Quick Hits: Rangers, Jerry Dipoto, Ryan Dempster

I am a very firm believer in this team, but they need to address a few areas to become a legit contender. And I dont mean contender in the Central, I mean to win the World Series.

Here are a list of moves that I think would be integral to their long term success for this season (and the next few also) Im not suggesting that all of these need to happen, but all of these would be picturesque moves for this club:

1) Acquire Emilio Bonafacio from Miami for 2-3 B level prospects: Emilio could immediately step in and bat leadoff and replace Barmes as the Buccos starting shortstop. Barmes excelled in Colorado as a bench player, and would fit in best here as a bench player to be a late inning defensive replacement at 2nd, short, or 3rd.

2) Acquire Denard Span from Minnesota for 1 Top Tier Prospect and 1-2 B Level Prospects: Like Bonafacio, Span could immediately impact this lineup as a leadoff hitter and a good one at that. Although his baserunning is significantly worse than that of Bonafacio, he represents a huge improvement over Alex Presley in Left Field. This pushes Presley to the bench or back to indianapolis. either option doesnt make or break this team. For that simple fact, you cannot continue with him as your leadoff hitter or as a starter in a corner outfield position.

3) Acquire Jason Giambi from Colorado for 2 C Level prospects (or possibly 1 borderline B level guy): Giambi’s best days are surely behind him, however, he is still a professional hitter with a professional approach at the plate. Guys like this tend to have an impact on pennant races (IE Matt Stairs) He would be an outstanding late game pinch hitter off the bench and on occasion could make a rare start down the stretch if he is read hot. Also, in a world series atmosphere where a DH is required, can you think of too many other players earning less than 1.5 Million that you would rather have in your lineup? A player with his playoff experience could prove to be extremely valuable down the stretch.

4) Pickup Jonathen Sanchez from waivers from Kansas City: Besides money, you dont have to part with anything to get him. Sanchez has proven that he can dominate hitters in the national league from time to time. He also could prove to give you insurance in the rotation as a left handed starter if Eric Bedard falls back onto hard times. If he simply doesnt have it anymore, so be it, at least you didnt have to give up anything but a few greenbacks.

5) Pickup Xavier Nady from waivers from Washington: After a bunch of injuries Nady surely his not the impact player he was during his stint in the Steel City, however, his numbers inside PNC park are better than anywhere else he swung the bat in his career. Once again, this is one of those moves that wont cost you talent, only cash. It is well documented that Nady enjoyed hitting in PNC because of the visibility from the plate and the dimensions. Nady also posted solid numbers pinch hitting this season for Washington until injuries forced him into an every day role. Obviously, his body could not handle that job. Nady might be an interesting option for a spot start in RF or First Base down the stretch and would definitely be a better option than Jordy Mercer or Gorkys Hernandez coming off the Bench. In Nady and Sanchez’s case, if they dont work out, DFA them and wash your hands clean…however, if they contribute, you picked up a player from the scrap heap for free. Take a minute to look at Xavier Nady’s career numbers at PNC park…they are fairly impressive.

6) Acquire Either Matt Garza, Cole Hamels, or James Shields for 1 top tier prospect and 2-4 B level prospects: Garza is under team control for an additional year, so you get compensation from his after next year if you offer him a tender and he elects free agency anyway. Additionally, he would be an excellent addition to this rotation down the stretch and in a playoff run. My desire for Shields is simply…they dont call him Big Game James for nothing. The guy is simply outstanding in the big time spotlight. I think he would solidify, and possibly anchor the BEST ROTATION IN THE PLAYOFFS if acquired…and that possibility excites me, even if you need to overpay for it. Hamels, has a similar feeling to Shields in my opinion, but he will probabaly cost the most, hence he would be the one I looked at as the third option.

7) Finally, STAY CLEAR OF JUSTIN UPTON & JOSH WILLINGHAM: It is tempting to try and Add a 24 yr old coming off a 30+ home run season last year. HOWEVER, PLEASE go look at his home/road splits as a major leaguer…they are staggering numbers. Unless we move PNC park out to the desert, stay clear of Upton. His game might end of being smoke and mirrors when his time in Arizona finally comes to an end. Additionally, Josh Willingham projects as a left fielder in his career because he has a lollypop arm. To play right field, you need to have at least a respectable arm…of which Josh Willingham does not have. Due to the size of PNC parks left field, Willingham would be forced to play RF…something I want no part of. His bat would surely be an upgrade, but defensively he would be a liability.

Im not sure who the right choice is for a middle of the order bat, but I DO NOT want to see either of those 2 brought into Pittsburgh…UNLESS Arizona DRASTICALLY lowers its price for Justin Upton, which at that point, his age and projectability would be reason enough to at least give him a chance here…big contract or not.

I truly hope this was an interesting read for all you Bucco fans out there! Lets see if any of these ideals come to fruition. If not, lets hope the NH knows what he is doing and improves our ball team to the best of his abilities.

LETS GO BUCS!!!!!!!