Pedro > Glavine

Possible off-season Pirate signing Pedro Martinez stated that he has no interest in playing for a team that would only be paying 'Glavine like money', saying that he would rather take a Derrick Bell leave of absence retire to his fishing boat.

As much as I would love seeing Pedro in a Pirate uni in '09, in the end i would much rather see the likes of Karstens, or Ohlendorf getting starts this season as opposed to Pedro.

USA! USA! USA!

John Grabow yesterday accepted his invitation as a provisional selection to the team after fellow left handed relieve Brian Fuentes was injured. Grabow is guaranteed a spot on the roster for the 1st round, but if Fuentes' arm heals then he can return to the team for the duration of the tournament. Grabow has probably been the Pirates most efficient Left handed reliever over the past few years and it is good to see him finally getting recognition for his work.

With the addition of Grabow to the roster that now makes 4 current players on the Pirates 40-man roster that will be participating in the W.B.C. Ian Snell and Ramon Vazquez are playing for native Puerto Rico, and Dave Davidson is with Team Canada.

Recap

Pre-season game for the Pirates, and tune-up for the Netherlands for the World Baseball Classic. Most importantly Pedro Alvarez made his first start at 3rd base, and responded by going 0-4 with 2 strikeouts and an error in the field. Jeff Salazar continues to swing one of the hottest bat's in camp by hitting a solo shot to seal the victory in the bottom of the 8th inning. Rule 5 pick Donald Veal struck out the side in the 6th inning, he has showed to date the power arm Coonely has discussed.

A few of the dutch have connection's with the Pirates including once Pirate 1st baseman/Sausage Race Smacker Randall Simon who is 'auditioning for a job', as well as pitching coach Bert Blyleven.


Stats

• Ohlendorf: (W) 2 IP 1 ER 0 K's
  
• Alvarez (0-4) 2 K's
• Garrett Jones (2-4) 3 RBI's
  

Notes

• No major arm trouble for Tabata, just sore and will be held out till the weekend.
• Burnett, Neal Walker, and a few others got raises.
  
• Craig Hansen recieved a raise today, he will be making $825,000 this season.
• Tim Lincecum will be making $650,000