Gerut, Duckworth to AAA. Jose Hernandez, Nate McLouth, and that surprisingly mature young man, Matt Capps, make the 25-man roster. Victor Santos will start the second game of the season -- against his old club. Rob Rossi reports for the Tribune-Review.
Right now, they have 27 players for 25 spots. A Craig Wilson-for-SP trade would eliminate one spot if it includes a pitcher or the release of Santos.
The decision to keep McLouth is great news. McLouth has earned it in March. Still, three plausible interpretations come to mind. (1) There's no confidence in Chris Duffy being ready for April, and the Pirates will play McLouth in center because they have no other option. (2) They regard McLouth's centerfield range as adequate, and they now see him as a legitimate starting option in CF for 2006's "pitching-and-defense-first" club. (3) They regard McLouth as a fourth outfielder, and they see no need to start him every day at AAA since the success or failure of his career will depend on him learning to contribute in limited opportunities.
So . . . it's still not clear to me just what the Pirates think they have in Nate McLouth.
Even with Craig Wilson on the roster until July (getting, say, 250-300 PAs for us this year), there's about 800-900 PA available for McLouth and Duffy between CF and part-time work. My guess is they don't know what they have with Nate McLouth. Why should they be too concerned? He has opportunity. With opportunity, he can more or less determine his own present and future role.
If you've never heard of Matt Capps, here's your excuse to drink a beer. He's six-three, right-handed, and throws about 93 mph over the top. All hail Matt Capps!
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