Strider and now Acuna. Losing 2 big pieces but I'd bet they'll be just fine because of Alex their GM. Either they have the depth already, or he'll go out and find it.
I expect Cutch to return. But he may have had enough. We'll see.
SP:
Skenes
Jones
Keller
Preister
???
Chandler and Solomento have stalled at AA. Chandler may be injured. Harrington and Ashcraft will likely spend much of the year at Indianapolis. Barco will likely arrive in 2026.
BP:
Bednar
Ortiz
Straton
Holderman
Let us hope Bednar returns to form.
Bench:
Bae
Joe
Triolo
Peguero
Bart/Delay
That's 20 players. The roster needs six more players. The ML team will have SP depth, with pitchers like Harrington and Ashcraft at Indianapolis, but, like the 2024 season, the BP and the Bench will be as shallow as a river in the desert. Cherrington will need to sign a SP, a setup RP, a LHRP and two outfielders. Joe and Bae can play in the OF, but if the Pirates are serious about contending, Nutting and Cherrington must open the wallet and spend money on quality players to fill positions of need.
If Endy Rodriguez, Davis, Cruz and Gonzales hit like we expect them to, given their pedigrees, and if Reyonds and Hayes remain 2 to 3 WAR players, next year's team can accomplish something good. Skenes, Jones and Keller could make the Pirates a viable player in the FA market this fall and winter. Players will want to come here if they are paid. The onus is on Nutting. If there was ever a time to spend to win, that time will come soon.
I am late to this thread but wanted to add my 2 cents. I would replace Priester with ?? as he has done little to assume he should be in the rotation next year. I am not pessimistic but would actually put Falter in his place if we wanted to add a current Pirate system pitcher. Agree with RP list. I think Joe should be listed as at least a part time starter some where. If Nick G based off a month is listed as the starter at 2B surely Joe has earned the 1B job or RF or split role. I don't buy just moving somebody to 1B and it will work. I prefer a ERod/Davis split catching roll assuming if they hit other ABs will be found for them. I also agree Cutch will be back but in theory that is a ??. I'd just list bench as ?? with multiple candidates as nobody (outside of Joe) has laid a claim IMO. I do think several on your list would have inside tracks although in my list the 3rd catcher would not be needed as I still have Hank/ERod manning the position. Good list and I like these 'exercises'.
I assumed Hank would work things out at AAA just like Gonzales. Both have the pedigree as hitters. But that's an assumption. If Hank shows that he has .280/.350/.850 potential, then he must play every day. He can provide 3rd catcher backup to Endy and Delay but the Pirates are not as position player rich that they can wast his bat in a platoon role.
I assigned Joe to the bench because of his age, his limited power and because I believe the Pirates will need to make some moves to improve the offensive capability of the team.
The Pirates need the offensive firepower required to defeat the Sales, DeGrooms, etc. in the league. Right now that offensive capability is lacking and there will be no help coming from the minors.
Like Hank, Crews has had trouble with velocity. And Washington would want a ton of prospects for him. I like Crews but I'd not trade Jones + others for him. This is the time to sign free agents. The Pirates have only Termar Johnson as a possible star in the Minors, and he's struggling to get his average over the Medoza line in a hitter's paradise. There will be no help from the minors for years.
After the SEC tournament, I'm back high on Blake Burke, I hope we take him with pick 37 or 47, he won't last till the 3rd round pick. If he keeps hitting like Friday and today he might not be available at pick 37.
With the off day on Thursday, they shouldn’t need a 5th starter until the final game of the Dodgers series a week from Wednesday. I still hope they put Perez on the IL to get another bullpen arm, but they may not need to.
What are they gonna do about this bullpen? It’s what’s holding them back. As far as Bart and Perez, Davis can come back up and they have German or priester to call up.
They just finished three games against one of the league's powerhouse teams and Tellez never appeared, which of course is fine by itself. He's played just once in the last week, yet BC says he absolutely HAS to be on the team. So what are the odds of BC doing something about the bullpen?
If they’d signed one of the high-caliber FA starters available over the offseason they could have done what Texas did with Perez: move him to the bullpen
I still think you move him to the bullpen. Roll with skenes, Jones, Keller, falter and priester/German. That’s a good rotation. Maybe ashcraft could be a good reliever this year and hopefully borucki comes back strong.
The more Ashcraft succeeds as a starter the less I want to see him used as a reliever at any level unless he reaches some innings limit and is just finishing out the season. Let's ride this out and see if we have another legit starter. Given his recent (small sample size) stretch he may be the closest (AAA or AA) to the Majors SP candidate. Yes Solo and Bubba are sexier given their ages but they are at the prove it level (AA) and so far not so good although Bubba may be health related.
Just checking in now. Didn't expect much because they'd obviously be in over their heads against Sale. Most everybody is. But this is worse than expected. Perez getting hurt was going to happen sooner or later, but it's still not helpful. They have no depth. And Delay probably isn't ready to replace Bart yet.
And the bullpen needs serious changes, but BC says, as always, that they already have all the right guys no matter what actually happens on the field. Maybe Tellez moves there.
I thought at the beginning of the year that if everything went as well as BC hoped, which, aside from Tellez, it has, depth would be there undoing. They just have no position player depth anywhere and no bullpen depth. Losing Contreras and Bauer and almost losing Fleming ruined what little depth they did have.
You just can't get through a season with only 26 MLB-capable players, and the Pirates have only 24 or 25 in the whole organization. Even after replacing Tellez this week, optioning Suwinski (whom everyone was complaining about), getting surprisingly good production from Gonzalez and Bart, they are still barely playing .500 ball, and a lot of the bats are hot (i.e. Cutch, Bart, Gonzalez, etc... .) That's why it takes 26 guys plus some others who can step up for injuries.
Hunter Stratton is no long prospect eligible after making his 31st appearance today. He certainly advanced a lot from his early years. He had decent velocity early (for a short time he didn't), but I wasn't too impressed with anything else. He basically followed the Blake Cederlind path of development, without the major injury ending his run just as it started.
Next up to graduate should be Skenes, then we might have to wait for a while for the next. Well, a while from right now, but maybe not by the time Skenes graduates. Ryder Ryan and Kyle Nicolas are the two options among players with big league experience and a 40-man spot.
Acuna out for the season (ACL), feel bad for the guy. Probably start hearing Reynolds to Atlanta chants soon lol.
Strider and now Acuna. Losing 2 big pieces but I'd bet they'll be just fine because of Alex their GM. Either they have the depth already, or he'll go out and find it.
Sucks for Atl, but it’s not like they’ve had to deal with the weather the Pirates have.
Yep
Going into 2025:
Assuming no injuries:
C: Endy Rodriguez
1B: Davis
2B: Gonzales
SS: Cruz
3B: Hayes
LF: ???
CF: ???
RF: Reyonlds
DH: Cutch
I expect Cutch to return. But he may have had enough. We'll see.
SP:
Skenes
Jones
Keller
Preister
???
Chandler and Solomento have stalled at AA. Chandler may be injured. Harrington and Ashcraft will likely spend much of the year at Indianapolis. Barco will likely arrive in 2026.
BP:
Bednar
Ortiz
Straton
Holderman
Let us hope Bednar returns to form.
Bench:
Bae
Joe
Triolo
Peguero
Bart/Delay
That's 20 players. The roster needs six more players. The ML team will have SP depth, with pitchers like Harrington and Ashcraft at Indianapolis, but, like the 2024 season, the BP and the Bench will be as shallow as a river in the desert. Cherrington will need to sign a SP, a setup RP, a LHRP and two outfielders. Joe and Bae can play in the OF, but if the Pirates are serious about contending, Nutting and Cherrington must open the wallet and spend money on quality players to fill positions of need.
If Endy Rodriguez, Davis, Cruz and Gonzales hit like we expect them to, given their pedigrees, and if Reyonds and Hayes remain 2 to 3 WAR players, next year's team can accomplish something good. Skenes, Jones and Keller could make the Pirates a viable player in the FA market this fall and winter. Players will want to come here if they are paid. The onus is on Nutting. If there was ever a time to spend to win, that time will come soon.
I am late to this thread but wanted to add my 2 cents. I would replace Priester with ?? as he has done little to assume he should be in the rotation next year. I am not pessimistic but would actually put Falter in his place if we wanted to add a current Pirate system pitcher. Agree with RP list. I think Joe should be listed as at least a part time starter some where. If Nick G based off a month is listed as the starter at 2B surely Joe has earned the 1B job or RF or split role. I don't buy just moving somebody to 1B and it will work. I prefer a ERod/Davis split catching roll assuming if they hit other ABs will be found for them. I also agree Cutch will be back but in theory that is a ??. I'd just list bench as ?? with multiple candidates as nobody (outside of Joe) has laid a claim IMO. I do think several on your list would have inside tracks although in my list the 3rd catcher would not be needed as I still have Hank/ERod manning the position. Good list and I like these 'exercises'.
I assumed Hank would work things out at AAA just like Gonzales. Both have the pedigree as hitters. But that's an assumption. If Hank shows that he has .280/.350/.850 potential, then he must play every day. He can provide 3rd catcher backup to Endy and Delay but the Pirates are not as position player rich that they can wast his bat in a platoon role.
I assigned Joe to the bench because of his age, his limited power and because I believe the Pirates will need to make some moves to improve the offensive capability of the team.
The Pirates need the offensive firepower required to defeat the Sales, DeGrooms, etc. in the league. Right now that offensive capability is lacking and there will be no help coming from the minors.
Thank you for the thoughtful response.
if ever there could be a way for the team to acquire Dylan Crews
Only way I can think is to trade them Keller or Jones
or maybe Washington might be interested in KeBryan for Crews?
We could slide Nick over the 3rd and play Peguero at second until Termarr arrives
Like Hank, Crews has had trouble with velocity. And Washington would want a ton of prospects for him. I like Crews but I'd not trade Jones + others for him. This is the time to sign free agents. The Pirates have only Termar Johnson as a possible star in the Minors, and he's struggling to get his average over the Medoza line in a hitter's paradise. There will be no help from the minors for years.
only free agent i see s Bellinger and he wants too much for sub 800ops production
if Davis plays 1st base, then Cruz no longer needs to sprint out to right field to be the cut off man because Hank has as strong of an arm as ONeil
Where is Falter, he is a controlled valuable SP asset for sure👍
I thought he was on a one-year contract. He's pitched well.
He's arb eligible in 2026 still have this year and next at the minimum unless he's qualified for super 2.
Free agent in 2029.
What a strange week for the Giants—four straight comebacks from multiple-run deficits bookended by blowing multiple-run leads in the 9th.
After the SEC tournament, I'm back high on Blake Burke, I hope we take him with pick 37 or 47, he won't last till the 3rd round pick. If he keeps hitting like Friday and today he might not be available at pick 37.
Ro with another inning today, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks.
I wish him well, change of scenery might do him well. He should be getting some confidence back.
A change of coaching more than scenery
I agree—he needed a change of scenery and hopefully he’ll be successful with the Angels.
He broke our hearts after pitching well……..
With the off day on Thursday, they shouldn’t need a 5th starter until the final game of the Dodgers series a week from Wednesday. I still hope they put Perez on the IL to get another bullpen arm, but they may not need to.
What are they gonna do about this bullpen? It’s what’s holding them back. As far as Bart and Perez, Davis can come back up and they have German or priester to call up.
Martin Perez was LIGHTS OUT in the bullpen for texas last year
They just finished three games against one of the league's powerhouse teams and Tellez never appeared, which of course is fine by itself. He's played just once in the last week, yet BC says he absolutely HAS to be on the team. So what are the odds of BC doing something about the bullpen?
If they’d signed one of the high-caliber FA starters available over the offseason they could have done what Texas did with Perez: move him to the bullpen
I still think you move him to the bullpen. Roll with skenes, Jones, Keller, falter and priester/German. That’s a good rotation. Maybe ashcraft could be a good reliever this year and hopefully borucki comes back strong.
The more Ashcraft succeeds as a starter the less I want to see him used as a reliever at any level unless he reaches some innings limit and is just finishing out the season. Let's ride this out and see if we have another legit starter. Given his recent (small sample size) stretch he may be the closest (AAA or AA) to the Majors SP candidate. Yes Solo and Bubba are sexier given their ages but they are at the prove it level (AA) and so far not so good although Bubba may be health related.
Hmm, Davis was taken out before his last AB. He was the DH.
If Shelton wasn't in Pittsburgh, I'd figure it was a defensive sub.
Heh!
Just checking in now. Didn't expect much because they'd obviously be in over their heads against Sale. Most everybody is. But this is worse than expected. Perez getting hurt was going to happen sooner or later, but it's still not helpful. They have no depth. And Delay probably isn't ready to replace Bart yet.
And the bullpen needs serious changes, but BC says, as always, that they already have all the right guys no matter what actually happens on the field. Maybe Tellez moves there.
I thought at the beginning of the year that if everything went as well as BC hoped, which, aside from Tellez, it has, depth would be there undoing. They just have no position player depth anywhere and no bullpen depth. Losing Contreras and Bauer and almost losing Fleming ruined what little depth they did have.
You just can't get through a season with only 26 MLB-capable players, and the Pirates have only 24 or 25 in the whole organization. Even after replacing Tellez this week, optioning Suwinski (whom everyone was complaining about), getting surprisingly good production from Gonzalez and Bart, they are still barely playing .500 ball, and a lot of the bats are hot (i.e. Cutch, Bart, Gonzalez, etc... .) That's why it takes 26 guys plus some others who can step up for injuries.
How could there be a worse bullpen?
Preister ends his day after seven innings. He suffered only one hit. But he did not miss many bats.
Bullpen making sure that no one gets comfortable for the next time we have a lead. Every reliever except Stratton has given up at least a run…
Mop up role, Chappy has to throw 26 pitches and Nicholas 30 pitches. Not great.
Priester up, Perez to IL and when he returns goes to bullpen...Bullpen needs HELP, 2 new arms at least...
Could see burrows and ashcraft filling towards the end of the year
it's now or never...EP
Hunter Stratton is no long prospect eligible after making his 31st appearance today. He certainly advanced a lot from his early years. He had decent velocity early (for a short time he didn't), but I wasn't too impressed with anything else. He basically followed the Blake Cederlind path of development, without the major injury ending his run just as it started.
Next up to graduate should be Skenes, then we might have to wait for a while for the next. Well, a while from right now, but maybe not by the time Skenes graduates. Ryder Ryan and Kyle Nicolas are the two options among players with big league experience and a 40-man spot.
He had a role in some notable blowup games this year but has been mostly decent.
How is it possible that Aroldis has become this hittable?
For some reason, Aroldis threw Olson 95 right into his wheelhouse. The rest of the inning he was 99-102.
Age, he has been around forever...not a good signing at 10 mil to say the least...
He’s old and bad?
He is throwing strikes.
These free agent signings collectively…L M A O