Correia

[smokeyburgess]

I've seen a lot of Correia-bashing on this board, but he may be the Pirates' best pitcher for at least the first half of the season. Morton is still recovering from his hip injury, McDonald and Karstens have been inconsistent this Spring, and Lincoln and McCutchen are crap, so that leaves Bedard as the only other dependable starter on the staff (if he can avoid injury).

Why, then, would anyone want to trade a pitcher (Correia) who has a reputation for fast starts when the rest of the rotation could be so shaky coming out of Spring Training? I say hang on to him for at least the first half (when he is most effective) and trade him after the All-Star Break, when he is most likely to have value.

It's important that a young team such as the Pirates get off to a good start, so they need Correia more than ever right now. Let's just hope that the erratic bullpen doesn't blow leads when he typically tires after the 6th inning or so.

 

[thecrow124]

What inconsistencies are you referring to with regard to Karstens. He had one bad outing, but did a very nice job of limiting damage on the scoreboard.

I will give you the fact that Correia COULD be the best starter in the first half, but I would also say it is unlikely. It is more likely that he could be as bad as he was int he second half last year prior to the injury.

For the sake of the team, I hope he is solid to start the season, as I hope with all the starters. If not this season could end very very quickly for the faithful, because I have no hopes of the offense being good. I swear if Pedro starts the season on the major league roster and Hague doesn't I will not spend any more time supporting Neil Huntington. Heck I haven't even seen Pedro play and I can tell he is lost, he should not be anywhere near major league pitchers.

 

[sychmd]

Correia isnt bad, that is why he makes for good trade bait. but he also isnt a number one or two. if he can maintain some consistency, would be a good 3 or 4 for a contender in need of an arm for the second half.

karstens has been our most consistent pitcher for a while from late 2010 on.
mcdonald and morton have the best stuff on our starters, but need karstens willingness to pitch confidently and pound the zone over and over.

bedard and burnett have good stuff if they can stay engaged with a losing club that can hopefully find some magic, stay healthy, and they can be leaders. Redemption for both of them is a great motivator and is a cool feeling when you believe in yourself but have some tough years.

if alvarez starts in pitt, and strikes out the first game(halliday is pitching), his confidence will be toast. he needs to go to AAA out of the spotlight, work on things for a month, get some confidence and some aggressiveness back, then come up when we are doing well and he has "no" pressure to play loose and let his hitting skills attack the ball.

i love hague!!!!!!!!!!!! love what i read and the little clips on mlb. why would we ever not give this guy a chance right now. who is "blocking" him that we are so happy with or worried about offending?
finally a guy that is a hitter, and as consistent as we have had over 25 yrs in the minors. this isnt a flash in the pan spring, he's hit for several years, period.

did anyone see the starters we have to go against the first 7-10 games. it could be ugly.

 

[thecrow124]

And right on cue, Correia gives up 10 in 2.1 innings of work, so much for the most consistent pitcher in spring training.

 

[smokeyburgess]

And right on cue, Correia gives up 10 in 2.1 innings of work, so much for the most consistent pitcher in spring training.

I guess I'll have to eat crow on that one!

 

[thedddd]

If you look at this career numbers by month, first half/second half, starter/reliever they stay pretty consistent. The only outlier seems to be July he is bad.

He isn't great but I can see why teams would want him due to his consistency.

 

[element1286]

He's been in the league for 8 years, and isn't very good. I don't have a problem with him on a temporary basis, or out of the bullpen. But as a starter he isn't very effective.