Spring Training Thoughts

[Illinest]

I notice that starling marte hits the shit out of the ball. Like.

 

[thecrow124]

I notice that starling marte hits the shit out of the ball. Like.

Especially in ST.

 

[element1286]

Pirates need depth, but what kind? - Bucs Dugout

Thought this was a good article, and a good discussion in the comments about the bench.

 

[Darkstone42]

Pirates need depth, but what kind? - Bucs Dugout

Thought this was a good article, and a good discussion in the comments about the bench.

I guess the line you have to walk is figuring out which youngsters would you ultimately benefit more from having everyday experience. If they're not ready to start for the Major League team, even though they're better bench options, do you leave them in AAA to season more? Or do you think they'll top off as a bench player and might as well get them into that role now? I think Holt's a bench guy long term, for example, so it's fine to have him on the bench. Same with Presley if he earns it. Tony Sanchez, on the other hand, still has a ceiling as a starter, and should be at AAA where he can play every day.

 

[element1286]

I guess the line you have to walk is figuring out which youngsters would you ultimately benefit more from having everyday experience. If they're not ready to start for the Major League team, even though they're better bench options, do you leave them in AAA to season more? Or do you think they'll top off as a bench player and might as well get them into that role now? I think Holt's a bench guy long term, for example, so it's fine to have him on the bench. Same with Presley if he earns it. Tony Sanchez, on the other hand, still has a ceiling as a starter, and should be at AAA where he can play every day.

That seems a good interpretation of it, although I would quibble if Tony Sanchez fits that mold. Starling Marte, Gerritt Cole, Pedro Alvarez, Jameson Taillon absolutely.

 

[magnumo]

Pirates need depth, but what kind? - Bucs Dugout

Thought this was a good article, and a good discussion in the comments about the bench.

Good article and discussion, indeed..... and I will watch with interest to see how the construction of the bench plays out for the last two spots.

Barring injury, it seems assured that McKenry and whoever is not playing of Snider/Tabata and Jones/G. Sanchez will fill three of the five bench positions.

The glaring opening remaining to be filled is backup for the middle infield (especially with Gaby taking reps at 3B). Clearly, the Pirates need at least one guy who can backup adequately at both SS and 2B, while in the past, they've frequently carried two such players. Thus, a lot of open questions remain regarding the last two bench spots:

1. Will they insist on carrying two bench MI's (as they have in the past) or will they be satisfied with one (my preference, to allow a slot for a better bench bat)?

2. Do they consider Harrison or DeJesus as adequate backups at SS (especially if they carry only one backup middle infielder)?

3. Do they still consider Mercer to be a future potential starter at SS? (D'Arnaud's thumb injury takes him out of the near-term picture, for sure.)

4. Do they consider Gaby adequate as 3B backup? .....or might they consider someone else (Inge, Harrison, or even Goedert)? .....or might they be satisfied with Mercer backing up 3B as well as SS and 2B?

5. How much does Hurdle want to keep his bench veterans (namely, Inge and Hawpe)? Clearly and fortunately (with the need for at least one MI backup) he won't be able to keep both.

6. Do Presley or Pie even have a long shot at a bench spot? (My guess is no.)

 

[element1286]

I'd lean towards Mercer and Goedert for the last few bench spots.

Mercer because I think he is the best option, and Goedert because he seems to have a well rounded game that could translate.

And if Goedert doesn't work out, Josh Harrison is a phone call away in Indy. Brandon Inge becomes redundant at that point.

It's tough for Presley, but I don't think he has much of a shot. That being said, I think they need to make a decision on Sanchez and Snider by mid-season. If they think they are an answer then they should move Presley to fill another hole, or even move Jones if they aren't going to keep him long term.

Also, Jerry Sands was the primary return for a fairly important player, they obviously want to see what they got at some point.

 

[steelparrot]

Veterans On Minors Deals In Line For $100K Bonus: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

New cba rules, puts in automatic out clauses for players on minor league deals that played in the majors the previous season.

I'm guessing they go with two MI, probably Inge and Mercer.

 

[sychmd]

bench: McK and Tabata and Sanchez (assuming snider and jones start)

mercer is my choice for MI/SS backup.

i would keep inge as play many positions, veteran, who also gives us another C to use McK as a PH at times as well.
we will then have 3 guys who can hit a HR on the bench instead of last year having nothing because we didnt use the 2nd catcher to PH since we only carried 2.
inge had good power and rbi numbers for part time duty.

if inge turns out rickety, we can always bring in Darnaud, harrison, goedert, or other scrapings.

 

[thecrow124]

Call me goofy but I see DeJesus as the replacement next season for Barmes. Very solid defensively and might be able to hit enough to play everyday in the majors.

 

[element1286]

Was listening to the game today a bit, and Neverett mentioned that they were going to use Inge at short and 2nd in the last few weeks of spring training to see if he can play there.

Which to me sounds like Hurdle is doing everything he can to keep Inge, and barring a disaster in the field, Inge will be the util middle infielder.

 

[magnumo]

Was listening to the game today a bit, and Neverett mentioned that they were going to use Inge at short and 2nd in the last few weeks of spring training to see if he can play there.

Which to me sounds like Hurdle is doing everything he can to keep Inge, and barring a disaster in the field, Inge will be the util middle infielder.

That sounds almost criminal to me.

As previously posted, my preference is for the Pirates to carry only one backup middle infielder. Assuming Barmes and Walker are the starters, my priority order for potential backup middle infielders is:

1. Jordy Mercer
2. Ivan DeJesus
3. Josh Harrison
4. Anderson Hernandez
5. Russell Martin
6. Mickey Mouse
7. Brandon Inge

The only reason that Chase D'Arnaud isn't on my list is that he may require surgery.

If this team winds up with Brandon Inge as its backup middle infielder, I swear that I will stop following the team until both Huntington and Hurdle are history.

 

[sychmd]

i would assume inge would not be the primary MI, but instead of keeping 2 weak hitting MI for the bench, they will keep one.
harrison is more versatile defensively, dejesus is an interesting pickup, mercer the better long term potential of those coming up in our system.

bench will be:
Mck, sanchez, tabata, dejesus/harrison/mercer, inge. - i like dejesus or mercer.

inge is a vet, can hit a HR, can be a 3rd catcher that allows mck to ph at times, and can fill in for a bunch of positions in a pinch, not as a regular.
if he can repeat last year, then i will take him for our bench.
hawpe is too limited unless he really hits these last 2 weeks. none of the others will really have a possibility of being impactful.

last year we never had anyone who could PH and do anything except when jones was out against a starting LH then could come in against a RH.

 

[thedddd]

I really hope Hawpe is not on the roster come opening day but I have a bad feeling we will see him.

My only thought is if Snyder, Tabata or Marte crap the bed so bad they can put Jones in the OF and platoon Sanchez and Hawpe at 1B but I REALLY hope that does not happen.

Inge will probably make it as some veteran off the bench but for the MI I would love Mercer and/or Dejesus (as others state) make it with the other starting SS in AAA with the hope to replace Barmes.

With Inge I would like to see Goedert make it but I understand the reason why Inge would be taken over him.

With the way Pie is playing this spring I bet he will be on a MLB roster (not the Pirates). I hope that won't happen and he will be in AAA as OF insurance.

I am still very worried about the corner OF spots even though they look good in spring training.

 

[element1286]

I can't see Hawpe making it. The MIF is in this position because all of the options are awful. The corner OF/corner IF spot is two deep with potential starters between Pittsburgh and Indy.

 

[steelparrot]

Pirates Prospects » Pirates Projected Among NL?s Top Four Benches

The computer models like our bench, or more accurately they like Sanchez.

Inge makes to much sense to not make the team imo.. giving Pedro a day off vs LHP/some pop/flexibility with the catching situation, but if hes our backup SS thats crazy.