Here in St. Louis half of the fan base is complaining about the Cardinals not ponying up the money for a "big name player". Hey the ownership owes it to us don't they? Isn't that what they told us they would do when we agreed to help them build the new $346 million stadium? Of course it seems a lot of people here don't seem to think we should give Fuenetes about ~$10 million a year for 3 years. I mean really, that's like 9% of a new stadium?

But the Pirate fans don't have to worry about calling into radio stations and complaining about "Piratespeak." With a payroll coming in somwhere around $40mil this year they just know thier team isn't going to sign well...pretty much anyone not named Ramon Vazquez. It's not like they didn't spend a good chunk of money on PNC park. Public founding is going to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $174 million tax payer dollars. {I'm actually not sure how much Busch cost the St. Louis public. I know the Cardinals were putting in something like 78% but I forget the exact amount.} Not to mention GM pulling outing thier sponsorship. What are the Pirates going to do to end 16 years worth of losing?

Meet Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel.  Two new arms that will be in Florida with the Pirates when pitchers and catchers report. They are the first Indians to sign a Major Leauge contract. Both of these kids (Patel is 19 and Singh is 20) have been throwing a baseball for about a year now. Winners of the Million Dollar Arm. {or about  .3% of a new staduim} This was a nation wide Contest in India to find people who can throw over 85mph. Could you imange if the Cardinals did this? I would have to listen to the Tom and Jeff comment line on the way home{Ugh. Now that damn jingle is in my head.}. No way I could listen to those callers on sports talk.

Patel sports a 85 mph fastball that touches 87. Singh is a little slower but might have a higher ceiling according to the scouting report. I guess when you don't have a payroll and have lost for 16 straight years it's ok to take a chance on something like this. Unfortunely for Pirate fans I can only see this guying two ways. Either they flame out in the minors. Or they make it to the majors only to have the Pirates filp them for Prospects instead of resigning them. Followed by the Yankees and the Red Sox setting up camp in India and handing out 1% of a staduim signing bonuses to 16 year olds through India.

But for now I'm going to keep an eye on them and hope to get a glimpse at them in Spring Training. And for those interested. Here is thier blog so you can follow along with them adjusting to America.  Good luck Patel and Singh!

Edit: I just realized this post came out a bit more negative than I entended. Im just not able to get my saracism across enough. What i meant to communicate that I think this is a good gamble for the Pirates. They are getting two strong, fresh arms with no miles on them. Neither of these guys have been taught any bad habbits. And they are getting them for nothing.  And also that due to the fan base a team like the Cardinals would not be able to do due to thier fan base. St. Louis fans just wouldn't accept that while he had a pay roll of $40 mil.