Now Mesa and Rob are gone?! What are we doing?!?! I personally LOVED Mack, and was very neutral on Mesa, but we just lost both of them! Mesa, I can see why, but come on, why Mack?! WHY?!
You guys are complaining about getting rid of players that can easily be replaced.
I love Rob Mackowiak as much as the next guy, but let's step away from our emotional attachment here and consider the facts. Rob only had nine homers and only 58 RBI while batting .272. Those are average numbers for a middle infielder, but simply won't cut the mustard at third or right field.
As much as we fans may have our favorite guys, baseball is a business, and in order to be successful in a business you must look at things objectively. The Buccos are in desperate need of power and, quite frankly, Mack isn't going to hit you more than 15 in a season. He was a replaceable part. Sure, he had "grit", whatever that means, and a likable personality. He will be definitely missed.
Rob will be better served on the White Sox where he can be a solid role player and utility man. The Pirates' problem is that they depend on guys like Mack to provide more than they are able.
Also, Jason Kendall was a good man, but basically a singles hitter who, once again, could be easily replaced. I still have a Kendall poster in my room back home, but this is the bottom line: the Pirates finished below .500 with him, and they have done it without him.
Players like Jason Bay are the guys that we have to hold onto and build a team around. It'd be nice to keep the Rob Mackowiaks and Jason Kendalls, but the Pirates don't have that luxury because their payroll is limited and they must make the most of the money that is available.
I agree with you on everything, but I don't think he was moved because of payroll. I think they could have gotten a better player for Rob Mackowiak. Definitely if they would have put him in a package deal with Kip Wells to get a better hitting right fielder or third baseman.
But God Bless Dave Littlefield for finding suckers like the Royals to take all of Mark Redman's salary.
I could see the package deal happening, but those things are easier said than done.
Also, I'm not saying that payroll problems dictated Mackowiak leaving...he's not expensive at all. The Pirates obviously think Damaso Marte can help in the bullpen or they wouldn't have made the deal.
I love Rob Mackowiak as much as the next guy, but let's step away from our emotional attachment here and consider the facts. Rob only had nine homers and only 58 RBI while batting .272. Those are average numbers for a middle infielder, but simply won't cut the mustard at third or right field.
As much as we fans may have our favorite guys, baseball is a business, and in order to be successful in a business you must look at things objectively. The Buccos are in desperate need of power and, quite frankly, Mack isn't going to hit you more than 15 in a season. He was a replaceable part. Sure, he had "grit", whatever that means, and a likable personality. He will be definitely missed.
Rob will be better served on the White Sox where he can be a solid role player and utility man. The Pirates' problem is that they depend on guys like Mack to provide more than they are able.
Also, Jason Kendall was a good man, but basically a singles hitter who, once again, could be easily replaced. I still have a Kendall poster in my room back home, but this is the bottom line: the Pirates finished below .500 with him, and they have done it without him.
Players like Jason Bay are the guys that we have to hold onto and build a team around. It'd be nice to keep the Rob Mackowiaks and Jason Kendalls, but the Pirates don't have that luxury because their payroll is limited and they must make the most of the money that is available.
Mark Cuban for owner!
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But God Bless Dave Littlefield for finding suckers like the Royals to take all of Mark Redman's salary.
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Also, I'm not saying that payroll problems dictated Mackowiak leaving...he's not expensive at all. The Pirates obviously think Damaso Marte can help in the bullpen or they wouldn't have made the deal.
Good thoughts, though.
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