Showing posts with label el toro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label el toro. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

The Pittsburgh Version of Noah's Ark

When I saw this card pop up for sale, I HAD TO HAVE IT!!!!

It features Gerrit "The Cole Train", Pedro "El Toro" Alvarez, and Mark "The Shark" Melancon with 2 nice patches from their throwback Sunday alternate uniforms along with the Jolly Roger sleeve patch.

Cole and Alvarez have had a lot of jersey relics hit Topps products over the past few years, but even though Mark Melancon has been a 2x All-Star and is currently leading the league in saves he has been absent from high end releases.

It's because of the Shark that I had to add this card to my PC.

The Pirates are going to be in the most important game of the season tonight, a win or go home for baseball's team with the second best record. 

Let's hope to Raise the Jolly Roger after tonight!!!!!

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Feeling Blue: El Toro Chrome

Since the beginning of the month I've shown off a few of my recent ebay deals from the same seller.  This was the most expensive of the bunch coming in at $1.27.
2011 Topps Chrome Blue Parallel 90/99.  

El Toro had a down season this past year after posting over 30 HR in 2012 and 2013.

Due to his defensive errors and injuries, the Pirates removed him from their every day lineup as a third baseman and started playing him at first base.  It was my vision a few years ago that Alvarez would one day transition across the diamond due to his size and inability to stick at third.  He has made a lot of really good picks at 3B and I could see him being above average defensively at first.

I liked Ike Davis, but I guess the front office sees Pedro as being the key guy at 1B for the Bucs in 2015.

Earlier in the week it was revealed that the Pirates traded Ike Davis to the Oakland A's for a bonus signing pool in the international draft.  This gives the Pirates nearly an additional $300,000 to spend on Latin American ballplayers.

Don't think that's much?  Here's some guys the Pirates have signed in recent years for under that mark
Starling Marte 2007 $85,000 (gold glove finalist 2 years in a row, 11.7 WAR in only 2 seasons)

Gregory Polanco 2009 $150,000 (one of baseball's future 5 tool talents)

Dilson Herrera 2010 $220,000 (youngest player on Mets roster last season, used as key trade piece to acquire Marlon Byrd for 2013 Post Season)

Willy Garcia 2010 $280,000 (you'll be seeing a lot of his cardboard on here soon)

Gift Ngoepe 2008 $15,000 (1st South African baseball player signed)

Alen Hanson 2009 $90,000 (considered by many to be a top 75 prospect entering 2014)

Thursday, October 23, 2014

El Toro strikes (out) again!

Pedro Alvarez has been one of the NL leaders in strikeouts for most of his professional career.  He's also been one of the NL Leaders in errors committed as a 3B since his debut.  Last year, despite appearing in only 99 games at 3B he managed to commit 25 errors.  He has a cannon for an arm, but has no control of routine ground balls.  His power swing is what will keep him in the lineup, but it looks like he will likely move to 1B next season and Josh Harrison will take over the duties of 3B.

I grabbed this 2013 Pink Parallel midseason when Alvarez was really struggling and it cost me less than $7 delivered.

Since Pedro Alvarez' nickname is El Toro (The Bull), let's see some Red Bull girls...