Ryan Church is a Pirate

The Pirates have agreed to terms with Ryan Church. I have mixed feelings about this deal. So, I will list some pros and cons to the deal and then explain my mixed emotions at the end.

Cons:
Overpriced – Church’s production last year was not that great and got worse after the trade. The exact dollar figure is unknown, but it will be over 2 million in all likely-hood and that seems like a lot for a guy who is not even one of the three best outfielders on the Pirate team right now.
Tabata – This move signals big trouble for Jose Tabata, who now is stuck in AAA again, and who knows for how long. With a Rule 5 outfielder and now Church, not to mention Dwelven Young, Tabata will probably spend a lot of time in the minors this year.
Lack of Power – the Pirates really needed more power, and Ryan Church is not going to provide that for them.
Injuries – Ryan Church is not exactly known to be injury free. The Pirates cannot really afford to pay guys to sit.

Pros:
Consistent – Ryan Church, with the exception of going after the trade this past year, is a consistent hitter. You can expect .270 from him. The Pirates can use a little more of that on the team that right now is counting on guys duplicating last year’s great years (Ohlendorf, McCutchen, and Jones to name a few).
Jones to First Base – This could signal Garrett Jones going to first base because Steven Pierce has not shown he can play in the big leagues and Clement needs some more time in the minors at first. If this makes Jones the regular first baseman then the Pirates have improved, but delayed the arrival of Jeff Clement.
Veterans – The Pirates are at a loss for veteran leaders. Right now the leader on the team in Ramon Vasquez, who plays seldom. Your team is always in trouble if your leader is a guy who almost never plays. Church might could step into that vacuum and provide leadership.
Tradability – the one thing this Pirate team was missing was a player that they could trade without any problem mid-season. Ryan Church fills that hole. He could bring some more prospects and not hurt the long term formation of the team.

So in the end, I think this deal is a good one if Jones goes to first. Clement is not ready, and I am not sold on him anyway. Jones would have less wear and tear at First, and would plug a hole. If the Pirates are out of contention, he could be traded to add more prospects to the team. That is always a good thing as well.

However, it does not look like that is going to be the case right now. Church is being pushed as a reserve in an all ready crowded bench. This makes the bench Crosby, Jarmillo, Young, John Raynor, and Ryan Church. That is three outfielders all though Young would probably get some more time at second. Crosby would have to play short and third, and it clearly means that Jones is going to split time at First and Right again, which I think is a bad idea. Give him one spot and keep him there. It also means that Steven Pierce is probably the opening day First baseman. That is also not so good. The delay this is going to put in seeing future Pirate players like Jose Tabata and Jeff Clement is a bad thing.

The deal is the absolute end of Brandon Moss. Church is now the lefty outfielder off the bench. Moss would be lost to the Pirates since he cannot be sent to the minors again. Hopefully there is a market for Moss right now. I would like to see a trade, but I highly doubt it. I cannot say I am sorry to see Moss go. He had a good half season, but other than that, he was never a part of the future of this team. This deal could also be a really bad sign for Andy LaRoche. Where exactly is he going to go when Alvarez makes his debut with the Pirates? Raynor has to stay up all year. And Church is not going to the minors. LaRoche has to hope for a deal involving Church or one of the other bench guys to keep a place on the team. Vasquez too is in trouble because of this deal. His versitility was important, but his bat was worthless. His days are numbered despite his leadership.

I still trust Pittsburgh management, I am just not sure what they are doing with this deal.