assuming Betemit is now given a legitimate chance to play somewhere everyday, this could be a difference maker. Not talking about world champions or anything, but considering how close the Pirates were to being a .500 time deep into the season, this might be the push to put them over.

Note:I'm not saying he's a 9 game difference maker, saying the team is close enough that having a plus player at whatever position they put him, could be enough for them to continue playing hard deeper into the season, and of course adding the development of the rest of their team.

Huh. The last time Betemit had two full seasons in a row with the same team was 2004-2005.

Braves to Dodgers to Yankees to White Sox to Royals to Tigers to Pirates (if it happens).

I was also surprised how good he's become as a part-time player the last two seasons (and that he's above average hitter for his career).

These are exactly the sort of free agents the Pirates always sign. If they can't get Betemit their next choice is probably Kevin Kouzmanoff.

We'll know they're serious if they break the bank and swoop for Cody Ross.

I'm nostalgic for the intros and first posts that, in response to transactions like this, would declare "The final piece(s) of the puzzle!" There was a moment this year when things were looking up for Pittsburgh. Now they're back to looking sideways again. I really hope they're the mystery team that's courting Pujols.

assuming Betemit is now given a legitimate chance to play somewhere everyday, this could be a difference maker. Not talking about world champions or anything, but considering how close the Pirates were to being a .500 time deep into the season, this might be the push to put them over.

Are you on crack? The 2011 Pirates weren't actually "close" to contending, and that team already cut loose its best starter and best hitter. They're also unlikely to be able to retain Derrek Lee, the only guy who hit worth a damn in the second half. Betemit was signed so that they have someone to play third if/when Pedro tanks again. That's it.

These are exactly the sort of free agents the Pirates always sign.

Crispix, you of all people should understand that good FAs simply aren't willing to sign with the Pirates, full stop.

Betemit still can't hit lefty, and is still mostly a defensive liability, which is why he's not given a real starter job.

His career has been weird, at certain points he look like he's going to be a star... then a total dud... then a star again.. then a dud again.. repeat and repeat and in the end he turns into a useful role player with high variance.

As long as he's not signed to a big deal Betemit should be helpful for most team though.

Crispix, you of all people should understand that good FAs simply aren't willing to sign with the Pirates, full stop.

I think that's why he mentions Betemit, Kouzmanoff and Ross.

These are exactly the sort of free agents the Pirates always sign. If they can't get Betemit their next choice is probably Kevin Kouzmanoff.

We'll know they're serious if they break the bank and swoop for Cody Ross.

Yes. Clint Barmes = Pat Meares. Nate McLouth = John Vander Wal. Wilson Betimet = Wil Cordero. Awesome!

Whatever happened to Taylor Lautner's big action-flick "coming out party" where he was being hunted by shady CIA-type organizations? From what I gleamed from the trailer, he decided to hide from them at a Pirates game; which I thought was rather clever because who would think to look for anyone at a Pirates game? Well played, Lautner.

Anyways, I'm glad to hear that the Pirates are back to making bold moves that will capitalize on whatever momentum they garnered during their ~.500ish first 1/2 to 3/5ths of the season. Clearly, this team is an utility-guy and a washed up grindy white center-fielder away from a decade of relevance... ask Pedro Alvarez.

Also, they can save some much-needed $$$ by just tossing out some crafty pitching machines for their 4th and 5th starters, which might allow them to become big players in the Carlos Guillen market.

Nate McLouth = John Vander Wal

Probably not. Vander Wal actually played really well for the Pirates. I don't see McLouth doing anything like that.

Betemit's BAbip numbers worry me. He seems like the kind of guy who might be due for a crash.

Crispix, you of all people should understand that good FAs simply aren't willing to sign with the Pirates, full stop.

That's because the Pirates don't make competitive offers. Cut the check and they will come.

The real question is: will Mark M. Ferguson, DWI lawyer in Kansas City, is going to renew his sponsorship of Betemit's bb-ref page this week, or will some lucky attorney in Pittsburgh snap it up only see Betemit traded to San Diego by July?

The real question is: will Mark M. Ferguson, DWI lawyer in Kansas City, is going to renew his sponsorship of Betemit's bb-ref page this week, or will some lucky attorney in Pittsburgh snap it up only see Betemit traded to San Diego by July?

A DWI lawyer? That's not who I'd want sponsoring my page. It'd be like if Dave Stewart were sponsored by a wig-maker.

As Mike points out, I'm totally pumped for the return of Nate to the friendly confines of PNC. I'm hopeful that he's going to be able to straighten out his eye issues (or perhaps his struggles in ATL were just due to Primanti's withdrawal). My guess is that Nate won't see a LHP for the first few months of the season, hopefully that will help him to get into a rhythm. His OBP against RHP last year was 0.372, the problem was he also only slugged 0.372. If they can help him generate power, he could be useful as Tabata insurance in RF and Presley insurance in LF.

The minor league guys on the 40 are the wild cards here - Hague and Marte. If they both start in the minors, Jones gets most of the at bats at 1b and McLouth will see decent amounts of playing time. If Marte gets called up, McLouth is far less useful as Marte has the higher upside, better fielder and is right-handed (so can spell Presley against LHP). If Hague gets called up, Jones gets pushed back out into the OF and, again, McLouth likely ends up an extra LH outfielder. Knowing the Pirates, Marte will start at AAA, but I don't know what they think they're going to learn about Hague by sending him to the minors that they don't already know. Dude is going to be 27, it's pretty much now or never for Hague.