MVN: Most Valuable Network

Ryan Doumit could be a Pirate through 2013. I was unhappy with early news that had the catcher receiving a three-year deal with a team option for a fourth season, but I'm pleased with the contract as it's now reportedly constructed. The upside in deals like these is in buying out free agency years relatively cheaply. One option didn't excite me. Two are better, though I still think Doumit should be traded.

Study of Sports looks at Jack Wilson's recent outburst in the media. "Would it be nice to see the [the Pirates] sign a couple of guys under the guise of competing? Of course it would. Could the right pieces and solid performances from the rotation combine to form a .500 team? Well, it's not impossible. But ultimately they won't compete with the Cubs, or even the Cardinals or any wild card threats in the NL East with a team like that."

At FanGraphs, David Golebiewski breaks down Ian Snell's sluggish 2008 season by the numbers.  His colleague, R.J. Anderson, finds Adam Dunn's value to be $11.25 million per season -- R.J. would offer Big Donkey a four-year, $45 million contract. My five-year, $65 million proposal would be enough of an overpay to get Dunn to Pittsburgh, I think.

On Twitter, Tiffany Berryman pointed out that Dock Ellis could have been the original Manny Ramirez. I'm sure you've read Ellis' Pittsburgh-based memorials, but Steve Lombardi of Baseball-Reference's Stat of the Day blog recognizes his contributions to one of the New York Yankees' best rotations.  Remember to follow PirateRev on Twitter, too.

Earlier at Pirate Revolution:
Podcast No. 3: Sign, Trade Doumit? Play Diaz, Jaramillo? What to Make of Lerud?