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Brant · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:45 pm Post subject: How 'bout those Buccos

I've been critical of Pirates ownership for not spending money. That doesn't mean I wanted them to spend $4.25 million on an aging, virtually unknown Japanese shortstop coming off knee surgery, while at the same time getting rid of a relatively young relief pitcher who was showing promise at the end of the season:

The Pirates tonight made the first move of what might be a busy offseason, acquiring veteran infielder Akinori Iwamura from the Tampa Bay Rays for reliever Jesse Chavez.
Agreement on the trade was reached in the afternoon, but the teams waited until the evening to announce it because of the need to notify Iwamura in his native Japan.
Iwamura, who will turn 31 in February, has a .281 career average since coming to North America in 2007, but he is coming off a season in which he played only 69 games because of surgery on his left knee. He returned in late August -- much earlier than expectations -- and finished with a .290 average, one home run, 16 doubles, two triples and nine steals in 10 attempts.
Tampa Bay had been under pressure to move Iwamura because his original three-year contract has a clause requiring that his 2010 club option gets exercised or declined within one day after the end of the World Series, which could end tonight. The option is worth $4.25 million, with a $550,000 buyout, and the Rays apparently were not going to take the option.
The Pirates took the option.
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Cylinsier · Expert Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 9387 Location: Oh shi-

Sometimes I wonder if Pirates ownership is certifiably insane.

...okay, I don't wonder at all. I know.
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busdriver · Professional Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 1711

Brant · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:05 am Post subject:

I think Sanchez made about $6 million this year, and he's a fairly consistent .300 hitter.
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"The priest, realistically considered, is the most immoral of men, for he is always willing to sacrifice every other sort of good to the one good of his arcanum – the vague body of mysteries that he calls the truth."

H.L. Mencken

dick · Professional Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 1549

This guy is no freddy sanchez, but he is a big league player. Considering the Bucs don't have any other middle infielder, I'm fine with this move. Jesse Chavez might be a good pitcher down the road. But he would've never met his potential (and been traded if he did) with the Pirates.

They have to put together some sort of big league roster.
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Brant · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:12 pm Post subject:

I just think spending that kind of a coin on a middle infielder who has no power is crazy at this juncture. This seems like something you should do when you're simply missing one piece on a team that can legitimately contend for the playoffs. They already have a player like this at shortstop, a so-so third baseman, an uncertain situation at first base, a potato chip catcher (always hurt), several outfielders who could turn out to be very good or very crappy and an very average pitching staff. All led by a manager who has the charisma of a bag of wet athletic supporters. They lost 99 games this year for a reason. Spending nearly $5 million on a second baseman isn't going to make a big difference. Now, if they go out and spend big bucks on a bopper at first base and a top-shelf corner outfielder, I'll re-evaluate.
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"The priest, realistically considered, is the most immoral of men, for he is always willing to sacrifice every other sort of good to the one good of his arcanum – the vague body of mysteries that he calls the truth."

H.L. Mencken

dick · Professional Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 1549

All good points. I just think that the money is being blown out of proportion... well, because its only high in comparison to other salaries on the Pirates. For most other teams, $4 mill is the going rate for a bonified average major leaguer. In fact, I'd argue that he's worth twice that! As long as we don't have to play Brian Bixler every again.

Remember, this is baseball. 30 years old is an average age. The knee surgery is a little concerning. We can just hope it doesn't effect his lateral movement. He was a six time gold glover in Japan... ok, that doesn't carry much weight. But still!
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