Jeff Karstens Is Happy to Be in Pittsburgh

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It might seem like being traded from the Yankees to the Pirates is the worst thing that can happen to a young player. Going from an organization that's has a perennial playoff spot to one that hasn't had a winning season since 1992 certainly seems like it should be a drag. If that's the truth, it's hard to see Jeff Karstens' disappointment. Since being traded to the Pirates two weeks ago, he's thrown fifteen shut-out innings and came within four outs of a no-hitter on Wednesday. Today, he tells the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette what he thought of the trade:

"There was never doubt, no," Karstens said. "It was just a matter of some thing needing to happen for me to get that chance. Believe me: I was very excited when I got the call that I was coming to Pittsburgh."

Maybe that sounds a little Bull Durham-y, but it's one aspect that the Pirates do have an advantage over the Yankees in. They can afford to give guys like Karstens a chance on the mound, while the Yankees are constantly looking for minimal upgrades like Jarrod Washburn to try and sneak into a playoff spot rather than having patience with younger players. Of course, that doesn't say great things about the Pirates organization at the moment, but maybe if Karstens throws a few more near-no-hitters, things will start to turn themselves around in Pittsburgh.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-08-2008 @ 9:49PM

peter said...

Do your homework Karstens had chances he just never produced,The National League is more like a Triple A league compared to the American League,Never mind playing in the East most teams have lineups stacked 1-9,But Im sure your hatred for the Yankees made you fail to realize that,And honestly get at least one fact right the Yankees counted on there farm system heavily this year so much so we turned away Santana and many other Free agents.So please stop embarrising yourself and write something that tells the real story and stop looking for things to critizize the Yankees about,And please talk to me after Karstens makes at least 20 starts before you start talking about him like he is Cy young

8-09-2008 @ 8:33AM

jon said...

peter.. I love how every post you make on this site is you being a giant hater. You just show you are a typical arrogant Yankees fan. Maybe you should get out and smell the smog instead of sitting inside and criticizing every writer on this site for posting an opinion.

Back to the conversation though.. Clemens first year in the bigs 4.32 ERA. Randy Johnson first full year 4.82. Glavine 4.56.. you get the idea. You have to have patience with young pitchers so that they can develop at the major league level.

Karstens in 2006, threw almost 43 innings with a 3.80 ERA for the Yanks. 2007, yes he bombed, 11.05 over 15 innings. But really 15 innings (or 58 over 2 seasons) is a SMALL sample size to sit there and say that he never produced.

I don't think the original post said anything about him being a Cy Young pitcher... it is just pointing out that the Pirates, taking some higher level prospects from clubs that had no room for them, are improving their club for the future and have a lot to look forward to if these guys pan out.

I'm not comparing him to Randy Johnson, just his situation. The Expos traded Randy after they deemed him to be a bust... that obviously was something that did not continue.

8-09-2008 @ 10:07AM

Your telling me to get out of the house and smell something,First off there is no smog where I live so dont talk about places you have never been,Second you tell me to get out of the house I think your the one that needs to get out a little more you look like a johnny Cash extra from walk the line those sideburns and glasses went out in the 70s,And third I have only posted two things in my life so once again get your facts straight,And Im far from arrogant I just cant stand when frustrated fans get a pen or a forum to talk nonsense.And just a bit of advice this is your job and your gonna get critizied when people dont agree with so grow up and stop getting your feelings hurt,You should really care less about my opinion try to act like a profesional

8-09-2008 @ 12:59PM

Nate said...

Uh, Peter - you seem to have much anger inside of you. I hesitate to even post anything as it appears likely to incite some kind of aimless, grammar-less vitriol, but please take pause and consider:

1) Pat is the original author. Jon posted the first response to you. You've responded to Jon as though he were Pat. Please take note in addressing future posts, if you choose to do so.

2) Pat, the original author, plainly states that Pittsburgh's ugly situation gives them opportunity to have more patience with young players than a contending team like the Yankees. It's not an indictment of the Yankees that they'd trade Karstens after only 58 innings of big-league experience - it's just a product of their success. The Yankees have a post-season berth riding on every game, which means they can't afford to risk too many games on unproven prospects. The Pirates don't have a reasonable hope of carrying the game-by-game burdens of post-season implications for at least a few more years, so they can afford to take fliers on inexpensive, unproven prospects. Don't take offense to this, because there's nothing to which to take offense. Pat's not criticizing the Yankees AT ALL.

3) In my experience, I've found that people who spend their days writing are quite unlikely to take advice from somebody using "words" like "embarrising" and "profesional."

I'm just saying, is all.

8-09-2008 @ 5:02PM

Ace said...

Some of these guys have admitted over the years that getting out of the glare of the media surrounding the Yankees and their farms systems helps them. Those who do go to the Yanks and survive and produce is saying something. This is a well known observation voiced over and over some of those who have left and the media. It is less about allowing the talent time to produce as it is about everyone doesn't have the ability to withstand the scrunity. I agree with Peter-it is also a well known fact that Cashman has been trying to rebuild the farm system and look internally for help for the team, even before the season started and as this year has progressed....but injurys and everyones constant repose on whether the Yankees will make the playoffs..will this be the first year the Yankees don't make the playoffs since the early 90's is a constant and loud voice in the background-by the fans, the media and the brass with the Yanks.