Frank Coonelly has been the Pirates’ president since late in the 2007 season. — GETTY
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
A weekly roundup of a lot of randomness from a lot of time around our city’s teams …
• The Pirates “certainly can and I suspect will” top the $90 million mark in payroll in 2015, Frank Coonelly told DKonPittsburghSports.com exclusively Thursday.
And yes, this will represent another significant increase, contrary to widespread misinformation and misrepresentation of the truth.
If you want bluster, click away. If you want facts, here you go …
The Pirates’ 40-man roster payroll for 2014, the one audited and verified by Major League Baseball’s accounting offices, was $82.1 million. While multiple other outlets were howling over payroll being in the low-$70 million range, this site informed you in the Sept. 5 Friday Insider that the actual projected figure for the full year was $82.4 million.
And it actually was a little more: Jose Tabata’s prorated portion of his $3 million salary technically was counted as part of Class AAA Indianapolis’ payroll after he was outrighted June 24. The same applies to Ernesto Frieri’s outright release Sept. 8. Even though he never pitched for Indianapolis, the same bookkeeping technicality applied the prorated portion of his $3.8 million salary.
Bottom line: Pittsburgh paid both contracts in full, including those that weren’t included by MLB accounting, so feel free to add another $2 million or so to that $82.1 million figure.
People love to cite opening-day payroll. It’s completely pointless. It’s nothing more than adding up the full-year salaries of the 25 guys suited up for the very first game. Should any team make a move after that game — even the very next day — that alters payroll one way or another, that silly opening-day figure somehow sticks all summer long. That’s why I’ve always preferred to wait until winter to see what’s actually spent or not spent.
So with that in mind, take a look:
Those are annual increases of roughly $7 million, $10 million, $13 million and $8 million.
Don’t know about you, but that looks like a pretty steady incline to me, especially when considering that local TV monies — the largest variable between teams — didn’t change much in that span. National money did, but it sure didn’t double.
Not that I’m trying to change the minds of the conspiracy nuts. That’s not possible, so it’s a waste of time. When some folks make up their minds based on incorrect information, no amount of correct information will alter a thing.
But for those grasping reality, let’s look ahead to what a $90 million 40-man roster payroll mean: According to Pirates Prospects, which tracks even minor-league salaries, the Pirates are projecting right now at $71.7 million. That data assumes arbitration outcomes, which isn’t easy, but it’s not far from what I’ve heard on the inside. That leaves about $20 million, maybe a little more, and everything I’m hearing is that most, if not all, of that money will be committed to starting pitching. The Pirates’ aim is to bring back both Francisco Liriano and Edinson Volquez, but they’re bracing for other options if one or both don’t pan out.
I’d like to see payroll even higher. The Royals were at $97 million in 2014, and their situations — on and off the field — are similar enough that there shouldn’t be any gap. For that matter, the Athletics were at $92 million in the worst sporting facility on the planet in a market they share with the world champs. The Pirates can do better.
But hey, at least that criticism is based on something real.
• It’s beyond cool that Coonelly took the time to answer my questions not only on a holiday but also right after running with 8,500 other Pittsburghers in our city’s annual Turkey Trot. He can have Good Dude honors for the week for both of those.
• The Steelers aren’t about to disrespect the backups who replaced Troy Polamalu, Ryan Shazier, Ike Taylor, Jarvis Jones, Steve McLendon and … man, am I missing anyone?
The defense has been decimated, as was detailed in Tuesday’s column. And even though some backups, notably James Harrison and Willie Gay, have fared well at times, the fact is, backups are backups for a reason, whether it’s skill level or just the stage of their careers. What’s more, backups also can be more valuable when simply left to their regular duty on special teams.
Best example on this roster: Antwon Blake, an exceptional gunner on kick coverage who has been asked intermittently to fill in at cornerback.
“Antwon, to me, is a guy who should be in the Pro Bowl,” Ramon Foster told me this week.
Right, but Blake’s added presence in the regular defense — in games and practice — might be why kick coverage that was extraordinary in September and October has just been so-so in November.
Basically, I’m trying to find a polite way to share with you here that there are a lot of people in that locker room happy that the starters are returning, and it isn’t just the starters.
I happen to think that’s healthy in a team setting and that the Steelers are stronger for it.
• Early in this NHL season, I described Christian Ehrhoff as looking like ‘a Buffalo Sabre for life.’ There’s no way that could be construed as a compliment, and it wasn’t. He looked pensive in his own end, he was among the most cautious in joining the rush, and he wasn’t even playing to his strength on offense, that being a booming one-timer from the right side.
Well, turns out I wasn’t alone in the observation.
I’m told that Gary Agnew, the Penguins’ new assistant responsible for the defense, saw some of those same traits and showed Ehrhoff footage from his time with the Sabres and compared it to better times elsewhere. And what both men saw was that Ehrhoff essentially didn’t trust his supporting cast. As a result, he’d hold the puck a second too long or simply dump it away. Much as he was doing in Pittsburgh in October.
Now, it’s much better, as has been plainly evident. On Agnew’s instruction, Ehrhoff is now passing, even into traffic, if he sees that it’s one of the Penguins’ top forwards at the other end. As Agnew admonished, “That’s Sidney Crosby over there. Believe me, he’ll find a way to catch your pass.”
All great plays in hockey start with someone trusting that it’s possible, right?
• Notice Steve Downie the angel the other night against Toronto?
No accident. Downie’s tough, but Rick Tocchet just might be one of the handful of toughest professional athletes in our city’s recent history. Any discussions will be won by the coach. And yes, there was one of those after the Long Island mess.
• I’ve pressed and pressed this week regarding any possible fallout should Pitt lose its finale Saturday in Miami, and all I get back is how things are on the ‘right track’ under Paul Chryst. Elaboration is extremely limited, other than pointing back to inherent recruiting difficulties after the Mike Haywood/Todd Graham debacles.
That stance is stale now, and it’ll be ancient history by 2015 if results don’t change.
• Asked Antonio Brown to take me through Odell Beckham Jr.’s ‘best catch ever’ last week, so I’ll open by showing it here, in the highly unlikely event you haven’t seen it:
This was AB’s take: “The key is to let your arm go with the ball. Let it arrive. Let it land.”
Land? Eli Manning threw a laser!
“Doesn’t matter. You’re still receiving. You have to receive. Let it come in for a soft landing. If you look at Odell’s hand, what he does is get under it, he just lets it go for a little more of a ride.”
What about the gloves? That was my first thought.
“Man, ain’t gloves got nothin’ to do with it.”
Broad smile. End of interview. AB wins, as usual.
• Pitt basketball’s loss of Durand Johnson to a season-long university suspension is a big blow, regardless of circumstance. But man, it doesn’t look good, either.
For one, although I’ve heard that the suspension is academic in nature, others dispute that, in large part because such a suspension would be for a semester rather than a full year.
For another, if it was more serious than academics, what in the name of the Blue Kahuna was Johnson doing out in Hawaii with his mates, splashing in the ocean as captured by ESPN’s cameras for a commercial bumper?
Jamie Dixon did make clear last week that Johnson would “remain part of our team” and continue practicing, but it’s hard to see how this particular time — a whole week halfway around the world — wouldn’t have been better invested in addressing whatever brought his suspension. The Pitt academic calendar shows classes were in session in Oakland through Wednesday.
• Even without Johnson and possibly still Cam Wright, Pitt will beat Duquesne in the City Game a week from today, if only because Pitt always beats Duquesne. At least that’s how it’s been each of the past 13 years, including the 2013 edition in which Ovie Soko somehow staked the Dukes to a halftime lead.
Or maybe Duquesne will have a surprise at hand: Jordan Stevens, a junior-college transfer, made his debut for the Dukes last weekend at Abilene Christian — he served a one-game team suspension in the opener — he dumped in 27 points in 28 minutes off the bench.
When Jim Ferry arrived on the Bluff, as he joked last week, “I was the best ballhandler on the team. And I’m a shooter.” But now he has Derrick Colter, Micah Mason and Stevens as legit options. So if Dixon decides to shut down one, as he did in the second half last year by smothering Soko, someone else theoretically could step up.
But to repeat: Duquesne will lose …. right?
• The Riverhounds were huddled in meetings all week talking about a serious re-branding. Seems a bit extreme to me, and I hope the result isn’t. The logo’s a bit dated, but both their predominantly black and predominantly gold kits are as quality as any on this side of the pond.
Ditch the blue, gentlemen. You’re in the city now.
• Anyone who ever compared the Hounds to the Power, you’ve got your answer now.
One is playing the world’s most popular sport on a $2 million field certified by FIFA, the international governing body, and in a $10 million dedicated stadium with support, financial and/or moral, from both Major League Soccer and the local corporate community. They won’t be big-league overnight and never promised that. But it’s at least feasible. And again, it’s not only a real sport being played in the interim. It’s the No. 1 pastime on the planet.
The other was playing bastardized, bumper-car football that was never going to be anything other than bastardized, bumper-car football.
• The ice at Consol will benefit immensely. Not my opinion, but that of those who use it.
• Second Good Dude, in the spirit of the holiday: Bill Guerin. Infectious smile, overwhelming presence, commanding respect and credibility … having him back on the Pittsburgh end of the Penguins’ operations could not possibly have worked out badly.
Thanks, Chris. On Twitter, I already heard from three different people who said they refused to click the link because they'd already made up their minds on this topic. Welcome to America 2014, Fingers in our Ears.
I'm saying that last year's payroll (82), plus that number that you've estimated (i think you've said 8. 8 makes good sense since they offered Burnett 11, but then went and got Davis at about 3. Therefore, they must've had $90 mil approved last year), agree with the number that Coonelly is throwing out there today.
The old information lines up well with the new information. That's all I was going for there.
Maybe this was super obvious already and that's why you said "Um," but I explained myself anyway.
The Saints have provided no help to Steelers against AFC North going 0-3 so far. Fully expect a Saints Super Bowl-like troll performance, which will make work unbearable this week.
Have to admit after all the years of losing its tough to repair the damage, even after the past two years. I appreciate the insight and hope to grow less skeptical as success continues. From your perspective what has changed from the Hoka Hey days and even AJ's first two years that didn't result in winning? I guess why was payroll so low for so long before it seems like a switch flipped?
about 5 years ago, I told family I was boycotting the Pirates until they spent money and spent it wisely. 3 years ago, I lifted the ban. last year , I bought a 20 game plan. it's not just winning, it's about ownership willing to invest to win.
Sorry that wasn't very concise, still a lot that needs to be fixed to make up for 20 years of losing. In an attempt to clarify, payroll has nearly doubled since 2010? Why was it so low for so long before a change? To me it still just seems like all of the negative press and accusations got to them and they started to spend more.
So, to be clear, the $71.7 million figure this year includes projected arbitration outcomes? I have definitely heard others in the pgh media state that Coonelly's promise of a $90 million payroll was essentially going to happen DUE to arbitration... If this ends up a close approximation of the post-arbitration figure, that makes me feel a whole lot better about the potential of signing Liriano and Volquez (or other starting pitching help). This also means that there is no excuse for them not to add another pitching piece or two, eh?
Great work, thanks for putting this together on turkey day :)
The $71.7 million, according to site that's cited, includes arbitration outcomes, yes. So there is $20 million still to spend under that scenario. And by that, I mean $20 million toward the 2015 season.
And yes, they MUST address the starting pitching. But they agree with this.
Glad to hear they agree with it. Would almost prefer they don't retain Volquez, sign Liriano, and then shoot for another reclamation project like Masterson or maybe Brandon McCarthy, given that he seems to love working with Cervelli.
Just subscribed....Do you foresee the payroll continuing to rise by 8 to12 million per year in 2016 and beyond as you mention it has in the last few years?
If they can't land Liriano and/or Volquez have you heard whom they may target? Do you have opinions on whom they should?
I don't have any information to substantiate that, and I'm no fan of speculating. I'll add, though, based on real information, that more of that national TV money will gradually work its way to all 30 teams. So there will be a natural upswing for all 30 that's rightly expected.
I am a bit confused here.
Earlier this year, when I quoted MLB's official payroll number for 2013, I was told I was wrong. Now today, I am seeing you used the exact same number. Confusing to say the least, DK.
.
I will wait and see what the payroll goes to. I am certainly hoping good acquisitions are made to bump the number up, but as with most things with the Pirates, I will wait. Hope, but verify.
.
The Durand Johnson saga is beyond bizarre. Makes no sense. The correct thing was done, but the story just doesn't seem to add up.
.
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.
What incentive do the Pirates have to make this information public now? Why not just spend the money and then let the figures do the talking themselves at the end of the offseason? As a fan, I always like having access to more information; I just don't get why FC would go on the record with this now.
Ehrhoff is playing much better. Been awhile since I've seen a one-timer blast on net from the right point off a cross ice pass.
No settling of puck and then letting go a wrister off the glass, as we've all seen too often.
I know this is anathema to suggest after years of "wait until the prospects come" but looking ahead to 2016 and the very real possibility that Glasnow, Kingham, and Tallion all arrive (if not sooner) is it best to do multi-year deals (because that is what it will require) with both Liriano and Volquez?
It seems to me that signing both Liriano and Volquez to multi-year deals still makes sense. It's unlikely that all three prospects will be key parts of the rotation by 2016, just based on the odds of prospects developing "on schedule" and moving into big roles. If they do end up with a glut of good to excellent starters - either under contract for multiple years in the case of Liriano and Volquez, or under team control in the case of the three prospects, plus Cole and some mix of Morton, Locke, and Worley, they have outstanding trade bait. To me, that sounds like an ideal situation.
Thanks DK! Definitely pleased with what you're reporting. Guess it's tough to differentiate what had been lies for so long and what isn't. Thanks again, just searching for some closure on that whole 20 years mess.
DK, SPOT on in your response to Keith. The Pirates ranking in the bottom 3 if my memory serves in REVENUES GENERATED is a FACT that the "Nutting is cheap" crowd just NEVER addresses. NEVER. They prefer to spew about sellouts and ski lifts and that this owner 'will never spend with the rest of the owners of MLB so he should just sell' regurgitated crap that is fueled by some on the airwaves and in print. It is uneducated and unfactual ranting.
That energy could be much better placed in ranting about the real problem...and that is the lack of a salary cap structure in MLB. That allows for huge revenue disparity that leads to huge payroll disparity. That is something I'd think we ALL could agree on. Guess it just isn't as much fun as pillarizing Nutting, Coonelly and Huntington....
I don't need to. I know their revenue streams aren't nearly that of other teams. I'm just pointing out that their increased spending didn't happen in a vacuum. And doesn't mean anything when it comes to retention of good players. I'm trying to illustrate that just spending more doesn't mean a lot if everyone else is also keeping pace.
the real issue is why they can't do better in comparison to other teams. In NY, BOS and other towns it's obvious.
But for whatever reason, bad TV contract, no parking revenue, whatever, they aren't even keeping up with teams they SHOULD be able to keep up with. Fixing those areas, and a salary cap of course, is the only way to fix that.
As I understand it they get none of the parking revenues. As far as the TV deal, they bet against their own success in favor of a longer, smaller and certain amount. You yourself have said the deal wasn't very good.
I don't get the anger here. All I'm saying is that while it's true that payroll has gone up, it hasn't put them in a more powerful standing when compared to the rest of baseball. the options to do so are limited. Some by their own hand. some, such as geographic location, can't be changed. The only thing that WILL put them in a better position is a salary cap. and there's no chance of that happening.
I don't know about Mr Coonelly, I have several friends that are pretty much fed up with the administrative FO regarding how they are handling them with ticket renewals. One example, and I quote (but second hand), look honey I got 500 people waiting to buy these tickets, I don't have time for this. Make up your mind.
The PBC has a great opportunity right now to change all the negativity from the past for the tremendous fan base. Now is not the time to get cocky. For that and other reasons, I do not trust Mr Coonelly. I want to say though, my ticket agent, Val, is first rate.
The only complaints I'm aware of are from 20 game ticket holders who *irrationally* think they a right to hold onto to their seats regardless of demand for full and half season renewals. Such a world view just doesn't make sense; there would be NO 20 game plans as currently constructed (Saturday and Sunday plans) if demand were higher. See for example the "Share Plan" arrangements for Lexus Club and PBC.
That said, would you like to share more concrete details? I've *never* been treated poorly by a rep. Full disclosure: I am a Full Season holder in the grandstand as of the 2014 season, having been a 20 game holder prior to that.
I must admit, I used to dislike both FC and NH, but Mr Huntington has changed my mind. Whatever he has to spend, I think he will do it wisely. I wouldn't mind him trying to extend Cutch sometime, I know Cutch is locked in for 4 years, but give him an extra million or two for his years, get another option year or two. Just saying.
DK, I'm a little confused about the Pirates' payroll. You say Coonelly expects next year's payroll to top 90M, and then you specifically cite overall payroll rather than opening day payroll. This gives me the impression that the 90M figure refers to overall payroll. Typically, that overall number is 7-10M higher than the opening day number. So that would mean we should expect the Pirates to have an opening day payroll in the low 80M range, giving them about 10M to spend this winter. But a couple paragraphs later, you say that they have about 20M to spend, which suggests that the 90M figure refers to opening day payroll. Which is it? Obviously it's an important issue, because getting a good starter for 10M will be tough, while getting one for 20M would be pretty easy.
Nothing confusing about it. I'm dealing in real money in every figure except the $71 million projection. No need to take that part literally or, for that matter, cynically.
I don't understand your response here. I'm not being cynical; I'm just asking for clarification. You point out that opening day payroll is a different figure than overall payroll, so I'm just asking if Coonelly's 90M figure represents opening day payroll or overall payroll. If it's the former, then we've got about 20M to spend this winter. If the latter, then we should expect opening day payroll to be in the low 80s, meaning we only have 10-12M to spend this winter. I just want to know which is correct, as you seem to imply both at different points in the article.
I feel like I wrote off the hiring of Gary Agnew too early, as a throw in just to say that the Pens have another assistant. He has really changed my opinion on him though from everything I've seen so far.. What he did with the PK after the initial struggles and then this, he seems to be on top of things.
Royals are at 97 and Athletics are at 92, Pirates are still way below those two teams last year at 82. With the fans responding to having a good team, was hoping Pirates would get the hint that the city would support a winner. Looks like they have gotten the message. Now it's just time to see action on their part. Get some starters and bullpen arms, and pray Pedro can reinvent himself.
To be perfectly blunt, I still find our city's support of the Pirates to be woefully pathetic. We just had the RECORD year for our franchise, yet only ranked 15th in attendance with DIRT CHEAP tickets. The woeful Cubs out drew us! St. Louis out drew us by over a million!
No i'm highly confident that Pitt WILL win the City Game. Even with their struggles and the loss of Durand Johnson, they still have enough talent to be the Dukes of all people. That i'm very certain of, and I didn't even have to think twice about it.
When large market teams can afford ~$200 million payrolls, discussing the differences in the pirates precise payroll amount isn't as big of a deal as people make it
Market has nothing to do with anything. Fight the euphemisms. What's the No. 1 'market' in the NHL, the one with the greatest population or the one with the greatest fan base in terms of attendance, TV ratings and merchandise sold?
OK DK, lets not call it a" market".
How about Maximum Possible Fan Base, and the revenue that encompasses. Ticket sales,TV, merchandise ect. (I know you just love the Caps)
NY, LA, and Chicago have a much, much larger MPFB than Pgh. No matter what you call it they have the potential for much more revenue. All still points to the need for a cap in baseball.
The Pens have captured a much higher percentage of that base. If the Bucs could do the same do they move up to mid-revenue? Would that even matter w/o a cap?
Thanks for the Friday insider. I have only one small quarrel. James Harrison is characterized as a back-up to Jarvis Jones, I believe. I can't accept that Jarvis Jones could ever win a starting job over James, particularly if they both started training camp together. I want the best for the Steelers, which means I want the best for JJ. But, I believe Harrison's rough play in 2012 was injury based, and 2013 was system based. He's still a great OLB, right now, today. It may not last, but my view is that the Steelers are a better defense with him in than they could be with JJ, no matter how positive a few of his games where this year. Yes, I am a Harrison fan, but not a blind one.
One thing I haven't been getting is the "market (size) has nothing to do with anything" argument. When would the Pirates ever be able to recognize as much from local market broadcast revenues as, say, the Dodgers do?
Separately, I think I've read that the A's have not paid any rent for using O. Coliseum for last few years. They're being sued for back rent, but seem to think they don't have to pay. They now have a new lease and some vague commitments to figure out how to build new stadium attached. But I "think" (though not sure) that new lease is essentially for free, outrageous as that sounds
I think that what DK has been saying, in part, is that the term "market size" inaccurately portrays revenue as the central reason for the inequity among teams in MLB, and takes the focus off the real problem - rules that allow "market size" to be an issue. The issue DK has discussed is that MLB is the only major sports league operating without a salary cap (and floor) to create a level starting point among all of the teams. In the other leagues, you never even hear about "market size" influencing a team's competitiveness because the rules have eliminated it as a problem. Every team in the other leagues has an equal chance to win a championship if they are run well and play well, and an equal chance to be awful if not.
I get the part about a spending cap/floor -- I have long been in favor of such. Furthermore, am always glad to see it argued for here. But *until* that day comes (which doesn't look likely in near future), "market size" and ALL the different ways one cares to measure what that may mean, is the reality we are dealing with in the present. That reality is why we cannot keep Russell Martin, tried as we might, just as it is why the BoSox can ink Panda AND Ramirez to contracts, both bigger than Martin's, on the very same day.
You know what the ladies say about size...
Excellent on the Hounds. I would welcome a crest-like logo change and that's it. Maybe based on the city seal?
Love the Pirates coverage, too. That's some powerful financial reporting, and backs what Nutting said about spending money. None of it is surprising - the front office has basically done what they've said they're going to do. These guys have earned trust.
Also, please pass on compliments to Mssr. Messmer - the graphics for the site are such a wonderful adjunct to the content. Well done!
Your very nice graph calls it a gradual rise, my eye sees a quite dramatic rise.
Almost double in 4 years, albeit starting from a pretty dismal number. None the less still quite impressive.
It would appear that the money has been well spent, as the product on the field has improved, if not quite in lockstep with the cash, close enough.
Attendance has improved as well .
Will that trend continue as more money is spent?
I could see the Bucs needing to gamble a bit this year and go to maybe a 100 mil if warranted for sound baseball reasons. Maybe picking up a pitcher or two for a bit more that they would normally spend. Or if Pedro does not work out at 1st, aggressively going after a solid 1st baseman.
Nice graph and nice to hear that $90M is possible.
Problem is that it will take $100M+ to compete with the rest of the NL central and have a shot at ending the 35 year streak - the one that matters to me.
Bringing back Liriano and Volquez is logical - but unless one of them transforms himself magically they are both middle of the rotation arms - as is Burnett at best. The Pirates lack an ace at this point - a true top of the rotation guy. Perhaps Cole can step into that role - at times he looked like it last year - but not over the entire season. Baumgartner, Wainwright, Kershaw, Cueto are real difference makers for their teams - and they cost a lot more than Frankie and EV will.
I would prefer to see the Bucs target a Shields and then add one of the two - Liriano OR Volquez. Big Game James eats up innings and is a true top of the rotation guy - he will probably cost $20M and put the Bucs closer to $100M - but that is where they will need to be to compete IMHO.
My issue with the Pirates has always been more about poor player evaluation, poor player development and a unwillingness to admit mistakes, than it was about payroll. I'm sure money was (and is) part of that, but more money is just lipstick on a pig if you don't do better in those areas. Money won't fix the problem. I am encouraged that they are doing better at evaluating the players they sign, the young players seem to be developing better, and they are willing to cut bait if something isn't working out. Increased payroll and smarter decision-making should make for a brighter future.
Here's an example of what Max has always said - IT ALL STARTS AT THE TOP! Who picks the players, who coaches the players, who designs the systems, who calls the plays, is what wins games.
e.g. Put star players (Pens?) into the wrong system, and what do you get? Early playoff exits.
I'm not as worried about the Pirates pitching as I am their first base situation. I'd rather spend money acquiring a legitimate 1bman who can fill that spot until Josh Bell arrives. Alverez strikeouts in key spots is beyond frustrating and Sanchez cannot hit lefties which the Pirates see a steady diet of. I certainly appreciate the fact 1b is a position you need to get power from but you need to get some amount of batting average from the spot. The Pirates can overcome their pitching challenges they have at present with some of their experience they have in the farm who have shown flashes of brilliance but will not be able to overcome their 1bman woes.
great post Trapped, except for the fact that most of your facts are wrong. 1) The Pirates face lefties a very small perentage of the time, not a 'steady diet'. 2) Sanchez is actually above league average the past few years in hitting lefties.
I'm not opposed to a 'legitimate 1bman' but who do you think that is that is available at this point?
Max is always amused when columnists explain what a significant improvement coach xyz has made in the performance of player abc. Or how the new coach's system is such an improvement.
But then let someone say coaches/managers are responsible for wins and losses, and, no, no, no, Players win games. Hee hee hee.
I'm always amused how Max never places any onus on the performance of the players. They're just giant chess pieces to him that will react and/or perform however they are ordered.
The main problem with money is that you have to spend it wisely. Pirates could have matched Jays offer for Martin but that would not have been wise. Same as in draft, high choice good but has to right one, not a John Van Benschoten type.
Pirates payroll is about $70 million right now so there's plenty of room to add the pitching necessary to compete for the division. Time for the GM to step up.
Milo, as a NYY observer, what is your take on Cervelli? Obviously (with apologies to Coach Tomlin) he's not Martin. And, the guy has been the Beau Bennett of the Yanks from a health standpoint. But, do you think he's a quality catcher if (big if) he can stay healthy? Or, just a career backup?
There's certainly talent there, especially defensively. Heck, AJ preferred to pitch to him over Jorge Posada. But, as you sharply pointed out, he's Beau Bennett. He's always hurt. And here's something you might not have read in the analysis. He's going to rub some (OK, maybe a lot) people the wrong way. He may be like AJ in that we'll love him but opponents & some media guys (OK, Ron Cook) will not. He's never bothered me but he hasn't played enough to bother me. Bottom line - I think he can play if he stays on the field.
I "hope" the returning Steelers defensive starters greatly improve the team's performance as many are saying. But, I don't "expect" it. Who among those guys can be considered better than league average at his position right now? Troy is borderline HOF, but he's a shell of his former self. Taylor was bad before the injury. I like McClendon a bit, but he's no sure thing. The young LBs have proven nothing. I remain hopeful but highly skeptical.
I may be alone, but I hope EV is not brought back on a multi-yr deal. He had a very nice season, but I thought there was a lot of good fortune involved. When you strikeout less batters & your stats improve, it's a red flag for me that you might not catch as many breaks going forward. I'd take him for one yr, but he won't do that.
I believe Troy is the only LIKELY Hall of Famer on the roster. AB is one of the best in the game, but he needs to keep it up for years to come. Big Ben is not a likely HOFer at this point, in my opinion.
Good comment, Cobra. By "borderline" HOF, I meant I think Troy is about even money to make it. I want him in, though.
Ben is pretty much at his peak, already has 2 rings & a 3rd SB appearance. He is in the compiling stats phase of his career now. If he puts up 3-4 more good years after this one, it will be tough to keep him out. If he gets to another SB as well, I think he's close to a lock.
Opening day payroll was down last year compared to the year before. Does DK dispute that?
Lots of weasel words and fuzzy math being used to come up with this $90 million number. The opening day payroll will not be up significantly over last year's and that will mostly be due to arbitration.
Basically, the Pirates will add no free agent of note this offseason. It will be another year of dumpster diving and getting some reclamation projects.
I'm proud that we have a team to truly be proud of, even if there were bumps in the way, and based on your information, I'm confident they are throwing very much all the extra they have into making the team better, without crippling all flexibility.
1) Why the fixation on OPENING DAY PAYROLL? I assume you are among the many fans who implore the Bucs to make in-season (especially at Trade Deadline) moves to improve... is that not important ? Isn't it logical to look at actual $$s deployed over the full season?
2) Raises to current players, 'arbitration', is part of operating an MLB club -- is that payroll somehow illegitimate or 'fuzzy'? I suppose the Pirates could just RELEASE those players and avoid paying the raises.....
3) Pirates have already signed AJ, who at least I believe is a reasonably a 'free agent of note'.
4) If the pirates in fact do not add a starting pitcher of note before opening day, then I will join you in lobbing criticism to NH and FC, but until then I see no reason to start foaming at the mouth.
while I think Huntington is one of the worst GMs in baseball and a below average judge of talent outside the 1st round of the draft you can not dispute they spent more money last year than the year before. Don't forget the ending roster was different than the beginning and they had to pay Tabata to play in the minors, Wandy to play nowhere, Pedro to hardly play etc.
Just because they have 15 million to spend on player a and he doesn't sign doesn't mean they don't spend that 15 million on a replacement and locking up one of their players to a longer term deal (like Marte)
How much did they owe Wandy Rodriguez and since he was "injured" after being released could they collect on any insurance? If only they could find someone to take that team friendly contract of Tabata or we'll have another spring of "he looks great"
That's it. I've had enough. I'm going to need an opening day payroll figure, a June 15th figure, an Aug 1st figure, and a Sept 30th figure with notarized signatures attesting to their accuracy from Nutting, Coonelly, Huntington & Hurdle by the end of business today. Otherwise, I know they are still hiding something. :-)
I was trying to illustrate what I feel is the absurdity of some regarding Bucs payroll. Even when a definitive statement is made by the team as to how much they expect to spend this year, which is more than we have ever gotten in the past that I recall, it is parsed by some fans and the goalposts are moved.
In fairness, FC has brought some of this mistrust on himself and the team with his many blunders in the past. But, all I want to see this yr on this topic is spending in the $95M range. I expect the money offered to Martin for 2014 to now be reallocated for 2014 pitching. I believe that will be done. If so, I expect NH will make intelligent decisions to improve the team.
That catch was great but I think the "greatest ever" are ones made under pressure that mean something like the Giants WR catch in the Super Bowl or Lynn Swann in the big game or even Franco Harris immaculate reception.
It never fails to amaze me how Santonio Holmes catch -which I consider the "best ever" when you factor in difficulty of hand work, body control, ballerina-like toe-tapping X import of moment"-- has pretty much ceased to exist in everybody's mind.
Rise in payroll is nice n'at, but you are right, they need to spend more. Boston certainly is. The market price for an all star quality catcher is $80m over five; don't even start with an outfielder like Stanton. And salaries are only going to go one direction absent the never-gonna-happen cap. An increase of $10 m is diddums.
If serious, ownership needs to step up. Play or pass. This ownership passes. Just wish they would be honest about it. Really wish they would sell to someone who will stroke the check.
So, teams should spend money that they don't have to buy players that they can't afford just to make people like Wally happy?
No thanks. I prefer people like Wally not being inside PNC Park anyway... My suggestion: show your displeasure and move to LA or Boston! I don't care how much that costs you or changes your income. SHOW THAT YOU'RE REALLY SERIOUS about winning and move to a city with a ball club that spends more. Step up man. Else you're not serious about winning.
Glad Nutting has seen fit to double the payroll since 2010, but let's face it, the guy had enough money to buy, not one, but two ski resorts, in the same timeframe. With increased money from revenue sharing and national TV, increased attendance, ticket prices and, I'm sure, other sources, the payroll should have gone up. He gets no credit for that from me.
The guy is invested in three things- back water ski resorts (HV and SS- subject to weather whims and one of which is DEATH to all previous ownership), a ton of backwater print media (ask DK how rosy the future prospects are there), and the Pirates. NEVER going to spend with the big boys in MLB.
I'll bite. Why does Nutting require 'credit' from you or any fan? Facts are pretty clear to me, the Pirates have increased revenues the past few years and have put that $$ into the payroll. I don't have the revenue broken out by year but probably a very strong correlation between the increase in revenue and the increase in payroll.
I do understand the viewpoint of some fans that owners of teams should just 'stroke checks' and spend whatever it takes to win regardless of the balance sheet, I just don't share that belief. And I'm still waiting (Tigers perhaps notwithstanding) the first example of ownership that regularly spends more than their revenues. The floor is yours, anyone out there that believes it happens. Go ahead. Please. I'm waiting.
so they raise ticket prices & have been getting sellouts out the ass & now they are going to raise the payroll a whole 8 M dollars? WOW that gets me all tingly !!!! .................................................................................................. NOT!
You do realize that this was a record season for the Pirates and the only ranked 15th in attendance with DIRT CHEAP ticket prices? What "sellouts out the ass" are you talking about?
Gee, I wonder if they put the $$$ into signing some players they historically watch walk away- rather than using it to pay down debt ("putting it back into the club")- they might actually be able to keep stars and fan favorites, and put a championship team on the field, and ... BOTH raise ticket prices and sellout the season. They might actually make MORE money trying to win. Meshugganah.
And imagine the leverage the ensuing ratings would have on their next TV contract - assuming Coonelly is sober when he's negotiating it...
Maybe the Pens should take a chance on Alex Semin. He's got the talent and maybe no nonsense coaches like Johnston and Tocchet will be able to get it out of him. He's been a healthy scratch lately in Car and the 'Canes might be willing to eat a couple million of his salary to move him on.
I definitely agree that it was/iss pretty bizarre on the Duran Johnson situation, but I trust Jamie's judgement here as I'm guessing he's trying to keep the kid engaged in hopes that he'll come back next year and not leave the program.
On Chryst, I agree next year is definitley a make or break year because the excuse of recruiting is no longer valid. I will say, I think he has the offensive talent and execution moving in the correct direction, but the defense needs some serious work on both the recruiting and coaching front. Hopefully they pickup a Boyd/Conner type players for that side of the ball to help next, plus it will be another year for Voytik and Bertke WILL be pushing him for time next year.
1) dk, I've really enjoyed reading comments greater than 240 characters. Hat tip to commenters for keeping it concise.
2) it's my belief that the payroll is 100% the result of NH using cpu models to dictate a player's salary range. In other words, it has nothing to do with nutting being cheap. i believe NHs cpu determines payroll as much or more than nutting. This is why we'll never see the bucs go for the top of the FA class. So if we have $20mm left in the budget, why not go for a bona fide ace? Because the cpu calculation/ratio says not to. Just my opinion. Fwiw this isn't a complaint.
For once, can we ALL just be satisfied that we have a playoff team with an upward trajectory and quit getting ___ hurt that we are not spending like the Dodgers? When we have nowhere CLOSE to the revenue stream of them?
It's like the people who think the Steelers are pre-destined to win the Super Bowl ever year. It's lunacy!
DK DO YOU THINK THERE IS ANY CHANCE THE PIRATES WOULD FLIP WALKER AND HARRISON ,HARRISON WOULD GIVE YOU MORE RANGE AT SECOND AND WALKER MAY BE ABLE TO STAY HEALTHY,BY STAYING AWAY FROM THE CONTACT AT SECOND . HARRISON CAME UP AS A 2ND BASEMAN AND WALKER PLAYED THIRD IN THE MINORS
I "certainly can and I suspect will" become a world-renowned heart surgeon, if I spend the hundreds of thousands of dollars necessary to go to medical school, serve an internship and residency, become an expert in my field, and perform thousands of cardiac procedures. My point is, spend the money at your disposal, Pirates Front Office, and don't wait to see how the market plays out, because then the players you've targeted will be part of other teams. And then more and more fans will have a coronary.
On Durand Johnson frolicking on the beaches of Maui. I hear Jamie Dixon isn't particularly happy with the suspension handed to Johnson by the Pitt administration, not Dixon himself. He feels the entire season is excessive. If Johnson's presence with the team in Hawaii is seen as the slightest of middle fingers to the academic arm of the athletic department, Jamie is fine with that.
Has nothing to do with being cheap or not. Owners don't spend from their own pockets in pro sports. No owner does on a regular basis. Anywhere. Only fans of this particular franchise seem to think so.
Dk, I'm not sure that is entirely true. I know I've read that mark cuban operates the mavericks at a loss because he wants to spend over the cap to be competitive. Maybe that was inaccurate? I am also under the impression that the Tigers owner uses personal money to finance the payroll. Is that inaccurate? If i find a link to either, I'll post.
Don't know if this is credible at all, but this is as close as i found in 5 minutes. I don't care enough on the subject to dig further as i agree with dk's overall point that it just fuels the thoughtless narrative. Just thought that 1 or 2 actually existed.
Exactly my point DK. The truth is that owners don't spend from their own pockets and Buccos fans seem to think that Nutting should and because he does not he is therefore cheap.
JFN is a Kool-Aid drinker, swa them for years with Failsma too, always was someone else's fault MAF, Bad Luck, Injuries, Shero, Sid & Geno. BUT Never Failsma's absolute refusal to adjust to what the other team was doing to them, just MORE Stretch passes & inane slogans like "Get To Our Game" or "Who Will Wear The Cape"
Seconded and thirded. Easy to be seduced by the fact that he has a shot Kovalev would've envied, but I watched a lot of him when he was a Cap. Terrible player in a lot of ways. If they kept stats on attack zone penalties, he'd be the all-time leader. He nullified so many power plays with that garbage. He can provide the prettiest highlight reel shots ever, but man, he's a mess. (And perhaps it's time we all retire "highlight reel." What year is this? Next I'll be using "I gotta tape tonight's game.")
The Steelers are painfully thin at RB, but I think there's 0% chance they would sign him. I question whether any other team would sign him this year, either. They'd be taking on a PR nightmare for a guy who doesn't have much left.
As everyone was saying, if Pirates spend more money they will have a competitive team.
Voila. Look at that trend and last 2 years Pirates were in the playoffs.
Regarding Johnson of Pitt,
Myself and many others have stated it was NOT academic.
If it were academic, it wouldn't be in the middle of a semester. Clearly he wouldn't be going to Hawaii as finals coming up.
Most likely drugs and 3 offense (Pitt unstated policy).
I'm all for reforming the system via a salary floor (and cap). But as long as it is what it is, we need to at least attempt to compete within it. It's pretty simple. You borrow against franchise value at 2.5-3%; the value of the franchise increases by at least 4% a year (if not more) based on Fortune and other sources (they're not making more teams, and rich people want to own them). You don't go into your own pocket, and you can spend a lot more than whatever your lousy deal with Root Sports provides. You're still extremely rich, and your family wealth is increasing. I haven't looked at KC's numbers, but there's no good reason why KC should have an end-of-year figure that is $15M higher than ours, except that essentially that extra money is being pocketed here. My intuition (based on back of the envelope math) is that the Bucs should be able to operate in the $110M range without too much difficulty and still making a nice return on investment for Mr. Nutting.
I absolutely love this site. Couldn't be happier with the subscription, customer service, and high quality content provided!
I get that the Pirates can't pay out more than they bring in. Not asking them to do so. They're running a business, and have every right to turn a profit... Certainly no responsibility to deficit spend. I would take it one step further and say that no MLB team operates with a significant chance of losing money... They're not going to pay out more than they can be VERY certain they'll bring in.
But look at that chart and think a little deeper. If they've truly been putting it all back into baseball, that means that over the last 5 years, they've gained $40M in annual revenue, and expect to gain another $10M this year if they're going to . That seems like a CRAZY increase to me, one that leaves me a little skeptical that they've been spending as much as they can, especially when teams in similar situations like Milwaukee, KC, Cincy, etc are regularly about $10-$15M higher.
Like you said DK, revenues have been rising, but have they doubled? I know that the Bucs spend on more than just the 40-man... But I'm having a hard time believing that, assuming the Pirates are making a reasonable profit now (which I would fully expect them to do), they didn't haul in a ton of money in 2010. The math doesn't add up. And given that, it makes me wonder whether that profit they'll turn this year is "reasonable" or whether they're still raking in the cash while playing the "small market" card.
I'm sorry if that leaves me a conspiracy nut in your mind, but I think it's a perfectly reasonable question to have. I have a hard time understanding why they can't go up near $100M, and given they're a playoff caliber team, I wonder whether another $10-15M in payroll would have enabled a player that could have helped them win 2 more games, and given them a division title and a 5 game series instead of one and done.
Dachsund, i would posit that you're questions are valid but your assumptions are not.
1) payroll was 40mill. not because revenue was low, but because bucs had just traded away all the vets and were paying young guys. As those young matured, so did their salaries. Pieces were added along the way as the team got more competitive, so payroll climbed.
2) so what did nutting do with the unused revenue when payroll was 40mm? We don't know except that ALL nutting's co-owners insist there weren't any distributions in those years. We can assume it went somewhere in the organization.
3) why aren't we spending $100m-115m? Because, presumably, NHs computer models tell him there's no guy out there worth a contract that would push payroll to that level.
I honestly don't see this as a nutting/revenue issue. It's much more NH/roster management/lack of a cap in my opinion.
It's amazing to me how many people flat-out missed the part in this piece where I say the Pirates' payroll isn't enough. How does that happen? Should I put it in bold-face, all-caps next time? Advice, please. :)
Jordan - I agree that it's entirely possible that the budget may be there to spend, but that NH may be unwilling to commit his resources to get top talent, but... What GM would leave $20+M of money unspent? And if they COULD have a $100M payroll, then what happened to that $18M from last season? My guess would be that while they may not be distributing money, they ARE likely paying off team debt, which is directly increasing the value of the team for all of the owners.
DK - My read was that your focus was mainly on that they DID increase payroll. I took your conclusion to mean that they could still do better, but that you were satisfied with the increase they made... Not that they didn't do enough.
I will be convinced that Nutting really wants to win and its not about money when the Pirates land one of those big named players that they are always in on at trade trade deadline or in free agency who makes a big buck but never seem to get. You know the player who just might put them in the World Series.
Yes! Do it for the symbolism! Sign a billion-dollar-a-year player even if it means not supporting a real major-league roster around him just so we all FEEL BETTER about the owner's commitment! Sign me up!
The pitching staff, as currently constructed, has one top level guy in Cole and a slew of bottom of the rotation types... Morton, Worley, Locke, Burnett. I want them to get another top level guy, and while I don't directly care what they're paying him, that type of pitcher isn't likely to come cheap. But the Bucs have never spent $10M/year on a free agent, and until they do, I'm not going to believe they will.
Historically, with the possible exception of the Wandy deal (and even then, Houston paid a lot of his contract), the Bucs have chosen to go bargain hunting. To their credit, that's worked out for them well more often than not. But I'd love to see what Searage could do with a pitcher who was already near the top of his game versus another reclamation project.
So let me get this straight: You would have rather then signed Russell Martin to a ridiculous 80+M contract vs. having the ability to retain and/or being in 2 SP, which is exactly what is NOT in robust supply?
We can't be the Brooklyn Nets. I agree that we should be spending up to the Padres and Brewers. We're working on it as DK's chart CLEARLY shows.
As insane as the "Nutting's cheap!" crowd can get, I swear the opposing viewpoint is just as bad when it comes to straw men.
Where was Martin mentioned? Opinion, at least on this site, seemed pretty unanimous that the Pirates were wise to pass on Martin given the price they would have had to get him.
Unless I'm forgetting someone, Martin's 2 year, $17M contract stands as the biggest FA signing the team has ever made. Given what I see as the team's current needs, and that there are a number of pitchers who fit the bill and will require a $10-15M/year investment... All they have to do to get me to stop complaining is to land one of those guys. Or fill the need through trade if they don't want to spend the money.
Though I loved seeing the Penguins win the cup back to back years in the 90's, I almost felt like the team of all-stars and payroll to back it up gave us an unfair advantage over most of the league. How can the Yankees, Redsox, Dodgers, etc fans not feel the same way? Do you think the majority of fans would favor a cap? Why would MLB not give the fans what they want if they do in fact favor a cap?
I fella's ! Fresh back from a Florida holiday get'away. Couple of things. I think for some fans its about the inactivity as much as anything. It is the Pirates front office style to let the market play out. Then scoop up a bargain or two. And its worked fairly well over the last several years. Sure they could take the extra money and dump it on a few over priced free agents. But there it is no sure thing that that will work any better than whats made them successful to date.
That being said; Every day that goes by that the Pirates go without signing Liriano or Volquez, the odds of them returning ticks down just a little.
The reason being is that Liriano and Volquez will become a cheap bargain for a team with deep pockets long before they will become a bargain for the Pirates.
The Hounds need to work on that website. There is a problem when the feature story on the home page hasn't changed for a month and it prominently features the word BANKRUPTCY...
Forbes shows 11 out of 30 teams operating at an annual loss in 2013, and just 10 out of 30 with higher annual profits than the Pirates. I can't find the specifics on MLB's debt requirements, but it seems clear, based on these facts, that there is an extra $20-30M per year available with a little imagination and effort that would not make the Nutting progeny go hungry, and might actually make them even richer for being the heirs to a highly successful franchise.
Now, if only I could get some traction on the Pitt Stadium issue!
If Forbes' team revenue figures aren't accurate, where is the place to find accurate numbers? I find it very hard to believe that the Pirates revenue could be that much lower than than Cincinatti & Milwaukee (Forbes has the Reds 2 spots ahead of the Bucs and the Brewers 2 spots behind the Bucs) who spent considerably more than 90 mil last year and will surely spend even more in 2015 (average salaries rise each year).
Hey, my dog Sophie is very well-sourced! And cute. And will get a DK on Pittsburgh Sports blanket for Christmas!
I wasn't aware that Forbes lacked so much credibility, but trust you on that. What are your go-to sources for inside knowledge of teams' finances? I'm trying to learn here. It doesn't seem to me that public comments of the front office are a very good source for real info about the underlying finances. I have many years of experience working with privately-held companies on deals, and the next time somebody in management talks truthfully to an outsider about their finances will be the first. What we need is a potential investor whose deal fell apart or, better yet, a former employee of one of the other Nutting businesses. I volunteer my services to take a look!
Without knowing what the underlying finances are, all this talk about annual revenues and TV deals is kinda pointless.
What baseball fans need is a good reason to talk baseball. Let me know the next time you hear of a football or hockey fan mentioning stuff like this, even in passing.
As a fan of the EPL, team revenue disparities don't seem unusual to me. Regardless, if you could point me to what you think is a good source for looking at accurate MLB team revenue, it would be much appreciated.
November 28, 2014
Friday Insider: Pirates’ payroll should top $90M
by Dejan Kovacevic • Friday Insider • Duquesne, Penguins, Pirates, Pitt, Riverhounds, Steelers
Frank Coonelly has been the Pirates’ president since late in the 2007 season. — GETTY
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
A weekly roundup of a lot of randomness from a lot of time around our city’s teams …
And yes, this will represent another significant increase, contrary to widespread misinformation and misrepresentation of the truth.
If you want bluster, click away. If you want facts, here you go …
The Pirates’ 40-man roster payroll for 2014, the one audited and verified by Major League Baseball’s accounting offices, was $82.1 million. While multiple other outlets were howling over payroll being in the low-$70 million range, this site informed you in the Sept. 5 Friday Insider that the actual projected figure for the full year was $82.4 million.
And it actually was a little more: Jose Tabata’s prorated portion of his $3 million salary technically was counted as part of Class AAA Indianapolis’ payroll after he was outrighted June 24. The same applies to Ernesto Frieri’s outright release Sept. 8. Even though he never pitched for Indianapolis, the same bookkeeping technicality applied the prorated portion of his $3.8 million salary.
Bottom line: Pittsburgh paid both contracts in full, including those that weren’t included by MLB accounting, so feel free to add another $2 million or so to that $82.1 million figure.
People love to cite opening-day payroll. It’s completely pointless. It’s nothing more than adding up the full-year salaries of the 25 guys suited up for the very first game. Should any team make a move after that game — even the very next day — that alters payroll one way or another, that silly opening-day figure somehow sticks all summer long. That’s why I’ve always preferred to wait until winter to see what’s actually spent or not spent.
So with that in mind, take a look:
Don’t know about you, but that looks like a pretty steady incline to me, especially when considering that local TV monies — the largest variable between teams — didn’t change much in that span. National money did, but it sure didn’t double.
Not that I’m trying to change the minds of the conspiracy nuts. That’s not possible, so it’s a waste of time. When some folks make up their minds based on incorrect information, no amount of correct information will alter a thing.
But for those grasping reality, let’s look ahead to what a $90 million 40-man roster payroll mean: According to Pirates Prospects, which tracks even minor-league salaries, the Pirates are projecting right now at $71.7 million. That data assumes arbitration outcomes, which isn’t easy, but it’s not far from what I’ve heard on the inside. That leaves about $20 million, maybe a little more, and everything I’m hearing is that most, if not all, of that money will be committed to starting pitching. The Pirates’ aim is to bring back both Francisco Liriano and Edinson Volquez, but they’re bracing for other options if one or both don’t pan out.
I’d like to see payroll even higher. The Royals were at $97 million in 2014, and their situations — on and off the field — are similar enough that there shouldn’t be any gap. For that matter, the Athletics were at $92 million in the worst sporting facility on the planet in a market they share with the world champs. The Pirates can do better.
But hey, at least that criticism is based on something real.
• It’s beyond cool that Coonelly took the time to answer my questions not only on a holiday but also right after running with 8,500 other Pittsburghers in our city’s annual Turkey Trot. He can have Good Dude honors for the week for both of those.
• The Steelers aren’t about to disrespect the backups who replaced Troy Polamalu, Ryan Shazier, Ike Taylor, Jarvis Jones, Steve McLendon and … man, am I missing anyone?
The defense has been decimated, as was detailed in Tuesday’s column. And even though some backups, notably James Harrison and Willie Gay, have fared well at times, the fact is, backups are backups for a reason, whether it’s skill level or just the stage of their careers. What’s more, backups also can be more valuable when simply left to their regular duty on special teams.
Best example on this roster: Antwon Blake, an exceptional gunner on kick coverage who has been asked intermittently to fill in at cornerback.
“Antwon, to me, is a guy who should be in the Pro Bowl,” Ramon Foster told me this week.
Right, but Blake’s added presence in the regular defense — in games and practice — might be why kick coverage that was extraordinary in September and October has just been so-so in November.
Basically, I’m trying to find a polite way to share with you here that there are a lot of people in that locker room happy that the starters are returning, and it isn’t just the starters.
I happen to think that’s healthy in a team setting and that the Steelers are stronger for it.
• Early in this NHL season, I described Christian Ehrhoff as looking like ‘a Buffalo Sabre for life.’ There’s no way that could be construed as a compliment, and it wasn’t. He looked pensive in his own end, he was among the most cautious in joining the rush, and he wasn’t even playing to his strength on offense, that being a booming one-timer from the right side.
Well, turns out I wasn’t alone in the observation.
I’m told that Gary Agnew, the Penguins’ new assistant responsible for the defense, saw some of those same traits and showed Ehrhoff footage from his time with the Sabres and compared it to better times elsewhere. And what both men saw was that Ehrhoff essentially didn’t trust his supporting cast. As a result, he’d hold the puck a second too long or simply dump it away. Much as he was doing in Pittsburgh in October.
Now, it’s much better, as has been plainly evident. On Agnew’s instruction, Ehrhoff is now passing, even into traffic, if he sees that it’s one of the Penguins’ top forwards at the other end. As Agnew admonished, “That’s Sidney Crosby over there. Believe me, he’ll find a way to catch your pass.”
All great plays in hockey start with someone trusting that it’s possible, right?
• Notice Steve Downie the angel the other night against Toronto?
No accident. Downie’s tough, but Rick Tocchet just might be one of the handful of toughest professional athletes in our city’s recent history. Any discussions will be won by the coach. And yes, there was one of those after the Long Island mess.
• I’ve pressed and pressed this week regarding any possible fallout should Pitt lose its finale Saturday in Miami, and all I get back is how things are on the ‘right track’ under Paul Chryst. Elaboration is extremely limited, other than pointing back to inherent recruiting difficulties after the Mike Haywood/Todd Graham debacles.
That stance is stale now, and it’ll be ancient history by 2015 if results don’t change.
• Asked Antonio Brown to take me through Odell Beckham Jr.’s ‘best catch ever’ last week, so I’ll open by showing it here, in the highly unlikely event you haven’t seen it:
This was AB’s take: “The key is to let your arm go with the ball. Let it arrive. Let it land.”
Land? Eli Manning threw a laser!
“Doesn’t matter. You’re still receiving. You have to receive. Let it come in for a soft landing. If you look at Odell’s hand, what he does is get under it, he just lets it go for a little more of a ride.”
What about the gloves? That was my first thought.
“Man, ain’t gloves got nothin’ to do with it.”
Broad smile. End of interview. AB wins, as usual.
• Pitt basketball’s loss of Durand Johnson to a season-long university suspension is a big blow, regardless of circumstance. But man, it doesn’t look good, either.
For one, although I’ve heard that the suspension is academic in nature, others dispute that, in large part because such a suspension would be for a semester rather than a full year.
For another, if it was more serious than academics, what in the name of the Blue Kahuna was Johnson doing out in Hawaii with his mates, splashing in the ocean as captured by ESPN’s cameras for a commercial bumper?
Jamie Dixon did make clear last week that Johnson would “remain part of our team” and continue practicing, but it’s hard to see how this particular time — a whole week halfway around the world — wouldn’t have been better invested in addressing whatever brought his suspension. The Pitt academic calendar shows classes were in session in Oakland through Wednesday.
• Even without Johnson and possibly still Cam Wright, Pitt will beat Duquesne in the City Game a week from today, if only because Pitt always beats Duquesne. At least that’s how it’s been each of the past 13 years, including the 2013 edition in which Ovie Soko somehow staked the Dukes to a halftime lead.
Or maybe Duquesne will have a surprise at hand: Jordan Stevens, a junior-college transfer, made his debut for the Dukes last weekend at Abilene Christian — he served a one-game team suspension in the opener — he dumped in 27 points in 28 minutes off the bench.
When Jim Ferry arrived on the Bluff, as he joked last week, “I was the best ballhandler on the team. And I’m a shooter.” But now he has Derrick Colter, Micah Mason and Stevens as legit options. So if Dixon decides to shut down one, as he did in the second half last year by smothering Soko, someone else theoretically could step up.
But to repeat: Duquesne will lose …. right?
• The Riverhounds were huddled in meetings all week talking about a serious re-branding. Seems a bit extreme to me, and I hope the result isn’t. The logo’s a bit dated, but both their predominantly black and predominantly gold kits are as quality as any on this side of the pond.
Ditch the blue, gentlemen. You’re in the city now.
• Anyone who ever compared the Hounds to the Power, you’ve got your answer now.
One is playing the world’s most popular sport on a $2 million field certified by FIFA, the international governing body, and in a $10 million dedicated stadium with support, financial and/or moral, from both Major League Soccer and the local corporate community. They won’t be big-league overnight and never promised that. But it’s at least feasible. And again, it’s not only a real sport being played in the interim. It’s the No. 1 pastime on the planet.
The other was playing bastardized, bumper-car football that was never going to be anything other than bastardized, bumper-car football.
• The ice at Consol will benefit immensely. Not my opinion, but that of those who use it.
• Second Good Dude, in the spirit of the holiday: Bill Guerin. Infectious smile, overwhelming presence, commanding respect and credibility … having him back on the Pittsburgh end of the Penguins’ operations could not possibly have worked out badly.