I know they didn't give up much to get him, but why take on his salary for a last-place team?
2007-08-01 06:48:07 · 20 answers · asked by blah hah 3 in Sports ➔ Baseball
The best answer i can come up with is that they think the pitching free agent market is going to be very bad this year for the other teams. Carlos Zambrano is going to set the market high, and other (lesser) pitchers will try to base their contracts off that.
Thus, if Morris can turn it around even slightly from here on out, they can trade him during the offseason for more then they gave up for him. Morris is under contract for next year as well.
If he doesn't turn it around, they spin it with the "vetern pitcher to help the younger guys" line.
2007-08-01 10:38:05 · answer #1 · answered by blah 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The spin that I've heard on this move from the Pirates' perspective holds that there are two reasons for a last-place, non-contending team to take on about $18m in payroll. First, as has already been mentioned, Pittsburgh has a rotation full of inexperienced but talented pitchers. There's the idea that having a 'proven veteran' like Morris around will rub off on them and speed up their learning curve. Second, making the move shows that the new Pirates ownership is willing to spend money to win. It's a sign of a new era in Pittsburgh... or so they're trying to convince the fans.
If you ask me, neither of these are good reasons at all to trade for a guy. But that's what's being said as far as why they did it.
2007-08-01 13:58:47 · answer #2 · answered by Alejandro 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been thinking about the answer to that question since I heard about the trade and I really struggled to come up with any GOOD answers.
The only thing I could think of that could MAYBE hold some water is the fact that he is a veteran that has had some success in the MLB and he can mentor some of those young Pirate arms.
But is that really good enough to take on his salary.
All it is is a poorly run franchise doing like it always does and that's make AWFUL decisions. This is a great example of why the Pirates are a losing team.
2007-08-01 13:53:51 · answer #3 · answered by cryfreedmb 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because they needed a veteran pitcher to anchor a staff of potential aces. Between Snell, Gorzelanny and Maholm, this isn't even including Duke, the young pitchers of Pittsburgh have never really had a veteran presence on the starting rotation as long as these guys have been here. Morris is also an inning eater, he'll give you 200 innings a year and is a positive locker room influence, so I think the Pirates bought him in for more of an impact on the rest of the team then his impact individually.
2007-08-01 19:23:03 · answer #4 · answered by master of disasters 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This smacks of a new front office trying to make a 'statement' that they're willing to pay big $$$ to bring in a name pitcher. Kansas City did something similar with Gil Meche earlier in the year.
Could be that the Pirates are hoping he has a revival in form and mentors the talented but raw pitching staff to a .500 record this year.
Either way, can't see him being there at the beginning of the 2008 season.
2007-08-01 14:11:47 · answer #5 · answered by Neil B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Am I the only one that thinks this was a great move for the Pirates? You get a quality veteran pitcher who can eat up innings and that gives you a chance to win everytime he starts without having to give much up. It shows your fans you care about winning more then they think. This moves makes sense to me. Look at the way Oakland builds there teams around pitching. Even though they do not have lots of money, they put out a quatlity starter every game and compete every year.
2007-08-01 16:03:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is one of the most embarrassing times for Pirate fans. Think about years past when we gave away pitchers and hitters alike. Here's a list in case you forgot: J Schmidt, Suppan, Wakefield, Arroyo, Giles, ARam, Lofton, Simon...etc. And those last three were all to the same team. It's no surprise that I can't remember for whom. Anyway, my point is that you should be celebrating the fact that we didn't give away a great player. Now all we can look forward to is firework nights at PNC Park, and that's enough for me.
2007-08-01 14:26:04 · answer #7 · answered by rob d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Their pitching staff is relatively young and they have been struggling since the All-Star break. They figured a veteran pitcher like Morris could be an asset to the team. They're planning for the future.
2007-08-01 13:54:00 · answer #8 · answered by Jen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have no clue why the Pirates traded for Morris. As a Giants fan however, I am ecstatic b/c this free's up a ton of money this off season to spend of free agency (unless of course if Sabean biffs it again). For the pirates, they get a good mentor for their young, talented pitching staff, with Duke, Snell, etc... But to pay 10-11 million a year for a mentor, is above my comprehension.
2007-08-01 17:25:39 · answer #9 · answered by Mike B 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I dont think the Pirates even know what they're doin at this point haha... Jesus, they've got problems. Well look, Matt Morris is definately an upgrade to John Van Benschoten or whatever the hell his name is, and they gave up a nobody. They seriously need to do something, at this rate I dont see them play .500 ball for the next 5-10 years atleast
2007-08-01 13:53:42 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋