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Cota, Ross, Santiago?In today's PG, Smizik makes his case for the Pirates to release C Benito Santiago, saying that, "the goal is to some day have a good team. Toward that end, the Pirates would do best to go with youth and say goodbye to Santiago." Bob basically forfeits any chance at a decent season and builds his case around figuring out which catcher [Cota or Ross] will be the future supplement to Ryan Doumit, if and when he makes it to the Majors.Ross is the only catcher with any options, and Smizik argues that in sending him down, "he'll be lost to them, and will get no opportunity to show the Pirates whether he deserves to be part of their future." If the Pirates keep Ross on the roster then they need to release someone, "a third catcher is a luxury most teams can't afford. It's one the Pirates ... certainly can't." I have two main disagreements to his case. First off, everyone in Pittsburgh already knows that Santiago's not part of the future, News Flash Bob: no veteran player that the Buccos have signed in the last three years have been part of the future. Each and every one is signed with the hope that they play well enough to solicit a trade (a practice that warrants it's own discussion which I will save), or to help provide some sort of leadership to our young team. Normally they serve both. If Santiago plays well, he goes down the Kenny Lofton route and is gone by July. If he plays bad he goes down the Chris Stynes route and is gone by July. The only other option is for him to take the Reggie Sanders route, (which requires consistently decent play, immense popularity, and invaluable leadership), and that's not a bad thing either. Secondly, it's not the end of the world if Ross is demoted. Doumit, who has suspect defense, might benefit from having a defensively sound catcher liker David Ross on the same team, and if Ross is going to playing a quarter of Doumit's games in Pittsburgh next year, what's the big deal of having him playing a quarter of Doumit's games in Indianapolis this year? Furthermore, what's wrong with two and a half months in AAA for a guy who's career average is less then .210? The most likely scenario brings Ross back to Pittsburgh by midsummer. And to the idea that keeping someone with poor average and a reputation for strong defense will send a message to the fans: I know Pat Meares kept my keister in the stands for five years Bob, how about yours? If I can get even a potential relief pitcher in single A, that sends a much better message to me. posted by Rory at 10:23 AM | |
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This is a blog about the Pittsburgh Pirates. My vision: to write about the games at the games. Want to email me? Make it out to rory at bleache... you know the rest. |
