2019 Pirates

[thedddd]

Harrison signed with the Tigers. Guess they wanted the Pirates old middle infield.

 

[Darkstone42]

Bob Nutting's press meeting was infuriating. Just ridiculous statements about not being able to afford a $200 million payroll to excuse not even approaching a $100 million one. Dodging the question about whether or not NH had more budget room to work with. Acknowledging something should be done about minor league pay and conditions, but not committing to do anything about it, even though he has absolute authority to correct it himself at least in his own organization. It was Pontius Pilate-esque hand-washing of all his responsibility as the team's owner, masking his role so thinly he must assume we're idiots to think we'd buy it.

 

[Darkstone42]

Oh, and the Padres signed Machado to an even worse contract than the one I preferred. He would have been at least a 2.5 win upgrade (upwards of 5) for the Pirates this year, and their payroll still wouldn't have been its highest ever on that deal. They didn't even try, though, and that's ridiculous and painful and frustrating.

It's a good thing I like the guys they have as people. This is the first offseason that I've been truly upset with the team and how it's run.

 

[thedddd]

Oh, and the Padres signed Machado to an even worse contract than the one I preferred. He would have been at least a 2.5 win upgrade (upwards of 5) for the Pirates this year, and their payroll still wouldn't have been its highest ever on that deal. They didn't even try, though, and that's ridiculous and painful and frustrating.

It's a good thing I like the guys they have as people. This is the first offseason that I've been truly upset with the team and how it's run.

That is the frustrating issue. This team has talent and since breaking the under .500 streak really has been competitive but they constantly fail to do the one thing to get them past the next level (ie never willing to make the big move). Just image if they made the Archer deal a few years back with arguably the same prospects. Heck even then they could have made that trade with just Glasnow and Meadows. They would have had Cole and Archer at the top of that rotation and going further into the playoffs might have expanded their revenues even more to the point Cole might still be here or even got a better return.

I hope they are past the point of over valuing prospects and willing to spend a few extra dollars to get the real talent needed but when Nutting continues with these types of interviews there is no hope.

 

[Darkstone42]

That is the frustrating issue. This team has talent and since breaking the under .500 streak really has been competitive but they constantly fail to do the one thing to get them past the next level (ie never willing to make the big move). Just image if they made the Archer deal a few years back with arguably the same prospects. Heck even then they could have made that trade with just Glasnow and Meadows. They would have had Cole and Archer at the top of that rotation and going further into the playoffs might have expanded their revenues even more to the point Cole might still be here or even got a better return.

I hope they are past the point of over valuing prospects and willing to spend a few extra dollars to get the real talent needed but when Nutting continues with these types of interviews there is no hope.

I think they actually did offer the Rays roughly the Archer package for Price, but the Rays wanted Major League ready players, and went that route instead. I think NH has been aggressive in the in-season trade market where it made sense, but his % of payroll cap on free agent signings is ridiculous, and it's hurt the team this year with not signing Machado. Then again, David Todd did report Nutting demanded payroll be cut to about $75 million this year, so maybe NH has already spent to his limit.

 

[thedddd]

I think they actually did offer the Rays roughly the Archer package for Price, but the Rays wanted Major League ready players, and went that route instead. I think NH has been aggressive in the in-season trade market where it made sense, but his % of payroll cap on free agent signings is ridiculous, and it's hurt the team this year with not signing Machado. Then again, David Todd did report Nutting demanded payroll be cut to about $75 million this year, so maybe NH has already spent to his limit.

I get that with Price and they didn't completely have what they wanted. Also with Price they weren't willing to up the ante with the prospects or be willing the pay his contract extension.
The in-season trades did leave some to be desired at times. Instead of going for the top of the trade market, they went for the lower end that costs them less prospects.
I don't consider the Archer deal much in that same category because that was more a PR move last season and truthfully i saw it more a deal to focus on this year and years to follow.

 

[thedddd]

I think they actually did offer the Rays roughly the Archer package for Price, but the Rays wanted Major League ready players, and went that route instead. I think NH has been aggressive in the in-season trade market where it made sense, but his % of payroll cap on free agent signings is ridiculous, and it's hurt the team this year with not signing Machado. Then again, David Todd did report Nutting demanded payroll be cut to about $75 million this year, so maybe NH has already spent to his limit.

As for this season I think what we see is what we get for the roster. It does scream lower spending limits and it is all tied to the worry that attendance is down, going back to the PR move of the Archer deal.

 

[thedddd]

Just amazed the Pirates couldn’t match or come close to the contract Gonzalez got 2/21.

 

[Darkstone42]

Just amazed the Pirates couldn’t match or come close to the contract Gonzalez got 2/21.

And for the sort of player literally any team can use. It's not like signing Gonzalez prohibits them from giving Newman and Erik Gonzalez looks, or Frazier, or Kang, or Moran, or Chisenhall. He can play everywhere. You can use him to spell players five days a week without making anyone not a starter.

 

[Darkstone42]

Kang and Hayes each hit two HR yesterday, so the Pirates might be okay at third base this year. Good sign from both of them.

If Moran recaptures his late-season form, and Bell takes a step forward under Eckstein's direction, the Pirates may be well-served to eschew defense and find homes for all three of them on the infield. If that means trying Frazier at short, or Kang himself, so be it. Aside from Williams, they've got a decent strikeout staff, maybe they won't need outstanding infield defense.

 

[thedddd]

Kang and Hayes each hit two HR yesterday, so the Pirates might be okay at third base this year. Good sign from both of them.

If Moran recaptures his late-season form, and Bell takes a step forward under Eckstein's direction, the Pirates may be well-served to eschew defense and find homes for all three of them on the infield. If that means trying Frazier at short, or Kang himself, so be it. Aside from Williams, they've got a decent strikeout staff, maybe they won't need outstanding infield defense.

If they have any semblance of an offense that will be great for this pitching staff. As for Hayes is he projected to be in the Majors this year or do they expect him one more full season in the Minors?

 

[Darkstone42]

If they have any semblance of an offense that will be great for this pitching staff. As for Hayes is he projected to be in the Majors this year or do they expect him one more full season in the Minors?

I think that really depends on Kang and Moran. If those two hit, they'll give Hayes a full season of work in AAA, since the team believes (I think rightly) that those upper-level at bats in AAA are essential to the best possible transition to the Majors, no matter how well the player shows there.

But if the team is contended despite a black hole at 3B, and he's hitting well in Indy, they might give him the call early.

 

[thedddd]

I think that really depends on Kang and Moran. If those two hit, they'll give Hayes a full season of work in AAA, since the team believes (I think rightly) that those upper-level at bats in AAA are essential to the best possible transition to the Majors, no matter how well the player shows there.

But if the team is contended despite a black hole at 3B, and he's hitting well in Indy, they might give him the call early.

Makes sense I wasn't sure if was close to being ready or not.

I see Diaz probably won't be ready for the start of the season, hopefully Cervelli is healthy.

 

[thedddd]

With Carlos Gomez signed to a minor league deal I wouldn't mind them doing the same for Carlos Gonzalez. Yeah the did bring in Cabrera but there isn't any harm.

On the pitching side I would be curious to know what Gio Gonzalez would take. The longer he stays out there more likely it might be a minor league deal. Once again you expect nothing and hope to get good return.

 

[thedddd]

Pirates Claim Jake Barrett

Might not be another bad BP piece for nothing.

 

[Darkstone42]

With Carlos Gomez signed to a minor league deal I wouldn't mind them doing the same for Carlos Gonzalez. Yeah the did bring in Cabrera but there isn't any harm.

On the pitching side I would be curious to know what Gio Gonzalez would take. The longer he stays out there more likely it might be a minor league deal. Once again you expect nothing and hope to get good return.

Gio should get a Major League deal, and it should probably look not dissimilar to the contract Derek Holland signed, 1 year and $7 million. Maybe 2/10 or something? I'd certainly offer it. If he gets pushed out by better performers, you have one more bullpen lefty candidate for not much money.

 

[thedddd]

Gio should get a Major League deal, and it should probably look not dissimilar to the contract Derek Holland signed, 1 year and $7 million. Maybe 2/10 or something? I'd certainly offer it. If he gets pushed out by better performers, you have one more bullpen lefty candidate for not much money.

I am amazed he is still sitting out there for that reason alone. I guess the Pirates aren't going that route since they brought back Liriano thinking he can fill the same role?

Makes me wonder if they are worried about Kramer or Newman?

 

[steelparrot]

Pittsburgh Pirates 2019 Top 50 Prospects | Prospects1500

Found this free site for prospects, not only do they list the top 50, they have a paragraph on all of them too.

Best free site I have found since John Sickles got the boot on his website for whatever reason.

 

[Darkstone42]

Cole Tucker with a two dinger day, and if he starts adding some power to his plus defense, plus running profile, look out.

 

[Diamondeye]

Cole Tucker with a two dinger day, and if he starts adding some power to his plus defense, plus running profile, look out.

He should be their opening day SS. He already brings more to the table than anyone else they're going to throw out there, but the Pirates are all about saving a few bucks a few years from now.

Also, the Nova trade is looking worse by the day, as he's far better than all those stiffs they have competing for the #5 rotation spot.