Friday, August 22, 2008

Farrior signs deal for 5 years

http://post-gazette.com/pg/08235/906231-66.stm
Old guys can dress any way they want, and the 33-year-old Farrior struck one for the graybeards yesterday when he signed a five-year contract worth $18.25 million with the Steelers. The deal -- his third with the team since signing as a free agent from the New York Jets in 2002 -- includes a $5 million signing bonus and will pay him slightly less than $10 million in the first two years and $12.6 over the first three.
The Steelers sure have a strange way of dealing with players whose contracts are coming to an end. And unfortunately, I'm not seeing much of a plan behind their recent actions. Even more shocking, the recent moves by the Pirate front office make the Steelers look like minor leaguers.

And I'll let the Faneca situation go because it's clear that Faneca wanted to cash in on his one big chance and the Steelers didn't think he was worth market value, which given his age and hoe basly the offensive line played WITH him, can be understood.

But some questions about this signing include:
  • Max Starks: making him their transition player and signing him to a one year deal at an inflated price of $6.85M for a backup, and one that will be gone after this year, looks to be a panic move made in the uncertainty after Faneca left.
  • Focusing on Farrior while allowing two offensive line starters to play this season with unrestricted free agency looming, seems shortsighted. Both Smith and Kemoeatu wil be able to leave after the season. Hard to put a value on Kemoeatu? OK. But Smith? Don't forget the Steelers drafted only one o-lineman this draft - Tony Hills in the 4th - and he is not impressing anyone this camp. Think the line is in trouble this year? Wait til next year.
  • One thing you hope from management teams is they learn from their mistakes. In 2002, the Steelers resigned 30 yr old Jason Gildon to a 5-yr deal. He was gone after two more years. Farrior is three years older. It's true that middle linebackers may be able to last longer than pure outside rushers, but Farrior was already being phased out. The team has plans to replace Farrior, possible with Larry Foote, unlike whatever they are doing along the o-line.
  • In truth, Farrior will ony play 3 more years, the last two years of this contract won't be seen.
  • Farrior's play is not improving and even though he is still starting, if you go by performance, he probably will not be a starter far beyond this year. Timmons is ready to take over one inside spot and Foote, who is younger, can eaasily slide over to replace Farrior. The money spent on Farrior could have been used to spend on an area of need instead.
  • This is a defense that needs to get younger and fast. Timmons and Woodley will play a lot this year and that helps. But from what we saw last year, the overall defense wore down as games and the season went along. Adn the defensive line is not getting any younger and is getting older with the signing of Orpheus Roye. There is no young defensive lineman on the team. The secondary features aging Deshea Townsend who has been able to keep his jb over youngerplayers such as Bryant McFadden.
So let's say that I'm not a fan of this signing. The Steelers have done a great job maintaining their competitiveness by being smart judges of talent and shedding themselves of players a year too soon rather than a year too late. It isn't sentimental at all and often raises the ire of fans. But more often than not, only Rod Woodson and Hardy Nickerson truly come to mind as mistakes, they are right in their assessments. Not only does it force younger players to play and develop quickly (which means they have to draft well), but it also frees up money that can be used in more important areas.

Signing players who aren't at the top of their game or about to approach it, goes against what this team has done so successfully for so long. Let's hope this signing stands by itself and isn't a sign of future events. And if the Rooneys ever lose control of the franchise, you can be sure that these signing are what we will see more and more of, and it won't be good for the team.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Pirates trade Bautista to Toronto

This management team doesn't waste time. If they don't like you or you aren't playing well, see ya!

The Pirates today traded third baseman Jose Bautista to the Toronto Blue Jays for a player to be named later.

Bautista, 27, was surprisingly demoted last week to Class AAA Indianapolis after batting .244 with 12 home runs and 44 RBIs for the Pirates this season. He went 6 for 20 with two home runs and eight RBIs for Indianapolis.

He originally was a Rule 5 claim of the Pirates in 2004, then was reacquired the following year through trade.

Toronto's Scott Rolen has been troubled by a shoulder injury, so it is likely Bautista will step right into the Blue Jays' lineup.

Pittsburgh is 10th Worst City To Be A Fan

Forbes ventures into unknown territory once again in an effort to make itself relevant to non-millionaires. This time it's to rank the worst sports cities to be a fan. They look at the 29 markets with at least 2 teams in the 4 major leagues using some wacky formula:
we compared the latest median household income figures from the Census Bureau to the Fan Cost Index for each team compiled by Team Marketing. Those metros with the lowest ratios of income to ticket cost were deemed most expensive for fans. Those ratios were then compared to team performance, with regular season won-lost records and playoff outcomes combined for all teams in a given city.
Miami finished as worst, primarily because their teams suck. Pittsburgh is 10th, despite two successful teams, and here is the explanation:
The Penguins reached the NHL finals last season, while the Steelers went a solid 10-6, but baseball's Pirates are always rebuilding. The area's median income is 20% below the average of the 29 major sports metros.
So by that last line, it doesn't just suck to be a Pittsburgh sports fan, but to live there since they make 20% less than everyone else. I'd be at as many games as I could to forget about how little I make.

But really, Forbes (and the WSJ) should just keep it's noses out of sports.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Pitt's Cook denied sixth season

http://post-gazette.com/pg/08233/905744-100.stm

Pitt senior basketball player Mike Cook has been denied a sixth season of eligibility by the NCAA, the university announced. Cook had petitioned the NCAA for a medical redshirt after tearing the ACL in his left knee in a Dec. 20 game against Duke. The NCAA denied Cook on two earlier occasions this summer and his third and final appeal was rejected today.

While disappointing, this isn't surprising. And honestly, Cook was not playing well last year when he got hurt. Gilbert Brown should provide better play at the 3 spot this year. Leadership will be missed but I don't think this is devastating news for Pitt's season.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

John Challis



As WHYGAVS, named it, this is a reality post, not the usual around here.

But the news that John Challis died today is worth mentioning. A few weeks ago, it was Randy Pausch, now John. John impacted a lot of people and had the foresight and caring to set up a foundation to help others who may be in his situation: www.courageforlifefoundation.org.

Exactly one year ago today, I was diagnosed with leukemia, so the news hit home. All is looking good for me and I wish John and Randy and all who are stricken were as healthy as I seem to be today.

It's times and circumstances like these that make me glad there is another game tonight at 8 and another tomorrow to take my mind off reality. It can be too harsh.

Bucs Signings Getting Noticed

The plaudits are beginning to come in for the job the new Bucco regime has done so far. First, the tide has begun to turn on the trades they pulled off, and now, people are taking notice of their draft signings and how it sure looks like things are being done differently in the Bucs front office:
Out of the Pitts: In the hours after the trading deadline, we were critical of the Pirates for dealing three high-profile players without getting back a single can't-miss, centerpiece prospect back. But in the days since, we've been convinced by executives of several teams that the Pirates actually did better in their two big deals than we originally gave them credit for.

"There are no stars in there, but they need that depth of talent," an official of one club said. "They need numbers. And they accomplished that."

"I think they're on the right track," one NL scout said. "At least they decided they couldn't keep doing the same thing they've been doing and took some chances."

One NL executive even defended them on the widely hammered Xavier Nady-Damaso Marte deal, saying: "If they got three major league pitchers in that deal, and I think they did, then great for them. And all three guys (Jeff Karstens, Ross Ohlendorf and Daniel McCutchen) are either ready or close. So that's a good deal, not a bad deal."

Nevertheless, when asked to name the best player of the eight this team received in those trades, the baseball men we spoke with had a tough time finding a clear-cut Pirates acquisition they'd buy stock in. The name we heard most: 21-year-old right-hander Bryan Morris (3.15 ERA in low Class A). "If he stays healthy, he's definitely the best talent in that group," one GM said.

Biggest Coups, First 10 Rounds

1. Tim Melville, rhp, Royals (fourth round, $1.25 million, No. 15 on BA Top 200)

2. Brett Hunter, rhp, Athletics (seventh round, $1.1 million, No. 51 on BA Top 200)

3. Ross Seaton, rhp, Astros (supp. third round, $700,000, No. 28 on BA Top 200)

4. Robbie Grossman, of, Pirates (sixth round, $1 million, No. 49 on BA Top 200)

Athletic switch-hitter adds to Pittsburgh's burgeoning outfield talent.

5. Ryan Westmoreland, of, Red Sox (fifth round, $2 million, No. 113 on BA Top 20)


Biggest Coups, Rounds 11-50

1. T.J. House, lhp, Indians (16th round, $750,000, No. 100 on BA Top 200)

2. J.P. Ramirez, of, Nationals (15th round, $1 million, No. 155 on BA Top 200)

3. Quinton Miller, rhp, Pirates (20th round, $900,000, No. 158 on BA Top 200)

He shows flashes of a low-90s fastball, plus slider and average changeup.

4. Dusty Coleman, ss, Athletics (28th round, $675,000, No. 185th on BA Top 200)

5. Bryce Stowell, rhp, Indians (22nd round, $725,000, unranked on BA Top 200)