Eastern League Future Star Spotlight-Pedro Alvarez

Pedro Alvarez was the #2 pick in the 2008 MLB draft of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Originally selected by Boston in the 2005 draft, he went to Vanderbilt instead. He is currently hitting around .300 for AA Altoona, and will be manning the hot corner for the Bucs sooner rather than later. He went 2-4 In yesterday's game, both infield singles. He joked after the game, "I''ll take them any way I can get them." I'm sure Pirates fans would agree. Here's some video from his final at-bat yesterday.

Sea Dogs/Altoona 8/6/09

Pedro Alvarez, Pirates Prospect returns to dugout after groundout

Matt Sheely #12 and Daniel Nava #43 discuss baserunning(or dinner plans)

Altoon First Baseman Miles Durham during a break in the action

Matt Sheely coaching first

All Photos Sponsored by Pierre's of Exchange ST

More later folks.

Teddy Roosevelt Doesn't Care About Your Purse

In our "Fun With Mascots" series, the 26th President and a Cougar tell the Pittsburgh Pierogi's to get that weak stuff out of their house.



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Manny Loves LA, Bay to Beantown, Pitt Restocks Farm

The Manny Ramirez saga finally came to a merciful end this afternoon, with the Dodgers snagging the disgruntled outfielder for Andy LaRoche and Bryan Morris (who were sent to Pittsburgh). The Pirates sent Jason Bay to Boston, who gave up Brandon Moss and Craig Hansen (also to Pittsburgh). The Sox are also playing Manny's salary for the rest of this year as well. Thanks to everyone in the live chat this afternoon for being there during this.

Instant Analysis? Manny gives the Dodgers the bat they have needed for years, Bay gives the Red Sox a more than capable replacement in left, and the Pirates get a much better haul than they did in the Nady/Marte deal. Like this deal all the way around.

Yanks/Bucs Update

The Xavier Nady/Damaso Marte trade does not include Phil Coke (who was pulled from his start last night against Portland) or George Kontos (apparently the deal didn't get finalized until the wee hours this morning). Jeff Karstens and Daniel McCutchen will be the pitchers headed to Pittsburgh to complete the deal instead. McCutchen is 8-9 with a 3.14 era between Trenton and Scranton this year. Karstens pitched for the Yanks last year during their starting pitching injury frenzy and was in Scranton all of this year. The Pirates are stating that the deal is done. Special thanks to reader "Anonymous" who gave me the head's up on this.

Yankees Land Nady and Marte

The New York Yankees have acquired Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte from the Pittsburgh Pirates for Jose Tabata, Ross Ohlendorf, Phil Coke (no jokes please), and George Kontos. I assume this means that the Yankees believe Hideki Matsui is not returning this season. Don't know what this means in terms of the DH jam that is going to happen with Posada, Damon and Giambi, but this helps the Yankees with their lineup against righty's, and also gives them a lefty in the bullpen they sorely needed. Tabata is probably the best prospect, a possible 5 tool guy, but has struggled in Trenton this year. Baseball America ranked him as the Yankees third best prospect in January, behind Joba Chamberlain and Austin Jackson, so he looks like the crown jewel of this trade for Pittsburgh. I will be interested to see if they still get Jarrod Washburn, and also how (or if) the Rays and Red Sox answer this deal in the tight AL East race. Good move for Cashman here (as long as Tabata doesn't turn into Barry Bonds).

Photos Courtesy of MLB.com