I still say the Pirates' top priority has to be sorting the starters into guys we keep and build around, guys we keep for now, guys we trade, and guys we move to the bullpen. So all hail Ronny Paulino as the starting catcher. If Doumit's lousy game-calling has anything to do with some struggles, the Bucs need to eliminate that variable from the equation. Play him at first, sure. Even if Burnitz starts having a great season, he still needs regular rest.
The Duffy in leadoff experiment continues to be a counterproductive failure. If our rotation was full of known quantities - veterans of predictable performance - then I could see how this would be a priority. Right now, it's counterproductive. You can't begin the game with an automatic out. It reduces your chance of scoring in the first, and it reduces your chance of getting an early lead. And we always want an early lead if we are bent on evaluating young starters.
Duffy is an out machine. In his last 50 PAs, he has 12 Ks and a .291 OBP. Stop the madness. Bat him eighth. Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez should bat one and two, or two and one.
If Tracy tries to do too much, he risks doing nothing.
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