Pirates

[Eaglealum]

Doesn't matter, the Mets are offering to pick up part of Beltrans' 6 mil contract, Krukie is already putting him in the 'burgh..(hope he's right)....as long as the list of prospects isn't too steep....as far as I'm concerned the only untouchable prospects are the 3 big arms they drafted in the past 2 years. Go get 'em Huntington! It's been 19 years already....and give the Pirate Parrot some viagra to keep that "Jolly Roger" up thru September.

[voncap]

Ladies and Gentlemen: "Your FIRST PLACE Pittsburgh Pirates"

Last year the Bucs were 32 - 59 and 18.5 games out of first place at this point in the season.

Don't want to get too far ahead of myself so keeping it real: Only seven more wins to beat last year's win total and only 32 more wins to break the streak.

Now for the unreal: Based on the current records of the teams in the division, it looks like a good possibility that 90 wins (possibly a few less based on the number of times the Cards, Brewers, and Buccos have to play each other) will win the division. So only 40 more wins to be National League Central Division Champs.

[S Cube]

I hope the bucs can pull something off to get Beltran. Remember the last time he was playing for a new contract? The Royals dealt him to Houston and he was the best player in baseball down the stretch and in the playoffs that year. Here he is again in the same situation with an opportunity to get another nice contract this coming offseason so you know he will give it all he's got! Another switch hitter behind Walker and MCutchen would be huge for a lineup desperate for some pop.

[S Cube]

Also, what is the timetable for Olendorf to return? He's a guy I could see being used out of the pen down the stretch. He's a big guy with a pretty good fastball. If he's only working one inning a game he could probably pump it up to 95. Maybe he could be that 8th inning guy?

I also feel Moskos should be up instead of Beimel. Beimel doesn't have much left in the tank and you can never have enough power leftys in the pen. Moskos and Watson are a great pair of leftys in my opinion.

[WPIAL~Titan]

Beltran is a gamble...Injury prone, bad knees, lots of Ks...He has performed well in the late season in the past, but given his age and health, it's a big risk, particularly if the Bucs have to give up and meaningful talent to get him (and they will have to).

Why get crazy and crap the bed by making some stupid move or giving up big talent just to get a guy who's got one foot on a banana peel and the other in his grave? The Pirates are in sole possession of 1st place with this current roster...Continue to deliver lights out pitching, good defense, and lots of 3-2, 4-3, and 5-4 wins could be the result...

BTW, did I just say that the Pirates are in sole possession of first place and it's July 19???

[S Cube]

Titan, yes Beltran has had his share of injury problems the past few years and his numbers have been way down. However this year he leads the Mets in games played and his numbers show that he's healthy. I would rather have Ethier or Pence, but Beltran would also really help our offense which is like 13th in the NL.

[WPIAL~Titan]

Eithier and Pence are pipe dreams, they'd have to pillage their farm system to get them.

I say go with what got you there...Lights out starting, situational,and short relief pitching (already in place), good defense (already in place), and opportune single/double hitting (in place). Count on continuing to overacheive, while the Cards, Reds, and Brew Crew underachieve. Win a lot of 3-2, 4-3, and 5-4 games.

Alvarez could supply some power when he returns. Don't sell the farm to get a washed up player.

[KirkHerbstreit]

Agree with Titan. I heard people saying to give up Presley, Marte, and Kyle Mcpherson for Beltran today for 3 months. To me, you ride this year out. Who would have ever thought you'd be at this point anyway. You let Alvarez come up, hope he supplies the punch he did last year, and ride the season out.

However, I could probably be convinced otherwise. I just don't want the team to sell the farm to get swept in 3 games like they more than likely would at this stage in their development.

[jack daniel]

Alvarez goes 4-4 tonight, now hitting .370 2 homers 10 rbi. I think its time to bring him back up. Also, Cedeno hitting .400 in his rehab stint at Indy, and Pearce is hitting .270 with 3 homers and 7 rbi they have to be close too.

[WPIAL~Titan]

the Pirates raised the Jolly Roger again tonight...With Alvarez in the middle of the lineup, they'll be raising the Kennemetal 'K" signs for Petey...