More Duke

In Joe Rutter's report for the Tribune-Review, he explains the pros and cons of breaking camp with Zach Duke.

Duke has been the most impressive pitcher in camp recently, giving up one run in his past eight innings. Weighing against him is his status as a non-roster player. Duke doesn't have to be added to the 40-man roster until November, so the Pirates won't have to waste his first of three options by sending him to Class AAA Indianapolis.

If Duke makes the team and it is later decided he needs to return to the minors, he would exhaust that first option.

In addition, the clock would begin on Duke's major-league service time, which would be a factor in a few years when he is eligible for arbitration.

Williams has one minor-league option remaining, and Vogelsong none.

I forgot about that not being on the 40-man roster. Either way, if he sticks, we want him to stick.

As for keeping him down so we can save money three years from now, I can't believe that should amount to much of a consideration. There will be a new CBA three years from now, for one. For two, it's silly to count chickens so far in advance. Those chickens are not even yet glimmers in the eyes of a rooster, because that rooster himself is not yet a glimmer in the eye of another rooster.

More than anything, the Bucs need to win now. If they want to sell tickets in May, they should do everything they can to win in April.

If Duke is ready to go, every day that they keep him in the minors is lost money. And probably more lost money than they would need to shell out when he gets to arbitration--if he gets to arbitration. 2008 is a loooong time from now in baseball years.