Pirates close to trading Kendall....

[Coach]

I really like this too. We get an All Star Catcher in return that is only 27 and could still improve even further. We also get a 3rd baseman that was a very good hitter until the last 2 seasons. The last two stunk, but he is going to reunite with hitting coach Gerald Perry....We'll see.....

I like this because we aren't on the verge of winning....save the $20 million because The Kid isn't going to be a KID much longer.

HERE'S THE STORY:
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The long-rumored trade that would send catcher Jason Kendall back home to San Diego and free the Pirates of millions of dollars in contract obligations is finally nearing completion.

The teams were working Monday to finalize a trade in which the Pirates would get third baseman Jeff Cirillo and catcher Ramon Hernandez for Kendall, The Associated Press learned.

The teams were close to making a deal last summer, shortly after the Pirates dealt outfielder Brian Giles to the Padres. Then, the two sides couldn't agree on how much of the remaining $42 million of Kendall's contract Pittsburgh would pick up.

Talks resumed late last week, moving the teams to the verge of a deal, a team source said on the condition of anonymity. The renewed Padres-Pirates trade talks were first reported Saturday by the Beaver County (Pa.) Times.

Cirillo and Hernandez will make a combined $21.95 million in 2004 and 2005 -- about the midpoint of what the Pirates were willing to pick up of Kendall's contract and the Padres wanted Pittsburgh to pay when the teams talked last summer.

Cirillo will make $6,725,000 in 2004 and $7,025,000 in 2005, and his deal includes a club option of $7,625,000 for 2006 with a $1.25 million buyout. Hernandez is owed $2.85 million this season and $4.1 million in 2005.

Kendall, a .304 career hitter who has never hit for power, has a no-trade clause he is willing to waive to complete the deal. The three-time NL All-Star grew up in San Diego and is eager not only to return home but to play again with Giles, one of his closest friends in Pittsburgh.

The Padres are looking to make a big splash as they move into Petco Park, something that landing a homegrown star such as Kendall would do. Kendall rebounded from a severe ankle injury in 1999 and a thumb injury in 2001 to hit .325 last season.

The Padres acquired the right-handed hitting Cirillo from the Seattle Mariners last week, even though they already appear set at third base with Sean Burroughs. San Diego got Hernandez and outfielder Terrence Long from the Oakland Athletics in November for outfielder Mark Kotsay.

Cirillo, 34, is a .299 career batter, but is coming off consecutive poor seasons in Seattle -- hitting .205 with two homers and 23 RBIs in 87 games last season and .249 with six homers and 54 RBIs in 2002. Before that, he hit .313 or better in four straight seasons with the Brewers (1998-99) and Rockies (2000-01) and had a career-high 115 RBIs in 2000.

Hernandez, 27, made the AL All-Star team while hitting .273 with 21 homers and 78 RBIs last season and has a .253 career average in five seasons. Unlike Kendall, he is considered an above-average defensive player.

Pittsburgh recently signed free agent Chris Stynes to play third base, but he could shift to second base -- a move that would allow second base prospects Bobby Hill and Freddy Sanchez to start the season at Triple-A Nashville.

Hill (Cubs) and Sanchez (Red Sox) were the main players acquired last season when the Pirates traded third baseman Aramis Ramirez and outfielder Kenny Lofton to the Cubs and pitcher Jeff Suppan to Boston.

The Pirates plan to cut their payroll from about $52 million last season to $35 million, and the combined $9,575,000 they would pay Cirillo and Hernandez this season is more than the $8 million they owe Kendall. But they would save more than $20 million over the life of Kendall's contract if they don't pick up any of the salary owed him from 2005-07.

Kendall will make $10 million in 2005, $11 million in 2006 and $13 million in 2007 under the $60 million, six-year contract he signed in 2000 -- just months before the Pirates moved into PNC Park.

[Dep]

I hope. Some $$ may help the Bucs become more than a doormat.

[S Cube]

i like this deal too...i didnt realize hernandez had that good of a season last year...he may be more productive than kendall, plus cirillo is coming back to the national league where he was very successful before heading to seattle...go thru with it buccos!!!

[4him]

I don't know what is a good move and what is a bad move any more. After unloading the payroll last year, the youth players picked it up a notch and had some success. In particular, what's his face out in center field did a heck of a job. But with concerns about not bringing in enough revenue in the new ball park, I would have thought you would keep future hall of famers that people want to see, rather than coming to watch minor leaguers play. The trade of Aramis baffled me, becuase for years they were talking about building a team up through the system and then once they produce someone, they get rid of him. Although, he was a very streaky player.

The Pirates, year in year out, say "we are building for the future." Tell me, when does that future come? When do they finally say, "this is the future and we still haven't done crap, let's try another approach." You would have thought that when they were "buidling for the future" in the mid 90's you would have seen some results within the next decade. Sure the 97 season was "good," but good for the Buccos these days is like disaster in New York or Atlanta.

I would rather see them can the team in Pittsburgh, so that I stop pulling my hair out and yelling obscenity at every passing person. OK, not really, but they do frustrate me to the point that it ruins my day.

What a long waste of time that no one wants to read. I am just passionate about the Pirates. Oh yeah, I can live with the Kendall deal. It sounds decent to me.

[Coach]

Trading away these huge contracts (Ramirez and Kendall) is what the Pirates are doing to rid themselves of the Bonifay years. They have stockpiled young arms, and I feel that they will be a very good team in the next few years.

CF- Redman
LF- Bay (Big year I think)
RF- JJ Davis
3B-Cirillo/Stynes
SS- F. Sanchez
2B- B. Hill
1B- C. Wilson (FA signing)
C- Hernandez
P- Wells (Very good), O. Perez (VERY good/young) Fogg, Benson (if he recovers he is a very good pitcher), Burnett (AA stud), VanBenschoten (AA Stud), and more that aren't coming off the tip of the tongue right now.

The Pirates are still looking to sign a guy or two...Sanders, Stairs, and Lofton all signed LATE last year. They go after the guys that are getting desperate for work. It worked GREAT last year, and it could work again....

[Sports999]

Scrap all of that, the trade fell through. It basically didn't happen because the Pads signed Jay Payton and didn't feel that the money coming to them was sufficient. Dave Littlefield(Pirated GM) offered a prospect, Kevin Towers(Pad's GM) said no. It is done.

Just heard on a San Diego radio station where Kevin Towers was interviewed that there will be no further disscussions on this trade. I guess we're stuck with Kendall.

And about guys signing late. The Pirates seem to be waiting out Ugeth Urbina who seems to not be able to sign with anyone as their Closer.

[Coach]

And...Travis Lee for 1B from what I've heard. I hate that it fell through. The other Catcher is better than Kendall straight up....

[TakesDedication07]

no trade..padres decline

[HYNDMANWRESTLING]

kendell needs to be traded he is to good to be in pittsburgh

[BillyWhiteShoesJohnson]

No the problem w/ kendall is that he makes too much money for hitting 300 and not driving in any runs or hitting any homers.