially announced, certainly generated a lot of Q&A submissions. This question is representative of those that dealt with my opinion of the trade. The comments -- and there were a few, to say the least -- are in their usual place here.

That Kendall would be traded by the Pirates was a given. And was a given for two or three years. It was just a matter of when, to which team and for whom. A lot of fans are upset with the return the Pirates received, but what did you expect? Teams knew the Pirates wanted/had to trade Kendall. They weren't going to give up a lot -- especially since they also had to take on part of Kendall's salary. In the trade, the Pirates did get a starting left-hander who's been around the block. That part is fine. What I guess I question is the Rhodes addition. The Pirates will pay him more -- probably as a setup man -- than they're paying Salomon Torres, who's also a setup guy. I wonder if Oakland mandated the Pirates take Rhodes because it didn't want him. The Pirates have left-hander Mike Gonzalez in their bullpen. The only silver lining I can see to Rhodes' inclusion in the deal is that (1) perhaps the Pirates can trade him or (2) Rhodes' presence in the Pirates bullpen can allow the team to send young left-handers John Grabow and Mike Johnston to Class AAA Indianapolis. Both certainly can use more time in the minor leagues. Neither really established himself in the major leagues last season.

Then there's the money the Pirates freed with the Kendall trade. Now that they have more "financial flexibility," what do they do with it? That will be the key to whether the Kendall trade is a good deal for the Pirates. And perhaps that won't be able to be judged for another year or two. Thing is, that $15 million -- spread over the three years left on Kendall's contract -- won't get the Pirates much. A $5 million-a-year free agent won't be an impact free agent. An impact free agent commands at least $10 million a season. So the Pirates won't get one of those. So do they take part of that money and go after a stopgap catcher? A stopgap starting pitcher? A role player? Do they take some of that money to sign one of their current young players to a long-term contract? Or is that $5 million a year needed so they can pay their arbitration-eligible players this winter and next?

I always thought trading Kendall would help the Pirates acquire players who can help in the short-term and the long-term. If this new "financial flexibility" just goes to pay arbitration-eligible players, this trade didn't help the Pirates at all.

Q: Now that Jason Kendall is (Pirates) history, is it possible that the Pirates can do what Seattle did after Alex Rodriquez left and what Texas did after Alex Rodriquez left and Boston did after Nomar Garciaparra left? That is to prove the experts wrong and have a season when the team is in contention or actually wins something, be it the division or the wild card -- or miracle of miracles, the World Series. How long until spring training? (Oh yeah, right after the Steelers win the Super Bowl.)

Herbert Swanhart of Honolulu, Hawaii

MEYER: I don't think it's possible for the Pirates to have a miracle season, Herbert. Those other teams had other solid major leaguers even after A-Rod left. That can't be said for the 2005 Pirates. And at this point, the Pirates have lost more than they gained. So they're worse off than they were in 2004. It's a nice holiday thought, but I don't think it's realistic.

Q: Much to my surprise, the Pirates did not protect Zach Duke. I know he's probably not ready to play in the majors, but isn't it likely that a weaker team will take him in the Rule 5 draft and keep him on the roster all season, then send him to Class AA in 2006? Is keeping Ron Paulino on the protected roster worth running this risk? Is it possible they can still add him to the roster or is the die cast?

Jeff Klunk of Lancaster, Pa.

MEYER: Not to worry, Jeff -- and others who asked this question. The Pirates didn't protect Duke because they didn't have to. Yes, he was a 20th-round pick in the 2001 draft, but he didn't sign until late in the year and thus didn't begin his professional career until 2002. As a high school pick, Duke doesn't have to be protected until after he has 3 1/2 years in professional baseball. He only had three seasons after the 2004 season. Thus, he doesn't have to be protected until after the 2005 season.

Q: We Q&A readers have suggested just about everyone else for third base next year -- Rob Mackowiak, Ty Wigginton, Jose Bautista, Bobby Hill and even Jose Castillo. So what about sliding Jack Wilson over, move Castillo back to his natural position (shortstop) and let Freddy Sanchez start at second? For the record, I think Wigginton is going to surprise some people next year.

Curtis Mullins of Grundy, Va.

MEYER: Let's hope you're right about Wigginton, Curtis, because I don't like your suggestion of moving Jack Wilson to third base. Let Jack stay at shortstop, where he's developing into one of the best -- if not the best -- in the National League. There's no guarantee Freddy Sanchez can or will play second base for the Pirates next year or ever. Jose Castillo began establishing himself at second base last season. Let's allow him to continue to do that. I think Wigginton will be more productive in 2005, if for no other reason than that he's settling in as a Pirate. Don't forget that the Pirates did not -- and do not -- view Wigginton as the long-term answer at third base. Jose Bautista could be that long-term answer. Wigginton will be with the Pirates until Bautista -- or somebody else -- becomes their regular third baseman. But Jack Wilson won't be that guy.

Q: Paul, how do the Pirates rate No. 1 draft pick Neil Walker after they've had a chance to watch him in the Rookie League? What were his batting stats? Do they feel just as good about his potential after having him in the organization for a few months? Do you see him continuing to be a catcher or is a position change a possibility? Where is he projected to start the 2005 season?

John Lezo of Verona

MEYER: I think the Pirates were OK with what Walker did in his first professional half-season, John. Walker, a switch-hitter, played in 52 games for Bradenton in the Gulf Coast Rookie League, splitting his time between catching and serving as a designated hitter, alternating playing time with Steven Lerud, who's also a solid catching prospect. It's not easy for a high school player to break into professional baseball, where he uses a wood bat and where, in Walker's case, he's using that bat in the steamy Gulf Coast League -- sometimes called the Gulf Roast League. Walker batted .271 with 12 doubles, 3 triples and 4 home runs in 192 at-bats. That's fine for his first half-season. And he did have 10 hits in 33 at-bats for Williamsport in the New York-Penn League during a late-season stint at a higher level. I think what Walker did last summer was encouraging. Sometimes the players who turn into good major leaguers don't have eye-popping numbers during their first season out of the chute. I think Walker will begin the 2005 season with Class A Hickory. And that's when we'll get our first true glimpse of what kind of hitter and major leaguer he'll become.

Q: Do you think now that J. J. Davis is gone that the Pirates and their fans can use his future success or failure as a measurement of the Pirates' organization as a whole? If Davis fails in D.C., then it may be a sign that the Pirates did all they could with him. But if he succeeds, or even excels with his new team, does that say something about the Pirates' ability to develop strong talent from within?

D. Matthew Facer of Bellevue

MEYER: I don't think what J. J. Davis does or doesn't do in the Washington organization matters in the slightest. Davis had no future with the Pirates, and it wasn't their fault he didn't develop. As I noted in a previous Q&A, J.J. Davis never should have been a first-round pick. The Pirates drafted him in the first round because they knew they could sign him and thus save face. It's worth nothing that Leland Maddox, who was the Pirates' scouting director and who made Davis their No. 1 pick in 1997, worked for Jim Bowden with Cincinnati thereafter. Bowden, at least the interim Washington general manager, made a habit of signing Pirate castoffs in the late 1990s and early in this decade. It's no surprise Washington acquired Davis. If Davis somehow plays even a little bit for the Nationals, Bowden looks good. If Davis more probably doesn't play even a little bit for the Nationals, who cares?

Q: How can I get a copy of the Pirates' 2005 spring training schedule?

Sandor Gelman of West Bloomfield, Mich.

MEYER: The Pirates should have their spring training schedule announced by Dec. 1, so you can take a look at it soon.

Q: Please explain a little to all the Dave Littlefield bashers what the general manager's job description actually entails. And how do we measure his performance? Is it like batting average, where four good swings out of 10 at-bats puts you in the Hall of Fame? Or is it more like the first baseman who lets one ball get past him and he has to hear about it the rest of his life? So many of us loved Brian Giles in a Pirates uniform and will always welcome him warmly back to PNC Park, but can there still be doubters that a young Oliver Perez and rookie Jason Bay with all that talent, future and financial flexibilty was not the deal of the year?

Then there was the Rule 5 disaster in the same year. If I remember the quote correctly, Chuck Tanner said, "Every team will win 54 games and lose 54 games. It's what they do in the other 54 games that makes a champion." My guess is that a GM should be judged over a tenure of seven years. Balance his starting payroll and the ability to grow revenues for the team with the contracts he inherits when he takes over the job and the depth of his farm prospects. With what Dave Littlefield began, if he yields one World Series appearance in the seven years, he's stellar. If the most he can deliver is one .500 team, he's miserable. If he's somewhere in between, he's probably doing a good average job. If in no season during the seven-year stretch, the team wins at least 82 games, I would say the GM wasted seven years of his working life and the team should move toward another seven-year plan. I'd like to know how other fans, sports writers and team ownership judge the GM. Thanks.

William Murphy of Belle Vernon

MEYER: The fans -- at least those who read and participate in the Q&A -- seem to evaluate Littlefield weekly, William, as you'll see below. You present a good blueprint for judging Littlefield and other general managers. I think, now that Littlefield has traded Jason Kendall, his honeymoon period is over with the Pirates. The Kendall contract was supposed to be the albatross holding back Littlefield and his staff from going forward with free agent signings and other player acquisitions. Now, Littlefield should have all the "financial flexibility" he needs -- or can have -- to move forward. I don't think the Pirates will be a .500 team in 2005 -- unless there are other more positive moves made this winter -- but I think they have to begin getting close to .500 in 2005. It's time for the Pirates to stop stop-gapping and begin establishing their young players in the big leagues -- with this team, not other teams. We've seen some young talent blended into the Pirates. In 2005 and 2006, we should begin seeing the infusion of other young talent from what's supposed to be a much more productive farm system than the one of several years ago.

Littlefield has had three-plus years as the Pirate general manager. He's had time to begin making changes and improvements and implementing his system. Over the next three or four seasons, his system should at least produce a contending team once or twice or, yes, either he failed or it truly is impossible in baseball's current economic system for other than a very few small-revenue franchises to do anything but tease -- or frustrate -- their fans.

Q: Mr. Meyer, Paul from Tempe, Ariz., incorrectly referred to the Dernell Stenson award as the Dernell Sexton award (in last week's Q&A). I wouldn't normally write but felt compelled due to the tragic nature of the 25-year-old's passing.

John Toperzer of Pittsburgh

MEYER: Thanks, John. My bad for not correcting that.

And now for the weekly comments and observations and rants 'n at . . .

COMMENT: I am pleased with the Kendall trade for both the sake of the Pirates and for Jason Kendall. The Pirates needed the financial flexibility and Jason Kendall deserves to be playing in a pennant race and in October. He was a great representative of the Pirates. It is really a shame he never got to experience winning here. I hope and expect that if Kendall returns to Pittsburgh he will receive the warm reception that he deserves.

Michael Germani of West Middlesex, Pa.

COMMENT: The Bucs are going to miss Kendall. However, we did get two left-handers who have pitched in the majors for a while. I like the trade because you can never have too much pitching. The fact that they're lefties is a benefit due to PNC Park. Kendall was the ultimate gamer, but the trade could benefit both teams. I would like to tip my cap to Kendall and wish him the best of luck in Oakland.

Tim Tolley of Hilliard, Ohio

COMMENT: Now that we have the most financially flexible team in baseball, will we be going after Pedro and Beltran? Just kidding, of course. After watching this latest salary dump for two nearly worthless pitchers, I wonder how the Pirates can claim money problems. If you take the money from revenue sharing, the MLB TV deals with FOX and ESPN, the XM radio deal, local TV and radio, stadium ads and naming rights, it seems pretty obvious that the owners only care about one thing and that is putting money in their pockets. It is time for all Pirates fans demand Kevin "No Deep Pockets" McClatchy sell this team. There is no excuse for the Kendall dump. None.

Ron Bilak of Shreveport, La.

COMMENT: Dave Littlefield said that he understood that there was a lot of interest in Jason Kendall because there are not many players better at that particular position. It's so refreshing for us Pirates fans to know that we have a soft-tossing No. 4 starter and an aging, under-achieving setup man coming to Pittsburgh in return for a potential Hall of Famer. Us Pirates fans are even more excited about our new-found "financial flexibility." In fact, that is what we have been looking for. I am sure it will go to good use. I am sure we will use the extra funds just like we use the money from the luxury taxes the Yankees and other big market teams pay us annually. It's definitely not a slap in the face to us Pirate fans to see a team with no ownership (Washington) active in the free agent market. In addition, Pirates fans can't wait to see what catcher we acquire to replace Kendall with our new-found "financial flexibility." Perhaps we can sign the secondcoming of Josh Gibson. If not, Einar Diaz would certainly suffice.

In an up-market where people like Vizquel, Guzman and Percival are getting way overpaid, what do the Pirates think they can actually do with the money the are saving by dealing Kendall? This was just another slap in the face to Pirates fans. Fortunately for the organization, no Pirates fans will jump ship. Those of us who are left are obviously gluttons for punishment and are not going anywhere, even if we traded Oliver Perez for a bucket of baseballs. After all, that would be pre-emptive "financial flexibility." Usually it just (stinks) to be a Pirates fan from April to October. Now November is just as bad. Let's look at the bright side, though. I am sure we have some exciting Tino Martinez/Mike Matheny signings on the horizon.

Jason Kendall leaves it all out on the diamond, regardless of the score, time of year or situation. He was a joy to watch play and I think a lot of Pirates fans would have loved to have seen him in uniform when the Pirates finally had a winning season. He will be missed.

Tim Kastagir of Redondo Beach, Calif.

COMMENT: Paul, I've been a Pirates fan since the 1970's! I am so sick of this owner! If he wants a $20-million payroll team, then why doesn't he buy a minor league team? My prediction is that the Pirates will break the league record for losing seasons. How can any fan get excited about trading a career .309 hitter for a 30-year-old pitcher and a 35-year-old pitcher about to retire in two or three years? Where's the hope? The only way the Pirates can turn it around is to get a new owner and soon! The Pirates on average keep a good player for about three to five years, then trade him because of money issues.

Dave Russo of Cedarville, N.J.

COMMENT: What in the world was David Littlefield thinking? I know the team needed to trade Jason Kendall, but why trade for a pair of nearly washed up left-handed pitchers? I could maybe see getting Redman (along with an outfielder perhaps), but not Rhodes. Sure the Bucs will save some money, but what will they do with that? I hope, for sure, that Mr. Littlefield will try to find somebody, anybody who can hit leadoff, get on base and maybe even steal some bases. Plus they will need a catcher because I don't think Humberto Cota is the answer, though J. R. House may be if he gets the chance. This deal only makes sense for the Pirates if they do something with the extra money they have this year.

Cliff of Brighton Heights

COMMENT: I am very saddened by the (Kendall trade). The heart and soul of the Pirates is gone. For what? A mediocre starter in his 30's and an awful reliever in Arthur Rhodes. This is almost as bad as getting rid of Aramis Ramirez. Rebuilding , rebuilding, rebuilding. That is all I have heard since '93. Jason Kendall should have been a Pirate forever. This is by far the lowest point I have been at as a Pirates fan. You cannot replace a guy like Kendall. Dave Littlefield and Kevin McClatchy, you guys should be ashamed of yourselves for doing this to diehard Pirates fans like myself.

Frank Bartletta of Hainesport, N. J.

COMMENT: Hallelujah! Finally Jason Kendall traded to another team! Yes, he was a decent, hard-playing catcher, but $10 million a year for a singles hitter is way too much for a team watching its payroll like the Pirates, let alone the New York Yankees. My preference? I realize J. R. House had a decent year and Humberto Cota is a marginal prospect. Instead of dealing for another average, middle-aged vet, make Craig Wilson a full-time catcher and have either House or Cota back him up.

Jason Kendall's final 2004 numbers: .319, 3 home runs, 51 RBIs.

Craig Wilson's final numbers: .264, 29 home runs, 82 RBIs.

Who do you think the Pirates got more out of for their money? Match Wilson's numbers against any catcher in baseball. I'm sure his numbers would rank in the top five. We traded Kendall for two average players we can get any year in free agency. I hope Littlefield can now trade those two and get some power for our offense.

Chae Kim of Honolulu, Hawaii

COMMENT: Good luck to Jason Kendall. I will miss watching him play in a Pirates' uniform. One can only hope that this Thanksgiving Day Massacre trade can result in the same payoff of the April Fool's Day Massacre trade of Tony Pena (in 1987). It's sad to see Kendall go.

Matt Walker of New York, N.Y.

COMMENT: With the trade of Jason Kendall, I keep seeing articles that the Pirates will be looking for a catcher for the first time in nine years. Why do we have to look? We have several catchers on the roster -- Cota, House and Wilson. It seems to me that Craig Wilson would be a good choice. He came to the majors as a catcher and has worked very hard to improve his skills in the outfield and first base to get his bat in the lineup. A big bat behind the plate would be great. This would give us a chance to get a big bat in the outfield. If his skills behind the plate are in question, well, it seems to me that John Russell worked with Kendall and helped him. He should be able to do the same with Craig. Twenty to 30 homers from behind the plate would be a plus. And to add another 20 to 30 from a right fielder would make the Pirates a better team.

Thanks Jason for the many great years and good luck!

Greg Notebaert of Geneva, N.Y.

COMMENT: Approaching my first season as a full-season ticket holder, let me say I am completely disheartened about the loss of my favorite player, Jason Kendall. I believe it will be very hard to watch the Pirates this season if the money isn't put into the on-field product for 2005. And please no more long-term contracts. As a fan, it's very hard to see a guy with three years still on his deal and hear about his desire to stay just to have him dumped for two left-handed journeyman bums. In closing, I would like to wish Kevin McClatchy and his managing partners an early "Merry Christmas."

Brian of Edinboro

COMMENT: I just finished reading Bob Smizik's column on the Kendall trade and -- no surprise -- he took the opportunity to bash the Pirates organization again. It is very tiring to read these one-sided editorials and it is annoying -- that in their fervor to bash the Pirates -- they are not always very accurate. For example, Smizik states that out of the Benson, Giles, Kendall, Schmidt and Ramirez trades "only (the) Giles (trade) brought anything approaching equal value." I'll admit (because it is obvious) that the Ramirez trade was awful and unless Ryan Vogelsong puts it all together next year that one was a failure, too. But to me the Giles trade looks just as lopsided for the Pirates as the Ramirez trade was for the Cubs. Bay alone was as good as Giles this past year and he was about $7 million cheaper and eight years younger. Perez, and possibly Cory Stewart, make this an amazing steal. As for Benson and Keppinger for Wigginton, Matt Peterson and Bautista, look at Benson's record last year. He is an average pitcher being paid $7 million a year. Again, I think Wigginton alone would be considered an equal value. The fact that we got two prospects (even if one used to be ours) for one and saved millions of dollars tilts this trade to our side.

As for the Kendall trade, we have cemented our pitching staff for two years while saving $15 million dollars. This may have gone unnoticed, but the bullpen of Mesa, Torres, Rhodes, Meadows, Gonzalez and the rest is now as good as it has looked since we were last in the World Series. The starting rotation of Perez, Wells, Redman, Fogg and one of our younger pitchers is better than it has been since the last time we were in the playoffs. So feel free to praise Kendall on his way out. For despite what I felt was his constant moping in the dugout, he certainly played well and played in pain during his nine-year stay. But don't take it as an opportunity to bash the Pirates yet again.

Rich of Exton, Pa.

COMMENT: Paul, the Kendall trade (seems to be) the last "mulligan" that David Littlefield is going to get on the trade front. I keep hearing that people say he is a good GM and I want to believe that, but where is the evidence? Granted, he made a great trade in the Giles deal. Getting two quality players like Perez and Bay will benefit the Bucs for years to come, but what else has he done? I understand that he had to free up money for "financial flexibility" -- a little catch phrase I think every Pirates fan is getting weary of hearing -- but there's no law against getting a good return. I don't believe, no matter how Littlefield spins it, that this is an upgrade. I also don't want to hear that we haven't seen what else they'll do in addition to this. I'm talking about getting two underachieving players, who were considered busts in Oakland, for an All-Star catcher. I just hope that his next trade actually benefits this team on the field, because if it doesn't it may be time for a change.

Scott Staszak of Brentwood

COMMENT: Mark Redman and Arthur Rhodes!? You've got to be kidding me! I can understand trading Kendall to help clear some salary, but certainly there had to be a prospect or a better player or two that the Bucs could have gotten from the A's, or another team for that matter. What was Littlefied thinking when he made this move?

Joe Babik of Florence, S. C.

COMMENT: Let me get this straight. The team did worse last year than the year before, has no demonstrable power hitters that are not at least a year if not two away and still no proven leadoff hitter. They then go and trade JK, the last veteran leader they had, who could lead off, get on base (where Bay and the Wilsons were picking him up) for a couple of what appear to be dead arm pitchers. They might yet get traded for -- guess what? -- prospects. Meanwhile, we have nobody behind the dish, other than some stop-gap measure that won't have the endurance that Kendall brought, not to mention the leadership (so he never was a rah-rah guy, how can you not respect the guy that catches 140-plus games a year?). Incidentally, we have nobody (decent) in the minors.

Am I the only one who is happy for Jason, but not so happy for my beloved Bucs? BTW, ESPN radio just issued a warrant for Billy Beane charging him with grand larceny in the deal. Double Yoi.

Chris Mason of Somerset, Ky.

COMMENT: I'm probably the 1,000th person to comment on the Pirates trade(s). Sending Kendall to the A's is truly sad, but necessary. The Bucs have two capable catchers in Cota and J. R. House. House also plays outfield and first base, so they will not need to sign Craig Wilson to a high dollar contract. Also, how big is losing Chris Shelton (now catching for the Tigers) in the Rule 5 draft last year? I don't agree with the J. J. Davis trade. How can you trade a potential everyday player with proven minor league stats for a light-hitting Class A outfielder? Davis is a streaky player, but when he's on a tear he'll win games/series single-handedly. Ask anyone who's seen him play. Everyone still remembers Rob Mackowiak's great series last season. Davis is better. The Nationals will give him a chance and he'll be a solid 20 home run, 100 RBI, 20 stolen bases guy for them. One thumb up sadly for Kendall, and one way down for Davis.

Aaron of Port Matilda, Pa.

COMMENT: I am sure you have gotten a million hits on the Kendall trade. I know that on the surface it does not look like a good trade, but I think it has the potential to be a great trade because it is really not finished yet. It will all depend on who the Pirates bring in to replace him and how they spend the money they save. I have heard they are going after Matheny. Also, I read that they may send Rhodes to LA in a deal involving Milton Bradley. I really think it would be a waste to keep Rhodes, who makes $3 million a year, when they really don't need another left-handed setup man and that money could be better spent on a leadoff hitter. So they should definitely trade him and if the Dodgers are interested and we could get Bradley that would be even better. I would think the Kendall trade will be a great trade if they ended up with Mark Redman, Bradley, Matheny and a little extra money to lock up Jack Wilson.

One thing I would ask Pirates fans to do is be patient and wait until the off-season is finished to pass judgment. How many people called the Giles trade horrible and now it is the cornerstone of our future foundation? That said, I really do hope that Littlefield makes the other moves necessary to "complete this trade." Otherwise, I will join the chorus calling for his head because then this will just be another Ramirez money-dumping fiasco.

Finally, I wish Kendall well and hope that he doesn't make this a good trade by default by breaking down and having three bad years at the twilight of his career. Living in the Bay Area, I will definitely make it to a few more A's games this year to see him play.

Joseph Laughlin of San Leandro, Calif.

EDITOR'S NOTE: There weren't quite a million hits about the Kendall trade, but there were enough that we'll include more fallout in next week's Q&A.

First published on December 1, 2004 at 12:00 am