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pops08
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« on: December 11, 2008, 12:13:29 PM » |
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a pretty expensive replacement spare part...
left handed hitting, shortstop, 32
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America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It's been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again.
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by-the-Sea
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« Reply #1 on: December 11, 2008, 12:39:52 PM » |
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Please define expensive. I haven't seen dollar numbers yet....
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Dignan
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« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2008, 12:45:36 PM » |
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Please define expensive. I haven't seen dollar numbers yet....
LAS VEGAS -- The Pirates are close to signing free-agent utility infielder Ramon Vazquez to a two-year, $4 million contract, ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting this morning.
Not independently confirmed.
Vazquez, 32, batted .290 with six home runs and 40 RBIs for the Texas Rangers last season. He made $810,000. http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/pbc/default.aspxPersonally I don't care what they spend as long as they're improving the team and showing a tendency to do the right things. |
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Pizza Man
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« Reply #3 on: December 11, 2008, 12:47:10 PM » |
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Is this improving the team?
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Dignan
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« Reply #4 on: December 11, 2008, 12:55:53 PM » |
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Is this improving the team?
It depends on whether you think Vazquez is better than Luis Rivas. What do you think? |
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BadAndy
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« Reply #5 on: December 11, 2008, 12:57:01 PM » |
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Is this improving the team?
Vasquez > Bixler, Cruz, Rivas, and Gomez COMBINED Who'd you expect Adam Dunn? |
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I'd rather be known in Bucco Nation as a knowledgeable diehard than a clueless casual fan.
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by-the-Sea
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« Reply #6 on: December 11, 2008, 01:08:38 PM » |
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So 2M/year for an experienced backup middle infielder...
We've certainly seen money spent less-wisely.
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ECBucs
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« Reply #7 on: December 11, 2008, 01:29:47 PM » |
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I would rather have had Mark Loretta. I don't see that Vazquez is an improvement over Lorretta and don't see why his contract is larger.
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Benji6
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« Reply #8 on: December 11, 2008, 01:34:57 PM » |
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I would rather have had Mark Loretta. I don't see that Vazquez is an improvement over Lorretta and don't see why his contract is larger.
It could be a simple matter of possible playing time for Loretta vs. the ability to play closer to home (I think he's from California), plus the ability to play on a team that is projected to be a contender. |
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Larry
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Will
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« Reply #9 on: December 11, 2008, 02:49:43 PM » |
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I would rather have had Mark Loretta. I don't see that Vazquez is an improvement over Lorretta and don't see why his contract is larger.
It could be a simple matter of possible playing time for Loretta vs. the ability to play closer to home (I think he's from California), plus the ability to play on a team that is projected to be a contender. And it also could have been a matter of being unsure about Loretta's ability to handle the shortstop position defensively at his age. He has not had an above-average season there defensively since 2000. |
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magnumo
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« Reply #10 on: December 11, 2008, 04:25:27 PM » |
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It is of note that Vazquez had been playing primarily at 3B for the past three seasons:
2006: 14 games at 3B; 7 at SS; 7 at 2B
2007: 71 games at 3B; 19 at SS; 13 at 2B; 7 at 1B
2008: 70 games at 3B; 26 at SS; 11 at 2B; 1 at 1B
3-year totals: 155 games at 3B; 52 at SS; 31 at 2B; 8 at 1B
This guy looks like Chris-Gomez-light. Hopefully, he can still play middle infield. At any rate, if it happens, this does not appear to be a significant move.
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Dogknot3
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« Reply #11 on: December 11, 2008, 04:45:58 PM » |
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I hope this move means they can sign some power bats to fill out the bench and not another back up infielder. I don't see a reason to have two back up middle infielders who can't hit for power. I want another "Mark Smith" type on the bench.
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Pizza Man
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« Reply #12 on: December 11, 2008, 04:49:25 PM » |
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Are they any of those power bats out there?
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CAfan
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« Reply #13 on: December 11, 2008, 04:52:40 PM » |
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He can still play SS which I think is important for this team. Bixler will be in AAA unless perhaps Wilson gets moved, then they might give bixler another shot, but I don't see them having an inexperienced backup.
Guys like Vazquez, Mintky, Michaels are nice to have because they can step in with limited time and be ready. Lots of young players struggle with that.
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Benji6
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« Reply #14 on: December 11, 2008, 07:16:29 PM » |
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It is of note that Vazquez had been playing primarily at 3B for the past three seasons:
2006: 14 games at 3B; 7 at SS; 7 at 2B
2007: 71 games at 3B; 19 at SS; 13 at 2B; 7 at 1B
2008: 70 games at 3B; 26 at SS; 11 at 2B; 1 at 1B
3-year totals: 155 games at 3B; 52 at SS; 31 at 2B; 8 at 1B
This guy looks like Chris-Gomez-light. Hopefully, he can still play middle infield. At any rate, if it happens, this does not appear to be a significant move.
I wouldn't necessarily worry about this. Taking at least the last two years into consideration when he played with the Rangers, third base is where they had a hole to play him. Their double play combination of Ian Kinsler and Michael Young really didn't miss much time. Meanwhile, third base for them seemed like a black hole. I think, in looking at the Rangers numbers at third last year, Chris Shelton even made an appearance there. |
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Larry
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