Andy LaRoche News

When looking through Dan Szymborski's ZiPS projections for 2010 , my initial reaction was almost identical to my reaction to last year's ZiPS: "Damn, this team is going to be bad." My second reaction was this: "Wow, these projections don't see a whole lot of room for growth in Andy LaRoche, do they?" So far, we've discussed projections from Bill ...

As the Akinori Iwamura-Jesse Chavez trade was announced just over a week ago, the e-mails started arriving in a flurry.

Next season, either Steve Pearce or Jeff Clement could be the Pirates' starting first baseman or at least a power-hitting threat off the bench.

Pittsburgh Pirates The Pirates keep rebuilding, rebuilding, rebuilding. They have a strong and deep collection of prospects, but the problem has always been getting them to hit at once so they don't have to usher good players out the door because they get too expensive.

The Pirates' acquisition of Akinori Iwamura a week ago not only solidified second base for 2010, but it also clarified Andy LaRoche's future in the infield as well.

The more I think about this trade, the more I like it for a few reasons. The first reason should be obvious; Iwamura makes the Pirates better at a position of need without giving much up.

Developing . No word on who's going to Tampa. More later. Analysis Update: I have mixed feelings about this trade.

Perry Hill's work with the infielders was well received, but it didn't translate into a second season.

Freddy Sanchez was among a number of players we reviewed who didn't actually wind up with the team.

CINCINNATI ? The Pirates closed out their 2009 season Sunday by racking up a lot of hits, no runs and another defeat.

John Buck, a catcher, the toughest position in baseball, the guy who blocks 95-mph fastballs in the dirt, who stands in the way of 250-pound ballplayers going full speed trying to score, who takes a licking and keeps on ticking hurts his back reaching for his catching helmet.

McCutchen walked two and struck out five. McCutchen was winless in his first five starts after being called up Aug.

In the Pirates ' final game of the year, the Bucs managed to put a staggering fifteen men on base--ten hits, including a triple, plus four walks and a hit batsman--without plating a single one of them.

The Pirates' 8-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds tonight at Great American Ball Park very much had that get-this-thing-over-with feel, from Zach Duke uncharacteristically losing his command to the offense swinging wildly at an erratic opposing pitcher to ??? Well, whatever.

Well, here we are again. It has been 17 painful years since our Pittsburgh Pirates have made the October Classic.

They said the losing had to stop, and it didn't. They said the familiar pattern of a player getting good and then getting gone would stop, and it didn't. Instead, the losing didn't slow down for the Pittsburgh Pirates, it increased.

Votto homered and drove in three runs and Rolen homered as the Cincinnati Reds took advantage of Zach Duke 's control problems for an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.

The Pirates have spoken with Andy LaRoche about moving from third base to second next year to make room for top prospect Pedro Alvarez, though such a move is far from definite.

Andy LaRoche . He went 2-3 and drove in two runs. Key Plays Other Notes On both of his hits, Andy LaRoche was thrown out trying to stretch his single into a double.

Pittsburgh Pirates starter Daniel McCutchen pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, Oct.