Roster move and a question...

[imgreat95]

Randall Simon has been reinstated and Humberto Cota has been sent back to Nashville. Mac says that Simon will get most of the starts at 1B with Rivera getting the occassional start.

Personally, I don't like this idea. I would much rather see Rivera being allowed to play every day and see what we have with him rather than him being an occassioanl starter and a late inning defensive replacement. I wonder why it seems that they always do this with any prospects that we actually DO have.

Now for the question: I haven't been able to catch a great number of games recently, but when the heck did Rob Mackowiak get sent to Nashville?

[GiveHyzduashot]

I agree, Shawn ... Simon is what he is: a free swinging player who looks like Jason Giambi compared to the offensive improvement he gives the Pirates, but he's really an average offensive first baseman.

Rivera, meanwhile, has the ability to provide the same offensive production while playing MUCH better defense. While Rivera's struggles so far shouldn't be a concern given his history, his history also indicates he'll get better as he gets more experience ... look at 2001 in Altoona compared to 2002 in Altoona; it was night and day.

Rivera should be splitting time with Simon at first ... a lefty/lefty platoon isn't ideal, but I don't believe in the L/L matchup to the extent that Lloyd does.

Can't really say I am surprised by Mac's position, though ... when was the last time he played ANY of the Pirates prospects over a veteran?

Simon is no long term answer. He may not even be back with the Pirates next year, since he is arbitration eligible (I do think he will be back ... just the possibility exists he won't be). Rivera could be the answer for a long time. He could just as easily fail like every position prospect except Ramirez and Kendall has, but he also could be another version of a GOOD hitting first baseman.

Mackowiak was sent back to Nashville on June 11 ... pretty sure he was sent down when Stairs was activated.

[Greymire]

I wondered the same thing. I too, would have thought that Rivera would go down to get swings in, but he has flashed a great glove up here, so I suppose with KY being released. that that was a big consideration.