Piecing it all together
The select few of you readers who have stuck it out during my extended leave of absence know I have five passions in life. Three of them were on display last week at the Winter Meetings.
Baseball
Christmas
Disney World
By now you know that the Annual Baseball Winter Meetings were held at the Swan and Dolphin Resort at Walt Disney World complete with Christmas decor and good tidings. MLB Network was on my television nearly 24/7, that is when I wasn’t studying for finals or writing papers. Chris Rose and Kevin Millar were great on emceeing the entire week with great interviews and top notch reporting on the latest news. While the Pirates didn’t draw much of the attention, they surely made a splash for those that care in Pittsburgh.
The Pirates were able to sign a pair of talented pitchers who will take a stab at making the rotation.
Kevin Correia and Scott Olsen are now members of the Pirates.
Yawn.
But in reality, a moves like these needed to be done. Starting pitchers were in short supply this offseason and the Cliff Lees of the world will not be patronizing PNC Park as their home anytime soon. Correia and Olsen complement each other and the team the best they can.
Remember that superb pitching staff the San Diego Padres had last year? Yeah, Correia wasn’t a part of it. With an ERA upwards of 10 he was demoted to the bullpen throughout the Padres run to the playoffs that eventually fell short. He seemed to have improved towards the end of the year and will work, most likely, as a 4th or 5th starter in the Bucs rotation.
Two DUI and assault cases later Olsen is gone from the Marlins and Nationals and is looking to revamp a brief successful career. When he’s been on the mound he has been effective but elbow injuries to his throwing arm have hindered him during the duration of his major league stint. He too will fight for a back of the rotation spot.
General manager Neil Huntington also did his part to bolster the offensive lineup.
Matt Diaz, former Brave, now looks to be patrolling right field for the Pirates in 2011. He will fight for playing time along with Garrett Jones. A strong spring could land him in a full time position, but the bench with spot starts may be his most useful position.
The Pirates also had the first pick in the Rule 5 draft where they selected former Cleveland Indians prospect Josh Rodriguez. Rodriguez is a shortstop who can swing the bat, exactly what Pittsburgh needs. He’s in his mid 20’s and will probably remain at the AAA level. Some disappointments have arisen as other infielders such as Jason Bartlett and J.J. Hardy, both on the Pirates radar, slipped away to other teams. J-Rod may just be the perfect fit, though. A diamond in the rough, so to speak.
WIth just over two months remaining until Spring Training other moves will surely be made. The Pirates have goals of adding some relievers and another bat is a necessity.
photo credits: tbb.com, rhapsody.com, momknowseverything.com, piratesprospects.com
The Pittsburgh Peas 
Matt,
Kevin Correia (RHP) and Scott Olsen (LHP) have the potential to lead the Pirates to that promised land. If both pitchers can push up two-digit win totals in 2011, it makes the possibility of posting at least a 63-99 season a closer reality, and finally rid the Buccos of that losing season curse.
I remember Matt Diaz as a Rays player, and he was always one of those “team” guys you wanted at your side as you tried to beat the odds and venture upward in the standings.
From Clint Hurdle to the multiple signings already this Winter, Pittsburgh is looking a lot better on paper and has a great shot to finally surprise everyone.
Rays Renegade
http://raysrenegade.mlblogs.com
It was kind of sad to see Kevin Correia go. His performance this year tanked after the loss of his family member. Hopefully he’ll bounce back with the Pirates. He was great to watch. I hope you guys will like Correia!
http://hyunyoung.mlblogs.com