NewsFew young Bucs opt to play winter ball
GM Huntington disappointed by lack of participation
By Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com
09/24/09 12:38 PM ET
PITTSBURGH -- While a handful of players on the Pirates' Major League roster have committed to playing winter ball this offseason, general manager Neal Huntington made it no secret that he is disappointed that more aren't following suit.Without naming names, Huntington expressed frustration at the number of young players who, for various reasons, declined the team's recommendation to spend at least a few weeks playing in other countries this winter.
"We had hopes that a lot more of our guys would be interested and willing to go, and in this day and age, guys are a lot less willing to go," Huntington said. "It's a shame. They are missing tremendous development opportunities. I'm not sure I've heard of many players that have gone down there and have performed well enough to stay there that haven't felt it didn't help their development."
"I feel like an old-timer, but 15-20 years ago, guys almost had to go to winter ball because of the money," he added. "Now, anybody with big league time, they don't feel they need to go because they don't need the money. It's a shame, because it shouldn't be about the money. It should be about their development opportunities. Guys just don't understand the benefits."
Huntington clarified that he was not speaking in reference to the team's few veteran players, but primarily about those with two or fewer years of service time. That does cover the majority of the team's roster.
There are a few, though, who have made commitments to play in various leagues this offseason. Third baseman Neil Walker will play in Venezuela on the team managed by Pirates bullpen coach Luis Dorante. Utility man Luis Cruz will play in his home country of Mexico.
Shortstop Ronny Cedeno said he wants to play in Venezuela as he typically does, but hadn't yet discussed that with Pirates management. The organization is expected to approve that request. Veteran Ramon Vazquez said he plans to play about two weeks' worth of games while home in Puerto Rico, though that is contingent on his ailing right knee improving.
"Anytime you can play in a championship environment, you learn to play under pressure," Huntington said. "That's why, for us, it's so frustrating that players don't want to go to winter ball. You talk about a now-win environment, there's not anywhere like that other than the playoffs in the United States. You can't match that. You can't replace that type of environment in player development."
While he won't be playing in Latin America, lefty reliever Donnie Veal is another Pirates player with offseason playing plans. He will be a starter on the Arizona Fall League Scottsdale Scorpions club.
Jenifer Langosch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
