Building a Winner: Pittsburgh Pirates 2013

Perceptor · 05-23-2013, 02:51 PM

I'm still planning to run my Nats dynasty, but it was a little too easy with that team so I thought I'd run a Pirates dynasty to see if I can use the solid farm system to build the team into a perennial winner. I'm also planning to use the trade market to address weaknesses and the odd budget signing.

Perceptor · 05-23-2013, 02:58 PM

March 30, 2013: New Era Begins in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that Neil Huntington has been relieved of his duties as General Manager of the Pirates. Huntington, who had been with the organization since 2007, will be re-assigned to another position within the organization.

Replacing Huntington is 35-year-old John Tsang. Tsang was a surprise hire due to his lack of experience and many in the media had never heard of him. Tsang has stated that he intends to make no changes to the coaching staff and will be evaluating the roster as the season begins.

Perceptor · 05-23-2013, 03:02 PM

April 5, 2013: Stanton Loss Rocks Marlins

Perceptor · 05-23-2013, 03:18 PM

April 6, 2013: Moreland Joins the Pirates

After an outing to forget, Jonathan Sanchez was the first player to be dealt under John Tsang as he was traded to the Texas Rangers for first baseman Mitch Moreland. Sanchez had been signed as a free agent and made the team out of spring training. However, in his first start, he lasted only 2 innings, giving 7 hits, 7 earned runs, and walking 4 in an ugly outing.

Sanchez, who has struggled mightily since winning the World Series in 2010, knew he was on a short leash and his rough outing made him expendable. Tsang reportedly began shopping Sanchez immediately after to determine whether any team would take him before designating him for assignment.

In Moreland, the Pirates get a first baseman with power and at 27, entering his prime. Tsang was hopeful that Moreland will eventually become the long-term solution at first base given Gaby Sanchez's struggles last season.

Perceptor · 05-23-2013, 03:19 PM

April 6, 2013: Halladay's Injury Struggles Continue

Perceptor · 05-23-2013, 05:56 PM

April 12, 2013: Contreras's Injury Creates Hole for Bucs Bullpen

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been red hot to start the season with 8 wins out of their first 9 games. However, the team's optimism was tempered when it was announced that reliever Jose Contreras was lost for the season due to a torn labrum.

Perceptor · 05-23-2013, 06:05 PM

April 13: Bucs Continue to Deal adding Jackson

Bucs GM John Tsang continued to shape the roster, trading Garrett Jones to the Cardinals for shortstop Ryan Jackson. In adding Jackson, the Bucs get a shortstop with upside who can hit and get on base, something Tsang had been looking to address.

Garrett Jones, coming off a season in which he had 27 home runs, became expendable when the Bucs acquired Mitch Moreland earlier in the season. With Travis Snider and Jose Tabata preferred in the outfield, Jones was unlikely to see a lot of playing time.

Jackson had been a prospect for the Cards, but was behind Pete Kozma in the pecking order and the Cards felt that Jackson needed to play regularly. Jackson hoped he would get that chance with the Bucs.

Jackson will compete with struggling Clint Barmes for the starting job. Barmes has been batting .182 so far and in the last year of his contract. There has been speculation that Tsang might put Barmes on waivers to see if a team would pick up the rest of his contract. It is clear that today's trade that Barmes' days as a Pirate are numbered

Perceptor · 05-23-2013, 06:52 PM

April 15, 2013: Bucs add Oswalt

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that the team had come to an agreement with pitcher Roy Oswalt on a 1-year deal. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Oswalt adds yet another veteran presence to the rotation along with A.J. Burnett and Wandy Rodriguez.

Oswalt was happy to join the Pirates and felt that the team offered him the best chance to regularly start and prove that he can still pitch at the Major League level. Oswalt is expected to start against the Cardinals as the Bucs continue their season.

Perceptor · 05-25-2013, 01:01 AM

April 30: Monthly Update

The Pirates end the month of April 21-7 to start in a fantastic and surprising month of baseball for the team. The Pirates, who many picked just to finish .500, were simply baseball's best team in the first month of the season.

Andrew McCutchen was named the NL Player of the Month with a .300 average, 8 homers, and 31 RBI's. Cutch also stole 10 bases to cap off a monstrous month for the 26-year-old outfielder. McCutchen was encouraged by his start, but was adamant that he wanted to maintain his focus and continue his solid play.

Not to be outdone was starter A.J. Burnett, who picked up the NL Pitcher of the Month Award. Burnett was 4-0 with a 2.11 ERA. Burnett, who is a free agent after the season, declined to discuss his future; instead, preferring to focus on his team's performance now.

Pirates Hitting Stats:

1. Starling Marte .315 BA 2 HR 13 RBI 11 SB
2. Neil Walker .266 BA 1 HR 12 RBI
3. Andrew McCutchen .300 BA 8 HR 31 RBI 10 SB
4. Pedro Alvarez .247 BA 7 HR 20 RBI
5. Mitch Moreland .264 BA 2 HR 10 RBI
6. Russell Martin .303 BA 3 HR 19 RBI
7. Jose Tabata .292 BA 1 HR 11 RBI
8. Ryan Jackson .244 BA 0 HR 6 RBI

Pirates Pitching Stats:

1. A.J. Burnett 4-0 2.11 ERA .204 AVG
2. Wandy Rodriguez 4-2 5.08 ERA .302 AVG
3. James McDonald 4-0 3.78 ERA .272 AVG
4. Jeff Locke 2-0 2.70 ERA .229 AVG
5. Roy Oswalt 2-0 1.96 ERA .233 AVG
6. Jason Grilli 7 SV 1.29 ERA

05-23-2013, 02:51 PM	#1
Perceptor Minors (Triple A) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 229	Building a Winner: Pittsburgh Pirates 2013 I'm still planning to run my Nats dynasty, but it was a little too easy with that team so I thought I'd run a Pirates dynasty to see if I can use the solid farm system to build the team into a perennial winner. I'm also planning to use the trade market to address weaknesses and the odd budget signing.

05-23-2013, 03:02 PM	#3
Perceptor Minors (Triple A) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 229	April 5, 2013: Stanton Loss Rocks Marlins Last edited by Perceptor; 05-22-2014 at 03:16 AM.

05-23-2013, 03:19 PM	#5
Perceptor Minors (Triple A) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 229	April 6, 2013: Halladay's Injury Struggles Continue Last edited by Perceptor; 05-22-2014 at 03:16 AM.

05-23-2013, 05:56 PM	#6
Perceptor Minors (Triple A) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 229	April 12, 2013: Contreras's Injury Creates Hole for Bucs Bullpen The Pittsburgh Pirates have been red hot to start the season with 8 wins out of their first 9 games. However, the team's optimism was tempered when it was announced that reliever Jose Contreras was lost for the season due to a torn labrum. Last edited by Perceptor; 05-22-2014 at 03:16 AM.

05-23-2013, 02:58 PM	#2
Perceptor Minors (Triple A) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 229	March 30, 2013: New Era Begins in Pittsburgh The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that Neil Huntington has been relieved of his duties as General Manager of the Pirates. Huntington, who had been with the organization since 2007, will be re-assigned to another position within the organization. Replacing Huntington is 35-year-old John Tsang. Tsang was a surprise hire due to his lack of experience and many in the media had never heard of him. Tsang has stated that he intends to make no changes to the coaching staff and will be evaluating the roster as the season begins.

05-23-2013, 03:18 PM	#4
Perceptor Minors (Triple A) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 229	April 6, 2013: Moreland Joins the Pirates After an outing to forget, Jonathan Sanchez was the first player to be dealt under John Tsang as he was traded to the Texas Rangers for first baseman Mitch Moreland. Sanchez had been signed as a free agent and made the team out of spring training. However, in his first start, he lasted only 2 innings, giving 7 hits, 7 earned runs, and walking 4 in an ugly outing. Sanchez, who has struggled mightily since winning the World Series in 2010, knew he was on a short leash and his rough outing made him expendable. Tsang reportedly began shopping Sanchez immediately after to determine whether any team would take him before designating him for assignment. In Moreland, the Pirates get a first baseman with power and at 27, entering his prime. Tsang was hopeful that Moreland will eventually become the long-term solution at first base given Gaby Sanchez's struggles last season.

05-23-2013, 06:05 PM	#7
Perceptor Minors (Triple A) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 229	April 13: Bucs Continue to Deal adding Jackson Bucs GM John Tsang continued to shape the roster, trading Garrett Jones to the Cardinals for shortstop Ryan Jackson. In adding Jackson, the Bucs get a shortstop with upside who can hit and get on base, something Tsang had been looking to address. Garrett Jones, coming off a season in which he had 27 home runs, became expendable when the Bucs acquired Mitch Moreland earlier in the season. With Travis Snider and Jose Tabata preferred in the outfield, Jones was unlikely to see a lot of playing time. Jackson had been a prospect for the Cards, but was behind Pete Kozma in the pecking order and the Cards felt that Jackson needed to play regularly. Jackson hoped he would get that chance with the Bucs. Jackson will compete with struggling Clint Barmes for the starting job. Barmes has been batting .182 so far and in the last year of his contract. There has been speculation that Tsang might put Barmes on waivers to see if a team would pick up the rest of his contract. It is clear that today's trade that Barmes' days as a Pirate are numbered

05-23-2013, 06:52 PM	#8
Perceptor Minors (Triple A) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 229	April 15, 2013: Bucs add Oswalt The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that the team had come to an agreement with pitcher Roy Oswalt on a 1-year deal. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Oswalt adds yet another veteran presence to the rotation along with A.J. Burnett and Wandy Rodriguez. Oswalt was happy to join the Pirates and felt that the team offered him the best chance to regularly start and prove that he can still pitch at the Major League level. Oswalt is expected to start against the Cardinals as the Bucs continue their season.

05-25-2013, 01:01 AM	#9
Perceptor Minors (Triple A) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 229	April 30: Monthly Update The Pirates end the month of April 21-7 to start in a fantastic and surprising month of baseball for the team. The Pirates, who many picked just to finish .500, were simply baseball's best team in the first month of the season. Andrew McCutchen was named the NL Player of the Month with a .300 average, 8 homers, and 31 RBI's. Cutch also stole 10 bases to cap off a monstrous month for the 26-year-old outfielder. McCutchen was encouraged by his start, but was adamant that he wanted to maintain his focus and continue his solid play. Not to be outdone was starter A.J. Burnett, who picked up the NL Pitcher of the Month Award. Burnett was 4-0 with a 2.11 ERA. Burnett, who is a free agent after the season, declined to discuss his future; instead, preferring to focus on his team's performance now. Pirates Hitting Stats: 1. Starling Marte .315 BA 2 HR 13 RBI 11 SB 2. Neil Walker .266 BA 1 HR 12 RBI 3. Andrew McCutchen .300 BA 8 HR 31 RBI 10 SB 4. Pedro Alvarez .247 BA 7 HR 20 RBI 5. Mitch Moreland .264 BA 2 HR 10 RBI 6. Russell Martin .303 BA 3 HR 19 RBI 7. Jose Tabata .292 BA 1 HR 11 RBI 8. Ryan Jackson .244 BA 0 HR 6 RBI Pirates Pitching Stats: 1. A.J. Burnett 4-0 2.11 ERA .204 AVG 2. Wandy Rodriguez 4-2 5.08 ERA .302 AVG 3. James McDonald 4-0 3.78 ERA .272 AVG 4. Jeff Locke 2-0 2.70 ERA .229 AVG 5. Roy Oswalt 2-0 1.96 ERA .233 AVG 6. Jason Grilli 7 SV 1.29 ERA