Pirate Fans (Please Read)

[LetsGoPitt]

Re: Pirate Fans (Please Read)

I too have Extra Innings, and I really like the fact that I get the other team's broadcast half the time. Not only does it give a different perspective on the game, but I really can't stand Greg Brown.

I wouldn't mind seeing Kendall move to second. That said, I have a feeling that he'd be a real prick about it, because he is looking more and more like a big time jerk. Right now I'll take anyone who's not a total zero behind the plate. Watching the two games last night really showed me the difference between Kendall and Wilson.

Is anyone else baffled by Mac's insistance at using Young as a defensive replacement (as early as the 7th inning)? Randall Simon has been a pleasant surprise defensively, and has turned in more than his share of good plays with the glove. Not to mention the fact that Young can't hit to save his life these days.

Why was Nunez batting in the 9th inning last night? You already used Reboulet, so you have a replacement already in the game. I'm glad Kendall came through the next at bat, because that inning was smelling like another "Bases loaded with no out, strike out, double play" inning.

At least Mac came to his senses and sent down Rob "K" Mackowiak.

[griffy97]

Re: Pirate Fans (Please Read)

I think the problem with the Pirates was much deeper than Cam Bonifay. I believe their minor league directors and scouts were greatly lacking. I think that's where Dave Littlefield is going to succeed, eventually. He has totally revamped the minor league system. Bonifay and his croanies were "tools" guys. Unfortunately, none of their "tools" guys ever panned out. Hermansen tops the list. How about Charles Peterson? Jermaine Allensworth. Jon Farrell. Mark Farris. Gosh, I could list tons of them. Jose Guillen was a guy I thought could become an impact player for the Bucs. The guy was only 21 and fresh out of AA when they put him in RF, and he produced. But, he had a bit of an attitude. So, we trade him to Tampa Bay for the immortal Joe Oliver and Humberto Cota. Now, Cota may hit the bigs soon. But, I'd hardly call him an impact player.

Kendall can be a jerk, no doubt. He thinks his $10 mil/yr salary makes him a team leader, I guess. Give me a guy like Brad Ausmus or Mike Matheny anyday.

By the way. How do Bosox fans feel in general about Trot Nixon? I always liked the guy!

[griffy97]

Re: Pirate Fans (Please Read)

I think the problem with the Pirates was much deeper than Cam Bonifay. I believe their minor league directors and scouts were greatly lacking. I think that's where Dave Littlefield is going to succeed, eventually. He has totally revamped the minor league system. Bonifay and his croanies were "tools" guys. Unfortunately, none of their "tools" guys ever panned out. Hermansen tops the list. How about Charles Peterson? Jermaine Allensworth. Jon Farrell. Mark Farris. Gosh, I could list tons of them. Jose Guillen was a guy I thought could become an impact player for the Bucs. The guy was only 21 and fresh out of AA when they put him in RF, and he produced. But, he had a bit of an attitude. So, we trade him to Tampa Bay for the immortal Joe Oliver and Humberto Cota. Now, Cota may hit the bigs soon. But, I'd hardly call him an impact player.

Kendall can be a jerk, no doubt. He thinks his $10 mil/yr salary makes him a team leader, I guess. Give me a guy like Brad Ausmus or Mike Matheny anyday.

By the way. How do Bosox fans feel in general about Trot Nixon? I always liked the guy!

[griffy97]

Re: Pirate Fans (Please Read)

I think the problem with the Pirates was much deeper than Cam Bonifay. I believe their minor league directors and scouts were greatly lacking. I think that's where Dave Littlefield is going to succeed, eventually. He has totally revamped the minor league system. Bonifay and his croanies were "tools" guys. Unfortunately, none of their "tools" guys ever panned out. Hermansen tops the list. How about Charles Peterson? Jermaine Allensworth. Jon Farrell. Mark Farris. Gosh, I could list tons of them. Jose Guillen was a guy I thought could become an impact player for the Bucs. The guy was only 21 and fresh out of AA when they put him in RF, and he produced. But, he had a bit of an attitude. So, we trade him to Tampa Bay for the immortal Joe Oliver and Humberto Cota. Now, Cota may hit the bigs soon. But, I'd hardly call him an impact player.

Kendall can be a jerk, no doubt. He thinks his $10 mil/yr salary makes him a team leader, I guess. Give me a guy like Brad Ausmus or Mike Matheny anyday.

By the way. How do Bosox fans feel in general about Trot Nixon? I always liked the guy!

[LetsGoPitt]

Re: Pirate Fans (Please Read)

The biggest problem IMO about the Cam Bonifay situation was that they rushed players to the bigs. Guillen is a prime example -- the guy had never played anything above A ball, yet he was there in the majors. He had a lot of raw talent, but hadn't matured yet. Look at him now in Cincy. He'd be like that with the Bucs if he'd had a few more "seasoning" years in the minors.

Chad Hermansen is the same thing. He was putting up huge numbers in the minors and was rushed to the bigs. When he struggled, he lost all confidence in his abilities and hasn't been the same player since. Same thing with Ramirez. Luckily he was able to overcome being brought up too soon.

I like what Littlefield is doing. Unless a player is absolutely dominating in their level (VanBenschoten, for example) they don't get promoted until the end of the year, and when they do get promoted, they go up one level. No more of this A ball to the Majors nonsense that ruined many a prospect.

Mike Farris....I believe he blew out his knee and is now a QB at Texas A&M

[LetsGoPitt]

Re: Pirate Fans (Please Read)

The biggest problem IMO about the Cam Bonifay situation was that they rushed players to the bigs. Guillen is a prime example -- the guy had never played anything above A ball, yet he was there in the majors. He had a lot of raw talent, but hadn't matured yet. Look at him now in Cincy. He'd be like that with the Bucs if he'd had a few more "seasoning" years in the minors.

Chad Hermansen is the same thing. He was putting up huge numbers in the minors and was rushed to the bigs. When he struggled, he lost all confidence in his abilities and hasn't been the same player since. Same thing with Ramirez. Luckily he was able to overcome being brought up too soon.

I like what Littlefield is doing. Unless a player is absolutely dominating in their level (VanBenschoten, for example) they don't get promoted until the end of the year, and when they do get promoted, they go up one level. No more of this A ball to the Majors nonsense that ruined many a prospect.

Mike Farris....I believe he blew out his knee and is now a QB at Texas A&M

[LetsGoPitt]

Re: Pirate Fans (Please Read)

The biggest problem IMO about the Cam Bonifay situation was that they rushed players to the bigs. Guillen is a prime example -- the guy had never played anything above A ball, yet he was there in the majors. He had a lot of raw talent, but hadn't matured yet. Look at him now in Cincy. He'd be like that with the Bucs if he'd had a few more "seasoning" years in the minors.

Chad Hermansen is the same thing. He was putting up huge numbers in the minors and was rushed to the bigs. When he struggled, he lost all confidence in his abilities and hasn't been the same player since. Same thing with Ramirez. Luckily he was able to overcome being brought up too soon.

I like what Littlefield is doing. Unless a player is absolutely dominating in their level (VanBenschoten, for example) they don't get promoted until the end of the year, and when they do get promoted, they go up one level. No more of this A ball to the Majors nonsense that ruined many a prospect.

Mike Farris....I believe he blew out his knee and is now a QB at Texas A&M

[LetsGoPitt]

Re: Pirate Fans (Please Read)

The biggest problem IMO about the Cam Bonifay situation was that they rushed players to the bigs. Guillen is a prime example -- the guy had never played anything above A ball, yet he was there in the majors. He had a lot of raw talent, but hadn't matured yet. Look at him now in Cincy. He'd be like that with the Bucs if he'd had a few more "seasoning" years in the minors.

Chad Hermansen is the same thing. He was putting up huge numbers in the minors and was rushed to the bigs. When he struggled, he lost all confidence in his abilities and hasn't been the same player since. Same thing with Ramirez. Luckily he was able to overcome being brought up too soon.

I like what Littlefield is doing. Unless a player is absolutely dominating in their level (VanBenschoten, for example) they don't get promoted until the end of the year, and when they do get promoted, they go up one level. No more of this A ball to the Majors nonsense that ruined many a prospect.

Mike Farris....I believe he blew out his knee and is now a QB at Texas A&M

[LetsGoPitt]

Re: Pirate Fans (Please Read)

The biggest problem IMO about the Cam Bonifay situation was that they rushed players to the bigs. Guillen is a prime example -- the guy had never played anything above A ball, yet he was there in the majors. He had a lot of raw talent, but hadn't matured yet. Look at him now in Cincy. He'd be like that with the Bucs if he'd had a few more "seasoning" years in the minors.

Chad Hermansen is the same thing. He was putting up huge numbers in the minors and was rushed to the bigs. When he struggled, he lost all confidence in his abilities and hasn't been the same player since. Same thing with Ramirez. Luckily he was able to overcome being brought up too soon.

I like what Littlefield is doing. Unless a player is absolutely dominating in their level (VanBenschoten, for example) they don't get promoted until the end of the year, and when they do get promoted, they go up one level. No more of this A ball to the Majors nonsense that ruined many a prospect.

Mike Farris....I believe he blew out his knee and is now a QB at Texas A&M

[LetsGoPitt]

Re: Pirate Fans (Please Read)

The biggest problem IMO about the Cam Bonifay situation was that they rushed players to the bigs. Guillen is a prime example -- the guy had never played anything above A ball, yet he was there in the majors. He had a lot of raw talent, but hadn't matured yet. Look at him now in Cincy. He'd be like that with the Bucs if he'd had a few more "seasoning" years in the minors.

Chad Hermansen is the same thing. He was putting up huge numbers in the minors and was rushed to the bigs. When he struggled, he lost all confidence in his abilities and hasn't been the same player since. Same thing with Ramirez. Luckily he was able to overcome being brought up too soon.

I like what Littlefield is doing. Unless a player is absolutely dominating in their level (VanBenschoten, for example) they don't get promoted until the end of the year, and when they do get promoted, they go up one level. No more of this A ball to the Majors nonsense that ruined many a prospect.

Mike Farris....I believe he blew out his knee and is now a QB at Texas A&M

[LetsGoBucs]

Re: Pirate Fans (Please Read)

Allensworth!!! Thank you. That name was driving me nuts! I could not think of his name...

I hope that the Littlefield group can turn around the minors because that has dissappointed me the most. They obviously can't spend a bunch of money on a big time player (although I'm not sure I'd want them to). They have to build from within. I think the most frustrating thing for Pirate fans is that each time one of their prospects turns into a bust, you get the feeling like you are back playing the waiting game for AA prospects and it's never going to get better. It's a vicious cycle!

[LetsGoBucs]

Re: Pirate Fans (Please Read)

Allensworth!!! Thank you. That name was driving me nuts! I could not think of his name...

I hope that the Littlefield group can turn around the minors because that has dissappointed me the most. They obviously can't spend a bunch of money on a big time player (although I'm not sure I'd want them to). They have to build from within. I think the most frustrating thing for Pirate fans is that each time one of their prospects turns into a bust, you get the feeling like you are back playing the waiting game for AA prospects and it's never going to get better. It's a vicious cycle!

[LetsGoBucs]

Re: Pirate Fans (Please Read)

Allensworth!!! Thank you. That name was driving me nuts! I could not think of his name...

I hope that the Littlefield group can turn around the minors because that has dissappointed me the most. They obviously can't spend a bunch of money on a big time player (although I'm not sure I'd want them to). They have to build from within. I think the most frustrating thing for Pirate fans is that each time one of their prospects turns into a bust, you get the feeling like you are back playing the waiting game for AA prospects and it's never going to get better. It's a vicious cycle!

[griffy97]

Re: Pirate Fans (Please Read)

An accurate assessment of the Bonifay years indeed. We could take this one further:

Remember Larry Doughty? The guy was GM from mid-88 until 1991. I remember how many gaffes he made during that time. The one in particular was in August of 1990. He was "confused" about the waiver rule and ended up being pigeon-holed into dealing three outfield prospects (Wes Chamberlain being one; not that he ever panned out) to the Cubs for Carmelo Martinez. Remember, we also gave up Moises Alou in the Zane Smith deal that same month. Of course, when you're trying to win a title, you make those types of deals. But, knowing the growing economic imbalance of the game was coming AND knowing we weren't going to be able to re-sign Bonilla, Bonds, etc.it would've been nice to have Moises Alou in LF from 93 on. Doughty also gave Mike LaValliere a hefty contract extension, who Ted Simmons (or was it Bonifay) basically outright released a year or so later.

That's another thing the Bucs have done for years: given these guaranteed multi-year deals to mid-line players that underproduce and hamstring the organization. That's why Kevin Young is still with us. Where Dave Littlefield has shown his best logic is not falling into that same trap. Lofton, Sanders, Stairs, Suppan, DiMico, etc. all signed one-year deals as stop-gaps. He also forced the injury settlement issue with Pat Meares. He has allowed an club option for Pokey Reese for 2004 (which there is no way they'll exercise).

I do believe the future is brighter with Littlefield in charge. It's gonna take time, but I like his vision for the franchise.

[griffy97]

Re: Pirate Fans (Please Read)

An accurate assessment of the Bonifay years indeed. We could take this one further:

Remember Larry Doughty? The guy was GM from mid-88 until 1991. I remember how many gaffes he made during that time. The one in particular was in August of 1990. He was "confused" about the waiver rule and ended up being pigeon-holed into dealing three outfield prospects (Wes Chamberlain being one; not that he ever panned out) to the Cubs for Carmelo Martinez. Remember, we also gave up Moises Alou in the Zane Smith deal that same month. Of course, when you're trying to win a title, you make those types of deals. But, knowing the growing economic imbalance of the game was coming AND knowing we weren't going to be able to re-sign Bonilla, Bonds, etc.it would've been nice to have Moises Alou in LF from 93 on. Doughty also gave Mike LaValliere a hefty contract extension, who Ted Simmons (or was it Bonifay) basically outright released a year or so later.

That's another thing the Bucs have done for years: given these guaranteed multi-year deals to mid-line players that underproduce and hamstring the organization. That's why Kevin Young is still with us. Where Dave Littlefield has shown his best logic is not falling into that same trap. Lofton, Sanders, Stairs, Suppan, DiMico, etc. all signed one-year deals as stop-gaps. He also forced the injury settlement issue with Pat Meares. He has allowed an club option for Pokey Reese for 2004 (which there is no way they'll exercise).

I do believe the future is brighter with Littlefield in charge. It's gonna take time, but I like his vision for the franchise.