2016 Pirates

[stillmatic32]

I think Desmond would be a decent target if the market is down on him. He'd be a pretty solid bench player with the upside of upgrading SS and adding some pop back into the lineup. Either way, it adds a ML-capable middle infielder to the bench.

Adding a useful first baseman would go a long way, too.

Gotta sign some kind of a middle infielder. And a first basemen. And 2 pitchers. And a lefty reliever. Even after doing that there will be zero depth. Kingham is probably going to start throwing in AAA around July. Glasnow and Taillion would be mid June at best. Trevor Williams could be the first to be called up if injury happens. I'm hoping something happens very soon.

 

[element1286]

I think Desmond would be a decent target if the market is down on him. He'd be a pretty solid bench player with the upside of upgrading SS and adding some pop back into the lineup. Either way, it adds a ML-capable middle infielder to the bench.

Adding a useful first baseman would go a long way, too.

Desmond was a 4+ WAR guy for 3 years before last, and fangraphs has him crowdsourced at 4/60. I'd like to get a deal, but a good deal for him is 3/40 or something there-abouts. I don't see how he is a bench bat.

Maybe Kelly Johnson or Stephen Drew as bench bats. They might be able to get a deal on Howie Kendrick, and move Harrison back to the bench/super sub rule.

 

[Darkstone42]

Desmond was a 4+ WAR guy for 3 years before last, and fangraphs has him crowdsourced at 4/60. I'd like to get a deal, but a good deal for him is 3/40 or something there-abouts. I don't see how he is a bench bat.

Maybe Kelly Johnson or Stephen Drew as bench bats. They might be able to get a deal on Howie Kendrick, and move Harrison back to the bench/super sub rule.

3/40 wouldn't be a bad deal for Desmond for the Bucs. Newman is probably the first shortstop in the system who could reasonably take on a starting role, so he wouldn't really be blocking anyone.

I like the idea of Kendrick, though. He does a lot of things really well, tends to be undervalued, but is always a solid player.

 

[psaboy]

They're about even with the Cards and Dodgers right now, probably a bit ahead of the Giants and DBacks, and also probably better than everyone in the NL East except for the Nats and maybe the Mets, with whom they're also pretty even. Especially considering their activity in terms of talking to other teams and players persisted throughout the Winter Meetings, even after the Walker for Niese deal, it's probably pretty safe to assume they'll continue to be one of the better teams in the NL.

We almost certainly have the best bullpen in the NL right now, and we're in contention for the best outfield, and we have a great catcher. We have a solid player in Harrison who will fill in where needed, and I think Kang should establish himself among the NL's best 3B this season, given health. Mercer is mostly fine, too, so finding a decent 1B to make Morse a bench player is the biggest thing position player wise.

And you just know we'll find a way to upgrade the rotation. We always do.

Plus, we have mid- to late-season boost possibilities from three impact prospects in Taillon, Bell, and Glasnow, plus a probably useful prospect in Hanson.

The Cubs have the most talented team in baseball right now, probably, but that doesn't mean the Bucs aren't going to contend.

Well, maybe "contend" was not right word. I think they will contend for wild card spot again, just don't think they are making any moves to put them at next level. Starting pitching is one area I think they need to improve on, need a good, solid number 2 & 3 guy, just don't see that right now.

 

[thedddd]

Atlanta Braves should trade Freddie Freeman

You can always dream now I am not sure NH would give Bell and Meadows but Bell would be expendable in this case.

 

[thedddd]

Well, maybe "contend" was not right word. I think they will contend for wild card spot again, just don't think they are making any moves to put them at next level. Starting pitching is one area I think they need to improve on, need a good, solid number 2 & 3 guy, just don't see that right now.

You can argue that Cole and Liriano are the 1 & 2 but that means they truly need a #3. I don't feel Niese is that, basically more of an upgrade over Locke/Morton at 4 or 5. With that said if Glasnow comes up in June and is lights out then they have their #3 but truly need a stop gap until that time.

 

[thedddd]

Saw reports the Padres might be interested in dealing Ross or Cashner, why I have no clue since they have them cheap and controlled for a couple more years, but if the right deal could be made either might fit well at PNC. Ross seems to be a fastball/slider pitcher with a good amount of ground balls. Cashner is more of a Fastball pitcher and more even on the ground ball/flyball ratio.

 

[element1286]

3/40 wouldn't be a bad deal for Desmond for the Bucs. Newman is probably the first shortstop in the system who could reasonably take on a starting role, so he wouldn't really be blocking anyone.

I like the idea of Kendrick, though. He does a lot of things really well, tends to be undervalued, but is always a solid player.

The only question being, would the Pirates make Harrison a guaranteed bench player after giving him an extension like that, my guess is no.

 

[element1286]

Saw reports the Padres might be interested in dealing Ross or Cashner, why I have no clue since they have them cheap and controlled for a couple more years, but if the right deal could be made either might fit well at PNC. Ross seems to be a fastball/slider pitcher with a good amount of ground balls. Cashner is more of a Fastball pitcher and more even on the ground ball/flyball ratio.

I'm sure the asking price would be high on both. Do you trade one of Glasnow, Bell, Meadows for them?

 

[thedddd]

I'm sure the asking price would be high on both. Do you trade one of Glasnow, Bell, Meadows for them?

Very true. Honestly with the payroll limitions of the Pirates not sure I would. With projections Glasnow seems like he will be a much better pitcher than both, on top of the fact that Taillon and Kingham are hurt. The high value pitching trade depth is depleted at the moment. With Bell unless you are getting a long term 1B (ala Freeman) I would keep him. Meadows might be good trade chip if the Pirates go long term with Marte, McCutchen and Polanco.

 

[Darkstone42]

Very true. Honestly with the payroll limitions of the Pirates not sure I would. With projections Glasnow seems like he will be a much better pitcher than both, on top of the fact that Taillon and Kingham are hurt. The high value pitching trade depth is depleted at the moment. With Bell unless you are getting a long term 1B (ala Freeman) I would keep him. Meadows might be good trade chip if the Pirates go long term with Marte, McCutchen and Polanco.

With the possibility of the DH coming to the NL in 2017, though, they might want to keep Meadows anyway. Resign Cutch long-term with the new TV deal money and rotate the outfielders through DH (though Cutch should be there more than the other three, probably).

 

[thedddd]

^ If that is a reality then yeah keeping Meadows makes sense and if for some reason it doesn't they should have the talent then to make a pretty good deal with their OF depth.

 

[element1286]

I don't trade any of the three guys. I hadn't heard about the DH in 2017, but that is another consideration. But do we even know that Polanco is a guaranteed OF for the next 5+ years? I think he probably is, but he's been more ok than good. Especially with the obvious flaw of not being able to hit lefties thus far.

 

[Darkstone42]

I don't trade any of the three guys. I hadn't heard about the DH in 2017, but that is another consideration. But do we even know that Polanco is a guaranteed OF for the next 5+ years? I think he probably is, but he's been more ok than good. Especially with the obvious flaw of not being able to hit lefties thus far.

The DH is being speculated for the 2016 CBA meetings. The PA has a motivation, both for protecting pitchers and for creating more jobs for hitters, so I see it as a distinct possibility.

Polanco can hit lefties when given the chance, though. Once they stopped using him as a platoon guy, he started to get comfortable with them, and he has a history of hitting lefties in the minors. And as awkward as he is, he still gets the job done defensively and on the bases. I'm pretty confident in Polanco.

 

[thedddd]

Little change of subject:
MLB could see even bigger deals in 2018

But come 2018, hopefully the Pirates will have the money (for that matter any small market team) to resign players like McCutchen. If not most of this talent will go to big markets after seeing the crazy amount of money given out to a select few this year.

 

[Darkstone42]

ZiPS is out, and it doesn't like Jon Niese to rebound. I guess the system considers last year to be more the pitcher he is than the four previous years.

Morton is actually projected for a higher WAR.

However, ZiPS does kind of like the Pirates as a whole, so that's good.

2016 ZiPS Projections – Pittsburgh Pirates | FanGraphs Baseball

 

[Darkstone42]

Finding the Pirates (Another) First Baseman | FanGraphs Baseball

John Jaso is an interesting idea. Pretty good hitter for his career, left handed batter, and he's at least taken infield at first base. Catchers tend to switch to first alright, as well, so the defense shouldn't be a huge problem for him.

 

[thedddd]

Not a bad idea for Jaso then they could try for Kendrick so he can play 2B, Kang at 3B with Harrison playing super sub that way Rodriguez wouldn't be signed again.

 

[element1286]

I'm all in on John Jaso, I mentioned him upthread, guy can get on base.

 

[thedddd]

^ I thought you did and on another note Rodriguez is coming back.
I am not opposed to it and having him on the bench helps but they still need offense.