The 'Burgh Blues

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes to Bob Nutting

2010-02-05T03:09:45Z

"The Pirates ownership of the Nutting era has never spent much on players. Yet team officials over the years have resisted the notion that this has any bearing on the 17 losing seasons. Even this year, the franchise will be a bottom feeder in terms of total salary in Major League Baseball, with the added twist that ownership is now trying to sell cheapness as a virtue, saying it is necessary to save money for when today's Pirates prospects blossom into the superstars the team will want to keep tomorrow. If only it were so."

The entire letter from the PPG can be read here. I'm interested to hear your opinions.

I <3 Sabermetrics: FIP

2010-02-02T07:57:38Z

F(ielding) I(ndependent) P(itching)

A measure of all those things for which a pitcher is specifically responsible. The formula is (HR*13+(BB+HBP-IBB)*3-K*2)/IP, plus a league-specific factor (usually around 3.2) to round out the number to an equivalent ERA number. FIP helps you understand how well a pitcher pitched, regardless of how well his fielders fielded. (The Hardball Times)

Top FIP leaders for 2009 (ERA):

1.*Zach Grienke - 2.33 (2.16)

2. *Tim Lincecum - 2.34 (2.48)

3. Javier Vazquez - 2.77 (2.87)

4. Chris Carpenter - 2.77 (2.24)

5. Justin Verlander - 2.78 (3.45)

6. Roy Hallady - 2.80 (2.79)

7. Josh Johnson - 3.06 (3.23)

8. Clayton Kershaw - 3.08 (2.79)

9. Felix Hernandez - 3.09 (2.49)

10. Cliff Lee - 3.11 (3.22)

10. Adam Wainwright - 3.11 (2.63)

Top 5 FIP leaders for 2009 Pirates (ERA):

1. Paul Maholm - 3.83 (4.44)

2. Charlie Morton - 4.15 (4.55)

3. Zach Duke - 4.24 (4.06)

4. Ian Snell - 4.61 (5.36, traded to Seattle in July)

5. Ross Ohlendorf - 4.72 (3.92)

* American League, National League (respectively) Cy Youngs

Next edition of I <3 Sabermetrics: UZR and UZR/150

Bill James 2010 Projections: Pirates batters

2010-02-02T04:42:08Z

Click here to download the spreadsheet. I'll post some notes on the projections later.

Bill James 2010 Projections: Pirates pitchers

2010-02-02T03:51:23Z

Click here to download the spreadsheet. Batter projections should be posted shortly.

PETCOA projects 70 wins for Buccos

2010-01-29T01:00:44Z

PETCOA, Player Empirical Comparison and Optimization Test Algorithm, has the Pirates capturing their 18th-straight losing season in 2010. (BaseballProspectus.com)

Earn Bobby Crosby's salary with 2K10 contest!

2010-01-28T22:52:07Z

2K Sports announced today that they will give away an unprecedented cash prize in the amount of $1,000,000 to the first person who throws a verified perfect game in Major League Baseball® 2K10, the next iteration of the popular Major League Baseball® 2K series, prior to May 2, 2010. (2KSports.com)

That's right... $1,000,000 dollars!

Notable Major Leaguers you'd make more than:

- Rays 3B Evan Longoria, MLB 2K10 coverboy and Gold Glove winner ($950,000)

- Athletics RHP Andrew Bailey, '09 AL Rookie of the Year winner ($400,000)

- Dodgers RHP Clayton Kershaw ($404,000)

- Nearly all the Pittsburgh Pirates including OF Lastings Milledge ($425,000), RHP Joel Hanrahan ($420,000), 3B Andy LaRoche and RHP Ross Ohlendorf ($413,500)

Stat of the Day: Wednesday, January 27th

2010-01-27T08:33:26Z

In 2009, Andy LaRoche ranked fifth for third baseman UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating in Runs Above Average) in the National League. His 5.3 UZR was behind Washington's Ryan Zimmerman (18.1), Los Angeles' Casey Blake (8.0), San Diego's Kevin Kouzmanoff (7.5), and Philadelphia's Pedro Feliz (5.0). Down on the farm, Neil Walker and top prospect Pedro Alvarez back LaRoche at the hot corner in case they're needed in Pittsburgh.

Why is Billy Beane eating his own words?

2010-01-27T02:08:29Z

Written and edited by Jesse Behr (@TheBurghBlues)

Until today, Oakland A's GM Billy Beane had never signed a player for more than $8.5 million a year. That streak was broken when Beane agreed to a one-year, $10 million dollar deal with oft-injured righty Ben Sheets. This move is a total contradiction of Beane's business philosophy expressed in Michael Lewis' Moneyball. If Beane still believes in small contracts for undervalued players, why the hell is Ben Sheets wearing an A's uniform?

Last season, Oakland's payroll hovered around $60 million. That number's expected to soar with Sheets' new contract along with additional signings, such as $5.25 mil/year for outfielder Coco Crisp. That combined $15 million plus could have gone to international scouting or even the amateur draft. However, that no longer seems to fit into Beane's business plan. Last year, Beane acquired All-Star Matt Holliday only to deal him for a crop of young prospects at the deadline. It would be nice to think he's positioning Sheets to make a similar move, but few teams would be willing or able to take on that that rich of contract.

It's remarkable to think that the Athletics won 103 games in 2002 with a "Moneyballed" payroll of just $40 million. Now having a budget nearly double that, the team isn't projected to finish higher than third place in the AL West. Billy Beane may have been a visionary, but it's starting to look like he no longer believes in his own vision.

So, where does that leave Moneyball? Beane may have given up on the theory, but Pittsburgh execs Frank Coonelly and Neal Huntington remain true believers. They're sending their team into the 2010 season with an astronomically low payroll of $35 million. The Bucs will consist of a youth movement (McCutchen, Milledge, Clement) combined with a few added veteran pieces (Dotel, Donnelly, Carrasco). This roster is similar to the A's of the 00's who, lead by managers Art Howe and Ken Macha, captured five playoff-berths in seven years.

Are the Pirates poised to begin an equally successful run? Okay, maybe that's pushing things. But any kind of success would breathe new life into the Bucs, and by extension, Moneyball.

Stat of the Day: Tuesday, January 26th

2010-01-27T00:42:50Z

In 2009, pitchers Evan Meek (47.0 IP) and Joel Hanrahan (31.1 IP with Pittsburgh) combined to hold opposing batters to a .207 AVG. This was the third-best mark for a National League relieving duo with at least 70 total innings pitched. Meek, Hanrahan and Brendan Donnelly will all do their part to set-up newly signed closer Octavio Dotel in 2010.

*PREMIERE "Stat of the Day" Entry!

Ben Sheets signs with A's (Like a Boss)

2010-01-27T00:28:51Z

Former All-Star agrees to one-year, $10 million pact with Oakland

Buccos Offseason Search Over?

2010-01-22T06:02:35Z

SHOPPING LIST

Reliever(s), first baseman/outfielder

REPORTS

- Dotel agrees to deal with Pirates (MLB.com)
- Bucs sign Carrasco to Minor League deal (MLB.com)
- Pirates claim outfielder Jones off waivers (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
- Pirates trade Bixler for prospect, sign Donnelly (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

ADDITIONS

+ 2B Akinori Iwamura ($4.25 million)

+ RHP Octavio Dotel ($3.5 million with 2011 club option)

+ OF Ryan Church ($1.5 million)

+ RHP Brendan Donnelly ($1.35 million)

+ SS Bobby Crosby ($1.0 million)

+ *RHP D.J. Carrasco ($950,000)

+ LHP Javier Lopez ($750,000)

+ OF Brandon Jones ($400,000)

Estimated Payroll: $35.65 million

*Contract pending addition to 25-man roster

On-Deck: Extensive recap of the Pirates '09-'10 offseason.

Deal is Done: Dotel's a Pirate

2010-01-21T03:37:38Z

Check back soon for more details on the signing. Photo courtesy of Nomaas.org.

I <3 Sabermetrics: OPS

2010-01-19T06:24:36Z

O(n-base) P(lus) S(lugging)

Quite simply, on-base percentage plus slugging percentage. (Baseball Prospectus)

Top 10 OPS leaders (position players) for 2009:

1.*Albert Pujols - 1.101

2. *Joe Mauer - 1.031

3. Prince Fielder - 1.014

4. Joey Votto - .981

5. Derek Lee - .972

6. Kevin Youkilis - .961

7. Adrian Gonzalez - .958

8. Hanley Ramirez - .954

9. Mark Teixeira - .948

10. Ben Zobrist - .948

Top 5 OPS leaders for 2009 Pirates:

1. Garrett Jones - .938

2. Andrew McCutchen - .836

3. Nate McLouth - .819 (traded to Atlanta in May)

4. Freddy Sanchez - .776 (traded to San Francisco in July)

5. Adam LaRoche - .770 (traded to Boston in July)

* National League, American League (respectively) MVPs

Next edition of I <3 Sabermetrics: UZR and UZR/150

Brendan Donnelly in, Brian Bixler out

2010-01-19T05:56:55Z

Right-hander Brendan Donnelly, 39, has signed a one-year contract with a base salary of $1.5 million. He could make up to double that in performance bonuses. Donnelly had a 1.78 ERA in 25 1/3 innings (30 appearances) last season with the Florida Marlins.

To make room for him on the 40-man roster, Poppa Neal dealt utility man Brian Bixler to the Cleveland Indians for infielder Jesus Brito (a C-grade prospect). Bixler, 27, is an atrocious hitter at the Major League level (.178 career AVG), so how this deal was completed boggles my mind. Huntington certainly is a miracle worker.

Please watch this video of Donnelly, it's orgasmic

Carrasco to DJ bullpen party

2010-01-14T06:38:30Z

The Pirates signed right-handed reliever D.J. Carrasco to a minor league contract with a cordial invite to spring training. If Carrasco was to make the 25-man roster out of camp, he'd be given a base salary of $950,000 and could make an additional $250,000 in performance bounces based on appearances.

With the White Sox last season, Carrasco led American league relievers with 89 1/3 innings pitched. He'll compete with Jeff Karstens and Daniel McCutchen for the long relief role.