Power Pros Forum

Zimmer says "No"

Don Zimmer has told the following players that they will be free agents next year:

Tom Gorzelanny - He struggled to strikeout anyone last year and was arguably one of the worst starters in the rotation. Instead, Billingsley will fill his spot.

Anibal Sanchez - "He's just not what we're looking for," Zimmer said. He intends on limiting the rotation to five men and Sanchez isn't among them.

Tyler Yates - Yates was one of the more consistent men in the pen for the Bucs, but he's not wanted anymore. He'll be a great pickup for anyother team, but he's too old for the Bucs.

Evan Meek - "Consistently, he blew games. I don't want someone like that coming back, young or not." Zimmer said. Meek will probably develop into a consistent reliever down the line, but for now he's just a game blower.

Reid - Zimmer cited he wanted a raise in pay, but has yet to perform at a big league level. "We've been hit hard financially. We can't afford to pay him what he wants."

Nyjer Morgan - This guy didn't see much playing time, but when he did, he wasn't great, ever. "I don't want to him an extra ten thousand because he thinks he's worth it." Zimmer said. Little happened to agree stating, "We'll find someone to replace him in free agency."

Luis Rivas - "He was a solid defensive backup," Zimmer said, "However, he wants too much of a raise for doing nothing fantastic." Luis was probably passed up because Uggla and Cano both agreed to three year deals.

Great Speier - "He wasn't great in September," Zimmer stated, "He, too, wants a raise we can't afford to payout."

Bucs offer two, big, lucrative contracts

The first one goes out to Francisco Rodriguez. Zimmer stated, "I said my focus would be on fixing up our bullpen. That's why I'm offering Francisco the chance to be a Buc for a year with an option for another year valued at well over two million. I understand the Phillies, Red Socks, Angels, Rangers, Marlins, Cubs, and Rockies are also trying to work out a deal. I can't outbid them, but I can try to."

The second contract goes to Mark Prior. "He had a great year for the Padres. He fooled us and others daily. Him becoming a Pirate would be huge for us and everyone else in the division." The chances of signing Prior are high. No other team in the Majors is pursuing him.

Prior signs with Bucs, Rodriguez rejects all deals

"Great, now all that's left is working on his control." Zimmer stated. It's a fact, Prior does have poor control. "He's a great pickup for us, regardless. He'll probably be our swingman or fifth starter. I don't know yet, but I want pursue two other people." Zimmer said. People bet he's going to offer Rodriguez another deal and go after another starter. However, those are all rumors.

In other news, no team in the NL Central has made a real splash. They've landed, but haven't splashed yet. "Jon Lieber is spending the twilight of his career in Chicago, and Ivan Rodriguez probably is to." Zimmer stated. "Lieber was on the Cubs last year and wasn't that great. The Ivan pickup from the Reds is probably their attempt at matching Snyder after Ross decided not to sign with them." Zimmer stated, though his word is only going off rumors.

Bucs out of Rodriguez running; pursuing Eric Gagne, Teixeira, and Crawford

"I want to make sure the Brewers don't get ahold of Gagne," Zimmer told reporters. "He'd also do very, very well in a Pirates' uniform. Like it or not, we'll go after him. We need him. He needs us. He needs a winning team." Zimmer was contradicting himself, but he seemed pretty firm on what he had to say for the most part. The Pirates have offered Gagne thirteen million, four hundred thousand for two years. He has the ability to opt out after the first year if the Brewers have a better record, however... Zimmer says that won't happen. We'll trust the old gerbil on this one.

As for the Teixeira deal, it looks unlikely. Scott Boras said, "My client has recieved higher offers from better teams. He wants to take the Pirates' offer for some reason though. I'm urging him against it." Boras is making tons of friends in Pittsburg, that's for sure. He's trying to keep Teixeira away from the Bucs. Zimmer responded with his own comment about the trade, "Braves, Red Socks, Orioles... they're all interested in acquiring him. We did better than the Red Socks and Orioles, but did horribly compared to the Braves. I'm sure we can sign Teixeira though. We have incentives in there other teams don't have, including a five million dollar bonus each time he hits a homerun over the fourty mark..."

"Carl was hurt most of the year. We intend on trying to rehab him and start him in the outfield. If he can't get back up to one-hundred percent, he'll be sold, traded, or used as a backup to another player, preferbly Ross. No other teams are going for him, making this easier on us." Zimmer boldly stated. Crawford probably won't accept the three year, multi-million dollar deal...

Gagne, Crawford sign with Bucs; Tex goes to the Socks



...Who would have imagined these two would sign the Pirates? Well, they did. The Pirates made a huge splash in the free agent market when Crawford and Gagne both announced they would be signing with the Bucs at the same time. The Gagne signing gives the Bucs a new, dominant closer, which moves Chamberlain and Betancourt who alternated the posistion all year to set-up man. Crawford will probably play back up and be a pitch runner depending on how his performance rates. There's also been rumors the Bucs might drop Kearns in place for Crawford...

Mark Teixeira, however, signed with the Red Socks. As did Francisco Rodriguez, eliminating the possibility of the Pirates facing those two this year. Good thing they didn't sign in the NL Central!

Canibal caves, Kearns curses; Evert aquired



"Canibal caves, Kearns curses" that was the headline of the sports section of the newspaper today. The Pirates' have signed Anibal to a one year, eight-hundred thousand dollar deal. The headline is "Canibal caves" because he did just that. During Contract Renewal, Anibal wanted a two million dollar contract. Pirates management refused and told him "good day." However, Zimmer knows a good deal when he sees one. He went ahead and signed Anibal, promising him the sixth spot in the Pirates' rotation.

After Anibal was signed, Austin Kearns was sold to the Twins. Kearns, who only had twenty-nine homeruns last year, played a minor role in leading the Pirates to ninety wins. However, Zimmer doesn't want to pay his five million dollar contract that is expected to rise sharply next year. "If he had batted .300, I would of said, "Hey Kearns, come back for Spring Training." However, he kept the bat on his shoulders as he batted .250, the lowest on the team." Zimmer defended the sale. Meanwhile, the player's union is pissed off at the Pirates for making the deal.

"They didn't show him any signs of respect." Kearns agent said, "They told him to pack his bags, he's not wanted anymore. In what world do we not treat people like people? Oh well, Kearns will be swinging for the fences in the World Series with the Twins." Kearns spoke for himself as well.

"Yeah, I left my mark on that team. It's Curse of the Bambino on the Pirates, only this time it is "Curse of the Kearns"." Kearns arrogantly said. He has a huge ego...

Meanwhile, the Bucs have invited a twenty-five year old, intelligent, arrogant pitcher to Spring Training. "He reminds me a lot of Bill Spaceman Lee. He has potential and he'll do good. He has a smart mouth though. I can get along with that, I hope." Don Zimmer said. The twenty-five year old in question is Carl Evert. Like Lee, he has a good arsenal of pitches, but lacks the famous Eephus. However, he makes up for it ith a monsterous curve, good control, moderate speed, and an awesome cutter. "I believe we should have elected John McCain President of this country." Evert said, but when he was told the interview was about his invitation to Spring Training he said, "Oh. Zimmer will hate me. I can strike him out. After all, didn't he only bat .250 something? Yeah, he'll be biased against me since I'm a pitcher." What Evert said is similiar to Lee's quote about managers hating pitchers because [most] managers only batted .250.

Evert is expected to make a blink and you'll miss it debut for the Bucs in spring training. "I'll be bringing my A-Game, Bible, and Palmball." He said with a smirk on his face. As you can see, he'll probably be a decent swingman or long reliever for the organization in the later years.

convert Crawford to a Center Fielder or wherever you need a position player during spring training.

ReLink Scandal


For the first time, the amount of money ReLink stole from the Pirates' has been announced. "He stole too much," Little said on the stand. "I'm absolutely shocked someone would even do this to me. Well, I guess it shows we can't trust anyone in this world." Little testified against ReLink in court today.

"How much did he steal from you, Mr. Little?" The judge asked. Little, of course, was under oath, so he couldn't lie.

"The [Pirates] club lost over one-hundred and twenty-two million dollars. I've done the math over and over." Little continued, "We're severly crippled without this money, I'd like for him to be punished to the fullest extent of the law." Little stated.

ReLink did not show up for court. However, the trial went on. His lawyer said, like lawyers say, "My client is not guilty."

After the court hearing, Bud Selig met with Grady Little. "Listen, Mr. Little, if you need financial support for the Pirates, just ask me for it again, alright...?"

Selig appears to have some money invested into the Pirates. How much and why?

What do you think of my free agent pick ups? I didn't go for anyone the lady bragged about, except Tex.

you might want a few pitchers.

Don't forget about converting Cano into a SS during spring training too.

Yeah, I need some pitchers with stamina. I wanted Mussina, but he wanted fifteen million. <_< I could have really used is C stamina and control. Instead, I settled with Prior who has G Control and B stamina. <_<

I probably should try and involve myself in a multi-team deal before Spring, or look in F/A.

Crawford declared healthy



He battled leg, shoulder and back injuries all last season. Crawford didn't have the best season last year. He only appeared in sixty-six games, batting .295 with twelve homeruns and sixty-seven RBIs. He had three stolen bases on the year. The Rays released him after his slumping season. Then, he was signed by the Bucs.

The Bucs' have a goal of rehabing Carl for the 09' season, but it looks like he doesn't need to be rehabilitated. "He's fine. That's what we like to see." Pirates' Medical Doctors announced in a press confrence. "He'll be okay to start in Spring Training."

The Pirates have Crawford locked up for three years and expect him to steal over one-hundred bases for them during that period. With this news, that expectation may happen!

nice pickups.

Eric Gagne Missing Spring Training, Family Issues



(Pittsburg) - Pittsburg officials have released a report stating that Eric Gagne is expected to miss Spring Training, he cites "Family Issues". Pittsburg isn't too concerned with their new closer missing in action. "It bothers us to an extent that he won't be showing up, but we won't go and trade him for it. We understand these things happen, and we hope it gets resolved before training ends." Don Zimmer said on the matter, "He'll probably be rusty coming into the season now, but who isn't?" Zimmer expects Gagne to be ready for opening day, if he isn't, they'll probably go ahead and let Chamberlain close out the first game...

In other news, Joba Chamberlain has reported that is fastball is now topping at 103 miles per hour, a three mile per hour difference from 100 that we saw last season.

Also, David Wright was named Team Captain by GM and Manager Don Zimmer. "He was a great asset all of last year. He swung the bat well, drove in runs, and hit homers. He, along with Uggla, will be the players to watch out for this season on our team. And to kill all the rumors, we have no intention of trading Wright away for someone who is more seasoned, like Delgado."

Wakefield Deal in Works



Wakefield would boost even the worst bullpen in the league. His knuckleball is one of the best of all-time, if not the best. He currently plays for the Boston Red Socks, who don't want to give him up, however, Don Zimmer believes he can play let's strike a deal. "Wakefield in our pen... we'd have the best bullpen in the National League." Zimmer continued, "Wakefield's old, I know. However, he can bring a lot to the table. That's why we need him." Wakefield is famous for being able to throw the knuckleball, a pitch that fools hitters. The Pirates' attempt to get Wakefield is more or less a way to counter the Reds' pickup of Mike Mussina in the off season...