The Buccos need another losing season like Bob Smizik needs to keep writing about them, but would it be worth it if they could draft the chosen one Bryce Harper?

I kid, sorta.  The Trib has a quick video of Donnelly talking about his decision to sign with the Buccos, citing a talk with ex-Pirate and workout buddy John Grabow as the determining factor in his decision.  Donnelly said he was impressed with the talent on the new look Pirates.

Donnelly is hoping to become a key component in the revamped Bucs’ bullpen that will feature Octavio Dotel as the team’s closer.  Donnelly underwent Tommy John surgery in 2007, but bounced back last season with the Florida Marlins by holding his own in 30 games.  Donnelly’s chances of cracking the roster are greatly increased by the recent injury news on Joel Hanrahan and a lack of veteran arms in the ‘pen.

Brendan Donnelly struck out a batter per inning, while issuing nine walks in 25 1/3 innings pitched.  He also registered two saves and nine holds in limited duty.  If the goggled one can retain the form he showed last season and earlier in his career he could be a valuable asset at the trade deadline.

Unsurprisingly, the most likely destination for Tabata to begin the season is Triple-A Indianapolis.  If Tabata can build on the all-around play he showed late last season, his call-up to the Majors could come quicker than expected.  For now, we can take some comfort knowing that he’s straightened out some of the more impeding aspects of his personal life.

Tabata’s (ex?) wife is still dealing with the fallout from her diabolical escapades;

A public defender representing Amalia Tabata Pereira, 44, last week was in court attempting to suppress her confession in March after police arrested her for abducting a baby in Plant City, Fla. She is the woman, Tabata told police, who pretended to be pregnant for months while her then-20-year-old husband was home in South America, later produced a birth certificate and then, at the condominium they rented here, introduced him to a baby she called Nicole. Authorities said the baby, Sandra, was taken from Rosa Sirilo-Francisco and Andres Cruz in Plant City while Pereira posed as an immigration official.

MLB 2K10 drops on March 2nd on multiple platforms.  2K Sports does not have licensing for minor league players, which left Bucs’ fans to use a mustached 38-year old looking dude as Andrew McCutchen after his call-up last season for MLB 2K9.  We want the dreads dudes, well, it looks like we’ll have ‘em for 2k10.

That is all.

The Venezuelan born outfielder is no stranger to controversy as his insatiable thirst for cougars had gotten him mixed up in a fake pregnancy/kidnapping scandal last season.

Whether or not Tabata is 21-years old, or 25 does not appear to be a major concern for Neal Huntington.  The Bucs’ general manager admitted in an interview with the Trib that there are “a lot of rumblings” regarding Tabata’s actual age, but claims that the Pirates took every step necessary to confirm the validity of his birth documents.  In corresponding with Biertempfel, Huntington had this to say on the matter:

“All of the documentation he has used to obtain his visa from the U.S. government and his passport from the Venezuelan government indicates his reported age is accurate,” Huntington said in an e-mail to the Tribune-Review. “Apart from unfounded speculation, there is nothing to indicate his age any different than reported. My point is that while we have reason to doubt his reported age, it is a non-issue to us.”

It sounds like Huntington will let Tabata’s performance on the field dictate his career trajectory.  Tabata is set to begin the season at Triple-A Indianapolis, where he appeared in 32 games in 2009.  To look at this in context, there’s no way in hell that Albert Pujols was 21-years old when he made his debut… with male pattern baldness.

If you thought that the headlining question was for real then you’re obviously some kind of racist.  I usually try to bring you the best quality Pittsburgh Pirates videos I can find from all over the internet, but sometimes it’s best to let silliness prevail.  This isn’t even all that great of a mock-news skit, but kudos for exploiting Pirates’ futility at the expense of a slightly insensitive joke. Now have yourself a laugh… it’s ok.

Not much in the way of free agent rumblings coming this way so we’re going with some links.

Big Words From Russell

From the PG:  Dejan tells us John Russell has no worries about payroll, saying it won’t be an issue.  Ok, so let’s spend some money and lock up some talent… maybe acquire a little more, too.  Russell on his bosses:

“The support we have from Bob, Frank and Neal is unwavering, and they’ve made a solid commitment to where we are and where we are going. My goal as manager is to prepare our team daily for a chance to win that game. Now’s the time to move forward to bringing championship baseball to Pittsburgh.”

Weeks of waiting came to an end for the disciples of Keith Law  on Thursday, as he dropped his annual Top 100 Prospects. As expected, Pedro Alvarez was the top ranked Pirates prospect.  Alvarez landed at 35 on K-Law’s list, up three spots from his position at 38 in 2009.  Other Bucs making the cut were Jose Tabata (57) and 2009 first round pick Tony Sanchez (82).  That’s Tabata’s ranking, not the age of his wife…

Garrett Jones:  Sabermetric All-Star

Good read from Ray Flowers on Secondary Average ((TB – H + BB + SB) / AB).  SEC, for the initiated, is an excellent measure of power, patience, and speed.  Albert Pujols was the best performer in terms of SEC in 2009 with a mark of .562, interestingly, Garrett Jones posted a secondary average of .433 but didn’t have enough plate appearances to qualify.

Angry Bucs Fan Crashes Into PNC Park, Flees Scene?

Jackson was unspectacular in 40 appearances out of the bullpen last season, striking out just 21 batters in 43.0 innings while walking 22.  Jackson was claimed off waivers by the Bucs from the New York Yankees last May.  Claggett made just three Major League appearances last season, two with the Yankees before making one with Pittsburgh after being claimed in September.

Church, as Dejan Kovacevic reported, is an attractive option to the Pirates as a fourth outfielder/stop-gap until the younglings arrive from Triple-A Indianapolis.  Church spent 2009 with the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves where he spent time as a platoon player, hitting .273 with four bombs and 40 RBIs.

More to follow…

I’m going to club the baby seal.