I love Pirates fans, always so positive! 84 wins in 2024. The team gets most of it's wins from offense. MVP - Reynolds, Best Hitter - Reynolds, Best Pitcher - Toss up, Breakout - Cruz, while the BP outshines the starters most of the season.
Shelton will continue to both baffle and piss off fans with his quirky lineups. Cherington will be given enough leash to make some positive trades at the deadline. Nutting holds true to his vow to "continue competing all season" - meaning he allows BC to be effective and not be a road block, again.
I've seen 3 articles online so far that are bullish on the Pirates, none make predictions on the season, but all point to a GM doing good work on a shoestring budget, and team that will vie for 2nd in the NL Central (to the Cubs). I have faith in BC, and the young players seem to be learning how to win and having fun doing it. Shelton seems to be a good fit, even with his lineups. I'm not a fan of this ownership, though. They are way too greedy, and I'm all for whatever it takes to change that.
But it wont stay that way if its tossing 5 innings every game. Arms.will be dead by june. This rotation is a bad joke. If we allow anyone to opt out of their deals because we kept falter in the rotation, ill be furious
If they can maintain somewhere near .500 into July and the amazingly bad defense at first base doesn’t cost them more than 3-4 games, they could possibly have a winning season. Adding at the trade deadline instead of selling (except for Tellez) could help and might happen assuming BC has any real credibility at all. I’ll shoot for 83 wins and hope for more.
Anyone yet mention the ZIPS 80th percentile projection of 84 wins? Seems exactly around what you'd expect *if* a bunch of these dudes break out, which of course makes perfect sense.
When people get all jacked off about projections it's typically because they don't like/appreciate median outcomes.
82-80. Last year May thru July they went 27-49, an abysmal stretch. In the other 3 months they went 49-37. I think the last two months (29-28) were the better indicator of what this team will be.
Wouldn't be surprised if CSN and Sanchez clear (I don't remember if CSN still has an option). Wolf probably has an option or two remaining, so if someone has room on their 40 man he'd be a cheap pickup.
The team has a surprising offense all year but the lack of starting pitching through the first 2 months cost them along with injuries in the bullpen. They could have finished (88-74) with another solid mid rotation starter and better bullpen usage (caused by injuries). We lose 8 games in April we could have won and 6 games in May. We play around 500 in June and July and finish strong in August and September but still only play slightly above 500 in those months.
We are going to be similar to the 2023 Padres, the pirates will have a positive run differential but will lose several close and 1 run games. What we thought was are strong spot will become the weakness. Bednar just isn't quite the same, Chapman does alright and is traded at the deadline as is Perez (all-star rep).
It's not all gloom and doom, August and September shows the silver lining of a playoff caliber team, potential division champion for 2025.
I don't think the offense is going to be as potent as everyone here predicts. You have, probably 3 above-average bats there with the possibility of a 4th: Reynolds, Suwinski, and Cruz will be above average IMO with the possibility that Davis might be as well. I just don't see Hayes doing for 6 months what he did for the last 2 last season. I don't see him breaking 105 wRC+. The starting pitching will be well below average, but probably not the trainwreck that some think. The bullpen will be OK, and there is a lot of hoping for best-possible-outcomes going on with some of these young pitchers right now in projecting the Pirates to have one of the best bullpens in baseball. Of course, bullpen production is hard to project accurately for any team. Claiming they will have a top bullpen is probably a better projection than that they will have a terrible one. I would be happy with an above average bullpen: say 9th or 10th in the league.
I agree that this could have been a playoff team if a serious effort was made in the off-season to upgrade at positions of need: CF, 1B, and SP. Instead, we will have to wait one more year and hope for more prospects. The problem is that they have no prospects at the positions of need, except SP, and seem to have no desire to trade to acquire any either. I am not as sanguine about 2025 as you. We shall see. 2025 is a long way off, and much can happen between now and then. I will say that Ben's last 2 months were better than the first 3 of the off-season in improving the team. His finding some value in the league refuse does give me a little hope that he can, some day, put together a winning team.
I think the potential is there, it's just going to take 3 to 4 months before they get the best team on the field and the final couple months to figure out how to win.
After 3 years of predicting 70 wins, things are looking up to predict 76-86 repeat of last year. But I've still got one eye on 81 and competing for WC in early Sept. It's plausible.
2024 Pittsburgh Pirates will be the best 72-90 team in ball.
If Cruz, Hayes, Reynolds, Suwinski, Taylor and Tellez have career years, combined with Perez, Keller, Gonzales and Falter having career years. Then you pair that with all the kidz busting out, they'll go 90-72.
Word dahn in the strip from the butcher's barber's wife's friend is that Livvy and Paul have been spotted on the streets of miami in a surprise covert roster swap
83. The young pitchers form a posse and challenge each other to get better each start. Chapman and Bednar split save opportunities and the bullpen is solid throughout the year. Hayes and Davis have solid to great years. 1b and Shelton's decision hold us back from picking up a few more.
This is the best time of the year to be a Pirates fan. I guess and draft day. Possibly trade deadline but that usually hammers home the point that we suck.
I love Pirates fans, always so positive! 84 wins in 2024. The team gets most of it's wins from offense. MVP - Reynolds, Best Hitter - Reynolds, Best Pitcher - Toss up, Breakout - Cruz, while the BP outshines the starters most of the season.
Shelton will continue to both baffle and piss off fans with his quirky lineups. Cherington will be given enough leash to make some positive trades at the deadline. Nutting holds true to his vow to "continue competing all season" - meaning he allows BC to be effective and not be a road block, again.
I've seen 3 articles online so far that are bullish on the Pirates, none make predictions on the season, but all point to a GM doing good work on a shoestring budget, and team that will vie for 2nd in the NL Central (to the Cubs). I have faith in BC, and the young players seem to be learning how to win and having fun doing it. Shelton seems to be a good fit, even with his lineups. I'm not a fan of this ownership, though. They are way too greedy, and I'm all for whatever it takes to change that.
Totally agree with the summary WTM provided but will reduce win number to 71.
Bullpen threw 53 pitches. 42 strikes and only 11 balls. 1 hit and 0 runs over 6.1 innings.
That my friends is a formula for success!
One hit, two walks after Keller's poor start. The bullpen is likely the strength of the team.
But it wont stay that way if its tossing 5 innings every game. Arms.will be dead by june. This rotation is a bad joke. If we allow anyone to opt out of their deals because we kept falter in the rotation, ill be furious
If they can maintain somewhere near .500 into July and the amazingly bad defense at first base doesn’t cost them more than 3-4 games, they could possibly have a winning season. Adding at the trade deadline instead of selling (except for Tellez) could help and might happen assuming BC has any real credibility at all. I’ll shoot for 83 wins and hope for more.
Anyone yet mention the ZIPS 80th percentile projection of 84 wins? Seems exactly around what you'd expect *if* a bunch of these dudes break out, which of course makes perfect sense.
When people get all jacked off about projections it's typically because they don't like/appreciate median outcomes.
76 wins but since it's Opening Day, I'll say 85 wins!!! LFG!!!!
SP to open the season is a joke and holds us back. Thanks BC!!!
82-80. Last year May thru July they went 27-49, an abysmal stretch. In the other 3 months they went 49-37. I think the last two months (29-28) were the better indicator of what this team will be.
Also got outscored by almost 50 runs over those two months.
Now I know that Derek Shelton is a master at bullpen management but seems like they might've lucked out a bit.
Pirates DFA:
Ali Sanchez
Canaan Smith-Njigba
Jackson Wolf
Wouldn't be surprised if CSN and Sanchez clear (I don't remember if CSN still has an option). Wolf probably has an option or two remaining, so if someone has room on their 40 man he'd be a cheap pickup.
You beat me to it lol! Selected Jared Jones, Ryder Ryan and Hunter Stratton.
Plus Ro to paternity list and hernandez called up
Sometimes seeing a child lights a fire under one's ass! Congrats to Ro on his new young one!
Congrats to Ro and family!
74-88
MVP Hayes
Best Pitcher Perez
Best Hitter Davis
Breakout Triolo
The team has a surprising offense all year but the lack of starting pitching through the first 2 months cost them along with injuries in the bullpen. They could have finished (88-74) with another solid mid rotation starter and better bullpen usage (caused by injuries). We lose 8 games in April we could have won and 6 games in May. We play around 500 in June and July and finish strong in August and September but still only play slightly above 500 in those months.
We are going to be similar to the 2023 Padres, the pirates will have a positive run differential but will lose several close and 1 run games. What we thought was are strong spot will become the weakness. Bednar just isn't quite the same, Chapman does alright and is traded at the deadline as is Perez (all-star rep).
It's not all gloom and doom, August and September shows the silver lining of a playoff caliber team, potential division champion for 2025.
I don't think the offense is going to be as potent as everyone here predicts. You have, probably 3 above-average bats there with the possibility of a 4th: Reynolds, Suwinski, and Cruz will be above average IMO with the possibility that Davis might be as well. I just don't see Hayes doing for 6 months what he did for the last 2 last season. I don't see him breaking 105 wRC+. The starting pitching will be well below average, but probably not the trainwreck that some think. The bullpen will be OK, and there is a lot of hoping for best-possible-outcomes going on with some of these young pitchers right now in projecting the Pirates to have one of the best bullpens in baseball. Of course, bullpen production is hard to project accurately for any team. Claiming they will have a top bullpen is probably a better projection than that they will have a terrible one. I would be happy with an above average bullpen: say 9th or 10th in the league.
I agree that this could have been a playoff team if a serious effort was made in the off-season to upgrade at positions of need: CF, 1B, and SP. Instead, we will have to wait one more year and hope for more prospects. The problem is that they have no prospects at the positions of need, except SP, and seem to have no desire to trade to acquire any either. I am not as sanguine about 2025 as you. We shall see. 2025 is a long way off, and much can happen between now and then. I will say that Ben's last 2 months were better than the first 3 of the off-season in improving the team. His finding some value in the league refuse does give me a little hope that he can, some day, put together a winning team.
Sir you need some hopium, i can spare if youre out
I think the potential is there, it's just going to take 3 to 4 months before they get the best team on the field and the final couple months to figure out how to win.
After 3 years of predicting 70 wins, things are looking up to predict 76-86 repeat of last year. But I've still got one eye on 81 and competing for WC in early Sept. It's plausible.
MVP - Hank
Best Pitcher - Jones
Best Hitter - Cruz
Breakout - Jones and Skenes
Lineup is out folks- mildly surprised to have jack down with joe in rf and rowdy starting
2024 Pittsburgh Pirates will be the best 72-90 team in ball.
If Cruz, Hayes, Reynolds, Suwinski, Taylor and Tellez have career years, combined with Perez, Keller, Gonzales and Falter having career years. Then you pair that with all the kidz busting out, they'll go 90-72.
If my Aunt had balls...
Any word or even rumors of roster moves yet?
Word dahn in the strip from the butcher's barber's wife's friend is that Livvy and Paul have been spotted on the streets of miami in a surprise covert roster swap
87-75
MVP - Hayes
Best Pitcher - Keller
Best Hitter - Reynolds
Breakout - Jones
Pirates win division title and surprise the world by winning the NL Pennant thanks to superb SP of Keller, Skenes, and Jones.
83. The young pitchers form a posse and challenge each other to get better each start. Chapman and Bednar split save opportunities and the bullpen is solid throughout the year. Hayes and Davis have solid to great years. 1b and Shelton's decision hold us back from picking up a few more.
This is the best time of the year to be a Pirates fan. I guess and draft day. Possibly trade deadline but that usually hammers home the point that we suck.