The Departed

[Doc]

Hoy Park has signed a minor league contract with the Athletics. That is the third former Pirate to sign with the Athletics.

It'll be interesting to see what the Athletics ownership does once the team moves to Las Vegas and likely has more revenue to work with. Will their payroll begin to rise? Will they participate in the free agent market? Or will they continue to operate as they have been, like the Pirates do, with little chance of ever being competitive because they don't use every avenue when obtaining players?

[Wildwoodcoach]

Hoy Park wouldn't even start in Japan

[wvbucco]

It'll be interesting to see what the Athletics ownership does once the team moves to Las Vegas and likely has more revenue to work with. Will their payroll begin to rise? Will they participate in the free agent market? Or will they continue to operate as they have been, like the Pirates do, with little chance of ever being competitive because they don't use every avenue when obtaining players?

I'm guessing they'll tread water until things are certain. They may want a solid team when they actually move, but until they have a place to play, they'll be floating around. I'm wondering if Vegas will lead to an increased revenue stream and, if so, how much?

[Doc]

It'll be interesting to see what the Athletics ownership does once the team moves to Las Vegas and likely has more revenue to work with. Will their payroll begin to rise? Will they participate in the free agent market? Or will they continue to operate as they have been, like the Pirates do, with little chance of ever being competitive because they don't use every avenue when obtaining players?

I'm guessing they'll tread water until things are certain. They may want a solid team when they actually move, but until they have a place to play, they'll be floating around. I'm wondering if Vegas will lead to an increased revenue stream and, if so, how much?

Interesting questions. It would seem certain that they’ll have more revenue, especially in the first few years they’re in Vegas. I would think many visitors to the city will take in ball games, especially if their hometown team is visiting the Athletics, and for something else to do if they want a break from the casinos for a night.

As for the local residents, I see where the metro area has about 2.3 million people, which is slightly less than the Pittsburgh area. So the locals could support the team well enough by themselves for the most part if the team is competitive. But, if the team performs poorly, like they’ve done in Oakland for the last few years, the novelty will wear off and the attendance will falter. Of course, and probably more importantly, is what sort of TV contract they can get. It just has to be better than what they’re getting in Oakland, doesn’t it?

[mouse]

I'm not sure they will have more money. At this point they don't have a place to play. Any new stadium is at least three years away. They're looking at minor league parks, which limits attendance. They also will need a new TV contract. I would expect them to continue as bottom-fishers.

[Doc]

I'm not sure they will have more money. At this point they don't have a place to play. Any new stadium is at least three years away. They're looking at minor league parks, which limits attendance. They also will need a new TV contract. I would expect them to continue as bottom-fishers.

I guess I needed to clarify that I’d expect their revenues to increase once their new ballpark is open. I would still expect the Athletics to draw more fans than any of the minor league teams that have played in the city but I agree it won’t likely be as much had they been able to move right into a new facility.

[fjk090852-7]

It appears Thomas Hatch is signing a contract to pitch overseas. The Pirates roster is now at 36 players.

[mouse]

Ah, yes, Doc. That makes sense. The attendance certainly wasn't very good (or at least didn't seem that way)in Oakland. Too close to the Giants and the Giants controlled a lot of that market by ML rules.

[Bobster]

It appears Thomas Hatch is signing a contract to pitch overseas. The Pirates roster is now at 36 players.

The PG article says Hatch was on the 40-man roster. So he wasn't a free agent. I wonder if the Pirates agreed to let him sign with Japan in lieu of releasing him.

[Babe Adams]

Vic Davalillo passed away on December 6 at 84. He batted .290 for the Pirates, 1971-73. He was invaluable to the 1971 World Series winner and the 1972 division winner, subbing in the outfield and at first base, pinch hitting and providing some speed on a team that was trending toward slugging. He played for 6 teams in 16 major league seasons and was active in the Venezuelan league into his late forties.

RIP

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/ ... -away.html