http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/447 Recent articles about Matt Morris en-us By Jeff Passan, Yahoo! Sports Take a bow, Carl Pavano. Just don't hurt your back. You, sir, are the kind of baseball player that makes the annual All-Overpaid team possible. Since you signed with the New York Yankees four years ago for $39.95 million – remember, you fired your agent because he didn't get you $40 million! – you have made 19 starts, won five games and earned $359,282.51 for every inning you pitched. The Yankees expect you back in August. Yeah, just like they expect $1 gas. Sadly, your contract expires this offseason, which means another lucky soul can be recognized for being grossly overpaid, even by baseball standards. In the interest of fairness, we'll take another shot at the All-Underpaid team, too. The same caveat applies this year as did last: no players who have yet to hit arbitration. Baseball rules artificially depress their salary, and the credit due to teams for signing them doesn't apply. So that means no Josh Hamilton, even though, at $396,830, he is probably baseball's biggest bargain. No Carlos Quentin ($400,000), Ryan Ludwick ($411,000), Nate McLouth ($425,000), Edinson Volquez ($382,000) or Tim Lincecum ($405,000), either. Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:24:33 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/279584 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/279584 With almost 40 games down the baseball season is rapidly approaching the panic crunch. Teams will have to decide whether they will continue and try to win their division or start to face the reality that they just weren't very good this season. Players on the other hand are trying to figure out why their just aren't producing this season and will be looking for reasons for their current teams to continue to pay them mega contracts for little production. We'll go ahead and take a look at a few of the recent moves that signal that this time of the season is indeed upon us. CLICK THE LINK TO READ THE REST Sat, 10 May 2008 11:30:27 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265467 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265467 Would you be happy with a 5-2 record on a 7 game roadie? I would be be. And I'm pretty sure the Phils would be too, because they went into PNC on Sunday and played the final game of their trip like they couldn't wait take their 5 wins and head back to Philly. Some credit must go to southpaw Paul Maholm though, who pitched a gem. The Phils managed only a Pat Burrell double and Eric Bruntlett single, both coming in the 5th inning. Burrell also smashed a liner to left that was tracked down by Jason Bay. Other than that...nothing. The ugly facts: - The team was 2-26 overall. - Mendoza Watch: Five of the eight position players that started yesterday are hitting below .220 - So Taguchi, Carlos Ruiz, Ryan Howard, Pedro Feliz, Eric Bruntlett. - Brett Myers has a worse ERA than Gavin Eaton. And how Myers-esque was it that he walks the opposing pitcher, loses focus, and gives up a dinger to the next batter -------------------------- Pirates Pay Morris To Not Pitch Subtititled: If you don't have anything good to throw, don't throw at all. Like Jason Kendall before him, Matt Morris will get paid huge dollars to NOT play for the Pirates after the Buccos determined his best contribution to the team would be to not contribute at all. At first I felt bad for Morris. He seems like a nice enough guy and getting booed off the mound to end your career is a little sad. But then I remembered the $10 mil, and I don't feel so bad anymore... The move to send $10 million home cements last seasons trade with the Giants not only as Dave Littlefield's worst, but possibly the worst in Pirates history. The release of Morris opens a spot on the roster and in the staring rotation. Maybe they can tap that great resource in San Francisco and get Barry Zito. He's a great pitcher who doesn't make too much money... Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:56:56 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/260185 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/260185 The Pittsburgh Pirates had only one option when it came to getting Matt Morris out of the rotation. Release him. Morris was 0-4 with a 9.67 ERA in his five starts for the team this season and was 3-4 with a 6.10 ERA in 11 starts following a trade from San Fransisco last season. Morris was once a highly thought of pitcher out of the St. Louis Cardinals organization but Tommy John surgery early in his career seemed to be the ax hanging over his head for the remainder of his career. There's a chance Morris could latch on else where but he doesn't figure to be able to offer much more. If this is the end of the road for Morris he would finish his career with a 121-92 record and a 3.98 ERA in an 11-year career. The Pirates will be on the hook for 10 million this season and an addition 1 million to buy out the remainder of Morris' contract. Morris was accounting for one-fifth of the teams payroll. Pirate manager John Russell may have summed it up best when he spoke about Morris. "He's had a great career. He wanted to help us win, and it just wasn't happening." Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:18:26 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/260136 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/260136 The Philadelphia Phillies (12-11) travel to Pittsburgh for a 3 game set against the Pirates (9-13) starting Friday night at 7:05 in beautiful and underrated PNC Park. Match-ups: Friday- Adam Eaton (0-0, 4.74 era, 1.34 whip) vs. Zach Duke (0-1, 4.37, 1.77), Saturday- Kyle Kendrick (1-2, 5.59, 1.81) vs. Matt Morris (0-3, 9.15, 1.98), and Sunday- Brett Myers (2-1, 4.78, 1.31) vs. Paul Maholm (1-2, 4.22, 1.50). Phils Jackpots: Pat Burrell (.355 avg/1.224 OPS), Chase Utley (.385/1.288), Jayson Werth (.300/.958), Greg Dobbs (.355/.992), and Chris Coste (.370/1.172). Buccos Jackpots: X-Man Nady (.337/.919), Nate McLouth (.333/.978), Ryan Doumit (.344/.943), Ronny Paulino (.290/.726), and Jason Bay (.270/.859). Phils Bankrupts: Geoff Jenkins (.225/.600), Pedro Feliz (.213/.654), Carlos Ruiz (.194/.484), Eric Bruntlett (.207/.534), and Ryan Howard (.176/.638). Of note- Mr. Ten Million Dollar Man Ryan Howard has only 7 hits in 63 at bats against the Pirates for a .111 batting average with no homeruns, only 4 rbi, 31 k's, and a piss poor .303 OPS. Buccos Bankrupts: Freddy Sanchez (.227/.513), Luis Rivas (.188/.433), Doug Mientkiewicz (.212/.606), Brian Bixler (.158/.390), Adam LaRoche (.149/.454), Jose Bautista (.178/.525), and Nyjer Morgan (.130/.433). *Each team sucks at fielding, 21 errors for the Phils and 25 for the Pirates. *My prediction, the Phils are going to get hot and sweep this series and build a strong foundation for their first winning April in quite some time. ____________________________________ Phlashback Phriday: Gary Varsho In honor of the upcoming series between the State buddies Phillies and Buccos, WSBGM's has decided to pay tribute to a Phucco...hello Gary Varsho! Varsho has spent time in both organizations as a player and coach, currently employed as bench coach for Pittsburgh (also bench coach for Phils as recently as 2006). Gary's playing days lasted 8 illustrious season from the time he started as a Cub back in 1988 until the day he retired a Phillie in 1995. In between Chicago and Philly were two stops with the Pirates and one with the Reds. Career line: 571 gm, 101 r, 204 h, 41 dbl, 11 trpl, 10 hr, 84 rbi, 27 sb, .244 avg, and .649 OPS all while doing mostly pinch-hitting with occasional time at all three outfield positions. Of note, Varsho holds a .667 playoff batting average going 2-3 in the '91 and '92 postseason with the Buccos. Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:58:27 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/256997 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/256997 The city of Pittsburgh has a lot to be proud of - the Pitt Panthers, Sidney Crosby & Co., the Steelers... however, the one thing that has plagued this city for the past 15 years is the Pirates organization. Playing in the best stadium in baseball, the Pirates are mired in one of the longest, most depressing streaks of mediocrity that baseball has ever seen. FIO humor writer (and Pittsburgh native) Brian Lutz discusses his Top 10 "Favorite" Things about this season's Pirates club. Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:16:20 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/226209 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/226209 Phillies: *Francisco Rosario (out of options) has been placed on the DL to begin the season and is officially out of the running for one of the remaining bullpen spots. Fat Mike Zagurski and Scott Mathieson who are still mending from '07 injuries have also been shelved. *Kris Benson hasn't been DL'd yet, but that's not really necessary because of his minor league contract status. He won't be MLB ready until May at the earliest, and is still working his arm and body back into game shape. He missed his last scheduled appearance and appears to be missing today's as well. C'mon Anna, put down your marmosets and give your man some McLovin. *Rule 5'er Travis Blackley, non-roster invitees Vic Darensbourg and Gary Knotts, and Clay Condrey (out of options) are still vying for the coveted spot in the Phils 'pen. I believe Condrey has the inside track, but Darensbourg is a lefty and has pitched well so far this spring. *After having their punk card publicly pulled by the renowned players' manager Charlie Manuel earlier this spring, the starting pitching has responded well. Brett Myers, Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer, Kyle Kendrick, and even Adam Eaton have turned in quality outings. Yesterday Chad Durbin (destined for long relief) pitched 3 perfect innings against a Detroit Tigers lineup mostly composed of regulars. Pirates: *Centerfield is still up for grabs between Nate McLouth and Nyjer Morgan. Based on spring stats alone McLouth should be the starter (OPS: McLouth 1.084, Morgan .533). Then take into account that McLouth has experienced some success at the Big League level while Morgan is still wet behind the ears. *It seems that glovesman Doug Bat-Mientkiewicz will make the squad. Not sure why the Buccos need a no-hit all-field backup first baseman, but then again I don't understand most the moves this organization makes. *An example of a move I don't understand- prospect slugger Steve Pearce, he of 4 spring longballs, is most likely ticketed for Triple A...why? *Like the Phillies, the Pirates starting pitching has been a bit rough around the edges this spring with Matt Morris, Tom Gorzelanny, and Paul Maholm all pitching poorly. Ian Snell and Zach Duke have done well though. Also, minor league signings Jaret Wright and Hector Carrasco are improving their chances of being added to the 25-man roster. Sun, 23 Mar 2008 06:48:42 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/215428 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/215428 The Chicago Cubs went from worst to first to win the NL Central last year. Can they repeat or will another team have a say? Here a preview of all six teams, their projected starting lineups, rotations, fantasy impact players, and overall outlook. Sun, 16 Mar 2008 23:17:20 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/204543 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/204543 This article discusses GM Neal Huntington's decision to stick with the current starting rotation this season rather than pursuing another SP in the offseason. Go Buccos! Sat, 05 Jan 2008 02:52:34 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/60252 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/60252 Pretty sad that the all-time HR leader didn't earn close to what Matt friggin Morris does in the Steel City. Thu, 09 Aug 2007 02:45:58 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/22804 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/22804 Before he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates this week, he pulled the curtain back on the central lie about the Giants. He said they weren't about winning. He clearly was not down with the all-consuming focus of Barry Bonds breaking Hank Aaron's home run record. Not long after Morris expressed himself -- poof -- he was gone. But in Pittsburgh, he repeated the truth again: "It's been hard," Morris said of his one-year plus in San Francisco. "You almost learn to accept losing. I hate to say that, but it's true." Sun, 05 Aug 2007 02:47:10 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/22268 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/22268 Although the trade buzz was loud most of the big names stayed put. Fri, 03 Aug 2007 00:08:48 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/22024 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/22024 As a result of yesterday's MLB Trade Deadline, some things got shook up in fantasy baseball. FIO staff writer Lou Poulas discusses some of the trades that went down - those with fantasy implications and the ones that really didn't mean anything. Thu, 02 Aug 2007 02:34:18 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/21888 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/21888 With names like Mark Teixeira, Jermaine Dye, Troy Glaus, and Dontrelle Willis the MLB trade rumor central is a one stop shop to boredville. Teams are looking for the backend guy, or the off the bench, ummmm boring. But, here is a list of those players and the teams that are interested in them. Tue, 24 Jul 2007 01:35:05 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/20735 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/20735 If the Giants hitters don't step up they're going to claim another losing season. Thu, 28 Jun 2007 23:59:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/17802 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/17802