Trade Tree – A.J. Burnett

After rumors of this deal first leaked about a week ago, the Pirates and Yankees finally completed the deal for A.J. Burnett.

Both of the minor leaguers in the deal, Diego Moreno and Exicardo Cayones were originally signed out of Venezuela. Neither is expected to do much if they ever make the big leagues so the added pitching depth is well worth the trade.

Thursday Trade Tree – Dale Long

Today’s post was inspired by yesterday’s This Date in Pirates History post on Pirates Prospects. John Dreker goes into great detail on the Kluszewski/Fondy part of this tree, but I’ll stick with the more notable Pirate, Dale Long.

Long was a firstbaseman for the Pirates from 1955-1957, making the All-Star team in 1956. He set a major league record that season by hitting a home run in eight straight games. Don Mattingly tied that record in 1987 and Ken Griffey Jr. did it in 1993 but no other National League player has made it to more than seven games.

Four years later Long was on the 1960 Yankees team that lost to the Pirates in the World Series. He was 1 for 3 with a single in three pinch hitting appearances.

Tuesday Trade Tree – Casey McGehee

Last night the Pirates traded Jose Veras - who was a candidate to be non-tendered and released – for Casey McGehee.

There’s nothing but upside to this deal. McGehee hit .223/.280/.346 last year but the two seasons prior were .285/.337/.464 and .301/.360/.499 for his age 27 and 26 seasons.

Where does his true talent level lie? Casey’s batting average on balls in play (BABIP) the last three years was .330, .306, .249. The league average is usually in the neighborhood of .300, so the easy conclusion is that he was lucky in 2009, unlucky in 2011 and that his true ability is around his 2010 output.

Personally, I think that would be asking a bit much. If the Brewers believed he could still hit .280 consistently with 23 HR’s they wouldn’t have traded him for a relief pitcher who is prone to meltdowns. On the Pirates he’ll be Pedro Alvarez insurance and in the mix at first base. I’m not sure how he would fit in a platoon situation; after being slightly better against LHP in 2009 and much better against them in 2010 he was horrid against lefties in 2011.

The most likely scenario that I see (assuming Pedro doesn’t go in the tank): he hits .270/.330/.410 and forces the team to find him 300 PAs. That would make this a good trade.

Thursday Trade Tree – Matty Alou

RIP to Matty Alou, a two-time All Star and a member of one of the great baseball families.

 

Thursday Trade Tree – Arky Vaughan

On any other team he’d be the greatest shortstop in their history. A nine time All-Star and Hall of Famer: Arky Vaughan

Check out Vaughan’s 1935 season: .385/.491/.607 for a 1.098 OPS and 190 OPS+. Outstanding doesn’t do that justice.

Everyone knows about Wally Pipp, but Babe Dahlgren is notable for being the other bookend to Lou Gehrig.

Thursday Trade Tree – Manny Sanguillen

Today’s tree was suggested by the founder of the Pirates email listserv, Arik Florimonte. Three time All Star, two time World Champion, purveyor of fine barbecue and everyone’s favorite free swinging catcher: Manny Sanguillen.

Manny has the distinction of being one of only three players in Major League history who were traded for a manager. (Randy Winn and Bill Denehy are the others.) The Hardball Times had a great article last week on this subject.

You’ll find six separate trees, due to six players that each had two stints with the club. Can you locate them all?

Although I don’t remember seeing him play, Manny was always a favorite of mine due to this picture, taken during spring training in either 1975 or ’76.

On other fronts, the Pirates acquired AA RHP Eliecer Cardenas to complete the Matt Diaz trade.