152 Comments

On the draft front, according to the MLB.com tracker, Ager signed for $2500 below slot, so no real savings there. Haven't seen any of the others.

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The $2500 is an accounting measure that some teams use. It will apply to every bonus Announced by the Pirates.

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Why would they even bother shorting the kid $2500?!

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If i recall correctly, the top 10 round picks get a $2500 bonus for signing ( can't remember where I read that, but it is consistent with some signing lists), so he got slot.

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Also precedent. I'd imagine they are trying to get Griffin, who was ranked right at where he went, for slot vs over-slot. Having a guy who was seen as slightly higher rated than where he was drafted go for slightly under slot. (Not saying I necessarily agree with the strategy)

My bet is that Griffin signs for $6.25 or $6.3 for 'over-slot- deal. Rainer signing for $5.8M I think helps the case if you ask me in another prep short stop signing for near slot.

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Everybody in this FO is probably under orders never to use vending machines because you can’t negotiate the price down.

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Belated....Nicky G. the RBI Machine! Well pitched game. Home plate ump was awful, would love to see umpire score tomorrow. Did you see the Cards batters OPS thru the lineup? Gorman hitting 8th with 19 dingers. This is a good hitting team held to just the one HR.

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Thanks Cubs 🤮 one closer to the Brewers.

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A little late cause I was driving home when the game ended and jus now able to post…..Booyah!!!! 51 in da books!! Cruz and Nick both come through knocking in the 2 runs. Mitchie the Kid only gave up one run over 7, calmly working out of trouble at times and shaking off taking a hard hit ball off of his pitching hand. Nice start to the series with Skenes hitting the bump tomorrow. Raise it!!!!!!

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Monday, July 22

51 down. 30 to go.

*

Pirates win 2-1 as they chase down the second place Cardinals in the NL Central. They’ve gotten themselves into the log-jam that is the NL Wild Card conversation.

Great outing by Pitch Keller and Nick the Stick drives in the winner. Back end of the bullpen was STOUT, cousin! Bucs are ON the UP…

*

CARROTS ON THE HOUSE!!!!

@> Rowdy for his 2 for 4 and a key defensive play.

@>@> Nick the Stick for his game winning RBI.

@>@>@> Pitch Keller for his seven innings of one run ball.

_________________________

“There’ll be no more MUTINY, K-9.”

-Wabbit

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We know this team needs more offense but I got to say, this is a very likeable team. There's a lot of guys on this team you want to see do well.

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Not for nothing, but the Pirates have now entered a four-way tie for the last NL wild card.

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Rowdy saved that one!

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raise it

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Always good to beat the low down no good Redbirds!

Well done, Buccos!

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Can tie the Crads tomorrow and Skenes is pitching.

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Trade Perez so we don't have to watch that amateur post game crap. You're above 500, act like you're expecting to win.

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RTJR

kinda starting to feel real

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Raise it for everyone but Ke' Hayes. Lower it for him.

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Don’t want to pretend I know how to fix him because I don’t, BUT his problems are so obviously mechanical, AND he had it figured out for the last 2 months in ‘23, why can’t he retool his swing to hit the ball in the air more???

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I wonder if his back issues might have something to do with his swing.

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He's in the lineup every day, attempting stolen bases (bad idea with his extra weight he's added).

There's no indication he has back issues. This is just who he is.

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Facts. He has battled back issues for quite a while. He is 8 for 10 in stolen bases this year.

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His swing has been broken since his 2021 rookie season. Facts. He has put on weight, a significant amount, which will slow his sprint speed. He had a nice stretch of hitting in '23 after Nunnally helped him with his swing, but the Pirates than fired him. He plays good defense at 3rd. I just want to see the excuses stop for him......unless we hear a trainer or other reliable source saying differently.

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I'm not giving excuses. Two months ago, I posted plenty of my concerns about Hayes once or twice, then I ended it because nobody wants to hear it over and over and over. This is one of the most exciting times for the Pirates in quite a while, but to get on the thread to share some of this excitement and to have to read through 25 negative comments on Hayes every game gets old. I am pretty sure you understand.

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Geez.....

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Couldnt just have a positive comment

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It's a joke. Lighten up Francis :)

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Really think we need to look to flip him to a team for a change of scenery. Look for an upgrade at 3B like Isaac Paredes. I know he has an elite glove, but our starting 3B can't have 2 RBI all of July. Heck at this point see if Triolo can give you similar offensive output and quality defense.

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His glove is less elite than it was this year, too.

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Wasn’t the prettiest but hell yeah 🏴‍☠️

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As always: imagine this team with even a below-average bottom of the batting order.

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Saw this tweet about Yankees earlier today. You'd appreciate it

https://x.com/SauberAvi/status/1815177817723707590

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If only the Pirates bottom of the order could get the ball that far. Totally not looking at Hayes when I say that.

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No excuse, but it is pretty common around the league. When we played the Phillies, I think they had 3 guys under .200 in the bottom of their line-up. When I went to St. Louis, Chicago and Milwauke, the bottom of the line-ups are all bad. That being said, we could use an upgrade there.

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🏴‍☠️ X 51.

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