TBB Idea #6: Grabow should stay put

Grabow, 30, is being shopped to teams looking to shore up their bullpens. The left-hander is a year away from free agency, and could earn up to $1.5 million this offseason. After Damaso Marte was dealt to the Yankees in 2008, Grabow became a pivotal piece in the Bucs relief core. At one point, he was the club's "designated closer" as Matt Capps spent time on the disabled list. Grabow saved only 4 of 8 opportunities, but earned 16 holds at the helm of middle relief. 

With the current state of the Pirates 'pen, dealing Grabow would be the ultimate demise. The bridge to Matt Capps is a wobbly one even with him, showing little strength from either the left or right side. Tyler Yates struck out 63 in 73 1/3 innings, but walked 41 along with a 4.66 ERA. Denny Bautista posted a 6.10 ERA, while T.J. Beam had a K/BB of 24/20. 

Lefty Sean Burnett, a former first-round pick, progressed as the season went on after receiving a roster spot out of spring training. He allowed only three runs in the entire month of September, pitching over the course of 13 games. Craig Hansen, traded from Boston, was not exactly what the doctor ordered. He struggled on all sorts of tasks during his second-half in Pittsburgh, including an inability to throw effective pitches and constant strikes.  

Minor league relievers that could help in the near future include Evan Meek, Ronald Uviedo, and Jesse Chavez (who saw a little major league action in September). Those names don't jump out at you, and they especially don't give much hope of structuring a 2009 bullpen. 

The decline and fall of the Pirates starting staff has been well preached, but the question on what the rotation will look like next year brings out mystery and uncertainty. No matter what changes are made, the team will always wind up relying partially on its relief. John Grabow must stay, at least until the trading deadline in July, if Huntington wants to keep the team from falling apart. He's the most experienced and proven middle reliever in the Burgh, and if it means selling low on him sometime next year, then so be it.

I'd rather see Freddy Sanchez, Jack Wilson, or even Adam LaRoche traded before Grabow is. The front office has to work on improvement at all costs, but trying to upgrade at the sake of dealing Grabow is no improvement at all.

Key Note: Grabow is one of many baseball players that are a part of the Jewish community. Others include Kevin Youkilis from Boston, Jason Marquis from Chicago, and Ryan Braun from Milwaukee. The only gift I want for Hanukah is for Grabow to remain a Buccaneer!