Pirates signing veterans on the cheap to trade for prospects in July.

I've decided to "adopt" the Pirates this year and follow them just to keep up with the NL players a bit better. That said, a couple of things:

1.) They are calling for Dave Littlefield's head down there. He's done wonders with the farm system since 2001 (from worst to first according to some reports) and they are loaded with pitching prospects. But rather than giving the kids a chance, he fills the roster with vets, like Merced and Stynes. Did you know "O Henry" Rodriguez is a camp invitee? Hasn't seen a pitch in two years.

2.) I know they've lost a lot of offense with the departure of Giles, Sanders, and Ramirez, but re-filling with Simon and Mondesi? I can still remember Remy wagering that Simon would not take a walk (or a pitch) when RS was with the Tigers. ESPN called him the most impatient player in baseball. But I was surprised at how good some of his offensive numbers are. His OBP since 2001 is mediocre (.321), although he has hit RHP fairly well (.303/.323). Bat him #7 in the order (53AB, .423/.444), and get men on base in front of him: .313/.342 with runners on, .332/.363 with runners in scoring position, and with a man on third with less than two outs he is an astounding 25 for 50 (.500/.426). Might be worth short money.

Mondesi is far less impressive. Since 2001, he is .233/.302 in open air parks, a fader after the All-Star break (pre AS .343 OBP. post-AS .314 OBP), awful when behind on the count (0-2 .138/.136, 1-2 .122/.125 -- compare that to Simon who AFTER an 0-2 count in 63AB is .302/.302), .228/.310 with runners on, .218/.301 with runners in scoring position, and .238/.320 with runners on third. The only redeeming numbers were, if you do have in your lineup, bat him #6: .307/.367. Last year, in split duty between NYY and ARZ, he totaled 11 win shares in 143 games (same as Simon actually, who did it in 19 fewer games). That puts him in the WS category with Terrence Long, Tony Batista, David Eckstein, Rondell White, and Adam Everett, among others.

Wouldn't the Bucs be better pursuing Travis Lee? Better splits and more versatile: I think he's played between 50-60 games in RF since 2001. And probably Mondesi money. And if they are nervous about the kids in RF (Wilson and Davis), how about watching the Mets to see if Shane Spencer comes up short in the position battle there -- short money, steady player if not a star, and pretty good numbers against lefties since 2001 if want to platoon him (.282/.345/.456).

3.) And compared with what they seem to trying out for closer (Jose Mesa, the only player is ML history to record more than 20 saves with an ERA over 6, and Juan Acevedo), maybe Urbina is the best option, as long as the money is right. He logged a 9 WS last year with FL, same as Danys Baez and Mike MacDougall. And while he's been hardly reliable in terms of save % since 2001, I don't know of another option. I would have pursued Benitez in December on a lark, just to see if low-key PNC could shake him out of his NY jitters.

Just some thoughts.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/arti...desi_seal_deal/

Mondesi officially a Pirate. I bet he's back in NY when Sheff goes on the DL in June.

Any news on Urbina? Anybody? I heard hes willing to not play instead of take a pay cut. What a loon.