Well, it's that time of year again. Pirate Fest occurred this past weekend and it's time for the first look at what the Pirates's roster will look like in the upcoming season. Just a brief overview of course - until pitchers and catchers report. That's February 12th, if you were counting.
Field
1B - Sanchez / Lambo
2B - Walker
SS - Mercer
3B - Alverez
C - Martin
LF - Marte
CF - McCutchen
RF - Tabata
Batting Order
1. Marte - R
2. Walker - S
3. McCutchen - R
4. Alverez - L
5. Mercer - R
6. Tabata - R
7. Martin - R
8. Sanchez - R / Lambo - L
9. Pitcher
Bench
Barmes - SS - R
Harrison - 2B - R
Snider - RF - L
Stewart - C - R
Sanchez - C - R
Polanco - RF - L
Starting Rotation
1. Liriano - L
2. Cole - R
3. Rodriguez - L
4. Morton - R
5. Volquez - R
Long Relief
Locke - L
Wilson - L
Cumpton - R
Gomez - R
Middle Relief / One Inning Relief
Watson - L
Mazzaro - R
Morris - R
Pimentel - R
Hughes - R
Mikolas - R
Closer
Grilli - R
Melancon - R
Roster Analysis:
With the exception of a few minor tweaks, it's basically the same exact roster as last year. Sadly, the roster had gotten a bit worse with the loss of Byrd and Morneau as well as with the future of Burnett still in question. If Burnett somehow still comes back, I would slide him in as the 4th starter - pushing Morton back to the 5th position. 1B is still the primary position of concern. The Pirates feel confident can step into that position so it will be interesting to see if that pays off. Also keep an eye on the fifth spot in the starting rotation, especially if Burnett is not signed. Both Locke - who was an all star starting pitcher the first half of last year - and Cumpton have shown starting pitcher stuff last year and could move up into the position if the acquiring of Volquez does not pay off. Hopefully Locke won't suffer from James McDonald syndrome and continue his downward trend from the end of last year. Only time will tell though.
Also, keep an eye out on Pirates prospects Polanco (RF - L) and Taillon (P - R). Polanco is primed to make his MLB debut this year and is looking to be the final piece to what could be the best outfield in the MLB.
Taillon has always been mentioned in the same breath as fellow Pirates pitcher Cole in that they were both first round picks and are both projected to be top tier MLB starters. If Taillon makes his debut this year, and has half the stuff Cole had towards the end of last year, the Pirates could have one of, if not the best starting rotation in baseball. And that's without A.J. Burnett.
December 17, 2013
The Upside of Injury
The Pittsburgh Penguins are hurting.
In last night's contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Pittsburgh Penguins roster looked more like an AHL roster than a NHL one. Despite that, the Penguins skated away with a 3-1 victory - a trend of late as the Pens have won 9-10 - the one loss being the heart breaker to the Boston Bruins - and are doing with about half an actual NHL roster. The Penguins injury problem though is troubling, only getting worse last night in that forward Jayson Megna will be out probably the rest of the week if not more with a lower body injury sustained last night. All these injuries though could be just what the Penguins ordered.
No one can forget a few season ago when the Penguins line up was so injury plagued that the team was relying solely on Jordan Staal and his line mates (which consisted of departed forwards Tyler Kennedy and Matt Cooke) to score enough for the entire team. Sidney Crosby was out long term. Evgeni Malkin was out long term. There was no real positives to be gained form the situation. This time though, things are different. It feels different. The Penguins are not relying on any one line or person to achieve what the injured (or in James Neal's case suspended) stars did when they were in the line up. The whole team is coming together and chipping in one gritty goal at a time and it's working. The defense, down to one actual top 6 defenseman in Matt Niskanen, is playing beyond so far beyond it's years it that it looks like the Pens don't even need their fallen D regulars back.
So often around Pittsburgh you hear of how strong Pittsburgh's organization depth is, especially on D. The problem is that all that talent is left to stagnate in the minors because the Pens have such a strong product already on the ice that it would be almost impossible to change it for any one player. This recent brash of injuries has allowed the Pens D depth to do what they were always projected to do - win at an NHL level. Matta, Dumoulin, Despres and Samuelsson all seem like NHL material and at least 2 of them would be on the starting rosters of any number of NHL teams. Their play up to this point, although small, has been very impressive and during this time of the injury plague - it can only get better. This brash of injuries, horrible to the roster regulars, is a gift for those "depth" D in the Penguins organization. This is the chance for them to improve their skills at the highest level possible and prove that they belong here so that next trade deadline or offseason the Penguins won't need to go after a big name free agent - they can save money and upgrade from within.
On a short side note, the Penguins forward depth is no where near what the D is but has impressed me none the less. Specifically Megna and Connor who look like they should be on this roster instead of the likes of Chuck Kobasew. Also, the Penguins no longer need to keep aging defensive forward Craig Adams - Zack Sill has shown me in this brief stint that he is the equivalent of Craig Adams except younger and, relatively, cheaper. He should be on the Pens starting roster after Adam's contract expires. His play thus far has warranted that.
In last night's contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Pittsburgh Penguins roster looked more like an AHL roster than a NHL one. Despite that, the Penguins skated away with a 3-1 victory - a trend of late as the Pens have won 9-10 - the one loss being the heart breaker to the Boston Bruins - and are doing with about half an actual NHL roster. The Penguins injury problem though is troubling, only getting worse last night in that forward Jayson Megna will be out probably the rest of the week if not more with a lower body injury sustained last night. All these injuries though could be just what the Penguins ordered.
No one can forget a few season ago when the Penguins line up was so injury plagued that the team was relying solely on Jordan Staal and his line mates (which consisted of departed forwards Tyler Kennedy and Matt Cooke) to score enough for the entire team. Sidney Crosby was out long term. Evgeni Malkin was out long term. There was no real positives to be gained form the situation. This time though, things are different. It feels different. The Penguins are not relying on any one line or person to achieve what the injured (or in James Neal's case suspended) stars did when they were in the line up. The whole team is coming together and chipping in one gritty goal at a time and it's working. The defense, down to one actual top 6 defenseman in Matt Niskanen, is playing beyond so far beyond it's years it that it looks like the Pens don't even need their fallen D regulars back.
So often around Pittsburgh you hear of how strong Pittsburgh's organization depth is, especially on D. The problem is that all that talent is left to stagnate in the minors because the Pens have such a strong product already on the ice that it would be almost impossible to change it for any one player. This recent brash of injuries has allowed the Pens D depth to do what they were always projected to do - win at an NHL level. Matta, Dumoulin, Despres and Samuelsson all seem like NHL material and at least 2 of them would be on the starting rosters of any number of NHL teams. Their play up to this point, although small, has been very impressive and during this time of the injury plague - it can only get better. This brash of injuries, horrible to the roster regulars, is a gift for those "depth" D in the Penguins organization. This is the chance for them to improve their skills at the highest level possible and prove that they belong here so that next trade deadline or offseason the Penguins won't need to go after a big name free agent - they can save money and upgrade from within.
On a short side note, the Penguins forward depth is no where near what the D is but has impressed me none the less. Specifically Megna and Connor who look like they should be on this roster instead of the likes of Chuck Kobasew. Also, the Penguins no longer need to keep aging defensive forward Craig Adams - Zack Sill has shown me in this brief stint that he is the equivalent of Craig Adams except younger and, relatively, cheaper. He should be on the Pens starting roster after Adam's contract expires. His play thus far has warranted that.
December 10, 2013
Boston Wrong - The Aftermath
Now that we've all had time to cool down following that disgrace of a hockey game last Saturday night, I need to reiterate and clarify some things from my previous post. This is also a response to those many fans in Boston crying foul at Pittsburgh LW James Neal who kneed Bruins F Brad Marchand in the head last Saturday night.
What James Neal did was wrong, there is no denying that. I, nor none of my fellow fans and writers back in Pittsburgh, will attest to anything otherwise. I feel the 5 game suspension laid down yesterday by Player Safety VP Brendan Shanahan was a perfect punishment for the crime.
What has been beyond comprehension to me for the past couple days though is how strongly Boston fans are standing behind what Bruins F Shawn Thornton did. Or, more specifically, they are letting what James Neal did be a scapegoat for Shawn Thornton. I can't tell you how many times I've heard from Boston fans since the incident:
Me: "How can you even suggest that what Shawn Thornton did was right? In any way?"
Boston Fan: "He was just sticking up for his teammates!"
Me: "So sticking up for you're teammates now includes assaulting other players and sending them to the hospital?"
Boston Fan: "Well........ahh......WHAT JAMES NEAL DID WAS JUST AS BAD!"
Me: "Those incidents were not.....
Boston Fan: "THORNTON WAS JUST STICKING UP FOR HIS TEAMMATES! NEAL IS THE REAL GOON HERE. THORNTON DID NOTHING WRONG. NEAL IS THE ONE WHO SHOULD BE SUSPENDED NOT THORNTON!"
Something like that. It varies in words used but the general gist is always the same.
Listen Boston fans, and listen good. The incidents concerning James Neal and Shawn Thornton were completely SEPARATE incidents. There should be no comparing them and certainly no hiding behind them so you can justify what Shawn Thornton did.
Don't believe me?
Here is the two incidents, broken down:
James Neal
1. Brad Marchand is one of the dirtiest players in the league
2. Sidney Crosby did NOT, contrary to popular Boston belief, slew foot or trip Brad Marchand.
3. James Neal kneed Marchand in the head while he was on the ground. For what reason? See #1.
Shawn Thornton
What James Neal did was wrong, there is no denying that. I, nor none of my fellow fans and writers back in Pittsburgh, will attest to anything otherwise. I feel the 5 game suspension laid down yesterday by Player Safety VP Brendan Shanahan was a perfect punishment for the crime.
What has been beyond comprehension to me for the past couple days though is how strongly Boston fans are standing behind what Bruins F Shawn Thornton did. Or, more specifically, they are letting what James Neal did be a scapegoat for Shawn Thornton. I can't tell you how many times I've heard from Boston fans since the incident:
Me: "How can you even suggest that what Shawn Thornton did was right? In any way?"
Boston Fan: "He was just sticking up for his teammates!"
Me: "So sticking up for you're teammates now includes assaulting other players and sending them to the hospital?"
Boston Fan: "Well........ahh......WHAT JAMES NEAL DID WAS JUST AS BAD!"
Me: "Those incidents were not.....
Boston Fan: "THORNTON WAS JUST STICKING UP FOR HIS TEAMMATES! NEAL IS THE REAL GOON HERE. THORNTON DID NOTHING WRONG. NEAL IS THE ONE WHO SHOULD BE SUSPENDED NOT THORNTON!"
Something like that. It varies in words used but the general gist is always the same.
Listen Boston fans, and listen good. The incidents concerning James Neal and Shawn Thornton were completely SEPARATE incidents. There should be no comparing them and certainly no hiding behind them so you can justify what Shawn Thornton did.
Don't believe me?
Here is the two incidents, broken down:
James Neal
1. Brad Marchand is one of the dirtiest players in the league
2. Sidney Crosby did NOT, contrary to popular Boston belief, slew foot or trip Brad Marchand.
3. James Neal kneed Marchand in the head while he was on the ground. For what reason? See #1.
Shawn Thornton
1. In the previous game for Boston - The Bruins got out
hustled badly by the Canadians and were criticized for not sticking up for
teammate Johnny Boychuk when he was injured from a hit by Max Pacioretty.
Pacioretty's hit was called for boarding (2 minute penalty) - but apart from
that there was no reason for any type of reprimanding - either from the Bruins
or from the league. But being a Canadians/ Bruins game, of course people called
for more action than actually needed.
2. Brooks Orpik delivered a crushing hit to Bruins F Loui Eriksson - the hit was open ice and was clean. Orpik does often does these open ice hits so this was nothing new. Eriksson suffered a concussion on the play. Orpik did NOT receive a penalty - nor should he have.
3. Shawn Thornton skated the length of the ice and assaulted an unsuspecting Brooks Orpik who, after the hit on Eriksson, refused to fight Thornton who is an experienced fighter. Orpik did not want to fight, as is his right. Orpik would need to be taken out on a stretcher (as he was unconscious) after receiving taking multiple blows to the head once down on the ice. He was taken to a hospital for further testing.
2. Brooks Orpik delivered a crushing hit to Bruins F Loui Eriksson - the hit was open ice and was clean. Orpik does often does these open ice hits so this was nothing new. Eriksson suffered a concussion on the play. Orpik did NOT receive a penalty - nor should he have.
3. Shawn Thornton skated the length of the ice and assaulted an unsuspecting Brooks Orpik who, after the hit on Eriksson, refused to fight Thornton who is an experienced fighter. Orpik did not want to fight, as is his right. Orpik would need to be taken out on a stretcher (as he was unconscious) after receiving taking multiple blows to the head once down on the ice. He was taken to a hospital for further testing.
I see no possible way those two incidents are in any way related.
Boston fans, what Shawn Thornton did was despicable and a disgrace to hockey.
Penguins fans, what James Neal did, although slightly less despicable, was also a disgrace to hockey.
The difference, Penguins fans are owning up to that fact. They know what James Neal did was wrong.
Boston fans on the other hand continually stand to back what Shawn Thornton did, knowing full well he was wrong in his actions. Boston fans, get you're collective heads out of you're asses. Stop playing innocent. Own up to what you did, shut up and go on living. You all, despite what you all seem to think, are not in any way the victim here. Brooks Orpik was.
Your not being Boston Strong in this case.
Your just plain Boston Wrong.
December 7, 2013
The Philadelphia....err....Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are goons. Their entire team is built, from the ground up, to play physical hockey. Now I'm not against physical hockey. But the way Boston plays, the way their players act - without class, without control - is one of the reasons they should be the most hated team in hockey. And why there is no other team I would rather see lose.
For an example of this, look no further than the events that transpired this past Saturday in the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins. Halfway through the first period - after a scrum in front of the Penguins net - Shawn Thornton, one of the many Bruins goons, skated the length of ice and proceeded to slew foot Penguins D Brooks Orpik. Once on the ground - he proceeded to pummel the unsuspecting Orpik until he was knocked unconscious. Following the scrimmage, Orpik needed to be carried out on a stretcher and Thornton was assessed a match penalty. Oh, and Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien decided to yell obscenities over at the Penguins bench. Because, you know, it was his player knocked unconscious on the ice.
For an example of this, look no further than the events that transpired this past Saturday in the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins. Halfway through the first period - after a scrum in front of the Penguins net - Shawn Thornton, one of the many Bruins goons, skated the length of ice and proceeded to slew foot Penguins D Brooks Orpik. Once on the ground - he proceeded to pummel the unsuspecting Orpik until he was knocked unconscious. Following the scrimmage, Orpik needed to be carried out on a stretcher and Thornton was assessed a match penalty. Oh, and Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien decided to yell obscenities over at the Penguins bench. Because, you know, it was his player knocked unconscious on the ice.
The Boston Bruins are a physical hockey team. They are one of the best teams in the NHL. But they are also the most dirty. Much of that dirty play goes unnoticed though due to the success of their team. But don't doubt it - it's there. If the Bruins are not reprimanded for what happened last Saturday, then who's to say something like this won't happen again. The Bruins are a good team - but their arrogance and loose play is something that does not belong in the NHL.
The Bruins should be ashamed of what they did last Saturday.
But instead they will put what they did to Brooks Orpik as another feather in their "physical play" cap.
The Bruins should be ashamed of what they did last Saturday.
But instead they will put what they did to Brooks Orpik as another feather in their "physical play" cap.
They are goons. And should be handled as such.
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