The Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals might be the two most interesting teams this offseason. Kansas City is entering the period that’s been circled on their calenders for years, the time when all their young, talented prospects finally get to the bigs. If KC is going to make a run at the AL Central or even the World Series, it’s going to be in the next few seasons, and they know it. This winter, Dayton Moore, the Royals’ GM is working hard to get his team the starting pitching they’ll need to compete. Likewise, the Pittsburgh Pirates are taking a good long look at their starting staff. The Buccos were the surprise team of the 1st half last season and led the NL Central pretty late in the season. Though they fell apart a bit towards the end, they proved that some of their young guys are the real deal and they have the core to compete long term and in a big way.
Already this offseason, the Pirates declined the options on a few big name guys including starting pitcher Paul Maholm. Maholm was the only lefty in the rotation and without him, the team is left with 5 guys they like but are all young, relatively inexperienced, and right handed. Right now, Kevin Correia is the ace and most experienced guy. He’s followed by the streaky Charlie Morton, the talented John McDonald, the dependable Jeff Karstens, and the young guy, Brad Lincoln. The five are a good start but I have few ideas to improve the Pirates rotation and give the offense more support.
First, I think the Pirates should offer free agent starter Roy Oswalt a 1-year, $8million deal with a mutual option for another season at $9mil. Now stay with me on this one, I know Oswalt is right handed and I know up to $17 million is a lot, especially for a small market team like Pittsburgh. I think it’s worth it and still a good move. Oswalt immediately provides Pittsburgh with an accomplished veteran presence in the rotation and a big game pitcher. He’s also a good guy to have in the clubhouse, especially with all the young guys on the squad. The mutual option is a big deal here. Oswalt should recognize that this is a team with serious potential but it’s not a sure fire contender like Philly, the team he played for last year. The option for him ensures that if he wants out after this season he can leave but would give him some security if he wants to play another season past this one. The option for the Pirates allows them out of $9 million deal should this season not go as planned. Overall, if the Pirates can convince Roy to come, he’s worth the rather hefty investment.
It doesn’t change the fact that they need a lefty. They definitely still do and may end up with Maholm on a more team friendly deal if he doesn’t sign elsewhere. At the very least, Oswalt provides manager Clint Hurdle with the flexibility to sort of play the hot hand instead of having to rely on the 5 relatively unproven guys he has now.
The Pirates have the potential to be big players next season. But they must find a catcher and a shortstop. They can figure out first base and will probably end up with Derek Lee again but short and catcher are vital. Clearly they thought Ryan Doumit wasn’t the answer behind the dish and I’m glad they recognized the Ronny Cedeno isn’t the starting shortstop on a good team. Thing is, neither is Chase D’Arnoud at this point in his career. Maybe they should go for Rafael Fucal if Jose Reyes ends up in San Francisco and Jimmy Rollins goes to Milwaukee or stays in Philadelphia. They’d definitely have competition for him, but that’s for another post.
Bottom line, Oswalt is a good fit and a smart investment and The Pirates Should Consider Making a Play For Roy Oswalt.
-Max Frankel
