OnlyBucs

I see Hetchavaria signed a minor league contract with invite to spring training with the Mets. So much for my theory that NH was waiting for his price to fall. He must be serious about liking his internal options.

It sure appears the Bucs are going to rise or fall with Newman and Gonzalez. I am not sure if that is the best way to begin this season. I feel that they are going to regret the decision they made with the shortstop situation.

Not worry guys! NH will pull another late ST surprise and claim Hetch off waivers when the Mets cut him!

I'm bummed about this one. I was really hoping that NH wasn't going to stick with his "internal options."

IDK...the more I hear about Gonzalez, the more I think he could be another Brian Giles...good player who was blocked and just needs a chance. I’m ok rolling with him and seeing what we have.

7D7576415772555A340 wrote: IDK...the more I hear about Gonzalez, the more I think he could be another Brian Giles...good player who was blocked and just needs a chance. I’m ok rolling with him and seeing what we have.


has anyone read what the Indians plan to do with Luplow and Moroff?



I would feel better about the deal if the Indians think highly of at least one of these two. Especially after it appears the pitcher the Bucs acquired is a real prospect and not a throw in. IMO, that almost makes Gonzalez look like more of a utility player.



Or perhaps NH has snookered the Indians and gotten two good players for two back ups.

I guess this news means Possum can unpin the "It's spelled Hechevarria" post.

1A3D3615580 wrote: I guess this news means Possum can unpin the "It's spelled Hechevarria" post.


Done, and I think we can just refer to the player whose name nobody can spell as "Hetch" in the future!

404C4D161F161E13140B11260 wrote: It sure appears the Bucs are going to rise or fall with Newman and Gonzalez. I am not sure if that is the best way to begin this season. I feel that they are going to regret the decision they made with the shortstop situation.
Maybe Gonzalez will work out. Who knows? But I wonder why a team with 2 #1 draft picks waiting to play SS would trade for an impact SS who would block them. It seems more likely they were looking for someone to fill in until Newman or Tucker is ready, which should be a year or less. So I have doubts about how good Gonzalez will be, especially since it seemed the Indians viewed him as a utility player they would trade for marginal prospects. And that trade also required the Indians to include 2 very young rookie league pitchers. So Gonzalez alone wasn't worth Luplow and Moroff. Yikes!



The other thing is that all pro sports teams rely on PR. Since the Pirates don't make major deals, they have to put a positive spin on what seems to be a minor deal. They like to remind us they pulled off a 5-player trade to acquire their SS. (Never mind that he's probably just a placeholder for a season or less.) It sounds good to say they made a big trade for their SS. If they followed that by acquiring Hetch or some other SS, it would signify that they recognize Gonzalez might not be the answer. IMHO, that's the main reason they decided to go with their internal options. But it doesn't mean Gonzalez won't come thru for them. I think the odds are against him becoming a valuable SS for them but stranger things have happened. Maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised and they'll wind up with too many good shortstops. (We can dream!)

0B0300372104232C420 wrote: IDK...the more I hear about Gonzalez, the more I think he could be another Brian Giles...good player who was blocked and just needs a chance. I’m ok rolling with him and seeing what we have.


He just needs to find the right pharmacist, right?