The 2005 Pittsburgh Pirates (on hold)

[KG Erwin]

Another go at the modern era. I'm using 2009 parks & logos, but 2005 rosters. One big change is the abolition of the DH rule. I'm also using the in-season ratings changes.

My first move as GM is to identify the core players we wish to build our team around. 2B Jose Castillo has a POT of 90 and good range. We extend his contract to 5 yrs @$972,028. C Ryan Doumit turns down an extension offer. He is signed for 3 years. P Zach Duke (98 POT) accepts a 1-year extension, so he is locked for 4 years @$453,812. P Matt Capps (68 POT, 100 CON) is projected to become our eventual closer. We sign him to 5 years @$557,409.

In AA, P Paul Maholm (95 POT) accepts a 5-year deal @$187,945. We also sign FA LHP Tyler Johnson (100 POT) to a minor-league contract (5 years @$140,414). 37-year-old P Rick White is released.

We pull off a major trade with the Brewers: to Milwaukee goes OF Jason Bay and P Kip Wells. We receive P Chris Capuano and 1B prospect Prince Fielder.

To replace Bay in LF, we trade CL Mike Gonzalez to the Braves in exchange for LF Kelly Johnson. 39-year-old Jose Mesa is called up from AAA.

We also send 3B Ty Wigginton to the Cardinals in exchange for 34-year-old P Al Reyes. Reyes will be our closer.

These moves reduce our payroll to $47.07 million, the lowest in the majors. By contrast, the Yankees have the most expensive payroll @ $135.7 million.

[KG Erwin]

Sunday, April 3. The season opens at New Yankee Stadium. Tim Wakefield and the Red Sox shutout Randy Johnson and the Yankees 4-0.

[KG Erwin]

Pittsburgh, Monday April 4. We open with a short series against the Brewers. Chris Capuano vs Doug Davis. 33 degrees at PNC Park. Brewers win 5-1. WP: Davis (1-0) LP: Capuano (0-1)
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Tuesday is an off day.

Trade news: we send P Ryan Vogelsong to the Astros in exchange for CF Willy Taveras. Speedy Taveras (SP 72) immediately becomes our starting CF and leadoff hitter. We sign Willy to a 4-yr deal @$467,841.

This makes Tike Redman expendable, so we ship him to the D-backs in exchange for veteran 2B Craig Counsell. Craig will serve as Jose Castillo's backup.
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Wednesday April 6. Mark Redman vs Ben Sheets. 30 degrees, with a 20 mph wind out to RF. Pirates win 1-0. WP: Redman (1-0) LP: Sheets (0-1) SV: Al Reyes (1)

[KG Erwin]

San Diego, Thursday April 7. Josh Fogg vs Adam Eaton. 75 degrees, with an 8 mph breeze in from CF. Padres win 5-3. WP: Scott Linebrink (1-0) LP: Brian Meadows (0-1) SV: Trevor Hoffman (2)
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Friday April 8. Zach Duke vs Tim Redding. 52 degrees, with a 20 mph wind out to LF. Ryan Klesko hits a walkoff HR off of Al Reyes. Padres win 8-6. WP: Scott Linebrink (2-0) LP: Al Reyes (0-1)
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Saturday April 9. Chris Capuano (0-1, 6.00) vs Jake Peavy (0-1, 6.00). 63 degrees, with a 15 mph wind in from CF. Bucs win 4-3 in 16 innings! WP: Al Reyes (1-1) LP: Rudy Seanez (0-1)

Trade wire: I'm shopping around for some pitching help, and I'm amazed that some veteran starters are being made available for minimally-talented minor leaguers. One pitcher whom I'm tempted to take is Pedro Martinez, who is 34 years old but is still very capable. The catch is his salary, $23 million for one year. I'll pass.
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Sunday April 10. Mark Redman (1-0, 0.00) vs Brian Lawrence (1-0, 0.00). 63 degrees, with a 19 mph wind in from CF. Padres win 1-0. WP: Lawrence (2-0) LP: Redman (1-1) SV: Trevor Hoffman (3)
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Trade news: we send 28-year-old C Dave Ross to the Marlins in exchange for 21-year-old P Josh Johnson (0-0, 1.00, 12 K, 4 BB). Johnson will immediately enter our bullpen as a long reliever/spot starter. We sign him to a 5-year contract @$239,509. Our no. 2 catcher becomes 26-year-old Humberto Cota. This move further fattens our treasury ($81.8 million).

I realize that the Pirates' fans are tired of the perpetual rebuilding process that has damaged our reputation. I have pledged to build a winner, so we are putting ourselves in a position to make offers to a couple of high-POT free agents in 2006. We will also concentrate on stocking the farm system.

Personal note: I haven't stated it publically, but I've established a private salary cap. I will NOT hire any player for more than $10 million per year. Jason Bay was making $18 million, and that's the main reason I traded him. I will not allow any high-paid prima donnas to disrupt the team-oriented attitude I'm attempting to build here in Pittsburgh. I have a public-relations plan that I will implement as the team improves, as we need to re-establish fan approval.

[KG Erwin]

Milwaukee, Monday April 11. Oliver Perez vs Kip Wells. 61 degrees at Miller Park. Brewers win 6-1. WP: Matt Wise (1-0) LP: Perez (0-1)
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Tuesday April 12. Josh Fogg (0-0, 4.50) vs Tomokazu Ohka. 31 degrees, with a 20 mph wind blowing in from LF. Pirates win 5-3. WP: Fogg (1-0) LP: Ohka (0-1) SV: Al Reyes (2)

Signing news: we sign amateur FA P Edwin Jackson to a 5-year contract @$123,797. Jackson is assigned to single A. 1B Ray Sandler is released.
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Wednesday April 13. Zach Duke (0-0, 6.75) vs Victor Santos. 53 degrees, with a 13 mph wind in from CF. Duke (1-0) pitches a CG shutout, allowing 7 hits and no walks while getting 5 Ks. Bucs win 2-0. Santos takes the loss.
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We have Thursday off.

[CheddarLover74]

You must be one of those people that play Luxemburg in HOI games.

Either you are a masochist or like a big challenge.[:D]

[KG Erwin]

Pittsburgh, Friday April 15. We host the Cubs. Chris Capuano (0-1, 3.86) vs Kerry Wood (0-0, 3.38). 59 degrees, with a 3 mph breeze out to LF. Ryan Doumit hits an RBI single in the bottom of the 9th, and the Pirates win 5-4. WP: Jose Mesa (1-0) LP: Sergio Mitre (2-2)

Signing news: we sign FA P Fernando Cabrera to a 5-year deal @$187,600. He is assigned to AA. 2B J.J. Furmaniak is released. We have a lot of developing talent at the AA level. C Ronnie Paulino is hitting well (.328/1/6), as is 1B Prince Fielder (.320/0/8).

Personal note: I'm playing a delicate balancing act, trying to build a winning team while keeping the tight-fisted owners happy. They demand that I keep a healthy cash reserve for them. They've also offered me financial incentives to keep player salaries low, put fans in the seats, and win games.
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Saturday April 16. Mark Redman (1-1, 0.60) vs Carlos Zambrano (0-0, 6.75). 40 degrees. Pirates win 2-0. WP: Redman (2-1) LP: Zambrano (0-1) SV : Al Reyes (3)
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Sunday April 17. Josh Johnson (0-0, 1.00) vs Mark Prior (0-1, 2.57). 31 degrees, with a 17 mph wind in from LF. Pirates win 2-1. WP: Johnson (1-0) LP: Prior (0-2) SV: Brian Meadows (1)

Trade news: we send P Mark Redman to the Braves in exchange for 1B Adam Laroche. We then send OF Craig Wilson to the Yankees in exchange for OF Melky Cabrera. Our third deal of the day sends 1B Daryle Ward to the Padres in exchange for P Trevor Hoffman. We're not done. We send P Al Reyes to the Blue Jays in exchange for 3B Aaron Hill. We then ship 3B Rob Mackowiak to the Indians in exchange for P Bobby Howry.

We sign Aaron Hill to a 5 year contract @$359,270. We also sign Melky Cabrera for 5 years @$256,184.

At the end of the day, the owners' accountants remain happy as we further reduce our payroll to $43.7 million. I'm happy as we've added some power to our lineup and have also strengthened our bullpen.

[KG Erwin]

Pittsburgh, Monday April 18. The Cardinals visit. Josh Fogg (0-1, 4.50) vs Jeff Suppan (0-1, 7.71). 55 degrees. Pirates win 4-1. WP: Fogg (2-0) LP: Suppan (0-2) SV: Trevor Hoffman (5)

For the moment, the young Bucs (8-5), who have won 6 straight, occupy 1st place in the NL Central. The Reds are a half-game back.
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Tuesday April 19. Zach Duke (1-0, 2.51) vs Adam Wainwright (0-1, 4.76). 31 degrees, with a 16 mph wind out to CF. Cardinals win 5-3. WP: Brad Thompson (2-0) LP: Duke (1-1) SV: Jason Isringhausen (3)

Trade news: we send P Tom Gorzelanny to the Blue Jays in exchange for SS Russ Adams. Adams will serve as Jack Wilson's backup. We send OF Melky Cabrera down to AAA.

[Orcin]

This is getting interesting. Josh Johnson should be a good addition. Good job resisting Pedro.

[KG Erwin]

Cincinnati, Wednesday April 20. Oliver Perez (0-1, 5.63) vs Ramon Ortiz (1-0, 2.50). 62 degrees. Reds win 8-5. WP: Ortiz (1-1) LP: Perez (0-2) SV: Dave Weathers (3)

Trade news: popular SS Jack Wilson is traded to the Blue Jays in exchange for OF Alexis Rios (ARM 100, POT 100). 24-year-old Rios will become our new RF, and Matt Lawton will move over to LF, replacing the struggling Kelly Johnson. Rios rejects an extension, but we have him for 4 years @$2.1 million. Russ Adams will now be our starting SS.

The bean counters nod in approval, as our payroll is now $43 million. The treasury is $86 million.
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Thursday April 21. Chris Capuano (0-1, 4.43) vs Brandon Claussen (2-0, 1.96). 61 degrees, with a swirling 9 mph breeze. Reds win 8-7 in 14 innings. WP: Ryan Wagner (1-1) LP: Jose Mesa (1-1)

[KG Erwin]

Chicago, Friday April 22. Josh Johnson (1-0, 0.56) vs Mark Prior (0-2, 2.70). 30 degrees at Wrigley Field, with a 15 mph wind out to CF. In the 2nd, Johnson suffers an injury. Torres relieves. Pirates win 2-1 in 11 innings. WP: Bobby Howry (1-1) LP: Will Ohman (1-1) SV: Trevor Hoffman (6)

Johnson is placed on the 15-day DL. We make some calls, and a trade is pulled off: to the Red Sox goes AAA 3B Bobby Hill. We receive 39-year-old P Tim Wakefield (4-0, 1.36), whom will replace Johnson in the rotation. Wakefield and his $3.8 million salary is a short-term fix, as he will be a FA at the end of the season.
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Saturday April 23. Josh Fogg (2-0, 3.15) vs Jerome Williams. 46 degrees, with a 7 mph breeze out to CF. Cubs win 9-1. WP, CG: Williams (1-0) LP: Fogg (2-1)
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Sunday April 24. Tim Wakefield (4-0, 1.36) vs Ryan Dempster (1-1, 0.50). 50 degrees, with an 8 mph breeze in from CF. The Pirates win 1-0 in 15 innings! WP: Trevor Hoffman (1-1) LP: Will Ohman (1-2)

Trade news: we send P Salomon Torres to the Twins in exchange for SS Jason Bartlett. Bartlett comes with a 5 year contract @$2.2 million, and he can immediately enter the lineup as our number 1 shortstop. We also make a deal with the Nationals, sending them SS prospect Alfredo Amezaga in exchange for P Hector Carrasco. This allows us to send OF Kelly Johnson down to AAA, in order for him to acquire additional seasoning. Kelly is not yet ready for the majors.

[KG Erwin]

Pittsburgh, Monday April 25. We host the Astros. Zach Duke (1-1, 3.54) vs Wandy Rodriguez (2-0, 2.00). 37 degrees. Astros win 5-3 in 11 innings. WP: Ryan Vogelsong (1-1) LP: Oliver Perez (0-3) SV: Brad Lidge (5)
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Tuesday April 26. Chris Capuano (0-1, 4.94) vs Brandon Backe (0-1, 6.89). 40 degrees. Bucs win 4-1. WP: Capuano (1-1) LP: Backe (0-2) SV: Bobby Howry (1)

Roster news: C Humberto Cota is sent down to AAA, and we call up veteran C Benito Santiago.
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Wednesday April 27. Oliver Perez (0-3, 10.38) vs Roger Clemens (2-0, 3.30). The ageless Clemens has 330 career wins. 46 degrees, with a 17 mph wind blowing in from LF. Astros win 4-0. WP: Clemens (3-0) LP: Perez (0-4)
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We have a much-needed day off on Thursday, as our pitching staff is worn out.

Trade news: we send 30-year-old RHP Brian Meadows (0-1, 6.39), POT 14 to the Royals in exchange for 22-year-old LHP Andrew Sisco (1-0, 5.59), POT 70. Andrew has a 4-year contract @$279,302.

Contract news: we extend AA C Ronnie Paulino's contract to 4 years @$172,319. He is hitting .272, with 2 HR and 9 RBI.

League note: the Yankees are struggling, but they've painted themselves into a corner. They have $608,000 in their treasury. I anticipate a firesale before the trade deadline. I've tendered offers to them, but the Yanks stubbornly refuse to entertain any meaningful deals.

[KG Erwin]

Pittsburgh, Friday April 29. The Giants visit PNC Park. Tim Wakefield (4-0, 1.10) vs Kirk Rueter (2-0, 1.53). 63 degrees, with a 7 mph breeze in from RF. Giants win 3-2. WP: Rueter (3-0) LP: Wakefield (4-1) SV: Tyler Walker (4)
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Saturday April 30. Josh Fogg (2-1, 3.42) vs Matt Cain (1-0, 0.84). 31 degrees, with a 19 mph wind in from LF. Despite commiting 3 errors, the Pirates win 3-2, as Aaron Hill hits an RBI single in the bottom of the 9th. WP: John Grabow (1-0) LP: LaTroy Hawkins (0-3)
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Sunday May 1. Zach Duke (1-1, 3.76) vs Noah Lowry (1-2, 3.97). 57 degrees, with a 5 mph breeze out to LF. Giants win 6-4. WP: Lowry (2-2) LP: Duke (1-2) SV: Tyler Walker (5)

[Orcin]

Wow, good thing I bought a program, KG. Can't tell the players without one. Lots of new faces around the clubhouse. [:D]

P.S. I love the Melky Cabrera deal. Hoffman? Well, I guess you needed an experienced closer.

[KG Erwin]

Ok, here is my roster as of April 25. Starter Josh Johnson is on the DL.

[KG Erwin]

The standings:

[KG Erwin]

Team notes: early on, our problem is our anemic hitting. The Bucs rank dead last with a team BA of .225. By contrast, our team ERA ranks third (3.09).

I look around in the free agent market, and lo and behold, we find ourselves a new LF. A Japanese player has made himself available in the American market, and we sign him. He is 31-year-old Hideki Matsui (CON 87, POW 64, EYE 59). Matsui was a 3-time MVP with the Yomiuri Giants. We sign him for 2 years @$3.7 million. He comes along with an interpreter. His nickname is "Godzilla", which the local wags immediately pronounce as "Godzirra". This is a first for the Pirates, but we need some help. To make room for him, we give OF Michael Restovich his unconditional release. However, we hold onto Matt Lawton as a backup OF.

Matsui will be our no. 3 batter in the lineup. He will make his debut tomorrow in Houston. I have no doubt that the PA crew will pull out that Blue Oyster Cult song, and that will be Matsui's theme when he comes to the plate.
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Houston, Monday May 2. Chris Capuano (1-1, 3.93) vs Roger Clemens (3-0, 2.75). 74 degrees at Minute Maid Park. Bucs win 3-2 in 11 innings. Matsui goes 1 for 4, with a single. WP: Andrew Sisco (2-0) LP: Chad Qualls (1-1) SV: Trevor Hoffman (7)
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Tuesday May 3. Oliver Perez (0-4, 9.00) vs Andy Pettitte (3-2, 4.28). 76 degrees, with a 15 mph wind out to LF. Astros win 8-2. WP: Pettitte (4-2) LP: Perez (0-5)
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Wednesday May 4. Tim Wakefield (4-1, 1.47) vs Roy Oswalt (1-3, 3.75). 81 degrees, with a 14 mph wind in from LF. Pirates win 3-2. WP: John Grabow (2-0) LP: Brad Lidge (0-3) SV: Trevor Hoffman (8)

[KG Erwin]

Phoenix, Thursday May 5. Josh Fogg (2-1, 3.45) vs Mike Koplove (1-2, 5.27). At Chase Park, it's 87 degrees, with a 9 mph breeze out to RF. Bucs win 8-6 in 10 innings. WP: Jose Mesa (2-1) LP: Brian Bruney (0-2) SV: Hector Carrasco (1)
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Friday May 6. Zach Duke (1-2, 4.78) vs Brandon Webb (3-2, 2.90). 91 degrees, with a 10 mph wind out to LF. Pirates win 5-4. Adam Laroche hits 2 homers. WP: Duke (2-2) LP: Webb (3-3) SV: Hoffman (9)
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Saturday May 7. Chris Capuano (1-1, 3.53) vs Javier Vazquez (2-3, 5.23). 78 degrees, with an 18 mph wind in from CF. Diamondbacks win 2-1 in 10 innings. WP: Brandon Medders (2-3) LP: John Grabow (2-1)

Josh Johnson comes off the DL. Oliver Perez is sent down to AAA.
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Sunday May 8. Josh Johnson (1-0, 0.52) vs Brad Halsey. 69 degrees, with a 16 mph wind out to LF. D'backs win 7-4. WP: Halsey (1-0) LP: Johnson (1-1) SV: Jose Valverde (2)

Milestone reached: in Boston, Manny Ramirez hits his 400th career HR in a 5-2 loss to Seattle.

[Wrathchild]

Reading the current replays is like jumping all over history! 

[KG Erwin]

San Francisco, Monday May 9. Tim Wakefield (4-1, 1.61) vs Matt Cain (1-0, 1.47). 57 degrees, with a 4 mph breeze out to LF. Pirates win 5-4 in 10 innings. WP: Trevor Hoffman (2-1) LP: Tyler Walker (0-2)

Trade news: we send AA P Francisco Cabrera to the Braves in exchange for 21-year-old OF Jeff Francoeur (POT 100). We sign Francoeur for 4 years @$437,883 and place him in AAA.

We now have the makings for a completely retooled OF in AAA (Kelly Johnson, Melky Cabrera and Francoeur). Our present outfielders are all performing poorly at the plate, so I hope that these youngsters will be ready in 2006 or 2007. Cabrera is currently .254/6/14.

As the season progresses, I'll be looking to reinforce our aging bullpen with some fresh blood. Fortunately, some of the veterans are performing well, but I have no intention of extending any of their contracts. The pitchers in the farm system are not developing as well as I expected. So, our focus will be shifting to improving the pitching staff.
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Tuesday May 10. Josh Fogg (2-1, 4.10) vs Jason Schmidt (0-1, 5.68). 59 degrees, with a 6 mph breeze in from RF. Giants win 5-3. WP: Schmidt (1-1) LP: Fogg (2-2) SV: Tyler Walker (8)
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Wednesday May 11. Zach Duke (2-2, 4.86) vs Noah Lowry (2-2, 4.50). 60 degrees, with a swirling 7 mph breeze. Doumit gets 4 hits en route to a 6-4 Pirates win. WP: Bobby Howry (2-1) LP: Scott Eyre (2-4) SV: Trevor Hoffman (10)

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We have Thursday off as we head home. In Houston, Jeff Bagwell hits his 450th career HR as the Astros defeat the Giants 11-0.