Mailbag: Power hitter headed to town?

10/31/2005
Is Tike Redman in the Pirates' future plans? Wouldn't it be more prudent to offer him in some type of package deal (possibly with Ty Wigginton) to gain a power-hitting center fielder or third baseman? -- Robert B., Patton, Pa.
I think Redman has run out of chances as the Bucs' starting center fielder. The organization loves Chris Duffy's glove and Duffy showed that he could hit big league pitching before being injured. Redman, who is a good fastball hitter, will probably come off of the bench as a pinch-hitter and get a spot start here and there in the outfield if he is still with the team next season.
As for your trade suggestion, Robert, I highly doubt that the Pirates would get the kind of player they are looking for to fill their outfield/third base void with a package that includes only Redman and Wigginton. Neither player has established himself as a big league regular, and other teams won't be jumping at the opportunity to unload a productive bat in exchange for bench guys.
Do you think that a trade of Kip Wells for Wily Mo Pena makes sense for both teams? Wells has great stuff but seems to need a change of scenery. Pena is a legit 40-home run player. Pena in right field allows Craig Wilson to move back to first and gives the Bucs a legit power threat and protects Jason Bay. -- Mark A, Philadelphia
Of the dozens of trade scenarios fans have submitted to me in the past few weeks, Mark, I would say yours is the most plausible. In fact, this deal was being discussed, at least internally, by the Pirates prior to the trading deadline.
The Reds have a glut of outfielders with Pena, Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns, and starting pitching has been their Achilles heel for years. Despite his struggles the past two seasons, Wells would probably have the highest ceiling of anyone on the Reds starting staff if this deal was made.
Rarely is any trade perfect, however, and this proposal is no different. First of all, you always run the risk of a pitcher like Wells finally putting it all together, and you'd hate to see him play for a team within your division. Pena is a right-handed power hitter who strikes out a lot, and the Pirates already have a couple of guys (Wilson and Brad Eldred) who fit that bill. He also has been known to let his mind wander on defense.
With all of that being said, this is a deal that seems to make sense for both teams.
Why in the world would the Pirates organization have any interest in keeping Mark Redman around? I felt Josh Fogg did a much better job than Redman. Keeping Fogg as a middle relief man would help fill the void of the ones they are losing. -- Joe S., Des Moines, Iowa
Quite frankly, Joe, the Pirates don't have much say in the matter. Redman has a $4.5 million player option for 2006. He could choose to walk away from that money and try his luck in the free agent market, but after his second-half struggles, I don't see that happening.
Fogg earned $2.15 million last year in his first year of arbitration. He'd likely earn a raise this year even in arbitration, even though his production declined. As much as the Pirates could use another right-handed arm in the bullpen, they could probably spend that money on a couple of veteran relievers looking to bounce back from off-years. Therefore, Fogg will almost certainly be non-tendered if the Pirates are unable to trade him.
With a stockpile of very young players, who do you feel has the best odds to be packaged in a possible Hot Stove deal? -- Bob A., Hershey, Pa.
Wells, in my opinion, is the top candidate to be dealt. Fogg could also draw some interest from pitching-starved teams, although other clubs might be willing to wait to see if the Pirates non-tender him so that they can acquire Fogg without having to give up anything in return.
Beyond those two, Ian Snell could also be an attractive part of a package deal because of his plus-stuff and success at the Triple-A level. However, it is unlikely that the Pirates would get much more than another prospect in return for him alone. Teams rarely trade established big leaguers for prospects with little Major League experience during the Hot Stove months.
Craig Wilson is also a darkhorse candidate to be dealt, but his trade value probably took a dip because of his injury problems last season. Humberto Cota, Wigginton, Redman, and perhaps even Jack Wilson could also be on the trading block.
I've heard the analysts talking about the free agency situation this year and the utter lack of power hitters available. The Pirates have indicated that they are willing to spend some cash to get a threatening bat or two in the lineup. Given the apparent lack of firepower in this year's crop of free agents, do you think the Pirates will go after someone aggressively and waste money on someone who really isn't worth it? I'd rather see them play the young guys and let them take their lumps than see this team waste money on a free agent or two just for the sake of signing them. -- Jeff B., Toronto, Ontario
You make a great point about throwing money at a problem rarely ever working, particularly for lower revenue teams that can't afford to make mistakes with their limited resources. A lot of Pirates fans are still wondering what the team could have done with the money that was given to Derek Bell in 2001.
I can't foresee GM Dave Littlefield significantly overspending just to make a publicity splash. He has worked for more than four years to have the "financial flexibility" that he now enjoys.
With that in mind, Littlefield also realizes that adding power to the lineup is essential for this team to improve. And power usually comes at a hefty price tag, be it free agent dollars or productive players and prospects in trades. The key, of course, is to spend wisely and get the most bang for your buck. Whether or not Littlefield can do that this offseason will have a tremendous impact on the Pirates' fortunes in 2006.

Source: http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/