Bowden: Pirates should trade for Rios, Ramirez

By Jeff

Trade speculation, rumors and columns are popping up everywhere with Major League Baseball's trade deadline 21 days away. Former general manager and current ESPN Insider Jim Bowden is getting in on the action.

In his most recent column (It is an ESPN Insider article), Bowden discusses five deals at the deadline he would like to see. The Pirates make the list and are in the buyer position. I give this article a little more thought than your typical trade column because of Bowden. The man did some good work as the general manager of the Cincinnati Reds and Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals, as opposed to being just a sportswriter or former player with no personnel experience.

Bowden thinks the Pirates should be able to move outfield prospect Gregory Polanco, pitching prospect Nick Kingham and utility player Jordy Mercer to the Chicago White Sox. In return, the Buccos would receive outfielder Alex Rios and shortstop Alexei Ramirez.

I wrote in a previous post that Rios could be a target for the Pirates and wouldn't require much to acquire. They would probably just need a mid-level prospect and offer to take on Rios' salary. Adding Ramirez to the mix is interesting.

He would certainly be an offensive improvement to Clint Barmes and his defensive metrics are pretty similar to Barmes. Ramirez actually has some better sabermetrics for this season. But Ramirez's offense is not too much better than Mercer's. Ramirez has a better average, but he has no power this year (one home rune). Bowden thinks a change of scenery could help Ramirez get back to the level that had him hitting more than 15 homers four times in his career, but has nothing but his gut to back it up.

While Rios would certainly improve the team, I'm just not sure a change of scenery would bring back Ramirez's power, which has been on the decline for three years.

That's not to say that I wouldn't want Ramirez to come to Pittsburgh with Rios. I am willing to give him a shot after a year and a half of Barmes stinking at the plate and Mercer not being an everyday player. I just don't know if the Pirates would or should be willing to give up one of their top, if not best, hitting prospect in Polanco. The guy has some crazy speed, is showing power potential and is already up in Altoona.

If the Pirates had to give up Polanco in order to get Ramirez and Rios, I'd much rather them target only Rios and keep Polanco in the system.

Any thoughts?

The real problem with steroid era

By Jeff

The steroid era has ruined baseball for some people. Every time we see a player have a career power year, like Jacoby Ellsbury Jose Bautista or Chris Davis, the performance enhancing drugs (PED) questions begin to swirl.

It's not fair in the sense that these guys have not failed any drug tests, and the tests have become a lot tougher to cheat. At the same time, how can we not question these guys when players like Rafael Palmeiro and Mark McGwire denied for years before getting caught or admitting to cheating in order to make a run at the Hall of Fame?

But the real problem with the steroid era is we get pointless stories and columns like this one from Rick Reilly.

So a guy asked Davis on Twitter if he cheats and Davis answered no. This leads to a column? And what did we learn from the column? Reilly doesn't fully trust Davis when he says that he doesn't use steroids. That's it.

It was Reilly this time, but every time we get a player having a career year, we have dozens of pointless "Are they using?" or "Can we trust them?" columns that are all the same. It's like an ad lib. The writers just substitute the team and the player.

We don't have to shower these breakout stars with love and adoration like fans did with Sammy Sosa and McGwire during their home run race. It's a good thing to be a little skeptical. But do we need the countless stories, commentaries and columns questioning these players? It's done every year and it's very stale.

Making sense of NHL free agency craziness

By Jeff

The wild ride that was the first few days of NHL free agency has come to a crawl, and what a ride it was.

The moves made by the Pittsburgh Penguins have been talked about all over this blog and I have nothing new to say about it. They have a good team that should compete for a Stanley Cup if they don't suffer major injuries to key players.

But while the Pens were working on keeping their talent in place or bringing back an old face, the rest of the league was going nuts and there were quite a few stars on the move through free agency and big trades.

Free Agent Signings:

• Daniel Alfredsson leaves Ottawa for Motor City - Is anyone really that surprised Alfredson is leaving the Ottawa Senators after his infamous "Probably not" comment when answering if his team could rally past the Pens in the playoffs? The man wants to win and didn't think it would work in Ottawa. He also gets to join the Swedish National Team Detroit Red Wings. Apparently Afredsson wanted a two-year deal from Ottawa for $6 million and they only wanted to give him 1-year for $4 million, so he left for up to $5.5 million in Detroit. While Sens fans seem betrayed, they should be thankful. That cap space is now being used on Bobby Ryan. A young stud with lots of talent, and not a 40-year-old on the decline. Mike Babcock and Team Sweden will get the most out of Afredsson, but $5.5 million is still a lot for him

• David Clarkson making big bucks in Toronto - A guy who has only topped 20 goals once in his career gets a seven-year, $36.75 million contract? What? Toronto is just weird. They make a nice deal to get Jonathan Bernier, totally fleeced the Philadelphis Flyers last year in the James van Riemsdyk deal, but then they go and spend almost $10 million in cap space over the next five years on Clarkson and Tyler Bozak. Tyler Bozak! Getting back to Clarkson, he has a comparable cap hit to guys like Bobby Ryan, Phil Kessel, Jeff Carter and David Krejci to name a few. The difference is those guys have either put up big regular season numbers or come up big in the playoffs, or both. Clarkson has had one big season and got paid big time. Good for him, but I think the Leafs and their fans will be regretting it by Year 3.

• Tyler Bozak again - OK this needed it's own section. Here is a guy who has never scored 20 goals or put up more than 47 points in a season. Yup, that's what I want in my top line center. Especially at $21 million over five years.

• Boston wins Jarome Iginla sweepstakes - Well, the Boston Bruins got their man in Jarome Iginla. It was a  few months later than they would have preferred, but they got him. I know Iginla looked slow and not good in that Eastern Conference Final, hell he even had the series clinching goal for the Bruins, but this is a good signing. He fits the Bruins more structured system and should be a lock for 20 goals. Pens fans probably just hope he pulls another disappearing act in the playoffs.

• Mike Ribiero leaves Washington, Ovechkin for Coyotes - The Marek vs. Wyshynski podcast on Puck Daddy made a great point in relation to this signing. Ribiero is a guy who had a lot of success with Alexander Ovechkin and in Adam Oates' system. He wanted to stay in Washington, yet the team let him walk and replaced him with no one. This is a team that does not seem to appeal to free agents. When was the last time a big name free agent signed there? It does not appear to be a place where players want to play, yet here is a successful guy who wants to stay and they don't make it happen. Why not? The answer is they really like golf and advancing past the first or second round of the playoffs would cut into their golf time.

• Matt Cooke joins Wild, local media pissed - Matt Cooke certainly earned his reputation as a dirty player. But if you've actually watched him play the past few seasons, you'll note that he doesn't rely on that on the edge, sometimes over the edge, game any more. He has become a solid third-line player who is great at killing penalties. I'm thinking Jim Souhan of the Minnesota Star Tribune needs to learn the definition of a hockey goon. When I think of a goon, I don't think of someone with 90 penalty minutes in the past two seasons COMBINED.

• Lecavalier, Emery join Flyers - Yes, the Flyers needed a goalie and Ray Emery was a great one last year with the Chicago Blackhawks. And yes, the team needed a veteran forward to help mentor Claude Giroux. But the Flyers' biggest need is defense. If Mark Streit is your answer for your defensive struggles, then you're pretty much screwed. Both the Emery and Vincent Lecavalier deals are pretty good value, it's just hard to imagine this team doing much if they have to score four or five goals a game because their top defensemen would probably be bottom six on a lot of teams across the league.

• Horton sacrifices career for money, signs with Blue Jackets - Nathan Horton is a tough player who I think all 30 teams would like to have. So why did he choose Columbus? I have no idea. Ohio is a terrible place. I expect Horton to get Jeff Carter syndrome after about two months.

Trades: 

• Sequin, Peverley headed to Dallas for Eriksson - Don't you hate it when a team you strongly dislike, in my case it's the Bruins, make a great trade? Tyler Sequin has a crazy amount of potential, but he is realizing his potential for crazy a lot faster than for hockey. If teammates like Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron can't get the guy in line, I doubt there is a guy in Dallas who can keep Sequin from partying his way to the third line. Meanwhile, the Bruins get a very talented winger in Loui Eriksson who has been flying under the radar in Dallas. He is a smaller, more skilled version of James Neal. The Bruins are going to be tough again next year, if not the favorites to come out of the East. 

• Bobby Ryan finally gets out of Anaheim, lands in Ottawa - Wait, I thought Bobby Ryan was getting traded to the Flyers? Oh, that was last season. And the season before that. The Sens gave away a lot in this deal. Hockey minds really like Jakob Silferberg and first-round picks are always nice. But in the immediate future, the Sens got a guy who scores lots of goals. Prior to the lockout, Ryan had tallied 30+ in the past three seasons. Yeah, he's good. He fills the void and then some left by Alfredsson and makes the Senators a dangerous team with the likes of Jason Spezza, Milan Michalek and second-year guy Cory Conacher.

Anna Benson is nuts. Who knew?

By Jeff

Who says Monday is a slow news day? TMZ has an incredible story about the insanity that is Anna Benson. According to this story she tried to rob her estranged husband, former Pittsburgh Pirates No. 1 pick and staff ace Kris Benson, at gun point while wearing a bulletproof vest. Seriously, you can't make this stuff up!

http://www.tmz.com/2013/07/08/baseball-wives-anna-benson-arrested-felony-assault-gun-threat/

Now the real question is which story is better, this or the Jose Tabata's wife steals a baby story?

http://www.newser.com/story/96243/baseball-players-wife-admits-stealing-baby.html

Buccos need offense

By Jeff

The Pittsburgh Pirates are tied for first in the National League Central Division and are 19 games above .500 at 53-34. In short, they are one of the best teams in baseball right now.

That record doesn't scream that the team needs improvement, but this team's lack of offense could come back to haunt them in September and a potential playoff run. In the NL, the Pirates rank 12th in runs, 6th in home runs and 11th in average, on-base percentage and OPS (on-base plus slugging).

I get that pitching wins championships, and the Buccos have had excellent starting and relief pitching this season, but these low offensive numbers have to be a concern for the team and fans heading into the second half of the season.

Fortunately, general manager Neal Huntington and owner Bob Nutting have shown in the past few seasons that they are willing to take on salary in order to try and improve the team at the trade deadline. A few years ago they snatched up Derek Lee and Ryan Ludwick. Last year brought in Wandy Rodriguez. These moves didn't result in playoff appearances, or even winning records, but they showed that the organization recognizes that this team has an opportunity to punch a playoff ticket and are willing to make moves to help make it happen.

So here is the unoriginal blog post looking at potential options for the Pirates to grab by the trade deadline!

• Giancarlo Stanton, OF, Miami Marlins - There has been no indication that the Miami Marlins are willing to depart with their young stud, so I don't think this would ever happen. Then again, you can never trust what the Marlins say or don't say. Their owner is a joke. If he was available, the Pirates would have to part with a package or prospects including the organization's best in Jameson Taillon. The question is, would you prefer a man capable of 40 homers or a top of the rotation guy?

• Alex Rios, OF, Chicago White Sox - The team could certainly use a right fielder with some pop and his name has been circulating as a possible fit with the Pirates. He wouldn't require the team to give up much, but he would have a $12.5 million price tag next season. It could be a good move for the Pirates, but it depends which Rios they get. Do they get last season's star who mashed 25 home run, stole 26 bases and hit .304, or do they get the 2011 version of Rios who was arguably one of the worst players in the majors? Rios has been Jekyll and Hyde this year as well. Hew as very good the first two months of the season and was pretty miserable in June. He hasn't homered since June 9, so there is a risk that the Pirates wouldn't get the offensive boost they want.

• Howie Kendrick, 2B, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Neil Walker can't hit lefties (.196 average). Even when he does hit them, it's only for singles. Really, he doesn't have an extra-base hit against lefties this season. The Angels are disappointing again and have a valuable commodity in Kendrick at second. He also has a .325 average and almost .400 OBP against left-handed pitchers. He would be an expensive platoon with Walker but could help make a playoff push.

• Adam Lind, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays - This would be a risky move, but the reward could be great and the Pirates wouldn't have to give up much for Lind. The man will never replicate his 35-homer season of 2009. Lind is in a career-year, though,  and has been having a bit of a comeback season with 11 home runs and a .309 average. But a quick look at his history and you'll find he is just a slightly better version of Garret Jones. While he is hitting for a good average against lefties this year, he was absolutely terrible against them in 2012, and not much better in 2011. So at best you'd be getting another platoon player.

• Edwin Encarnacion, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays - Toronto spent big money this offseason, and just like the Marlins last season, they doing poorly (43-45). They gave up a lot of prospects in the offseason and could be looking for a way to replenish the farm. One person they could move is Encarnacion. He hit 42 home runs last season and already has 23 this year. He also tends to hit lefties and righties about the same. It is certainly worth a call to Toronto. If it comes back that they need Taillon in return, then hang up and call the White Sox about Rios.

• Kendry Morales, 1B, Seattle Mariners - Morales looked like he was ready to be a superstar in 2009. The switch hitter blasted 34 home runs and hit .306 for the year. He actually finished fifth in AL MVP voting. He was off to another good start in 2010, then he broke his leg celebrating a walk-off home run. It was such a bad break, he missed all of 2011. When he returned in 2012, the Angels had Albert Pujols at first and Mark Trumbo as DH or right field, so Morales saw less than 500 at bats. He still managed 22 home runs. This year he has 11 homers playing in a major pitcher's park in Seattle. The guy hits righties and lefties well and would be an instant upgrade over Jones and Gaby Sanchez at first.

• Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies - Just joking. I sincerely doubt the Pirates want a declining second baseman with major knee issues. Maybe if they take Brandon Inge off the team's hands, then they can start talking!

Pens bring back missing 'Piece'

By Jeff

Just when you think Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero doesn't have any more major moves up his sleeves, he bitch slaps you and reminds you he's Ray "F-ing" Shero.

The Pens GM made a huge move yesterday by bringing back former Pens defenseman Rob Scuderi. You may remember Scuderi as the self-proclaimed "Piece".

While the nickname "The Piece" began as a joke during the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, if you look at the Pens' lack of post season success since Scuderi left, it has a ring of truth to it.

Scuderi left after the Pens won the 2009 Stanley Cup. The team has not really had a shut down defenseman since then. Shero tried to shore up the blue line with Zbynek Michalek and Paul Martin, but after a good season, they both regressed. Michalek was shipped out, while Martin found his game again in 2013. But Martin is more of the puck-moving type and not so much the stay at home and do the dirty work kind of guy. Scuderi fills that void and makes the Pens a better team.

I have read in some places that people are concerned with the 4-year, $13.5 million deal that comes with a $3.35 million cap hit. I get it. Scuderi is 34 and will probably regress when he is 37 and 38. But I worry less about Scuderi and this deal than I do the Pascal Dupuis deal. Scuderi has never been a player that amazed you with speed. It's not his game. He plays a safe, stay-at-home type of defense. His game doesn't rely on speed. It relies on positioning, doing dirty work in front of the net, blocking shots and playing smart. When Scuderi loses a step, he'll have less of an adjustment to make than someone who relies on speed, like Dupuis or Kris Letang.

The $3.35 million cap hit is also a solid deal if you look at Cap Geek's comparables. Would you rather Scuderi at this price or Nick Grossman, Stephane Robidas, Andrew Ference, Ladislav Smid or Bryan Allen for similar costs. I'll happily take "The Piece" over any of those guys.

Now Shero needs to work a little more magic. While the team currently has a little less than $700,000 in cap space for next season, they have about $1.9 million in qualifying offers out there for Robert Bortuzzo, Dustin Jeffrey and the worthless Harry Zolniercyk. The popular thought I've heard is that Matt Niskanen and his $2.3 million salary will be moved. It's not a big deal if Niskanen is moved. He has had two solid seasons with the Pens, but nothing special. The team has plenty of talented defensemen in the system that will have to get a chance at some point. Why not now?

Salary cap questions aside, this was the right move for the Pens. How many teams would kill to have a top four of Brooks Orpik, Martin, Letang and Scuderi?

Pens extend Dupuis for $15M

By Jeff

The Pittsburgh Penguins took another step in keeping last year's gang back together. It was announced late last night that forward Pascal Dupuis agreed to a 4-year, $15 million contract with the team. The deal comes with a $3.75 million cap hit.

Of all the restricted and unrestricted free agents the Pens had heading into this offseason, Dupuis was probably the man fans most wanted to return.

Dupuis has become the type of player that defines this Pens team and coach Dan Bylsma's system. He works his ass off every shift, forechecks well, kills penalties and plays with speed. Even if this is all he did, and he was on the third line, the team and fans would be happy. But Dupuis has become a legitimate top line winger over the past few years. He has posted back-to-back 20-goal seasons and chipped in seven goals in this year's playoffs.

What may be the most impressive about Dupuis' scoring touch is that his goals come almost exclusively on at even-strength. Since the start of the 2011-2012 season, Dupuis has scored 45 regular season goals, 39 of which came 5-on-5. According to CBS Sports, only eight players in the NHL have scored more even-strength goals in that time period. They are: John Tavares, Evgeni Malkin, Steven Stamkos, Marian Gaborik, Jonathan Toews, Phil Kessel, Alex Ovechkin and Max Pacioretty. All of the above players have cap hits between $4.5 and $9.5 million, so Dupuis at $3.75 is certainly a discount.

Not bad for a man who was an afterthought in the Marian Hossa trade five years ago.

While we're talking about the Hossa trade, when are we going to start calling it the Dupuis trade? Hossa spent a few months in Pittsburgh and that team didn't win a Cup. Dupuis has been contributing for five years, will be around at least another four, and was a part of the team's 2009 Stanley Cup winner. I think it's time we make the name change.

The deal doesn't come without concerns, though. Dupuis and Kunitz definitely took less than they'd make on the open market, but now the team has almost $49 million tied up to nine players in 2014-2015. That leaves around $15 million for 11 more players if the cap doesn't move next year.

The cap will definitely go up in the future, but it may be awhile before it does so significantly based on James Mirtle's projections.

One also has to wonder if Dupuis, whose game revolves around speed, can keep that speed during the length of the contract. He is 34 and will be 38 when the deal is done. Hockey players seem to have more longevity than other athletes, but he plays a type of game that wears a player down. He hasn't shown signs of slowing down yet, so Pens fans have to hope he doesn't in the next four years.

Another question I have is how big of an influence Sidney Crosby had on this and the Kunitz deal? It's no secret that Crosby loves playing with Kunitz and Dupuis on a line and a part of having super stars on your team is keeping them happy. 

I guess the reasons don't really matter as long as these guys keep producing at the level they are. Considering both Dupuis and Kunitz will be playing on a line with the best player in the world, chances are they will and the team will continue to be a favorite for the Stanley Cup every year.