Andrew Lambo Sent Down, Pirates 1B Experiment Offically Mind Blowing

Clint Hurdle has a new message for the 2014 season

The Pittsburgh Pirates have spoken and they went with the confusing reversible move.  Andrew Lambo will start the season in Triple-A Indianapolis and it looks like Travis Ishikawa will be joing the 40-man when a roster move is made.  Joining Lambo will be outfielder Jaff Decker and reliver Jared Hughes.

The confusion comes from the fact that Ishikawa has devoured spring training pitching.  Lambo didn’t.  Cue the Craig Monroe jokes.

But of course it comes down to this…if the Pirates let Ishikawa walk, they may lose him.  (And for some reason that bothers someone–guesses anyone, cough Hurdle.) Lambo has an option so he gets the door.

Clint Hurdle Pittsburgh Pirates skipper

In the end, the Pirates play it safe and keep Ishikawa, cross their fingers, light a candle, and HOPE it all somehow works out.  Good luck with that experiment Buccos.

So Ishikawa will be the platoon partner for Gaby Sanchez at first base.  I can’t believe I am typing that sentence.  Unless the team decides to make a move before the season, it’s been pretty disappointing.  My disappointment lies in the fact that Lambo played well defensively, hit well last season in his breakout minor league season and we were told he would be given a shot.

I guess that shot didn’t work out.

Mar 16, 2014; Clearwater, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle (13) congratulates first baseman Travis Ishikawa (3) after scoring in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in a spring training exhibition at Bright House Field. Ishikawa went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday, Neal Huntington didn’t sound to impressed with Ishikawa which led me to believe the Bucs were still undecided.  I expected some more fanning of the flames from Huntington if the Pirates were going to go with IshiPOWA.  The plate appearances don’t match up either, it would seem like Sanchez will get more at-bats against right handers.  The whole first base position has my mind blown.  Blown.

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Surely it’s about more than spring training success.  I’m sure we will hear more explanations soon.

The Bucs also reassigned Robert Andino, Chris Dickerson, Jay Jackson and Michael Martinez to minor league camp.