Walking the Plank: Looking ahead

Tuesday, 20 November 2012 23:18

Written by Michael Sanserino

A strange day in Pittsburgh. Apparently, a lot of elementary and middle school girls are sick with something called Bieber Fever. Sounds awful. 

Fresh off the 40-man/Rule 5 protection deadline, the Pirates saved a few players and left many more vulnerable. The Pirates have had players snatched in three of the past four Rule 5 drafts (at the MLB level, that is), so it is highly likely the Pirates could lose one of the remaining players when the draft is held in a little over two weeks. 

It's not a math issue with the remaining players (there is still an open spot on the 40-man roster, and a handful of players remain who will likely be moved when the Pirates start to add major league players via trade or free agency. Bill Brink will likely preview the Rule 5 draft as that date approaches. 

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Here is my article from today's Post-Gazette on the Pirates' roster moves. 

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A lot of interesting names were designated for assignment around the league. I'm not saying these are guys the Pirates should necessarily target (though I imagine they could take a look at a few of these guys), but they were names that caught my attention. 

The Red Sox DFA'd Ivan De Jesus, among four others. The Seattle Mariners DFA'd Chone Figgins (who hasn't been productive in two years) and Scott Cousins, who has already been claimed off waivers twice this offseason. 

Bryan LaHair was designated for assignment by the Cubs. That move is only surprising in the sense that he was an All-Star this season. I actually shared an airport shuttle with his brother, Jeff LaHair, on my way out of Kansas City. 

The Cubs are trying to find LaHair an opportunity in Japan. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the others are claimed in the coming days. 

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In news from the last decade, the Blue Jays have hired John Gibbons as manager. He inherits a very different situation than the one that greeted him in Canada in 2004.