Grilli Named Closer

[Etrius24]

The guy has earned it... been pretty solid late in games the last 2 years... He is not an ideal closer... but the numers have been decent...

Thoughts ?

 

[element1286]

Think he'll be alright, if Mike Williams can do it, so can Grilli.

 

[Burgh Sports Rule]

I think Grilli will be fine. If not him? I like Mark Melancon. Really happy to get him in the Hammer deal. I really think Melancon could have better numbers this yr than Hammer does.

Very interested to see what Jerry Sands does. I like that pickup in the trade.

I myself, Love the signing of Liriano. I think that he could have a very solid yr for us, much like AJ Burnett did. I think that Liriano could flourish in the National League for the Pirates.

While I feel that the Pirates gave far too much money to Russell Martin, I do think that he does represent a clear upgrade to Rod Barajas. ( At Least On Defense )

When you pair that move, with the series of others that Huntington has made this winter. I think given the Pirates constraints & what was viewed by many of us as a poor FA market.

I think that the Pirates have had a pretty solid offseason.

I look forward to this year on the field.

It will be very interesting if the Bucs move GI Jones? He had a really solid yr. I think his value will never be any higher than it is right now.

I think GI Jones has far more value than Hammer did when we moved him, so it will be very interesting to see what NH shoots for & what he can haul in for Jones? ( If Moved? )

Again though, I am very encouraged by our offseason so far, given my points made above.

Certainly far more than the Ron Cook's & DK's of this town.

Burgh

 

[Illinest]

I think jones is worth keeping. He is still relatively cheap. In spite of his value to the pirates i doubt that any other team's gm looks at jones and thinks "everyday player". I suspect that his trade value isn't as high as his value to us.

I say we continue to use him as the strong half of a platoon.
I think marte is being underestimated. He has selection problems - true - but he's very athletic with a quick bat and a developing power stroke. I think marte will be able to slug .450 in the majors, steal bases and provide excellent defense. Even if his BA is .250 and OBP .300 that makes him a solid centerfielder. Play McC in left and 2/3rds of the outfield is set.

 

[Etrius24]

illinest

Do you really think that they will move Cutch to the corner? Not saying that it would not make sense potentially... just wondering if the team wants to fuck around with Cutch and do something that might affect his hitting? Some outfielders take pride in their defense and suggesting they switch to a corner outfield would be something that a lot of them would not initially embrace... I like cutch and he seems like a great person...So maybe he just takes the mentality that if it is best for the team he is okay with it... but this is a tricky situation... He is by far our best player... I think they need to make sure he is happy and productive.

 

[stillmatic32]

I think whether or not he is open to it, there is no way they move him to a corner outfield position.

 

[Etrius24]

I am inclined to agree with you Stillmatic... Almost no chance they move Cutch to the corner any time soon.