The first caller into GBoF wants to talk Buccos

Thanks for calling!

I know many people are upset about the Bucs tearing the team apart once again and especially about Jumpin Jack and Sanchez leaving, but it comes down to this: do you want to watch players you like or do you want to watch a winning team?

If you want to watch a winner, these moves had to be done. And all of them had to be done. No sense doing it halfway.

Now that doesn't mean Huntington has stocked the system with players who will definitely turn the team around and produce a winner. But they weren't going to win as they were. Now, maybe they'll have a chance in a couple years. Many pieces have to come together still and there are some questions about who they acquired, but the system now has some talent in it and depth as well and jobs will have to be won, not handed out.

The pitching staff in particular may not have an ace in waiting, but there are now many who project as major league arms, something that wasn't true with guys like Bullington, JVB, and other from the Littlefield era.

Just for fun, let's look at 3 different lineups:
2009 Opening Day
C: Doumit
1B: Adam LaRoche
2B: Sanchez
SS: Wilson
3B: Andy LaRoche
LF: Morgan
CF: McLouth
RF: Moss

Post Trade Deadline lineup, 2009
C: Doumit
1B: Pearce
2B: D Young
SS: Cedeno
3B: Andy LaRoche
LF: Milledge
CF: McCutchen
RF: Jones

Tell me the truth, after all those guys who've been dealt, is the second lineup any worse than the Opening Day lineup? Nope, and it might be better if Pearce and Milledge play to their abilities.

Opening Day 2011
C: Doumit
1B: Pedro Alvarez
2B: D Young
SS: Argenis Diaz
3B: Andy LaRoche or Neil Walker
LF: Jose Tabata
CF: McCutchen
RF: Milledge

Rotation: Maholm, Duke, Alderson, Lincoln, Morton. Or possibly: Hart, Bryan Morris, Karstens, Ohlendorff, Ascanio.

Still lots of questions and issues with this lineup. But it COULD be a good lineup and they might still have guys like Gorkys Hernandez, Brian Friday, Chase D'Arnaud, Tony Sanchez, Miguel Angel Sano (??!!) and others to back up in case or be dealt for more players. And jsut waht if guys like Pearce and Garrett Jones can actually play over a full season?

Bottom line: the moves had to be done. It might be more interesting to watch Indy and Altoona for the next little while, but those guys will be in the Burgh soon.