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Tuesday, July 31, 2007

AP: Giants deal Morris, big contract to Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates got pitcher Matt Morris from San Francisco on Tuesday, an uncommon deal for an out-of-contention team at the trading deadline. Pittsburgh sent rookie outfielder Rajai Davis and a player to be named to the Giants.
...
Morris, who will be 33 next week, is a former 22-game winner for St. Louis who is 7-7 with a 4.35 ERA this season…

“It is what it is,” Morris said in a phone interview from the Giants’ hotel in Los Angeles. “I’m just moving on. It’s just a shock. You hear rumors. I never heard Pittsburgh.”

The Giants were looking for a team to take some of their high-salaried players, and the Pirates will pick up all of the remainder of Morris’ $10,037,283 contract for this season.

“Almost at the 11th hour we were talking to two other teams I would consider competitors in the playoff situation,” Giants general manager Brian Sabean said. “As it turns out, Pittsburgh stepped up not only to take the player as is, with the contract.”

SF Chronicle: Giants trade Morris
PIT Post-Gazette: Pirates acquire Morris, make no deal for Wilson

NTNgod Posted: July 31, 2007 at 08:49 PM | 303 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: giants, pirates

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1. Ignatius J. Reilly Posted: July 31, 2007 at 08:54 PM (#2463452)

What the hell?

2. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: July 31, 2007 at 08:56 PM (#2463457)

Hahahaha.

3. standuptriple Posted: July 31, 2007 at 08:57 PM (#2463458)

a 26 year old middle of the road OF is all they could get? Wow. Good work Sabean.

4. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: July 31, 2007 at 08:57 PM (#2463459)

Well, this is a waste of money. On the other hand, so is everything the Pirates spend money on. And it will improve the team, Morris being better than John Van Benschoten, Tony Armas Jr. or Shane Youman. Sure, what the hell.

Davis is one of the fastest guys in baseball. He gets a surprising amount of walks too. But I wasn't very excited about his potential career.

5. Cowboy Popup Posted: July 31, 2007 at 08:58 PM (#2463461)

Brilliant!!!

6. More Dewey is Always Good Posted: July 31, 2007 at 08:59 PM (#2463466)

I've stopped asking why Littlefield does things. I don't think even he knows.

7. Ginger Nut Posted: July 31, 2007 at 08:59 PM (#2463468)

I'm glad the Giants have addressed their shortage of reserve outfielder types. And the Pirates have vastly improved their chances in the post-season by acquiring Morris. Good work all around.

8. RB in NYC (Now Semi-Retired from BBTF) Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:00 PM (#2463469)

Huh?

9. Russlan is not Russian Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:00 PM (#2463470)

Do prospects have to pass through waivers? Maybe the Pirates decided to pick him up to trade him before August 31st.

10. Jefferson Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:00 PM (#2463473)

Unless the Giants are kicking in a lot of cash, this clears several million from the 2008 payroll. They need to clear a lot more, but I'm not sure there are enough suckers out there to pay for Durham, Winn, etc. etc. etc.

11. SouthSideRyan Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:01 PM (#2463475)

If it wasn't Littlefield, I'd ask questions about the Pirates angle in this. But I won't bother.

12. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:02 PM (#2463478)

This has to be a hoax, right? It makes absolutely no sense for either side.

13. 1k5v3L

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:03 PM (#2463479)

Do prospects have to pass through waivers?

I already replied in the other thread, but only players on the 40 man roster have to clear waivers. I think. :)

14. Marc Sully's not booin'. He's Youkin'.

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:04 PM (#2463480)

There is nothing unfunny about any of this.

15. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:04 PM (#2463483)

Do prospects have to pass through waivers? Maybe the Pirates decided to pick him up to trade him before August 31st.

Maybe the Pirates ALREADY traded him! Back to the Giants! For Fred Lewis!

Whoa, now we're making sense!

16. Ginger Nut Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:05 PM (#2463484)

Ha ha, a couple of weeks ago Giants fans were hoping we would get someone like Wladimir Balantein from the Mariners for Morris. Pretty funny stuff.

17. aleskel

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:06 PM (#2463487)

I was having a crappy day until I read the first 15 posts of this thread. I laughed enough to make up for a whole day.

Bless you, boys

18. 1k5v3L

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:06 PM (#2463488)

Sabean should've traded Morris in early June. Talk about failure to think.

19. Zonk Won the Mental Acuity Golf Trophy at his Club Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:07 PM (#2463491)

OK... fess up.

Who's been handing the sports section to Littlefield upside down?

Acquiring Cesar Izturis? Picking up the remains of Matt Morris?

Does Littlefield drop acid on his way into work every morning?

I mean, egads... stack up the 3 worst GMs in recent memory and I don't think they equal the ineptitude of Littlefield.

20. Ginger Nut Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:07 PM (#2463492)

"Failure to think"--I love that as a slogan for the Giants.

21. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:09 PM (#2463494)

This has to be a hoax, right? It makes absolutely no sense for either side.

Where did you miss the news that the Pirates annually acquire "name" players who are 3 years past their prime in the Drive for 75?

22. Zonk Won the Mental Acuity Golf Trophy at his Club Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:09 PM (#2463496)

Sabean should've traded Morris in early June. Talk about failure to think.

Yup, he mighta gotten Jason Bay.

23. Greg Franklin Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:12 PM (#2463507)

Last year's Chacon-for-Craig-Wilson deal was stupid, but it turned out OK because Wilson is washed up and Chacon is still in the MLB. Could Littlefield be thinking today's trade is the same type of deal ... to opportunistically build depth? We know the Giants have cashed it in, and the Pirates seem to have already checked out of 2007 thanks to their losing streak.

24. danup Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:13 PM (#2463508)

The Cardinals couldn't beat a package consisting of Rajai Davis?

25. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:13 PM (#2463510)

Sabean should've traded Morris in early June.

Littlefield should've traded for Morris in early 2002.

26. Marc Sully's not booin'. He's Youkin'.

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:13 PM (#2463511)

Quick, someone throw out a more inane, non-sensical make-up trade.

Jose Contreras for Jeff Keppinger?

27. Mushmouth Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:14 PM (#2463512)

This might be the most pointless trade I have ever, ever, seen.

Not the worst, but the most pointless.

28. Zonk Won the Mental Acuity Golf Trophy at his Club Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:14 PM (#2463514)

Does anybody know Littlefield's phone number?

I just picked some lint out of my bellybutton - and I want to see what he'll give me for it.

29. NTNgod Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:15 PM (#2463517)

The Cardinals couldn't beat a package consisting of Rajai Davis?

More likely, they didn't want to take on Morris' $8m+ salary in 2008.

30. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:16 PM (#2463519)

Quick, someone throw out a more inane, non-sensical make-up trade.

I'm hearing reports from my sources on Saturn's moon of Titan that there's a deal brewing and it's a big one. Alex Rodriguez to the Nationals, a package involving Hector Carrasco, Manny Alexander, George Lombard, Jason Simontacchi, Levale Speigner, Brian Peacock, Larry Broadway, Zechry Zinicola, Gerald Plexico, Coby Mavroulis, Daniel Pfau, Beltran Perez, Robert Fick, Chris Snelling, D'Angelo Jimenez, Ray King, Mike Bacsik, Chris Michalak, Micah Bowie, Brent Abernathy, the other Abraham Nunez, and Tony Batista to the Tigers, and Justin Verlander, Neifi Perez and Emiliano Fruto to the Yankees. Dave Dombrowski's intern claims the move was necessary to "add depth as we prepare for the roster expansion".

31. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:16 PM (#2463520)

Quick, someone throw out a more inane, non-sensical make-up trade.

Chris Young for Matt Herges. Oh wait, the Pirates did that one too.

32. Zonk Won the Mental Acuity Golf Trophy at his Club Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:16 PM (#2463523)

Jason Schmidt for Armando Rios and Ryan Vogelsong.

33. Marc Sully's not booin'. He's Youkin'.

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:17 PM (#2463524)

Morris makes $9.5 next year. HAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Littlefield is absolutely unreal.

34. Spahn Insane Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:18 PM (#2463526)

These aren't even *Littlefield's* worst trades. How do you top Aramis Ramirez *and* Kenny Lofton for Jose Hernandez, Bobby Hill and Matt Brubeck?

35. Marc Sully's not booin'. He's Youkin'.

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:20 PM (#2463527)

Jason Schmidt for Armando Rios and Ryan Vogelsong.

Awesome. Keep 'em coming.

Woody Williams for Hiram Bocachica.

36. AJMcCringleberry Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:20 PM (#2463528)

Oliver Perez and Roberto Hernandez for Xavier Nady.

37. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:21 PM (#2463533)

Jason Bay for the rights to Joe Barry Carroll.

38. Jorge Luis Bourjos (Walewander) Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:22 PM (#2463535)

God even the made up trades suck for Detroit.

What a crappy deadline - the only positive is that we didn't acquire Professor Farnsworth or Jack "White Ne!f!" Wilson.
You know who else sucks? Ryan Minor! And we didn't get him, either! Awesome!

39. Russlan is not Russian Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:22 PM (#2463536)

BTF should absolutely produce a top-10 worst Littlefield trades list.

40. Zonk Won the Mental Acuity Golf Trophy at his Club Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:25 PM (#2463540)

Dave Ross for JJ Furmaniak

41. standuptriple Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:25 PM (#2463542)

why limit it to 10?

42. Ignatius J. Reilly Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:25 PM (#2463543)

Only 10?

43. Zonk Won the Mental Acuity Golf Trophy at his Club Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:26 PM (#2463544)

BTF should absolutely produce a top-10 worst Littlefield trades list.

Just trades?

If you start looking at waiver losses and outright releases, the list gets even larger...

44. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:28 PM (#2463547)

Littlefield's trades haven't been so bad. They rarely have any good players, so they rarely trade away any good players. I think his worst trades would only make up a top-5 list. The Kris Benson, Craig Wilson and Brian Giles trades weren't bad, albeit each one was done at the nadir of each player's value.

Worst free-agent signings and waiver losses, though...

45. Dingbat_Charlie

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:29 PM (#2463549)

I'd love to hear the jokes other GM's make about Littlefield when he's not around.

46. The Artist Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:30 PM (#2463551)

Hey, its $12.5 million the Giants no longer have to pay - I can live with that. If they invest that in international prospects (ala Villanova) or a portion of it, its significantly better than keeping Morris, who is at the one position at which the Giants have depth.

47. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:31 PM (#2463555)

Quick, someone throw out a more inane, non-sensical make-up trade.

Jason Tyner for Joey Gathright.

Mark Sweeney and Ray Durham for Tony Gwynn Jr.

Jack Wilson for Rajai Davis.

Willie Bloomquist and prospects for Cory Lidle.

48. Ginger Nut Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:32 PM (#2463558)

Yeah, from the Giants' perspective, the whole thing depends on how much money is going with Morris. If it's a pure salary dump I guess it's good, but it's still a big letdown from the thinking a month or two ago that they would be able to get a real prospect by trading Morris to a contender.

49. Steve Treder Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:33 PM (#2463560)

50. NTNgod Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:35 PM (#2463563)

Yeah, from the Giants' perspective, the whole thing depends on how much money is going with Morris.

The Pirates are paying everything.

51. Ginger Nut Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:35 PM (#2463565)

Okay, Schulman on sfgate reports the Giants are sending no money to Pittsburgh. Zero. Nada. Zilch. Wow. How can Littlefield possibly think that this is a good idea?

52. wcw Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:36 PM (#2463568)

You have to admit, this is the ideal pairing of Sir I-am-not-an-idiot selling, and Littlefield buying.

I don't see this trade as good or bad for either side. Well, unless the Pirates aren't getting any cash. Then it's a mediocre deal for them, though not terrible. Morris isn't a good pitcher any more, but he probably gives you a 4.5 ERA. A league-average starter is worth something, just not the $10m a year Morris's contract delivers this and next year.

Davis, meanwhile, may be young and fast, but he's not exactly Grady Sizemore out there on defense, and certainly not with the bat. He OPSd 720 in double-A at age 24, 681 in triple-A at 25, and finally had a 'breakthrough' on repeating triple-A at age 26, all the way at 850. He's nowhere near the prospect the Giants own Nate Schierholtz is (OPS 910 in AAA at 23), and Nate's not going to be a star himself.

Dealing mediocrities just isn't exciting, for either side.

53. Dr. Vaux Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:36 PM (#2463570)

Ray Durham for Randy Johnson!
J.J. Furmaniak for Angel Pagan!
Elijah Dukes for Scott Olsen!

54. Ginger Nut Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:37 PM (#2463572)

Oh it says that in the article doesn't it? I am an awesome reader.

55. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:37 PM (#2463573)

The Pirates are paying everything.

Hahahahahahahaha this team is so screwed

Come on Mark Cuban, what are you waiting for? It's your hometown team for god's sake! Please save us!

56. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:40 PM (#2463577)

Quick, someone throw out a more inane, non-sensical make-up trade.

Doug Mirabelli and Tim Wakefield for Dave Veres and Matt Holliday.

Jason Bay for Armando Benitez.

Ken Harvey and Matt LeCroy for Kei Igawa.

...........I don't think we've hit on the ideal one yet...

57. Marc Sully's not booin'. He's Youkin'.

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:41 PM (#2463578)

The Pirates are paying everything.

As I stated earlier, there is nothing unfunny about any of this.

58. Marc Sully's not booin'. He's Youkin'.

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:52 PM (#2463587)

59. TerpNats Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:53 PM (#2463591)

Every time I despair over Bowden's bluster, I look at the Pirates and say to myself, "Things could be worse."

60. The Anthony Kennedy of BBTF (Scott) Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:54 PM (#2463593)

"the other Abraham Nunez"

primey.

61. Asher87 Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:55 PM (#2463596)

I really don't understand the Pirates.

62. wcw Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:58 PM (#2463600)

Of course, considering the sunk, implicit bonus cost of a real prospect (i.e., you've gotta burn a draft pick and spend $1m to get someone equivalent) and the deeper stats/scouting record of anyone who has a year or three of pro experience, that $14m savings might be ephemeral compared to, say, paying half Morris's salary but taking a couple of real talents in return.

Not that Morris would have fetched same, but the salary savings is much less of a benefit to the Giants, who have a decent revenue stream, than it would be to a KC/Oak-level franchise.

63. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: July 31, 2007 at 09:59 PM (#2463602)

UPDATE

My sources have been informed that Chris Snelling is not Nationals property and therefore the A's have to get involved in the aforementioned deal. The inane, nonsensical made-up trade is actually:

Alex Rodriguez to the Nationals

Hector Carrasco, Manny Alexander, George Lombard, Jason Simontacchi, Levale Speigner, Brian Peacock, Larry Broadway, Zechry Zinicola, Gerald Plexico, Coby Mavroulis, Daniel Pfau, Beltran Perez, Robert Fick, Winston Abreu, D'Angelo Jimenez, Ray King, Mike Bacsik, Chris Michalak, Micah Bowie, Brent Abernathy, the other Abraham Nunez, and Tony Batista to the Tigers

Neifi Perez to the A's

Justin Verlander, Chris Snelling and Emiliano Fruto to the Yankees

64. Steve Treder Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:03 PM (#2463607)

the Giants, who have a decent revenue stream

The Giants have far more than a decent revenue stream. They are a gold mine. Their capacity to match their financial success with on-field success has been quite pathetic for the past few years, but their ballpark, media, and merchandising revenue stream is a raging torrent.

65. Marc Sully's not booin'. He's Youkin'.

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:05 PM (#2463611)

Matt Morris will constitute a larger percentage of his team's payroll in 2008 than just about any other player in Major League Baseball.

66. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:06 PM (#2463615)

Matt Morris will constitute a larger percentage of his team's payroll in 2008 than just about any other player in Major League Baseball.

You just wait until they trade for Gary Matthews Jr.

67. For the Turnstiles (andeux) Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:08 PM (#2463618)

Maybe Sabean wanted to clear a spot in the rotation for Russ Ortiz.

68. NTNgod Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:11 PM (#2463621)

PIT Post-Gazette: Pirates acquire Morris, make no deal for Wilson

The most jarring aspect of the transaction is that the Pirates will assume all of Morris' contract, which includes the prorated remainder of a $9.5 million salary this season and $9.5 million next season. There also is a club option for $9 million in 2009, with a $1 million buyout.

"We've talked about acquiring a veteran starter the past couple seasons and haven't been able to acquire the guy we were looking for," general manager Dave Littlefield said. "I think Matt Morris is the right player who kind of fits in with what we're trying to do. This is someone we think will be a good fit for us."
...
Morris had some harsh words for the Giants last week, accusing them of losing their "focus," and he reiterated similar criticisms in a conference call today, saying of the environment with last-place San Francisco, "It's been hard. You almost learn to accept losing. I hate to say that, but it's true." He also called it "laid back."

Asked how he felt about coming to the Pirates, another last-place team, Morris replied, "It's exciting, a new opportunity. It will be nice to get some better defense, with the young guys there going all out."

69. Sparkles Peterson Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:11 PM (#2463622)

Matt Morris is one of my favorite pitchers of all time, but he's been getting by on nothing but stubbornness for a few years now. Just getting out of the contract is a smarter move than I thought Sabean was capable of.

70. "Catching Dianetics" by Dr. L. Ron Karkovice Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:12 PM (#2463624)

Has anybody heard any Littlefied comments on this transaction? I honestly can't wait to hear his "spin" on this ridiculous (and costly) pickup...To paraphrase Colleti's "Juan Pierre knows a thing or two about getting on base" comment my guess is there will be a soundbyte like this:

"Matt Morris won 20 games in a season, so I think he knows a thing or two about pitching".

71. JMM Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:21 PM (#2463631)

Neifi Perez to the A's

You'd have to threaten to do something horrible to Billy Beane's child(ren) to get him to agree to that. Either that or have A-Rod and $60M cash accompanying Perez to the A's.

72. pyrite Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:21 PM (#2463634)

For the $13 million we're spending on Matt Morris, we could've signed Wieters over Moskos and Lincecum/Andrew Miller over Lincoln and still had millions left over. What are they doing? Why be cheap with top draft picks and extravagant with the Morris/Casey/Burnitz/Randa types?

73. Jorge Luis Bourjos (Walewander) Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:24 PM (#2463635)

I didn't really sleep last night, thinking that something was going to happen," Wilson said. "But there was nothing, so I've got to go out there and play."

Wilson made it no secret that he would have welcomed a deal to Detroit, which is a World Series contender once again.

"It would excite anybody," Wilson said. "Obviously, I signed on here to be a Pirate, and that's something I hold dear. But when your name is being discussed to go to a contender, you can't help but be a little excited."

Tell us what you really think...

74. Steve Treder Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:27 PM (#2463639)

We've talked about acquiring a veteran starter the past couple seasons and haven't been able to acquire the guy we were looking for," general manager Dave Littlefield said. "I think Matt Morris is the right player who kind of fits in with what we're trying to do. This is someone we think will be a good fit for us.

The freaking Onion can't make up stuff as good as this.

75. Swedish Chef Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:30 PM (#2463641)

We've talked about acquiring a veteran starter the past couple seasons and haven't been able to acquire the guy we were looking for," general manager Dave Littlefield said. "I think Matt Morris is the right player who kind of fits in with what we're trying to do. This is someone we think will be a good fit for us.

I have just one question: What the hell are they trying to do?

76. Tike Redman's Shattered Dreams Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:30 PM (#2463642)

"We've talked about acquiring a veteran starter the past couple seasons and haven't been able to acquire the guy we were looking for," general manager Dave Littlefield said. "I think Matt Morris is the right player who kind of fits in with what we're trying to do. This is someone we think will be a good fit for us."

"Kind of fits in"? It sounds like buyer's remorse has already set in.

77. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:38 PM (#2463649)

I think you should change your name to Jack Wilson's Shattered Dreams (shayborg).

On a related note, why did Wilson sign that extension before this season? What did he expect? Why not leave the Pirates at the soonest available opportunity?

78. Bourbon Samurai stays in the fight Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:40 PM (#2463652)

Neifi Perez to the A's

My sources have it as Jeremy Bonderman to the A's, two thrown chairs to the Tigers.

79. Maury Brown Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:43 PM (#2463659)

Treder gets the Primey... you just can't make this stuff up. Sabean and Magowan must have an open tab for all in the front office today... "Drinks on the house, boys! We got ourselves a sucker!"

80. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:47 PM (#2463660)

Hey, I thought one of my inane, nonsensical made-up trades would get the Primey.

81. JMM Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:47 PM (#2463661)

Jason Bay for Joe Barry Carroll has to get a Primey....

82. Steve Treder Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:55 PM (#2463672)

Sabean and Magowan must have an open tab for all in the front office today... "Drinks on the house, boys! We got ourselves a sucker!"

Yeah. But if Sabean and Magowan hadn't spent the past several years squeezing their roster full of has-beens, they wouldn't need to celebrate such "achievements" as this.

83. PerroX Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:56 PM (#2463676)

If they dumped Morris' salary for a bag o' balls, this was a good deal for the Giants. I doubt any other team would have been willing to swallow that entire contract or anything close.

As for the Aramis Ramirez trade, I remember more than one person questioning the Cubs dealing prospects for a bust and an over-the-hill guy.

84. Pops Freshenmeyer Posted: July 31, 2007 at 10:56 PM (#2463678)

Primey to Littlefield.

Perhaps he wanted to erase the indignity of Jason Kendall as highest paid Pirate this year.

85. 6 - 4 - 3 Posted: July 31, 2007 at 11:11 PM (#2463702)

I'm happy to clear Morris' salary for next year, but I'm a little surprised that none of the contenders were willing to give up anything for him. A $13.5/M, 1 year obligation is definitely an overpay, but it's not atrocious given what other mediocre vetern starters have gotten in recent offseasons.

86. Zonk Won the Mental Acuity Golf Trophy at his Club Posted: July 31, 2007 at 11:16 PM (#2463711)

As for the Aramis Ramirez trade, I remember more than one person questioning the Cubs dealing prospects for a bust and an over-the-hill guy.

I was actually among that group -- I really thought Bobby Hill would end up being a fine leadoff hitter some day.

Littlefield does have a couple decent swaps to his name --

The Gonzalez-LaRoche deal was the right move, despite LaRoche being a bit overvalued by Littlefield.

Getting Bay for Giles was good (though it's worth noting, Littlefield wanted Nady, but the Pads said no).

Getting Mike Gonzalez and Freddy Sanchez for Jeff Suppan and other assorted spare parts was a good deal.

The problem is - when you put Littlefield's moves in context of where the Pirates sit in the standings and what the near future looks like, they don't make any sense.

I mean - Matt Morris just doesn't have any stuff left. It just makes no sense - NONE - for the Pirates to acquire someone that's gonna cost them what... 14 mil?

Toss in moves like the Bronson Arroyo waiver loss... the rule V fiasco of the year before last. The perpetual draft flops.

I suppose most fans have some problem with their GM -- but most will also admit that there are things he does well. I have issues with Hendry's roster management and FA tastes - but he generally does pretty well for himself on the trade front. Others do well in the draft. Others in the FA market. Others excel in plucking reclamation projects off teh scrap heap.

I just don't see one single aspect of the GM role that Littlefield is COMPETENT at -- much less excels. It boggles my mind that he still has a job. I do honestly believe that one could pluck a random BTF poster from this thread to GM the Bucs and get a performance no worse than Littlefield.

87. It's regretful that PASTE was able to get out Posted: July 31, 2007 at 11:16 PM (#2463713)

Further proof that Pirates ownership wants to lose 95+ every year. No, I'm not kidding.

88. It's regretful that PASTE was able to get out Posted: July 31, 2007 at 11:18 PM (#2463716)

Not to put too fine a point on it, but if Dave Littlefield isn't trying to lose, he's the worst general manager in the history of professional sports.

89. rr

Posted: July 31, 2007 at 11:19 PM (#2463719)

I think that this may have been an "owner's orders" deal--Littlefield didn't do this on his own "momentum."

90. ChadBradfordWannabe Posted: July 31, 2007 at 11:33 PM (#2463733)

I think I'm going to apply for the job with the Pirates....Do you think they might make me Scouting Director/Asst GM off a few articles? Who throws hard for the Pirates that I can analyze to kiss up to them?

91. David Wrightwing obstructionist Posted: July 31, 2007 at 11:49 PM (#2463753)

Jason Bay for Joe Barry Carroll has to get a Primey....

Don't forget to mention the rights to Joe Barry Carrol, that one got me looks at the office, I couldn't hold the laughter in anymore.

What do you have to do to get fired by the Pirates? Is managing the team the only criteria?

CBW, I fear you are far too qualified to work for the Pirates org.

There was nothing better than seeing that headline on MLB.com, thinking WTF, then I knew I had to get in here ASAP.

92. NTNgod Posted: July 31, 2007 at 11:58 PM (#2463764)

MLB.com:

"I think it's the right player that fits in with what we're going to do," Littlefield said. "He's a winner. He's been very successful in the past."
...
"I think it's a very sound acquisition," Tracy said. "This is the type of starting pitcher you like adding to the mix of starting players moving forward."

93. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: August 01, 2007 at 01:04 AM (#2463978)

"Getting Mike Gonzalez and Freddy Sanchez for Jeff Suppan and other assorted spare parts was a good deal."

Technically speaking, he only re-acquired Gonzalez. The initial version of the deal called for Gonzo and Sauerbeck to go to Boston for Brandon Lyon and Anastacio Martinez. Thus, you can't really credit DL for the pickup unless you also clip him for trying to trade the guy away in the first place.

"Who throws hard for the Pirates that I can analyze to kiss up to them?"

Romulo!

Generally speaking, though, they don't like hard throwers. You might need to pick a soft-tossing lefty in order to suck up properly.

94. Left Hand of Go(d)rzelanny Posted: August 01, 2007 at 01:08 AM (#2464000)

Romulo the Great will revolutionize pitching, just you wait and see.

95. TerpNats Posted: August 01, 2007 at 01:11 AM (#2464008)

Iratefans.com had a few comments about the trade on their forum, but not many. Guess everyone's over at Steelers camp.

96. Hombre Brotani

Posted: August 01, 2007 at 01:15 AM (#2464017)

In 625 minor league games, Rajai Davis has 251 stolen bases in 322 attempts. That feels like a lot.

97. Danny Posted: August 01, 2007 at 01:26 AM (#2464049)

Isn't Morris making about as much as a durable, league average SP is expected to make in this market?

98. Hurdle's Heroes (SuperBaes) Posted: August 01, 2007 at 01:47 AM (#2464155)

"The nice thing is, we know that there are teams out there that are interested in our players," Littlefield said.

What a horrible statement.

As for the Aramis Ramirez trade, I remember more than one person questioning the Cubs dealing prospects for a bust and an over-the-hill guy.

Bobby Hill was a big name like two years before the Pirates acquired him. Same for Freddy Sanchez, who was behind Hanley Ramirez.

99. Gambling Rent Czar Posted: August 01, 2007 at 01:47 AM (#2464159)

Steve Treder Posted: (#2463639)
The freaking Onion can't make up stuff as good as this.

Morris had some harsh words, accusing them of losing their "focus," saying of the environment with last-place, "It's been hard. You almost learn to accept losing. I hate to say that, but it's true." He also called it "laid back."

he is going to love Pittsburgh

100. Gambling Rent Czar Posted: August 01, 2007 at 01:50 AM (#2464181)

Does this actually make the Giants .. .. Better?

Clearly they are in the "win" column when it come time to hand out grades at the trading deadline.
who is going into his rotation spot?

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Tuesday, July 31, 2007

AP: Giants deal Morris, big contract to Pirates

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