2014 Pirates

[sychmd]

I'm thinking Isikawa makes the team out of ST. Would be a very NH thing to do. Keep the vet on a temporary basis, send Lambo to AAA. If Isikawa struggles dump him and bring up Lambo. And really I don't think Lambo would be hurt by a month or two in AAA.

I think he calls them 'reversible moves,' I think the same thinking will apply to Locke/Volquez. Keep the vet and if he really struggles release him and bring Locke back up.

agreed,
that is what he seemed to do last year with mcdonald, inge, and jon sanchez.

the year before, or maybe it was the year before that he did it with a couple other vets.

lamb needs some confidence after struggling in mob in sept and then in ST.
hopefully he gets on track in Indy and comes up in may without the nerves of having to be the man.

 

[element1286]

agreed,
that is what he seemed to do last year with mcdonald, inge, and jon sanchez.

the year before, or maybe it was the year before that he did it with a couple other vets.

lamb needs some confidence after struggling in mob in sept and then in ST.
hopefully he gets on track in Indy and comes up in may without the nerves of having to be the man.

The nice part is now they actually have some legitimate in house replacements. Before they'd get a vet, and he'd be terrible, and they'd either stick with him too long, or bring up some random bad player from AAA.

 

[thecrow124]

Lambo was optioned today, so barring a trade Ishikawa will be manning 1B for the lefty platoon. I am not opposed to the move, lesser of all evils I guess. He is the only option that has hit at all against any talent level, so give him a shot. Let Lambo try to work on just playing baseball.

 

[thedddd]

I'm thinking Isikawa makes the team out of ST. Would be a very NH thing to do. Keep the vet on a temporary basis, send Lambo to AAA. If Isikawa struggles dump him and bring up Lambo. And really I don't think Lambo would be hurt by a month or two in AAA.

I think he calls them 'reversible moves,' I think the same thinking will apply to Locke/Volquez. Keep the vet and if he really struggles release him and bring Locke back up.

Great point and like Crow stated it is the lesser of all evils right now.

I am still super worried about 1B but in reality no different than the start of last year with Jones. Maybe the one upgrade is the fact he has a better glove?

 

[Darkstone42]

If I'm not mistaken, Ishikawa made some adjustments in his swing, so it's not entirely inconceivable (just mostly, really) that he could achieve something resembling success for us as a Major League first baseman.

I would rather have someone more likely to achieve something more precisely defined as success, but Jones wasn't even close to it last year, so it could still be an upgrade...

 

[thecrow124]

Wei-Chung Wang is going to be added to the Brewers opening day roster. I still find it hard to believe they will be able to keep him for the entire year, so this is one of two things IMO. Either they are simply delaying the inevitable or they are trying to work out a trade involving him.

Then again, maybe he is actually good enough to stick with them and they will carry 3 lefty specialists.

 

[sychmd]

Wei-Chung Wang is going to be added to the Brewers opening day roster. I still find it hard to believe they will be able to keep him for the entire year, so this is one of two things IMO. Either they are simply delaying the inevitable or they are trying to work out a trade involving him.

Then again, maybe he is actually good enough to stick with them and they will carry 3 lefty specialists.

if he does great, they have a gem for situational pitching.

if he struggles, they put him on the DL with a vague shoulder ailment, and he sits there and in rehab assignments all year and they get to keep him and re-assign to AA or AAA next year.

 

[Illinest]

I am confused by "no different than last year with jones". Does Ishikawa have a few 20 HR seasons that we don't know about?

I am also confused by "let Lambo just try to work on playing baseball". Isn't baseball what happens on the field in Pittsburgh? Why does Lambo need to go to Indy? I was assured that he'd be a pretty good option at 1b.

 

[sychmd]

I am also confused by "let Lambo just try to work on playing baseball". Isn't baseball what happens on the field in Pittsburgh? Why does Lambo need to go to Indy? I was assured that he'd be a pretty good option at 1b.[/QUOTE]

i am reading it as lamb is caught up in the head games of 33HR last year and needing to be the answer so is swinging for the fences and not just playing good fundamental see the ball, hit the ball where it is pitched baseball. he did poorly when he was called up last sept and he must be squeezing the bat too tightly. he needs to go to indy, decompress, and get back on track with an easy stroke and then continue with no pressure when he gets called up in 1-2 months.

 

[thedddd]

I am confused by "no different than last year with jones". Does Ishikawa have a few 20 HR seasons that we don't know about?

I am also confused by "let Lambo just try to work on playing baseball". Isn't baseball what happens on the field in Pittsburgh? Why does Lambo need to go to Indy? I was assured that he'd be a pretty good option at 1b.

You mis understood I am asking how it would be better. He never was as good offensively but his glove is better? So is that the same or a step up?

Power aside here are their careers:

Jones: .254/.316/.458/.774 vs righties: .271/.337/.489/.826

Ishikawa: .260/.324/.398/.721 vs righties .262/.329/.408/.737

Jones better power and Ishikawa better on base but worse against righties.

What makes it even worse here is Sanchez's numbers vs righties:

.242/.313/.387/.700 They are not as good as Ishikawa but in reality is it worth having Ishikawa on the roster bad?

 

[thedddd]

I am also confused by "let Lambo just try to work on playing baseball". Isn't baseball what happens on the field in Pittsburgh? Why does Lambo need to go to Indy? I was assured that he'd be a pretty good option at 1b.

i am reading it as lamb is caught up in the head games of 33HR last year and needing to be the answer so is swinging for the fences and not just playing good fundamental see the ball, hit the ball where it is pitched baseball. he did poorly when he was called up last sept and he must be squeezing the bat too tightly. he needs to go to indy, decompress, and get back on track with an easy stroke and then continue with no pressure when he gets called up in 1-2 months.

This and if he is the best option they have for 1B and he had a horrible spring without much success in the majors would you want him to continue to struggle in the majors?

 

[steelparrot]

Pirates Acquire Vance Worley: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com


I guess for cash and not needing a 40man roster spot, why not.

 

[sychmd]

Pirates Acquire Vance Worley: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com


I guess for cash and not needing a 40man roster spot, why not.

i live in phillis (not a great place for baseball altho had a good 4 year stretch) and i liked worley. got the ball and threw strikes most of the time. competed well at a young age.

not sure what happened to him in the AL as i don't really follow the AL unless it is inter league and WS time.
hate the DH.

 

[thedddd]

I like the deal also no downside for the Pirates at all. I thought injuries caught up to him in Minny?

On a side note at least he as been an effective pitcher in the last few years unlike the other "reclamation" project the Pirates signed to be their 5th starter.

Worley is the same age as Locke and wonder if he is depth to then dangle Locke in a trade?

 

[sychmd]

oh yeah, philly had terrible D for worley as well.

 

[ramburgh]

I think Worley might be the best move of the off season. He is only 25. Something is brewing on the trade front or someone has a more significant injury than the Pirates are making public at this time. Otherwise there isn't any room for Worley in AAA. Taillon, Locke, Cumpton, Irwin, Sadler, McPherson, Oliver, Worley.

Pirates - Liriano, Morton, Rodriguez, Cole, Volquez

I like the addition of Worley, but it must mean there is a significant injury or someone is on his way out via trade.

 

[Darkstone42]

Liriano has some groin tightness. It might be insurance for that. But yeah, if we're talking to the D-Backs about Gregorius, they're asking for pitching.

 

[linebackeru]

Marte with a 6 year extension. If the numbers are right, it could be a super bargain. 6 years 31 million with 2 option years

 

[sychmd]

wow, hindsight is 20/20, but this marte deal looks unbelievable.

great for both sides.
31M sets him and half the island up for life.
the pirates get a catalyst and budding all-star. great defense and speed.
just needs to tackle the little things. plate patience and SB discipline.
also a very trade friendly salary when meadows comes along or the other young pups.

would love to see him do great and the pirates treat him right for his willingness to seemingly discount for being part of something special. glad it isn't all about the money and more about the indirect benefits to both sides (apparently).

 

[thedddd]

The Marte deal and the trade for Worley are two great positives after the negative knowing (as of right now and what can change) knowing that Travis Ishikawa might be the left side of the platoon at 1B for the Pirates.