Analyzing the Neil Huntington Era- Part II

Well, it's time to look at Part II of my brakdown of the Neil Huntington era so far.  Today what we are going to look at is the draft. NH has been around for the last two MLB Drafts.  Before that, you know they story. The JVB's, Bryan Bullington and Chad Hermansen of the world was about all the organization had coming out of the draft.

NH has made a commitment to building through the draft.  In the two seasons, the Pirates have signed more draft picks and have spent almost as much money than any team in the game.  They realized the organization needed talent and that is the route NH & Cooneley have taken.

Now, there is more minor league talent then at any other time I can recall.  I especially have liked the approach they have taken to signing some of these guys.  Drafting the best players and buying college away from them has proven to be a success for the time being.  It's a much different approach from the Littlefield regime, which made a habit of drafting only signable players, no matter how bad they lacked talent.  Daniel Moskos instead of Matt Wieters, pretty much put the pressure on NH not to miss with his early picks.

Let's take a look back at NH's first draft, in 2008. Click Here to take a look at the complete draft.  Looking at his first overall selection as the GM of the Pirates, NH didn't shy away from Scott Boras client Pedro Alvarez, like had been done many times before. The negotiations with Alvarez literally lasted until the final second, but eventually Alvarez was signed and is on a fast track to PNC Park.

Look at the entire draft, but I will highlight just a couple of the top picks. Alvarez, naturally speaks for himself. He immediately became the teams top prospect. SS's Jordy Mercer and Chase D'Arnaud were taken in the 3rd and 4th rounds and both have upgraded the position. D'Arnaud is likely the SS of the future for the Bucs. Pitcher Justin Wilson was a 5th rd choice and OF Robbie Grossman was a sixth rd choice.  Grossman was set to go to college and NH added him to the system. If the threat of college wasn't there, he likely would have been a first round selection.  Another name, Calvin Anderson was selected in the 12th round. He has legit power and could be a big piece of the future.

One that got away in 08 was second round selection Tanner Scheppers, who wasn't signed and went back into the draft the following season.

Here is a breakdown of the 2009 draft.Click Here to take a look at all the selections.  One thing, is that the strategy was the same. Draft talented players and sign as many as possible.  Catcher Tony Sanchez was selected in the first round, 4th overall.  The pick was criticized throughout the nation, but juding from the fact that Sanchez signed quickly and got off to a fantastic start to his pro career, it looks like NH may have struck gold in the first round on back to back seasons.

One thing to note is that NH signed the teams top 14 picks, which is very impressive. Out of the top 14 signed, eight were pitchers.  Looking back, it looks as if NH is truly committed to his plan of building through the draft and re-shapping the organization. Drafts are so hard to judge for atleast three seasons, but so far, it looks as if NH is doing a much better job than his predecessor

My Notebook for the week

- I've been really into the NBA Playoffs again this year. Very odd because I don't watch as much in the regular season anymore (maybe because I'm a Knicks fan). Is there a better broadcast team in any sport than Mike Breen, Mark Jackson and Jeff van Gundy? Breen is the best play by play guy around. Jackson can analyze anything and Van Gundy can do the same but adds a lot of humor and one liners to the telecast. The three are tremendous together and really make the game entertaining to watch. I love Van Gundy. I hope he doesn't want to get back into coaching and stays where he is.

-I watched the MLB Draft today. How nice it is to have only 4 minutes between first round picks. You get all the information you need and it's on to the next pick.

-If the Nationals give Strausberg 50 mil, expect the MLB to push for slotting, similar to the NBA Draft. All sports should do that. How insane would it be for members of the Nationals to have this kid making more than any veteran on the team. Did i mention Scott Boras is his agent

-Out of the 4 major sports networks, MLB Network is hands down the best channel.

- I think it's odd to see Chad Johnson's name spelled Chad Ochocinco. Wouldn't it be great if he finally got his wish and got traded, but to a team with someone already wearing 85 and refused to give it up.

-Can't wait for the US Open. After Tiger's comeback last week. He could be ready for the Open. He won it last time it was at Bethpage.

-87 Homers hit at Yankee Stadium compared to 20 in San Francisco and 24 in Atlanta.

- How fitting that Tim Flyod turns down the Arizona job to return to USC and resigns from USC after allegedly being part of the Oj Mayo recruiting scandal. My theory has always been to assume all college football and basketball coaches are cheating until proven otherwise. The NCAA needs to take a stand with instances like this. USC could be put on probation, but Flyod will wind up coaching another team next season. It's time to drop the hammer on the coaches that get caught.

Manny Ramirez- enough already

People like to talk bad about the game of baseball and that sometimes bothers me, but in this case, it gets very hard to defend the game. What's bothering me now is the entire Manny Ramirez contract situation. I am all for a player waiting to sign the best offer, but this is getting ridiculous.

What exactly is going on on "Planet Man-Ram" these days. This guy is a phenomenal offensive player, but maybe all the side show antics have finally scared teams away. Manny continues to turn down a 2 yr/ 45mil offer from the Dodgers.

The problem here is no one else is bidding on Man-Ram. Maybe tanking it for a few months to force a trade really isn't a bargaining chip after all. Manny is seeking a 4yr 100 mil deal and it isn't gonna happen.

If Dodgers GM Ned Colletti ups his offer, then he should flat out be fired. Ned, YOU ARE BIDDING AGAINST YOURSELF. That is so bad for baseball if Manny gets a bigger deal when there is no reason to. Let his ass stay home for a while and then maybe he will want to play ball.

I understand a GM needs to put together the best team he can, and in the Dodgers case that includes signing Manny Ramirez, but you already went all in on him. The Dodgers don't have a backup plan. They held out for Manny and he's all that is left. The Dodgers have good young talent and adding Manny's bat alone could win the NL West, but they have to take a stand. Unless the Giants really get in the mix, the Dodgers are the only option at the moment. There is no way Colletti should cave in and give this clown what he wants.

However, the blame here isn't on Manny or even Colletti for turning this into the drama that it has become. I place this totally on Scott Boras. Boras continues to bleed franchises of money at any occasion he can get. Can you blame him though, if teams continue to give him what he asks. He represents the best of the best in the league and these guys will continue to get their money, and I don't have an issue with that. Every team has had an issue with Boras at one point or another. The Pirates clashed with him over the Pedro Alvarez contract. Many franchises refuse to deal with him, which puts teams at a disadvantage, because of the caliber of player he represents.

I hate to bring up the Bucco's again, but for years, they stayed away from Boras clients in the draft, and they are paying a heavy price for it. Look at the2007 draft, selecting Daniel Moskos instead of Matt Wieters. There are other instances, but the Pirates would be in alot better shape if Boras wasn't involved. That statement, by no means excuses the Pirates management for the many mistakes they've made in the last 15 years, but it did have some influence.

Somebody needs to take a stand against Boras before he helps cripple the game. Ned Colletti can take a stand. Unless the Giants or another team gets involved, don't cave into Boras and Manny. You will only look foolish for outbidding yourself and will ultimately give Scott Boras even more power than he already has.