Bucco Blurb: Future Of First Base?

There’s no denying the fact that the Pirates have a lot of questions to answer and decisions to make in regards to their prospective 2012 roster.  Perhaps the greatest question at this point, though, is who will occupy first base when the Bucs open their season in April?  With the tragedy that was Lyle Overbay in a Pirates’ uniform is a thing of the past, Derrek Lee’s brief stint was incredibly impressive, but factors including his age, salary, and interest level, have raised many doubts as to whether or not he will be a Pirate next year.

That being said, the Pirates have said that one of their priorities is to fill this hole at the corner, and while the free agent market is rather weak compared to previous seasons, there are some options available for the Pirates to acquire a seasoned veteran first baseman.

Yahoo! Sports contributor Lee Andrew Henderson’s November 2 article suggested ten first base options for the Bucs, and in reflection, some appear plausible, others are pipe dreams, while a few are nightmares.

Henderson’s top suggestion, according to the article, is Adam LaRoche?!  As we all know, LaRoche already had some time in Pittsburgh, and was one of the more frustrating Pirates in recent memory.  During his time with Pittsburgh, he hit .270 with 20 homeruns and 80 RBI’s, but for those of us who watched him play, he had no clutch gene, and the majority of his offensive contributions came at times when the game and/or the season was already out of reach. 

Other notables include Josh Willingham and Carlos Pena, two players who were rumors to be in negotiations with the Pirates prior to the trade deadline this past season.  Mark Reynolds was also mentioned, who, despite his incredibly high number of strikeouts, has seasons of 28, 44, 32, and 37 homeruns.  Andrew McCutchen led the Pirates last season with 23 homeruns.  Would the Bucs be willing to tolerate the strikeouts of a guy like Reynolds or Pena in exchange for the power?  They already sent a record last season for strikeouts, but they had no power in their lineup.

James Loney is certainly an attractive option, but, as stated in the article, there may be some bigger market frontrunners in line for him, and the Pirates clearly can’t compete with them.  The mention of Nick Swisher is a laugher. This guy will not end up in Pittsburgh. 

Finally, two of Henderon’s suggestions are players who have most recently worn a Pirates’ uniform:  Ryan Doumit and Derrek Lee.  He’s suggesting that Doumit could platoon first base with Garrett Jones.  We all saw how the platoon strategy worked with Jones in right field…it was horrible.  Doumit isn’t a great catcher, but he’s not the answer at first base either.  As for Lee, he put on a spectacular show in Pittsburgh following his acquisition at the trade deadline.  He is clearly aging but still has some good baseball left in him.  It appears as though the Bucs would be interested in bringing Lee back assuming financial factors are agreed upon and Lee wants to play next year. 

An internal rumor in Pittsburgh that is Pedro Alvarez will make the transition to first base, but after the horrid year he had in 2011, it seems ludicrous to add a position change to Pedro’s list of adjustments.  Regardless, the Pirates are (or at least should be) conscientious not to allow another Lyle Overbay-type situation as they did this past season.  Loney, Pena, Lee?  How about Logan Morrison of the Florida Marlins?  Pena seems to be the most plausible option, and he’s proven to be able to add a serious amount of pop to the lineup, something the Pirates desperately need going forward.

Stay tuned to Fans From The Stands for fan reactions to the latest Pirates’ news and updates.

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Pirates Crushed by Dodgers

By Zane Heiple

Photo by Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Pirates were dominated today by the Los Angeles Dodgers today in the finale of their four game series.  Since nothing went well for Pittsburgh, I thought instead of giving you the reader a written analysis of the game, I would do a “By The Numbers” piece to show just how Los Angeles outplayed the Pirates.  Since the Buccos lost by two touchdowns, here are fourteen reasons for the defeat and what came because of it.

1 – Number of runs scored by Pittsburgh in a 15-1 defeat by the Dodgers.

2 – The inning in which Brad Lincoln was pulled from the game, as he would only last 1.2 innings on the day, giving up six runs on eight hits.

3 – Total bases that Dee Gordon would collect on the first hit of the game for Los Angeles.

4 – Amount of hits Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley would allow in his five innings of work.

5 – Hits by LA first baseman James Loney, who would go 5 for 6 with three RBI and two runs on the day.

6 – Hits allowed by reliever Daniel McCutchen in 1.1 innings of work.

7 – Total hits by the Pirates offense in 34 at bats.

8 – Number of pitchers the Buccos used during the game in eight innings of work.

9 – Strikeouts combined by the four LA pitchers used in the game.

10 – Men left on base by the Pittsburgh starters

11 – Number of strikes thrown by Evan Meek out of the thirty pitches he threw in 0.2 innings of work.

12 – Amount of losses in the Pirates last 18 games.

13 – Batters faced by Lincoln when he left the game with two outs in the second inning.

14 – RBI on the season for Jamey Carroll after he knocked in the first run of the game on a ground out.

Well they say that numbers don’t lie and these numbers tell the story of today’s game.  The Buccos will now head to the desert for a three game set with the N.L. West leading Arizona Diamondbacks.  Tomorrow’s game will begin at 9:40pm and feature Jeff Karstens going up against Ian Kennedy.

Record vs. Dodgers:  2-6
Record vs. N.L. West:  12-18
Record on the Road:  34-41
Overall Record:  68-85

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!

Pirates Late Rally Falls Short Against Dodgers

by Zane Heiple

Photo By AP

The Pittsburgh Pirates returned to PNC Park for a one game home stand against the Los Angeles Dodgers.  This game was a make up for a rainout that occurred on May 12.  Brad Lincoln would start for the Pirates while the Dodgers sent Dana Eveland to the hill.  Eveland’s name may sound familiar to Buccos fans and that’s because he played in three games for Pittsburgh in 2010.  He was able to get the best of his former team going eight innings allowing one run on six hits while striking out three batters.  Lincoln had an alright day going six innings, striking out and walking three batters, while giving up three runs on six hits.

LA struck early scoring three runs in the first.  With the bases loaded and one out, Aaron Miles would single home Dee Gordon and Matt Kemp.  Tony Gwynn Jr. would then hit a sacrifice fly that brought home Andre Eithier.  The Pirates cut into that lead in the second inning when Josh Harrison hit into a double play that scored Ryan Doumit from third. 

The Dodgers would open up that lead with a run in the seventh when a passed ball scored James Loney.  They would add two more runs in the eighth on a Gordon double to right field.  Pittsburgh made a little bit of noise in the ninth.  Alex Presley hit a two run homer to cut the Los Angeles lead to three.  Neil Walker then brought home run number four with a sacrifice fly to right field.  That would be all the offense the Pirates could muster as Harrison and Brandon Wood would strikeout to end the game.

The Buccos will now hit the road for a three game series against the Chicago Cubs.  While they had success their earlier this season, Pittsburgh is in the midst of a five game losing streak and cannot seem to find a way to win a ball game.

Record vs. Dodgers:  1-3
Record vs. N.L. West:  11-15
Record at PNC Park:  31-38
Overall Record:  62-75

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!