Winter Meetings 2010 - Part 3 - The Rule 5 Draft

The Pirates selected Josh Rodriguez with their pick in the Rule 5 Draft. While, I preferred a different candidate, or no pick at all, the Pirates did well. They did not go with a pitcher, but rather used the Rule 5 to find the back up middle infielder, which is what I wanted to do (we just had different opinions on who). Rodriguez is a guy who looks to have the tools to play the Utility infielder role, and could actually be a decent hitter. He is a righty, which will help as the back up to Pedro Alvarez at third, and might could beat out Cedano, if Cedano does not show up circa Seattle in 2009.

The down side is the Pirates lost Nathan Adcock. Lots of guys think that the Royals will not be able to hide him on their roster meaning the Pirates will have a chance to get him back, but I disagree. The Royals will keep him all year. I had Adcock as the 19th best prospect in our system, but I admitted he was basically the same as Miller and Lorin who I had at 23 and 25, but got the higher slot because he pitched in the higher level. But then again, I did not have McPherson ranked in the top 50 instead giving him an honorable mention. The Pirates rightly deserve some criticism for this move. While Adcock has never even pitched at AA, the Royals bullpen is about a AA level bullpen anyway. Adcock's 49% ground ball rate make him worth hiding all year. The Royals "need a bigger boat" as their announcer put it when they had to go to the pen in an early season game this year when facing Joe Mauer. Adcock is not a significant down grade for them. His potential will keep him in the Royal's system.

That said, we can see the 25 man roster start to take shape.

C- Snyder
1B - Jones
2B - Walker
3B - Alvarez
SS - Cedano
LF - Tabata
CF - McCutchen
RF - Diaz
Back Up OF - Bowker
Back up SS - Ciraco
UI - Rodreguez
Back up C - Jarmillo
Back Up 1B - Pearce

The question there is more about whether Pearce will be ready to go on opening day. Bowker could also be the first baseman back up if that is the case and another outfielder like Presley could be added.

SP - Malholm
SP - Ohlendorf
SP - McDonald
SP - Corria
SP - Oleson
RP - Meek
RP - Hanrahan
RP - Ledezma
RP - Resop
RP - Karstens
RP - Ascino
RP - ?
Here is where some of the questions remain. A few spots in the pen are up for grabs. Jose Ascino's spot is tenuous at best. He may also still be on the DL. Hart has a shot at one, but he too will probably be on the DL to start the year. Daniel McCutchen has a good shot for one. And Charlie Morton will be lost if he does not end up on the team. Plus the Pirates are making a few offers to free agent bullpen guys, which means that perhaps the Pirates are not done tinkering in the pitching department. Rumors have Paul Malholm on the block. I assume that he would bring back prospects in return, which might open a starting position for Karstens or Morton. In turn that would open another bullpen slot.

In the end, I do think the Pirates are not done dealing yet. Expect Malholm and Doumit to be traded.