The Bad News Bucs

Just a few days after Jim Tracy expressed his undying love for the man known as Jose K, the Pirates have sent him to Philadelphia in exchange for cash. The money will no doubt go into the pockets of the McNuttings. It's interesting, however, that it was Jose Hernandez who was sold. Either Jim Tracy genuinely appreciated having the veteran on the bench, or he was generating some artificial praise to make the man look good. If it's the former, then maaaaybe there's some dissent on the inside. This I could appreciate, because it doesn't matter who wins. Much more important is that either Tracy or Littlefield has to lose, and change is always better than status quo when your team is the Pittsburgh Pirates. Of course, if Tracy really was doing Littlefield's bidding and playing up Hernandez to entice the Phillies, then at least we got some cash.

I have been known to groan in disgust when I see Jose K in the Pirates' lineup or making a pinch-hit appearance, but I'll admit that he is probably a viable option for the Phillies. They were hurting for a bench/utility player, and K did have one or two game-winning hits this season. I was never a fan when he played here, but I wish the him and the Phillies luck. I also look forward to who the Pirates bring up to fill the resulting empty roster spot. It looks like they may be committed to working on the development of their younger players as they continue to purge the team of the remaining journeyman veterans. The team may not improve with the addition of younger players, but it'll at least be exciting to see some new faces.