The Pirates have made a move. Not a big one, but a move none the less. Relief Pitcher Jason Grilli was pitching in AAA Lehigh Valley for the Phillies organization, but had a clause in his contract that if another Major League club wanted him, the Phillies could either match the offer or let him go. According the Grilli's confirmed twitter account; he is going to the #blackandyellow.
Grilli last pitched in the majors in 2009 for the Colorado Rockies and Texas Rangers, going a combined 2-3 with a 5.32 ERA in 52 appearances.
The 34 year olds lifetime line is 18-18 with a 4.74 ERA, and a WHIP of 1.478, 6.6 Ks and 4.1 BBs per 9 innings pitched.
UPDATE: 10:24 AM
Well, you can't say that Grilli isn't excited to join the 1st place Pirates, even if Bucco fans will likely greet his arrival with a yawn. He tweeted this at 7:30 this morning: "Of course I can't sleep. Fired Up!!! Most gratifying call up yet. Yo Adrian! WE DID IT!!! #flyinghigh #Pirates."
Grilli has a past with Bucs Skipper Clint Hurdle, pitching for him in Colorado in 2008 and 2009. He was also well liked by another favorite of this blog, Jim Leyland when he pitched for him in Detroit, Leyland considered him a durable and reliable option out of the bullpen. He did express some concerns however about the pitchers ability to handle pressure spots.
It has been mentioned that there is need for some bullpen help and I’m glad that the PBC is addressing it. I don’t know anything about Grilli and his stats don’t stand out much either. However, Hurdle must think he is worthy of a look. After the McKenry find the PBC should have a motto “In Clint we trust” when it comes to evaluating talent.
ReplyDeleteWhich headline did Smizik steal from you guys?
ReplyDeleteI read his blogs and the comments section but the way he deletes has kept me from ever posting on there. I even signed up awhile ago but never posted anything. This blog is so much better.
Anyway, Like I stated yesterday, I wasn't sure of the need for relief pitching being as great as in other areas. That being said, this move is fine in my opinion.
Now let's go get that bat. 1 or 2 runs a game is putting too much stress on the pitching staff. That would help the bullpen as much as getting another arm. Let's give them some runs for a change.
Unfortunately, it was probably just a coincidence. But his headline Carlos Pena: The Time is Now is eerily similar to our post last week urging the Bucs to make a move entitled The Time Is Now. Just so happened to be the most viewed and commented on post in our history, BY FAR. http://mutinyonthea.blogspot.com/2011/07/time-is-now.html
ReplyDeletePucks also wrote this post:
http://mutinyonthea.blogspot.com/2011/07/note-to-pirate-front-office-time-is-now.html
The picture of 70s Smiz on the sidebar is making my eyes hurt. It looks like Groucho Marx got hit in the face with an ugly stick then got a perm.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should run a pic of Joseph Stalin side-by-side with Smizass's. I have never seen a once-respected journalist turn into such a petty, vindictive, elitist, deletist, insulting, flip-flopping fool in all my years. Truly sad.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, the other blog is debating the merits of Pena today. I say no to acquiring him, if we can get Pence.
If we do get him, we had better have not given up anything more than a case of corndogs for his "rental" status..........
I think in his later days Smiz resembles Larry Fine.
ReplyDeletehttp://image.derhamgroves.com/2007/11/larry.jpg
Tough loss today. Frustrating. You are not going to get a shutout from your staff every single night. Need to add some hitting.
ReplyDeleteRoger- I'm on board for Pence at a kings ransom over Pena for a rental, but if Pence is off the table and Beltran isn't going to want to come here, Pena would still be better than nothing.
I know no one agrees with me but I still like Derrick Lee over Pena. Lee started awful but actually has 6 of his 10 home runs in the last 30 days and is hitting .279 over the last two weeks as well. I just think we need a right handed bad that much more. When Alvarez comes back he and Pena would be automatic outs against lefties, and Neil Walker almost is too.
ReplyDeleteFuck it, get 'im both and platoon them. Trade Diaz for Lee and trade Bryan Morris for Pena. Then cut Overbay. Bam. Lol.
roger roger,
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% with yoru take on Smiz!
Dan- I hesitate on Derrick Lee just because the last few times I've seen him play, he has looked really old. But the Pirates are the ones with the big league scouts. If he really has rejuvenated his game, and they think its sustainable for at least the rest of this year, I say go for it. I have been a big fan of his hitting for years, just thought he had fallen off the cliff recently.
ReplyDelete