Whoa, I don’t know if I’ve ever gone this long between posts in WHYGAVS history. ‘Tis what happens when Christmas comes on Friday and I use Sunday for my last ever trip to Mellon Arena, I suppose. Let’s play catch up on some links before anything else.
As expected, Justin Duchscherer didn’t sign with the Pirates. Oakland and its huge, pitcher friendly ballpark is a logical choice for a pitcher trying to rebound.
Jeff Pearlman apologizes for his SI story about the Pirates, but he still misses the point that Neal Huntington isn’t Dave Littlefield or Cam Bonifay. Most Pirate fans miss that point, too, so it’s hard to blame him.
Charlie has five prospects to watch in 2010. On that list, I really liked the selection/signing of Jeff Inman in last year’s draft. And if you’re curious, I am working on my pitching prospects this week. For real.
On the topic of Matt Capps, both DK and FanGraphs have stories up about him. FanGraphs compares him to the recently signed Fernando Rodney, while DK wonders what kind of blame the front office and management should shoulder for Capps’ decline in 2009. One question not asked by DK is the effect Jim Tracy’s massive overuse of Capps in 2006 and 2007 had; it’s clear Capps struggled with arm problems in both 2008 and 2009.
Also via the PBC Blog, one National League GM tells the Boston Globe that the Pirates are going to “load up” on experienced players desperate for work that can’t get contracts before spring training.
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