Pittsburgh Pirates Commence Deconstruction
By Tom Smith
The Pittsburgh Pirates
continue the annual offseason organizational purging ritual. The 2012 roster is going to look quite different from the 2011 roster. The 2011 roster had a much different loook than the 2010 roster. You get the point. The Bucs have moved quickly this offseason moving past players like Ryan Doumit, Chris Snyder and Ronny Cedeno replacing them with veterans Rod Barajas and Clint Barmes.
It also appears that Paul Maholm, and others will be gone or at least off the roster before the team heads to Bradenton.
After Xavier Paul cleared waivers today, the outfielder was given his release from the organization. Paul was already off the roster, thus we believe this move is for the purpose of having Paul get on with his life’s work as a great coach once said, or somehow grabbing a spot with a different club.
There was never a doubt about Paul’s defense and strong arm, we all knew that from his time with the Dodgers organization. It was the bat that was the downfall for Paul who needed to deliver in late inning situations at the plate for the Pirates. Unfortunately, it never happened consistently enough.
Outfielders appear to be a strength for the next number of years for the Bucs, so moves such as this are to be expected as the team hopes to become a nucleus of homegrown talent. Gorkys Hernandez can fill the role of Xavier Paul in 2012 and should he struggle, the Pirates options continue with even more outfield depth in their farm system.
It’s a nice sign for the Pirates, even if it means we never get to see XP on the mound at PNC Park in 2012.