A CITIZEN'S BLOG

Who would have thought that the two biggest trades so far in the post-season would have involved the Pittsburgh Pirates? Their Lawton-Rhodes deal was essentially an extension of the Kendall deal, so now we can properly evaluate the trade. Here is what the Pirates gave up:

Kendall: .276 GPA / .399 OBP / .390 SLG / 25 Win Shares (7 WSAA) / 4.21 P/PA

And what the Pirates get:

Lawton: .273 GPA / .366 OBP / .421 SLG / 15 Win Shares (-1 WSAA) / 3.68 P/PA
Redman: 5.29 FIP ERA / 4.8 k/9 / 3.2 bb/9 / 9 Win Shares (-1 WSAA)

I’m not impressed. Here’s why:

As I’ve said, Redman is so-so. He was, statistically, the A’s weakest pitcher in 2004. He’ll be a capable starter for the Pirates in 2004, but he’s not going to be a stud pitcher for them. However, I reserved judgment on the deal because the Pirates seemed likely to deal Rhodes, which they did, to the Indians for Lawton.

In theory, Lawton replaces Kendall’s bat in the Pirates lineup. In reality, he does not. His OBP is in the ballpark, but he just isn’t the OBP machine Kendall was. Kendall was patient at the plate: 4.21 pitches per plate appearance. Lawton isn't a patient hitter: his 3.68 is worse than the AL average.

But my biggest problem though is with Lawton’s defense. The Pirates were the worst team in the NL defensively in 2004. Sixteenth of sixteen. Their outfield collectively was sixteenth (.826, .001 better than Colorado). They’ve often seemed like little leaguers in the field.

What they are giving up behind the plate in Kendall is a talented catcher: 6.8 Fielding Win Shares, third amongst NL catchers. Kendall is an ace behind the plate as well as at it. He really is a complete player.

Defensively, Lawton is a massive downgrade: his .798 ZR in 2004 was worse than any other AL left fielder, aside from Manny Ramirez (.750). Yes, only Manny- the defensive black hole of Calcutta -was worse than Lawton in left. The Pirates got a .823 from their left fielders in 2004, fifteenth best in the NL, which suggests to me that the Pirates have, theoretically, downgraded one of the worst defenses in baseball.

I’ve defended the Pirates management in the past. Because I live in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh they are one the other teams I follow on a regular basis (along with the A’s). I can honestly say that this is one of the worst decisions I’ve seen the team make. Awful, truly awful. They’ve gotten the salary dump they’ve wanted, but they’ve gotten little talent in return. Lawton, whom I’m sure they think will replace Kendall at the top of their order, isn’t going to cut it. How can they convince Pirates fans that they are serious about winning when they make deals like this?