I was looking at the ESPN.com D'back stats & sorted under OPS & it struck me that another wasted spot is Quinton McCracken. I'm a Tar Heel, but I loved the Dookie when he had his great AB's last year. But you don't give 32 year olds 2 year muliti-million dollar contracts off of fluke seasons.
1. It's a waste of money.
2. You can't cut them because it's "loss of face" thing--American cultural nonense I don't understand
You "liberate" players like Quinton McCracken 2002 or Craig Counsell 2000 who are trapped in other organizations.
Right now the Pirates have a 26 year old Catcher-1B-RF type named Craig Wilson. Jeez, he even hits RH (I was going to make excuses if he didn't). The Pirates got free agent "bargains" in Kenny Lofton & Reggie Sanders because the market was soft. The Tigers dumped Randall Simon, because his salary was climbing. They're paying Kevin Young $6 million to hit .222 and piss off the fans. The have Matt Stairs (35 y.o.) eating up outs.
The reason they don't play Wilson is because their regular catcher Jason Kendall is a quasi-star. And if they play Wilson & Kendall together, the manager loses platoon flexibility to hit for Wilson because no manager wants to be left without a backup catcher.
So in 586 career AB's (a whole season) Wilson has 31 HR's & 96 RBI in part-time play, a 270 BA, 362 OBP, and 474 SLG (OPS 837). He literally could be obtained for Chad or Rod (they are both about 28 years old) and a minor pitching prospect--he's not doing the Pirates any good.
Meanwhile promote Robby Hammock as our "real" backup catcher who can play other positions. Give Craig Wilson a trial as our RH-OF & 1B (shifting Danny to CF which he's done well). Wilson would be a great "emergency 3rd catcher."
In an ideal world, you'd "shoot" Q, Womack & Grace after they broke their legs like race horses. You'd promote Chad Tracy to serve a mentorship under Matty.
New Lineup:
C (2): Robbie Hammock & Catcher not traded to Pirates (Moeller or Barajas)
IF (7): Williams, Tracy, CC, Spivey, Cintron, Baerga, Overbay
OF (5): Gonzo, Fins, Bautista, Dellucci, Craig Wilson (1B, C)
honorary coaches: Gracie, Q, Tony
maybe I forgot somebody. I don't think so. That's 14 position players leaving 11 pitchers. That lineup would have flexiblity to cover lots of positions and a fair number of righties. It could win late-inning games. There are some players who could catch the ball (with practice). You wouldn't have to trade your future to obtain it. You'd just have to say good-bye to your past.
