2015 Pirates

[element1286]

Leake seemed the most logical target as a starter, and really I don't think he is that much of an upgrade of over Locke.

Honestly think it's just some regression from AJ, his peripherals were good, but not as good as his ERA would have suggested.

 

[Darkstone42]

Gallardo also kind of makes sense (and seems like an NH type of target), but given the quality of prospects being thrown around in the starting pitching market this year, he might also be wildly expensive.

Although, the most desperate of the teams are now content, so maybe the prices start to fall.

 

[thedddd]

Yeah not much out there without the overpay.

Gallardo, like Burnett, hasn't been good recently it might be of concern.

 

[Darkstone42]

Jeff Baker was released today. He's nothing special, but he's been an average hitter against lefties this year and is a first baseman. It would be like acquiring Napoli, but it would be free, essentially. He'd be a better option, I imagine, than Ishikawa at least.

 

[Darkstone42]

Reading into Baker a bit more, I think he's a pretty solid fit. His BABIP is down and his K% up, but his ISO and BB% are in line with his career norms. He's got a .226 ISO and 10% BB% against lefties, too, which, despite a .258 BABIP (way below his usual), has made him roughly average against southpaws this year.

He's definitely an upgrade over Ishikawa, and he's right-handed. I think the Bucs ought to pick him up.

 

[Darkstone42]

Tabata to the Dodgers for Morse and cash.

Well, no more Jose. Morse is probably an upgrade over Ishikawa, even in a major down year. He also doesn't have a platoon split for his career, and the Pirates may view him as a bounce-back candidate, who is signed for next year, too, who can take at least semi-regular first base duties.

 

[Darkstone42]

JA Happ from the Mariners for Adrian Sampson, as well, it appears. Not sure what to think of that one.

 

[thedddd]

JA Happ I don't see as an upgrade over Locke but with him and Blanton I guess you give yourself options for the 5th spot in the rotation to go with the hot hand?

As for Morse the fact alone they got rid of Tabata's contact is amazing in itself. Baker vs Morse probably not much of a difference when it comes to the fact that Tabata's contact is gone.

Good thing is that they still can pick up Baker on a minor league deal and always designate someone to make room for him.

 

[steelparrot]

JA Happ from the Mariners for Adrian Sampson, as well, it appears. Not sure what to think of that one.

JA Happ I don't see as an upgrade over Locke but with him and Blanton I guess you give yourself options for the 5th spot in the rotation to go with the hot hand?

I think the Happ trade was a reaction to all our AAA depth being hurt now, Indianapolis is rocking a crappy rotation.

 

[Darkstone42]

Burnett to the DL. That's why they made the Happ trade.

 

[thedddd]

^ Well that explains it. Even though it was reactionary it wasn't an overpay which is good.

 

[thedddd]

I think the Happ trade was a reaction to all our AAA depth being hurt now, Indianapolis is rocking a crappy rotation.

Yeah probably and on that note if they needed depth for SP in AAA, Brandon Beachy and Bud Norris both got designated. Trust me don't want either anywhere near Pirates roster now but either might be good reclaimation projects for the future.

 

[element1286]

Useful if but unspectacular trades for Morse and Happ, Morse rounds out the roster as a non black hole who can play first base against a LHP.

Happ is a good depth move, and apparently necessary with AJ going to the DL.

 

[Darkstone42]

I think Morse is signed for next year, too, which, if he bounces back, could be very nice.

 

[thedddd]

From Yahoo sports:

"Pittsburgh Pirates: This was about as typical a Pirates deadline as possible, in which they don’t make any big moves but fill holes capably, with Aramis Ramirez at third, Joakim Soria in the bullpen, Michael Morse as a bench bat and J.A. Happ to take the injured A.J. Burnett’s place in the rotation.
Verdict: Utilitarian as ever."

I say pretty spot on.

 

[ramburgh]

I would like to see how much money is coming back to the Pirates in the Tabata for Morse trade. Morse ($8.5M) - Tabata ($4.5M + $275,000 buyout for his option years)=$3,725,000 difference for next year. If the Dodgers sent significant money back the Pirates could be getting Morse for close to nothing while getting out from underneath Tabata's contract. This trade could be much bigger than it appears.

Pirates could have their firstbaseman for next year for close to nothing and are free from dead money paid to Tabata. If Morse performs they also might not need Alvarez or another first baseman. So this could save them $10M-$15M next year (Alvarez/other first baseman and Tabata) that they could use to bring in a solid starter to replace Burnett (plus they will have money saved from Burnett's salary). Worse case scenario is Morse continues to struggle and the Pirates have him for nothing as a bench bat/DFA him and have to bring in another firstbaseman next year. But they would still be free of Tabata's contract.

 

[Darkstone42]

AJ might be done for the year. Hopefully, either J.A. can rebound or Liz can come up and continue pitching like he has in AAA, because I don't see us pulling off a waiver trade for a starting pitcher to replace him.

 

[psaboy]

I was just thinking if they can get AJ 3-4 weeks of rest, he may be able to get some strength back and be better around end of season and playoffs??

 

[Darkstone42]

The Bucs could use this version of Charlie Morton while Burnett is down. Hopefully something was off, and he's sorted it out going forward.

 

[stillmatic32]

AJ has never been good when it matters, going way back. That said, this is different. It's an injury. I feel bad for him if he goes out like this. I really don't buy him retiring at all when he's having a season like this. It really just never happens.

Morton, Happ, Locke is a rough 3-4-5, in whichever order you put it. Hopefully Morton builds on today. He was awesome. Especially in GABP.