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That makes it even MORE of a win for the Sox!!!
That makes it even MORE of a win for the Sox!!!
Yes it is. I was hoping Pittsburgh would get a couple single A players and not take on a horrible MLB relief pitcher. But that hasn't been confirmed yet.
Pimentel has had zero success in double A, so there is no reason to expect him to be decent in the majors. Apparently he has trouble repeating his delivery which is not a good thing for a pitcher.
I wouldn't say he had ZERO success, but he did have a below average year for someone who was once a top prospect. But that doesn't mean he cannot bounce back. Looking at Johan Santana's year in SINGLE A before he was taken by the Twins in Rule V draft. The potential is still there and it's a low risk move for the Pirates.
Sands has potential but again....he has nowhere to play in Pitt, so unless they are using him for trade bait he won't be useful for a season or so.
There's no reason why if Sands has a good ST, that he cannot find 400-500 ABs as their starting 1B and being a 4th OF.
If Pitt did it solely to shed payroll, I think they could have got a better return (although I guess they have been interested in Pimentel for a while now).
I think there were a couple reasons Pittsburgh made this trade. We don't know for sure who the final two players are and who the second player is going to Boston, so the final outcome and analysis is to be determined. I think, with a team like Pittsburgh, they are trying to add depth and being cost-effective. Even with just Sands and Pimentel, they accomplished that.
Are you saying any relief pitcher is a dime a dozen or all-star closers are dime a dozen? If it's the latter, then I disagree (but maybe you can elaborate further?). Anytime you can strengthen your bullpen like that, you do it. Especially since none of the confirmed players in this trade were going to have an impact in Boston anytime soon. Red Sox should easily have one of [if not the] best bullpen in baseball, that will officially hinge on whether Bailey/Bard can get back into form. I'm not too worried about Bailey assuming he can stay healthy, and I am hoping that having Bard back in the bullpen he will get his head on straight. We'll see. I do like the moves the Red Sox have made this offseason, especially because we haven't signed any $100mil players or traded away any top prospects [yet, lol]. I hope that Ben C is done making moves though and maybe signing some players to minor league contracts now. Should be an interesting 2013 season, can't wait.
I'm speaking from Pittsburgh's point of view and strictly their payroll here - not the Red Sox who can afford to pay $3-6 million/year for each RP. Relief pitchers are the EASIEST position to replace in baseball. And if you can have a guy be just as effective in the closer's role as your All-Star closer the previous two years, save a few million, AND add some depth to your farm/MLB team, why wouldn't you do it? Look at the Rays...they've had a different closer every year the past few years and they continually have one of the best bullpens in baseball. There's no reason why guys like Jared Hughes or Jason Grilli or a young stud in the farm cannot replace Hanrahan.
Shucks, I liked Mortensen....he was our go to long reliever last season. Filthy change-up.
I thought it was a 6 player deal though? There should be one more going to Boston as well as Pitt. Hopefully you are right about him not being involved.
