Comments on: Pittsburgh Pirates 2012 Season Recap: Third Base

By: gonfalon

gonfalon — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:58:00 +0000

Depending on which metric you use, Alvarez’s defense at 3B actually improved in 2012 compared to 2010-11. Baseball Reference’s defensive WAR uses Defensive Runs Saved, and while he is still below average, both metrics indicated he made strides at 3B last year (-0.9 dWAR in 2010, -1.1 dWAR in 2011, but “only” -0.2 dWAR in 2012 in many more games, despite the errors). Who knows, maybe he will be an average defensive 3B in 2013.

By: gonfalon

gonfalon — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:50:00 +0000

sweet Jeebus, I sure hope Neal Huntington has been replaced by someone who can identify MLB talent well before Alvarez has to be traded.

By: gonfalon

gonfalon — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:47:00 +0000

Hmm… Allie had 8 errors in 9 games at 3B last year, but only 2 errors in 19 games at 1B. But at least he didn’t make any errors in his 14 starts at DH.

By: BillT

BillT — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:43:00 +0000

Pedro did make big strides at the plate this year, but how can you discuss his performance without mentioning his 27 errors at 3rd base? Granted, he made some excellent plays bear handing the ball and throwing runners out, but he botched far too many routine grounders. I’d like to see him improve on his fielding, otherwise, I think he needs to move to 1st base in the future.

By: john.alcorn

john.alcorn — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:32:00 +0000

Tim, another option would be to extend Walker and have him eventually play 3B as he ages and loses range.

By: whiteAngus

whiteAngus — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 11:33:00 +0000

the FO actually tried to pony up the dough, two years in a row in fact. but were rebuffed by the guys they were serious about signing. Edwin Jackson and DeLaRosa were both offered deals in the $30MM range.
youre right about the focus on defense and with Barmes that worked out wonderfully. and youre also right about FAs wanting to come to the Burgh. overpaying is not a smart idea especially with many of the younger players we have will soon be getting pay raises and long term deals. a Burnett part 2 might work out fantastically.

By: Ian Rothermund

Ian Rothermund — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 01:39:00 +0000

I guess, in response, while I do agree with your opinion. Whether it’s been with free agent money or in trade, the Pirates have not really had any tremendous value to work with. The worst trade they managed was obviously Bay, but in regards to F.A.’s, they just haven’t ponied up the dough and haven’t had much luck either. I would argue that this past year, aside from maybe McClouth, who I think was meant to be a fourth OF, their focus was on defense in obtaining Barajas and Barmes. I’ll be very interested to see where they go with their free agent dollars this year….I think there are finally enough players establishing themselves and enough pitching in the upper minors, that it would finally be worth it to try to lure someone legitimate to the city. I guess the question that still remains is; how intriguing is Pittsburgh to free agents, whether it be from the young core players and relative improvements they’ve seen? That will determine how much they’ll have to overpay talent to come here….and regardless of that intrigue, there most definitely will be an inflated contract coming here if they can manage to bring someone in.

Maybe the best option is, and will continue to be, to make a trade where they eat salary, like with Burnett.

By: James S

James S — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 23:59:00 +0000

But my point is that they are unable to evaluate hitters. They would most certainly fumble away Alvarez for some bum that one (or more) of their cronie scouts loves for his potential but has never produced and never will. The last thing I want them doing is trying to make a trade with him. The Pirates don’t make good trades even when they have good chips to offer.

By: burgh_fan

burgh_fan — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 15:23:00 +0000

Ah Thank You I did not know that. Kind of stinks that he just finally showed some of his potential and now he might leave.

By: st1300b

st1300b — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 13:39:00 +0000

No similarities between McGehee and Alvarez. Alvarez power dwarfs McGehee’s. I think Pedro is very likely to sign an extension, he’s a great guy and will want to be a part of this resurgence. I don’t think he’ll be with the club past the first extension though.