Pittsburgh Pirates Need A Trade Partner For Jose Tabata For Christmas
By Justin Broyles
@Tweets_ByJ
Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates seem to be done with their offseason after the Winter Meetings. They have done their best filling every hole they had at starting pitcher, first base and the bullpen. But if the Pirates need to do one more thing before the season starts, they need to find a trade partner for Jose Tabata.
Tabata was one of the Pirates’ bright stars when he joined the big league club at the age of 22. Because of his young age and his solid play, the Pirates decided to give him a large extension. However, Tabata has not lived up to the deal. Instead, he has declined and finds himself off of the 40-man roster and playing for the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate. It does not look like he will be hitting the big leagues anytime soon.
Tabata was outrighted off of the Pirates’ roster because of the emergence of Gregory Polanco, who is one of the top prospects in baseball. Tabata will never replace Polanco on the roster, so his best chance to make the bigs would be as the team’s fourth outfielder. That is not likely to happen anytime soon because the team has Travis Snider, who has started to show signs that he can be a starting outfielder in the majors.
Because Snider makes less money, he is not going to be removed from the roster in favor of Tabata. Even if one of these players were to get hurt, the Pirates have younger players who they could call up instead of Tabata.
So since he is not on the roster, the Pirates need to dump Tabata and his salary. He will be making $4 million this season to play in Triple-A and that is not a price the Pirates can afford to pay. That $4 million could go a long way for the Pirates because they are a small market team and need to do the most they can with all of their money. Tabata’s money could go towards another free agent acquisition or could go to an extension to a young guy who has better prospects.
If the Pirates need one thing for Christmas, it should a team willing to take on Tabata and his large salary.
Justin Broyles is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @Tweets_ByJ, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
Ranking Miami Marlins' Top 5 Pitching Prospects
The Miami Marlins are stacked with young talent and developing players. Here are some of their best young arms heading into 2015. Read More
5 Future New York Yankees' Arms
The New York Yankees are always looking for an upgrade on the mound. Here is a look at their top five pitching prospects heading into 2015. Read More
Cubs' Starlin Castro Should Stay In United States
Starlin Castro was detained about his involvement in a shooting, and after suggestions that he may be getting targeted, it's time he spends most of his time in the states. Read More
Nats' Top 5 Pitching Prospects Going Into 2015
The Washington Nationals have a solid group of pitching prospects, and here is how they stack up heading into 2015. Read More
Jim Henderson's Return Huge For Brewers
Jim Henderson was expected to close for the Milwaukee Brewers last season. Though he was injured and lost his job in 2014, here is why he is the most important piece to the 2015 'pen. Read More
Juan Gutierrez Supplies Depth to SF Giants' Pen
The San Francisco Giants have re-signed Juan Gutierrez to a minor league contract, which adds more depth to an already deep bullpen. Read More
Cubs' Image Takes Hit With Castro Arrest
Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro hurt his image after being arrested Saturday in the Dominican Republic in relation to a nightclub shooting. Read More
Gattis Likely Gone After Braves Sign Pierzynski
Evan Gattis is very popular among Braves fans. With the signing of veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski, Gattis will likely be moved. Read More
5 Questions Surrounding Tigers Going Into 2015
Here are five question marks surrounding the Detroit Tigers heading into the 2015 season. Read More
Trout Primed To Be Next Face Of Baseball
With Derek Jeter retiring, Major League Baseball needs a new face for the sport. Twenty-three-year-old slugger Mike Trout fits the mold. Read More
Josh Bell is Pirates' First Baseman of the Future
Find out why experimenting with Josh Bell at first base will pay off big time for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Read More
Don't Sleep On The Minnesota Twins
The American League Central has been full of moves, but the Minnesota Twins moves have been quietly looked past. Here is why they have done things to put them back in contention in the Central. Read More