Final Thoughts On (Former) Pirate Jason Bay

In light of the recent Jason Bay/Manny Ramirez/prospects trade, my good friend Texas Gal decided to hit up some Pittsburgh bloggers for their thoughts on Bay. It's part of Jason Bay Day at Center Field. Yours truly participated, and had this to say:


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What can I say about Jason Bay? A Pirate for parts of six seasons, Bay gave us fans every emotion one could hope for when one becomes baseball fan. Franchise records as a rookie, power to all fields despite looking like a third line hockey winger, unrealized potential, "is-he-clutch?" worries, nasty injuries and at times, All-Star caliber play. As a Pirates fan, I get to see Bay's tenure in the Burgh within the greater context and how he has shaped the future of the Pirates. Yeah, we suck now, but just you wait.

The Sox were probably impressed with his 26 dingers as a rookie. If Boston has done their collective homework, they'll be more than happy with Bay's current .985+ fielding percentage, or the little nugget that the guy counted on to be the Buccos' primary source or power actually tied a MLB record in 2005 for most steals in a season without getting caught (before getting thrown out at the very end of the year, dammit). Boston fans, you're getting a guy who might worry you, or might blow your..ahem...Sox off (sorry). Baseball-Reference says you're getting either Kevin Mench or Grady Sizemore. Seems about right.

I thank Bay for all he gave to the team. Brian Giles was a hero in Pittsburgh, and Bay had the responsibility of replacing Giles when he was traded to the San Diego Daddies. Bay's name seemed to be in constant trade rumors since his arrival, but his career year in '06 allowed the other guy acquired from San Diego, Ollie Perez, to be dealt to New York for Xavier Nady instead. Nady's recent trade then brought us prime prospect Jose Tabata. Now Bay's trade brings us Andy LaRoche and Craig Hansen. By most accounts, Bay allowed the team to segue between Brian Giles and a first round pitcher, a legit third base prospect and a stud like Tabata. Take that however you want, but you can't ask for much more when you trade a guy who was as respected in Pittsburgh as Giles was in '03.

A little part of me is sad to see Bay go, mostly because I'll miss his opposite-field homers over the Clemente wall. If Bay continues his trend of hot hitting against AL East pitching, that short porch near Pesky's Pole might get lit up.

Pittsburgh wins, getting top prospects that we desperately need, and Boston makes out by getting a guy 7 years younger than Manny who can still be counted on for 28-30 homers and 100 RBIs when playing to potential. Not a bad trade by anyone's count.

Jason Bay Traded!

Jason Bay was just traded. To either:

The Rays, or:

The Red Sox.

The Sox rumors seem to be stronger. The move would let the Dodgers acquire Manny Ramirez, with Pittsburgh somehow getting four prospects.

UPDATE: The trade woke up the corpse of Deadspin-era Will Leitch. Bay to the Sox. I'm anxious to learn about the prospects coming to the Burgh.

BLOW YOUR MIND UPDATE: One of the prospects is third baseman Andy LaRoche, brother of current Pirate and ADD sufferer Adam LaRoche. I retire.

The other prospects are right-hander Bryan Morris from L.A. and outfielder Brandon Moss and reliever Craig Hansen from Boston.

Where'd Yinz Go?

After a massive hiatus, Where'd Yinz Go? returns with everyone's favorite former Pirate, Adam Hyzdu!

The first installment found what Derek Bell was up to, now its time to see where good ole Adam Hyzdu has been.

Who can forget the offensive sparkplug that Hyzdu was? I mean, in four season with the Buccos (wow, he was really here that long?), Hyzdu managed an impressive 18 home runs, 55 RBIs, 0 triples and 87 stikeouts! I mean, those numbers held the team together. Hyzdu managed to put up Pirate-like numbers so that the team could keep selling at the trade deadline while unloading guys who could become stars elsewhere. In other words, he was Dave Littlefield's best friend.

I don't know why we ever got rid of Hyzdu. From 2000-2003, he was the straw that stirred the drink (no, I wasn't a The Bronx is Burning watcher).

So Adam Hyzdu, Where'd Yinz Go?

Brace yourselves, Buccos fans. Immediately following his time in the 'Burgh, Hyzdu managed to make it onto the Boston Red Sox squad and earned himself a World Series ring. Compose yourselves and read that again. He of the lifetime .229 batting average has himself a World Series ring. ADAM HYZDU lucked himself onto a Boston Red Sox team that just so happened to win a World Series for the first time in 86 years. How does that happen? That is no coincidence.

Hyzdu put 'em over the top. If he would stayed in the Steel City, not only would the consecutive losing season streak be over, but the city could celebrate a baseball championship.

Boston owes us a debt of gratitude for parting ways with Hyzdu's greatness. I'm expecting a very lopsided deal with the Beantown this offseason that greatly benefits the 'Burgh.

Now please excuse me. I'm gonna go cry.

Torres to Return as Closer

Most Pirates fans should be questioning their loyalty to the team after reading that headline. Torres is coming back as closer after what, 2 games? And in those two games, Salomon gave up a lead-changing 2-run shot to Andre Ethier. Why then, is Torres replacing Matt Capps in the closer role?

Don't get your panties in a bunch, Sally. Its a part-time deal. Remember when Capps was ejected for plunking Prince Fielder on the arm? He was subsequently suspended for 4 games. Capps has his suspension-appeal-hearing this weekend, and Torres will replace Capps during the appeal and suspension process. That means Torres, who has been shaky all season, will be called upon to pitch against the Yankees.

Now I know the Yankees of today aren't the Yankees of, say, 7-8 years ago. Paul O'Neill is nowhere to be found. But let us look at The Buccos interleague stats from last year. The Pirates sported a 3-12 record, with a .269 team batting average and a 5.47 ERA. Interleague usually spells doom for the Buccos, so I don't care if the team is playing the Devil Rays, Yankees or BoSox. The bottom line is, the Pirates hardly stand a chance against the American League, no matter the team being played.

At least Torres hasn't regained the entire closer role. I think Capps can do a good job as closer. I mean, he's been really the only Pirate player to show any life/excitement this season. Throwing at Fielder, Capps was asserting his ability to throw inside, no matter who is up at the plate. Not many other Buccos have shown that much life this season. Seriously, are teams intimidated by a roster that includes Jack Wilson, Don Kelly, Humberto Cota (who was just designated for assignment, finally) and Nate McLouth?

Hopefully the Pirates can hold their own against the struggling Yankees. If Pittsburgh can win 2 of 3, and basically tread water while Capps sits out (since I doubt the suspension will get overturned), then the team knows it has a viable option to close out games for the rest of the season.