2014 Pirates

[steelparrot]

Pirates Add Polanco, Hanson, Rodriguez, and Sadler to the 40-Man | Pirates Prospects

Those are the rule 5 draft protects.


As for Burnett, I have no idea what is really going on behind the scene, I do know if he wants to stay close to Maryland and get paid he can call the Phillies and/or Nats and probably get a huge paycheck.

 

[Darkstone42]

I've got this uncomfortable fear that Burnett was irrational about the money and that i'll be the one to end up looking dumb. What if Burnett really is crazy enough to destroy his bargaining power by limiting his choices to either the pirates or retirement. What if burnett didn't give the situation any thought at all and indicated to neil that something in the 12 million dollar range would be cool, and in that case it wouldn't seem nearly as dumb for neil to not make a QO.

Then what if aj found out that the money is good this year and changed his target upward, but then neil goes "waitaminute..."
And what if they're both being stubborn about budging. What if burnett really doesn't have any intention of signing anywhere else but he's trying to force neil to give him something approaching full market price?

It makes my head hurt. I prefer to assume that athletes will conduct themselves in a reasonably intelligent fashion.

It seems from most of the reports I've read that Burnett's talks with the Pirates' FO largely centered on this Pirates or retirement kind of mentality, and that the holdup is mostly Burnett deciding whether or not he wants to come back at all.

But, if that's the case, the only motivation for Huntington to not make a QO is either that Burnett did tell him if he signed, it would be for less (why giving him extra money if you don't have to) or Huntington believing Burnett's Pirates or bust mentality means he can land him for less, whether correct or incorrect.

I am, however, a bit nervous about the bad foot the Pirates and Burnett ended the season on.

 

[sychmd]

if burnett is truthful about pirates or retirement, then there is no reason to extend a QO.
if he signs with the pirates, NH can sign him for anything ... from 0 to 20M, whatever they agree to.
if he doesn't sign with the pirates and retires, a QO would get them nothing.
extending him a QO implies that NH doesn't trust burnett and the many quotes he gave over the course of the year which sets up more ill will.

 

[element1286]

Pirates Add Polanco, Hanson, Rodriguez, and Sadler to the 40-Man | Pirates Prospects

Those are the rule 5 draft protects.


As for Burnett, I have no idea what is really going on behind the scene, I do know if he wants to stay close to Maryland and get paid he can call the Phillies and/or Nats and probably get a huge paycheck.

I bet Zach Thornton gets drafted, not sure why they didn't add him.

 

[thecrow124]

I bet Zach Thornton gets drafted, not sure why they didn't add him.

Because there were more important people to protect......like Travis Snyder. Actually Thornton isn't really in the teams long term plans, so why protect him, let him go somwhere that he has a shot.

 

[element1286]

Because there were more important people to protect......like Travis Snyder. Actually Thornton isn't really in the teams long term plans, so why protect him, let him go somwhere that he has a shot.

I don't know much about him, but his numbers were undeniable last year. I know they like hard throwers, which he doesn't seem to be according to piratesprospects, but it's not easy to strike out 11 per 9 in AA and AAA, along with an extremely low walk rate, and not have something going for you.

There are plenty of guys to trim. But you're right, if he isn't in their plans why not.

 

[steelparrot]

His stats were undeniable, I guess his lack of velocity kept him off the 40-man roster.

3 or 4 more will have to go off the roster as we add players, Not having to waive him later makes him more likely to be a Pirate next year than say Sands or Oliver.

 

[sychmd]

sometimes a player doesn't have to be in your plans to protect.
if you think they can be in other teams plans, as trade options like we had last year with black and welker - both of whom weren't in our 2013 plans but were helpful in 2013.

it would seem like nobody would want snider. and with tabata, lamb, then polanco to get their shots at RF, snider has .00000001% chance of helping us ever, as nobody even wants him in a trade.

i would have protected thornton as those K and BB are quite impressive and always better to have pitching over 6th OF.

working a 2 or 3 for 1 trade of some marginal guys, like GIJones and prospect for a prospect would also help the roster logjam a little bit. that was the helpful thing of trading some prospects last year that would also be part of this 40 man rule 5 potential loss with no compensation.

 

[steelparrot]

Pirates get Jaff Decker and Miles Mikolas for Alex Dickerson

Pirates dfa Jones and McPherson.


Not a big fan, Jones wasnt going to get arbitration and McPherson is a mile down on the depth chart/hurt, those 2 were almost inevitable... but I dont get the trade.

 

[element1286]

Pirates get Jaff Decker and Miles Mikolas for Alex Dickerson

Pirates dfa Jones and McPherson.


Not a big fan, Jones wasnt going to get arbitration and McPherson is a mile down on the depth chart/hurt, those 2 were almost inevitable... but I dont get the trade.

I always liked Decker, and Miles Mikolas seems like the type of pitcher they prefer, tall/hard throwing ground ball type.

I like the swap, Dickerson didn't seem like a future starter or anything.

 

[steelparrot]

Hmm Decker does have a .402 obp in the minors, should have checked his stats before I gave judgement

 

[thedddd]

I don't mind getting Decker and another right handed reliever for Dickerson, what is odd with the DFA of Jones and the Dickerson move they are really lacking any depth at 1B. This does scream another move on the way like Tabata or Lambo?

 

[element1286]

Hmm Decker does have a .402 obp in the minors, should have checked his stats before I gave judgement

I'm hoping it means Snider isn't guaranteed a spot too.

 

[thedddd]

^ Yeah forgot about Snider lets hope that is the end of that also.

As for McPherson didn't he have tommy john in july? So that makes sense he wasn't going to contribute this year anyway.

 

[element1286]

I don't mind getting Decker and another right handed reliever for Dickerson, what is odd with the DFA of Jones and the Dickerson move they are really lacking any depth at 1B. This does scream another move on the way like Tabata or Lambo?

I suppose it's possible, but I think they would move from Snider before those two.

If you go org depth chart in the OF; McCutchen, Marte, Polanco, Tabata, Lambo, Decker, and Snider

 

[element1286]

^ Yeah forgot about Snider lets hope that is the end of that also.

As for McPherson didn't he have tommy john in july? So that makes sense he wasn't going to contribute this year anyway.

Yeah, I'm guessing they see him clearing waivers.

 

[Illinest]

People don't make moves in anticipation of other moves, or if they try to do that then they will inevitably get burned by it in the long run.

Decker for dickerson is interesting. I'm guessing that the pirates probably initiated the conversation with discussions about the relief pitcher to be perfectly honest. I know dickerson is the highest rated on prospect lists but the pirates never seemed to like him that much. They wouldn't have been playing dickerson in the outfield if they were confident that his bat would play at first. The relief pitcher seems like exactly the type of pitcher neil likes and neil always acquires a few guys like that. I'm guessing neil asked for the pitcher, the padres asked for power, we agreed to move dickerson but the difference in potential was too large so decker was thrown in to even it up. Decker profiles better as a backup OF than dickerson does.

 

[Darkstone42]

Kind of a lateral move unless we're planning on moving Lambo to first or deal him or someone else for a first baseman or outfielder. We did at least get back a couple players who are more likely to contribute this year than Dickerson, though.

 

[sychmd]

Kind of a lateral move unless we're planning on moving Lambo to first or deal him or someone else for a first baseman or outfielder. We did at least get back a couple players who are more likely to contribute this year than Dickerson, though.

agreed.
seems like dickerson didn't have the defense they want in the OF and not enough power or consistency of average for 1B.

we got 2 who could be depth people for this year, but also chips for further trade moves of packaging 3,4,or 5 for 1 or 2 in return.

a lot of teams out there still need bulk to fill so many organizational holes, especially arms, and we have lots of arms.

 

[pixburgher66]

I'm just getting impatient for moves. The team has holes that they need to fill...and so far they're just gaping. Obviously it's very, very early still...I just get very impatient *twiddles thumbs*