By Mark Madden
July 12, 2013
Jordy Mercer (.261, 4 HR, 11 RBI in 51 games)
On ESPN.com, ex-Cincinnati GM Jim Bowden proposed that the Pirates trade shortstop Jordy Mercer and prospects Gregory Polanco and Nick Kingham to the White Sox for outfielder Alex Rios and shortstop Alexei Ramirez.
Polanco, an outfielder, is the No. 2 prospect in the Pirates’ system. Kingham, a pitcher, is among the club’s top 10 prospects. Rios is 32, Ramirez 31. Both are established big-league regulars. The Pirates would control Rios’ contract through 2015, Ramirez’s through 2016. That swap would better the Pirates’ current lineup considerably.
When that deal was mooted on my radio show, the negative backlash was plentiful and astounding.
“You can’t sacrifice the future!” But when does the future get here? When will winning finally set up shop at PNC Park? Isn’t 20 years of losing long enough?
“Rios can be had for less!” OK. Then try that.
“Jose Tabata is just fine in right field! He’s 11 for his last 26!” OK. But what about before that? What about moving forward?
“You don’t want to disturb this team’s chemistry! Look at the Penguins!” What the Penguins did before the NHL trade deadline isn’t relevant. At least Penguins fans know their team went all in. Did the best they could to win.
Many blowing the trumpet loudest on Polanco’s behalf have never seen him play. Even those who have don’t really know how good he’s going to be.
Rios is a .275, 20 homers, 80 RBI-level player. The Pirates could use one of those in right field. Ramirez is hitting .280. He used to have decent pop for a shortstop – 21 home runs as a rookie in 2008 – but has just one round-tripper this year.
Rios and Ramirez aren’t Roberto Clemente and Honus Wagner.
But they are upgrades. The Pirates need upgrades. NL Central rivals St. Louis and Cincinnati will make upgrades. Fellow wild-card contenders Washington and San Francisco will make upgrades. You’ve got to keep up with the Joneses.
Unless you just don’t care.
Rios and Ramirez don’t work cheap. Rios is making $12.5 million, Ramirez $7 million. Rios goes up to $13.5 mil in 2015, his (club) option year. If Rios gets traded, he gets a raise: $500K per. Ramirez goes up to $10 mil in 2016, his (club) option year.
That’s what’s great about maintaining team chemistry: It’s free.
Is Polanco untouchable? Pitcher Jameson Taillon is the Pirates’ No. 1 prospect. Is he untouchable?
The real question may be: After 20 straight sub-.500 seasons, should anybody be untouchable if the right transaction presents itself? Doesn’t ownership and management owe it to the fans, and to the current manager, coaches and players, to maximize the chance presented by being 54-36 on July 11?
What is going to happen later that is better than the opportunity the Pirates have right now?
If GM Neal Huntington doesn’t like the Rios/Ramirez deal, or if it proves unavailable, make another one. But improve the Pirates. Try to win now. As mentioned before, ownership and management will reveal a lot about their true ambition by what gets done before the trade deadline.
At least one crisis has been averted: Pedro Alvarez will participate in Monday’s Home Run Derby at New York’s Citi Field.
Colorado’s Carlos Gonzalez has withdrawn due to a sprained right middle finger. That’s interesting, because NL Home Run Derby captain David Wright would have otherwise seen plenty of middle fingers tonight at PNC Park when his Mets invade for a three-game series. He still might.
At any rate, Alvarez replaces Gonzalez. Alvarez deserves it. But why did Pirates fans unleash such venom over Pedro’s exclusion from a contrived, third-rate, made-for-TV event? Making the All-Star Game should be enough. It seems enough for Alvarez, who uttered nary a peep about Wright’s wrong move.
Alvarez is on pace to hit 45 home runs and drive in 118 runs. Perhaps he’s going to be like Hall-of-Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt, who started a bit slow but developed into a very special player. Seems a bit far-fetched, but here’s hoping.
Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM (105.9).
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