http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/players/ramon_vazquez/649 Recent articles about Ramon Vazquez en-us If there’s one move that the Pirates have made which I’ve constantly disagreed with, it’s their approach with bench players. The Pirates have a horrible habit of giving out bench spots to aging veterans, while passing over their own internal options. I was reminded of this with today’s trade. I initially decided to point out all of the past situations where the Pirates have passed on their own internal players, instead looking at the “grass is greener” veteran player on the other side of the fence. I’ve written about this in the past, so to keep it fresh as I update it, I decided to go Quentin Tarantino style. No, it’s not full of bloodshed, and Samuel L. Jackson isn’t in it. It’s just, well, here it is.   Opening Credits 2012 Season In 259 at-bats, Pedro Ciriaco hits for a .293/.315/.390 line with the Boston Red Sox. Clint Barmes hits for a .229/.272/.321 line with the Pirates, while posting a 15.3 UZR/150 at short as the starter. Jose Bautista gets 332 at-bats, hitting 27 homers with a Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:50:03 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/first_pitch_tarantino_ing_the_poor_bench_moves_over_the_last_few_years/13195840 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/first_pitch_tarantino_ing_the_poor_bench_moves_over_the_last_few_years/13195840 First Pitch: Tarantino-ing the Poor Bench Moves Over the Last Few Years http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/first_pitch_tarantino_ing_the_poor_bench_moves_over_the_last_few_years/13195840 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Table of Contents Here’s the table of contents for today’s edition of Daily Notes. 1. Status Update: Javier Vazquez’s Status, Updated 2. Video: Javier Vazquez’s Most Recent Major League Start 3. SCOUT Leaderboards: Puerto Rican League Status Update: Javier Vazquez’s Status, Updated Right-hander Javier Vazquez, 36, has made four starts since joining Ponce of the Puerto Rican League at the beginning of the month — most recently on December 19th at Mayaguez, when he posted this impressive line (box): 6.0 IP, 27 TBF, 11 K, 2 BB, 6:2 GO:AO. Vazquez has now posted this other, more different line during those same four starts: 17.0 IP, 23 K, 3 BB, 1 HR. His performance has given him the league’s best regressed kwERA despite a relatively small sample — which, because of the way SCOUT- (discussed below) is calculated, it’s actually more difficult to produce excellent numbers in a small sample like that. Apropos Vazquez, famous George Plimpton-impersonator Peter Gammons noted at the beginning... Thu, 27 Dec 2012 10:00:54 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/daily_notes_ft_a_javy_vazquez_status_update_update/12518236 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/daily_notes_ft_a_javy_vazquez_status_update_update/12518236 Daily Notes: Ft. A Javy Vazquez Status Update Update http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/daily_notes_ft_a_javy_vazquez_status_update_update/12518236 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png There have been seven former Pittsburgh Pirates players born on this date, of which, we start of with the starting right fielder for the first team in franchise history to win a World Series title. We also have one trade of note and in his Jolly Roger Rewind, John Fredland recaps a record-setting game from the 1963 season. Before we get to the former Pirates born on this date, we have a current player, one that is at AAA Indianapolis at this time. First baseman Jeff Clement turns 29 today. He came over to the Pirates in the Jack Wilson/Ian Snell deal with the Mariners, that occurred during the 2009 trading deadline. Clement played 54 games for Pittsburgh in 2010, hitting .201 with seven homers and 12 RBI’s. After missing most of last season, he has seen regular action in AAA this season at DH/1B, batting .283 in 110 games, with 16 homers and 57 RBI’s at this moment. The Transactions On this date in 1987, the Pirates traded pitcher Rick Reuschel to the Giants for two pitchers, Jeff Robinson and Scott Medvi Tue, 21 Aug 2012 10:39:18 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/this_date_in_pirates_history_august_21/11510911 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/this_date_in_pirates_history_august_21/11510911 This Date in Pirates History: August 21 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/this_date_in_pirates_history_august_21/11510911 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Tim McCarver is a baseball broadcaster. His job is to talk during the hours that a baseball game is in progress—usually about baseball, but sometimes about TV shows, if a FOX sitcom star happens to be in the booth. Once in a while, in the course of those hours, he says something that isn't entirely accurate. So I just got this brilliant idea: â Sun, 24 Jun 2012 02:42:49 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/bp_unfiltered_todays_tim_mccarver_tracer_by_ben_lindbergh/11078435 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/bp_unfiltered_todays_tim_mccarver_tracer_by_ben_lindbergh/11078435 BP Unfiltered: Today's Tim McCarver Tracer by Ben Lindbergh http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/bp_unfiltered_todays_tim_mccarver_tracer_by_ben_lindbergh/11078435 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Indians lost to Pittsburgh 9-5 on Sunday. It was the Indians' seventh loss in their last 10 games. They seem to be having breakdowns in different areas every day. Sunday it was the defense, as shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera committed three errors, including two on one play, which gift-wrapped eight of the nine runs scored by the Pirates. Ironically, Cabrera is one of the Indians' best defensive players. He came into Sunday's game having made just three errors all year. Then he made three errors in one game. Those errors, the Indians' shaky defense and the usual lack of hitting all led to the Indians losing two of three games to the Pirates. The further the Indians get into the season, the more apparent it becomes that they have to play at very near peak efficiency in order to have a chance to win on a given day. Any breakdown in any area makes it very difficult for them to win. Simply put, they don't have the roster depth of many of the teams expected to be contenders for the postseason. I Mon, 18 Jun 2012 10:28:25 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/different_day_different_problems_for_indians/11036042 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/different_day_different_problems_for_indians/11036042 Different day, different problems for Indians http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/different_day_different_problems_for_indians/11036042 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/f/4f1b9d7a35f85a27b349879d576ccc12219cb7ea/mini/IndiansRoyals_2825.jpg Brandon Phillips kills the Indians. Its a bit that comes up every single year and sticks in the craw of Tribe fans to an endless degree. It was April 7th of 2006, more than six years ago, but it is a day that will live in Indians infamy. It was the day they gave up on a talented and uber confident kid second baseman because he was out of options and the manager didn’t like his attitude. Swagger is a better word for it. Then GM Mark Shapiro and his manager Eric Wedge were in the midst of their “partnership,” which we all know now was horrible mistake on Shapiro’s part. The GM always picks the players, and the manager’s job is to play the hand he is dealt and make it successful. Instead back in 2006, Wedge’s affinity for utility man Ramon Vazquez and his dislike of Brandon Phillips rough exterior won out. Shapiro made the final call and dealt Phillips to the Reds for reliever Jeff Stevens. They gave up on him at age 25. Vazquez played 34 games for the Indians that season as a backup a... Thu, 14 Jun 2012 10:00:28 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/reds_5_indians_3_where_exactly_is_ramon_vazquez_these_days/11011646 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/reds_5_indians_3_where_exactly_is_ramon_vazquez_these_days/11011646 Reds 5 Indians 3: Where Exactly is Ramon Vazquez These Days? http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/reds_5_indians_3_where_exactly_is_ramon_vazquez_these_days/11011646 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/a/eab74ee4e6b306f2545d33bb757b07cacbcba18a/mini/df.jpg The 10-year anniversary of one of baseball's all-time swindles is June 27. And if you want to know just how much of a haul the Cleveland Indians received from the Montreal Expos for right-hander Bartolo Colon, follow the money. Three of the four players that the Indians acquired -- left-hander Cliff Lee, second baseman Brandon Phillips and center fielder Grady Sizemore -- will have earned a combined $271.2 million by the time their current contracts expire, according to baseball-reference.com. To think, then-Indians general manager Mark Shapiro initially was criticized for the deal, which news reports at the time portrayed as Colon and pitcher Tim Drew for Lee Stevens and three minor leaguers. "I remember driving out of the ballpark seeing a fan with a sign that said, 'Shapiro Bobblehead Night,'" recalls Shapiro, who is now the Indians' club president. "It was the first time in seven or eight years ... the first move with our players, coaching staff, front office and fan bas Thu, 12 Apr 2012 06:12:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/great_trade_swindle_10_year_anniversary/10541891 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/great_trade_swindle_10_year_anniversary/10541891 Great trade swindle: 10-year anniversary http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/great_trade_swindle_10_year_anniversary/10541891 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Yes, it’s still EXTREMELY early and tons of things could (and should) change between now and April 5th, but since we’ve crossed into the new year and there isn’t much else going on at the moment, here’s a look at the Bucs as they currently stand. I started with the rotation, then looked at the bullpen. Now, here’s the offense. Infield: Garrett Jones – 1B Neil Walker – 2B Clint Barmes – SS Pedro Alvarez – 3B Casey McGehee – 3B/1B Josh Harrison / Yamaico Navarro / Chase d’Arnaud / Gustavo Nunez – Utility This area could obviously use some work. Walker is set at second and Barmes will be the shortstop, but the corners are extremely iffy. The addition of McGehee helps reinforce things a bit, but he won’t be much help if he’s terrible like he was in 2011. If he crushes the ball like he did in 2009-10, he’ll become a productive starter instead of a backup plan…but I’m not counting on that. As it stands now, though, McGehee will be seeing plenty of at-bats regardless of how well Fri, 06 Jan 2012 06:43:03 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/early_look_at_2012_offense/9165604 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/early_look_at_2012_offense/9165604 Early look at 2012: Offense http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/early_look_at_2012_offense/9165604 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png All the free agent focus, and rightly so, is on C.J. Wilson and Jose Reyes and Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder. Wednesday, 537 minor league players were granted free agency. These guys may not be difference makers, but rest assured some will play key roles in helping clubs get to the postseason. How teams stock their Triple-A teams directly impacts wins and losses at the big league level. Everyone has injuries, so it’s imperative organizations have guys at the upper levels of the minors that can at least temporarily patch those holes. Here are the Marlins’ minor league free agents, some of whom likely will re-sign with the organization: RHP:Jeff Allison (AA), Alex Caldera (Lo A), Todd Doolittle (AAA), Kris Harvey (AA), Miguel Mejia (Lo A), Adalberto Mendez (AAA), Chris Sampson (SS), Zach Simons (AAA), Dallas Trahern (AA), Adam Veres (Lo A), Sean Watson (Lo A), Kyle Winters (Lo A) LHP: Darin Downs (AAA), Victor Garate (AAA) C: Brad Davis (AAA), Miguel Fermin (AAA), Luke Montz (AA), ... Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:57:17 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/florida_marlins_another_free_agent_list_of_the_minor_league_variety/7874950 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/florida_marlins_another_free_agent_list_of_the_minor_league_variety/7874950 Florida Marlins: Another free agent list, of the minor league variety http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/florida_marlins_another_free_agent_list_of_the_minor_league_variety/7874950 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png