Comments on: Pirates Acquire Andy Oliver for Ramon Cabrera

By: John Eshleman

John Eshleman — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 06:19:14 +0000

I think a key here is what Tim mentioned, that Oliver was rushed. The Tigers system has this reputation, and it has had mixed success with their prospect arms (Verlander= success; Turner= not so much). Oliver was drafted out of OK St. and in his first year as a pro finished in AAA. He never developed the critical skills that could maximize his talent.

So . . . as a 25-year old it’s damn near impossible he will reach the potential he had at 23 (a #2), but I like it as a reclamation project as long as they actually try to ‘reclaim’ his upside. As others note, there are other left-handed bullpen options, like Wilson. It would serve the Pirates to keep him down another year to work on his command, secondary stuff, and arm strength so he can be stretched back out. At his age, I see a 180-inning left-handed #4-5 starter *upside*, and I’ll take that over someone who throws 60 innings a season any day of the week. And if it doesn’t work, try him in the pen and if if that doesn’t work be OK with the fact that the cost was minimal (no offense intended to Ramon Cabrera whatsoever).

By: Fred Langford

Fred Langford — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 15:36:04 +0000

I dont have a problem wth this move. Cabrera is gonna be a solid mlb catcher off the bench. But he is not the typical power and low avg C. He is a low walk hig average gap power guy…definitely doesn’t fit the profile of guys the Bucs have been going after so to a degree I think you can say they didnt want him. I like him but to use him to get a lefty that is consistently 92-94 and just turned 25 three days ago is a good thing. 25 to a lefty is not all that old. Hopefully he can develop a 2nd pitch he can throw for strikes and become our 2nd left out of the pen.

By: jalcorn

jalcorn — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 13:22:06 +0000

Also, I’ve liked Oliver ever since the Bucs passed on him in the 2nd round to take Brooks Pounders. I never could figure that one out.

By: jalcorn

jalcorn — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 13:21:12 +0000

Yeah the trend is that its never a bad idea to take a risk on a power lefty arm. The Bucs have done well in correcting fastball command issues in the past. I like the deal. Cabrera was not more than a MLB backup prospect.

By: piratemike

piratemike — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 03:08:52 +0000

After watching Barajas last year I’ll bet you would be calling a singles hitting avg. catcher with a .300 avg a phenom if he was playing for the Pirates.

By: Matthew Dolter

Matthew Dolter — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 02:34:24 +0000

dang ipod+big thumbs

By: Matthew Dolter

Matthew Dolter — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 02:33:10 +0000

you might want to read that comment again. he said some of the toughest people he works will happen to be short not all short people are tough.
btw your commnt comes off dickish. not sure if you realized. can you try keeping the talk about baseball

By: Lee Young

Lee Young — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 02:23:13 +0000

As White Angus mentioned above, ALL teams do these types of reclamation projects. you just never know when ‘the light will go on’.

If you’re a lefty, with a top FB, you’re gonna get chances.

Btw, you DO know that Grilli was a failed number 1 pick that OUR development team turned into a strikeout machine?

So yeah, I’m all for taking a chance on a failed top prospect.

By: Lee Young

Lee Young — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 02:19:00 +0000

Actually, on average, MOST pitchers wash out.

It’s what they do….historically.

By: Lee Young

Lee Young — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 02:17:44 +0000

Btw, Your statement about ‘short people’ smacked of stereotyping…not sure if you realized that.

I’ve worked with some LAZY short people. So, to me, all short people are lazy?