mlt@mb2c.UUCP (Mark L. Tompkins) (05/29/85)
/* */ The Detroit media reported this morning that a deal between the Pirates and Tigers has temporarily fallen through, and is still being discussed. This deal would send John Candelaria to Detroit in exchange for Larry Hern- don, pitcher Juan Berunger, and reserve third baseman/catcher Marty Castillo. It seems as though Candelaria becomes a 10 and 5 man on Saturday, at which point he can veto any trades. The Pirates would like to dump his big mouth along with his contract before then. It doesn't seem like he exactly fits the Sparky Anderson/Jim Campbell image of what a ballplayer should be-but as long as he can still pitch, I think they can tolerate him. The Tigers have not had a dependable left-handed starter since they traded Mickey Lolich. Are they sacrificing too much? I don't think so. Herndon had a very poor year in '84, and certainly is not tearing the cover off the ball so far this year. Detroit has two young outfielders in Nelson Simmons and Alex Sanchez who deserve a chance. Both can swing the bat, and play a decennt outfield. Buerenger is dispensable - he's been very up & down this year. With Candy, the Tigers might relegate Milt Wilcox to 5th starter/long arm in the pen. His shoulder is still not 100 percent. Marty Castillo is a pretty popular player around here, but the Tigers just called up Bob Melvin, a young catch- er who was hitting very well at Nashville. He looks to be a dependable back- up for Parrish. I think it might work out very well for both sides, although I would rather see them trade Darrell Evans instead. The Tigers also put Chris Pittaro on the disabled list in order to make room for Dave Bergman's return from Nashville, where he was rehabilitating from an elbow injury. Pittaro's days are numbered up here - he should go back down to Nashville and learn to play third - we could use a decent third baseman. What do you Pirate fans think of this proposed trade? Mark Tompkins epsilon!mb2c!mlt
michaelf@ISM780.UUCP (06/03/85)
As one of the remaining three Pirate fans, I do not favor such
a trade. The Pirates need a proven HR man. They made
some half-assed attempts by signing players like Hendricks, Lezcano,
Kemp and Thompson but none of those players are sluggers.
Oh, to have Oliver, Stargell, Clemente and Parker again...