McKechnie Field AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
This past Friday was a deadline of sorts for Major League Baseball teams. It was the last day to option players that are either on the 40 man roster and hadn't played in the Majors last year or are currently injured. It is somewhat confusing; but the idea is that while both players are healthy right now, if something would have happened to either one before the end of Spring Training, they would have gained a year of Major League service.
With the cost-conscious Pirates (and every other smart team), if a certain player is going to start the year in the Minor Leagues, then you cut and option him now. Even the Nationals optioned phenom Stephen Strasburg before the deadline. The earlier the clock starts on a players' service time, the earlier he becomes arbitration eligible and the earlier he becomes a free agent. That means he gets his first crack at a big contract one year earlier. If nothing else this allows the Pirates to control the services of both highly ranked prospects Jose Tabata and Pedro Alvarez for at least one additional year down the road. Alvarez and Tabata are the two highest ranked position players in the Pirates organization. Tabata is a center fielder, but will begin the year in Indianapolis playing all three outfield positions. The Pirates' hope that current center fielder Andrew McCutchen will patrol that position in Pittsburgh for several years to come. The best chance for Tabata to get to Pittsburgh will be for him to be one of the corner outfielders. He will get the chance to hone those skills in Indy. Alvarez will continue at third base and hope that his development, defensively, grows as quickly as his offensive development. Although the Pirates would also like him to become a more complete hitter by getting better at facing left handed pitchers.
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