Where to begin? If you’ve been on the internet at all, especially twitter, you know that 93.7 The “Fan” and specifically Paul Alexander have been ground zero for idiocy and moronic baseball talk. This centers around the trade that sent RHP Brad Lincoln to the Toronto Blue Jays for left handed outfielder Travis Snider.
Nevermind that Brad Lincoln is a right handed relief pitcher with just two pitches. Nevermind that you will get 20 more innings out of Brad Lincoln this season at the most. Nevermind that the Pirates system is full of RHP that will end up in the bullpen, some of them knocking on the door right now.
No, this is supposedly a bad trade because most people have never heard of Travis Snider. Travis Snider is controlled for years to come, but that apparently doesn’ t matter. Travis Snider possibly has 30 home runs in his bat. Travis Snider has better minor league numbers than Yinzer wonder-boy Starling Marte at a similar age.
It literally blows my mind that some of the same people who clamored for Marte don’t like a guy with better numbers!
Because the Pirates didn’t nab the famous name, like Shane Victorino they were taken to cleaners? Forget that Blue Jays fans, bloggers, and analysts almost to a man dislike this trade. Forget that Snider is the epitome of Yinzer baseball. Forget that the Pirates are playing for more than just one year of success.
The only thing that matters is that Brad Lincoln, a first round bust, has finally had a modicum of success at the age of 27. He is fun to watch, no doubt. That doesn’t matter. What matters is value. Brad Lincoln is thoroughly replaceable. Brad Lincoln grows on tress. Young, left-handed power hitters with years of control aren’t.
What Neal Huntington did was took an undervalued commodity and acquired it for an overvalued player that is literally a dime a dozen. Neal Huntington may not have greatly improved the team this year, but the bench is now better. At the very least. Pirates have options like Bryan Morris to come in and replace Lincoln today.
I can completely understand if you think this is risky. It is. That’s what you do to win though. Take risks. This team makes the team marginally better now, and very possibly greatly better in the long run.
Huntington’s mantra has always been to build a consistent winner. This is the type of move that allows you to do it.
Give me the regular player over the fungible reliever, EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
Neal Huntington has proven one thing beyond a shadow of a doubt. He knows relievers. If there is one spot we can trust the guy on it is certainly the bullpen.
I know he was a good sport when they put bubble gum on his hat, but I really would like to win baseball games.
