Comments on: Pirates Focus In-House, Rather Than Waiver Claims

By: Tim Williams

Tim Williams — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 18:26:00 +0000

You might be right. I was looking at the standings on Tuesday, but just noticed those include Tuesday’s games. So based on the standings going in to Tuesday, the Pirates would have priority.

By: Mark Ludwig

Mark Ludwig — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 18:20:00 +0000

Are you sure? I was under the impression that the waiver order was determined by the standing at the time the player was placed on waivers, not when the claim would be made. When Marcum was waived on Tuesday afternoon, the Pirates were 68-60 while the Dodgers were 69-60 giving them a half game lead. Since then, the Pirates 2 wins (compared to LA’s 1) would put the Bucs ahead but wouldn’t they get the first crack at Marcum based on the standing when he was actually placed on waivers?

By: Tim Williams

Tim Williams — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 17:56:00 +0000

I’d be all for claiming Marcum. However, the Dodgers have priority over the Pirates, so there’s nothing the Pirates could do to block that deal if he reaches the Dodgers.

By: Mark Ludwig

Mark Ludwig — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 17:42:00 +0000

I generally don’t have a problem with going with one of the AAA arms to replace Bedard. However, I do think it would be virtually inexcusable for the Pirates to have not placed a claim on Shawn Marcum. As good as those 3 are, I believe Marcum to be decidedly better (at least right now) and he does not carry a massive contract that the Brewers could stick the Pirates with should they make a claim. If they are simply unable to get a deal done, that’s one thing and I can’t fault them for that. However, I see no reason not to claim Marcum because 1) the Brewers might let him go just for the $1.6M salary relief (which is not enough that it should be an issue for the Bucs); 2) the Brewers might deal him for low-level players that the Pirates wouldn’t really miss or; 3) claiming him prevents LA from claiming him and then trying to use him to bolster a rotation that features an injured Chad Billingsley and Joe Blanton.