Well the Dodgers signed Blake Snell for $182 million. If the sign Roki Sasaki maybe we can sweep in on Frijol de Mantequilla, he's a really big guy, not fast, walks a lot, good contact rates, and hits really hard. And if you like guys that can take one for the team, you'll love him.
Speaking of minor league options for the OF, Jared Olivia who has been bouncing around since the Angels claimed him off waivers, just signed a minors deal with da Brew Crew…..
Austin Hays is on the market, he would fit in the OF nicely, and I would expect a bounceback season from him. Maybe Philly was too big a market for him, too much expectations. Bring him back to a small market AND be dam sure to get a year 2 or year 3 option. I'd go 2 years/$14M with option for year 3. EDIT: He had a kidney infection, he was seriously ill with Phillies. Yeah that would be money well spent.....Ben should get it done.
Peguero is a mystery going into 2025, but he was really on the right path when he went to AA in 2023. As a 22 year old he had 285 AB, 20 doubles/1 triple/11 HR, and good BB/K numbers of 32 BB/58 K. Then the Pirates interrupted his development. Cruz went down with the ankle fracture, and the Pirates tried everybody at SS but nothing worked. They sent Peguero to AAA for 27 AB and then straight to Pittsburgh where he posted a decent slash of .237/.280/.374/.653 OPS - decent for a kid learning on the fly.
Last year, Cruz returned and we put Peguero in reverse back to AAA. It was a decent year with 29 doubles, 4 triples, 13 HR, and 79 RBI, and he has some pop in his bat and will only be barely 24 starting the 2025 season. We'll see how he comes out in ST.
He's a SS/2B with better fielding stats at 2B. If we keep IKF at SS, I would favor him to start at 2B, and also take some work at SS. It could be a very good situation for the Pirates for the next few years going with youth, with the expectation that he and Termarr would be the MI in 2026.
All in all, it’s a sad state of affairs. I can’t get enthusiastic about any of the realistic options. Why this organization can’t produce a single bona fide outfield prospect is beyond me.
You have to draft them. From 2020-2023 they drafted 5 players that were announced as outfielders. Two of the five had really low bonus figures and were probably drafted more as filler types. White and Bishop were prep guys that were super high risk. TBH, and we have plenty of prospect experts here, so feel free to chime in on my assessment of the odds, but it’s probably a miracle had they ended up with one good player of those 5?
Yep, they only drafted 2 from '20 through '23 in the top 5 rounds. Lonnie White and Tre Gonzales, with Jebb as a shortstop the most likely to actually make the majors as an outfielder. They drafted well on the pitching side, not so much on the hitting side especially outfielders.
Palacios instead of jack could also work on the left side, just like cook could supplant yorke on the right side, so good to have options/competition. Filling one OF spot internally and reach league average should be doable plus then maybe we can put those funds into one solid signing rather than filling multiple holes with few dollars
I agree with the post on the platoons and that options are limited. But jesus h., I would hope the team can aspire to something a little more than the very definition of mediocrity. Where's that gif of Immortan Joe?
While the heading was right field, I guess my assumption (hope?) was that some middle of the road bat (Kepler/Conforto maybe worse etc.) might be possible and 2 bats would not be. So to me the heading would be who can fill 1B or a corner OF depending on where Reynolds plays and where the 'meh' bat that is signed plays. Honestly I see the Yorke as a rover, Cooke, Jack, and Cabbage as a wild card as the likely 'gang' that will fight it out. I just see Palacios as a bench guy IMO. Jack becoming old Jack would be great but he was just a train wreck last year and personally I would prefer to send him to AAA no matter what happens in spring training and say 'crush things for 5-6 weeks'.
Murray seems to have a good source within the pirates org so we he talks pirates I tend to listen/believe. I’m trying to interpret what you wrote and assuming that he said the pirates won’t be spending much this offseason (disappointing but not surprising)?
In terms of spending, sounds like we might have to scale back our free agent wishlists. Someone like Conforto might not even be in the cards.
There’s one name I think that’s missing: Henry Davis (ducks from all the thrown objects).
Seriously though, do we really think he’s a catcher long term with Bart and Endy here? I get the first time in RF didn’t go well, but he was kinda thrown into the fire. Perhaps with an offseason of work there he’d be passable? Just trying to think outside the box within the parameters of their financial limitations.
I've never been on the Davis as a catcher bandwagon. Never thought he'd end up there. Right field was a disaster, yes, but along the same lines as Yorke, if they go into the offseason telling Tank to focus only on RF, I'd buy a little more into it.
Personally, just toss him at first base and let him focus on hitting at this point. But I'd be ok with another try at RF first.
I only say first because he hasn't shown he can play another position or hit in the majors. Even at 1B he has a long way to go to even prove he should be on a major league roster.
1B just carries so much bat requirement assuming he will never be Keith Hernandez (hopefully better than Josh Bell) around the bag. Since I am multi-replying I'll put this here. To me Hank has conquered AAA with the bat, how do the Pirates (assuming competing for a playoff is the goal) get him MLB at bats to see what he can become when he could crater games with the glove? Certainly can't make him a DH but it would be nice if a few more ABs were available there.
I differ in opinion. Hank's problem IMO is hitting at the MLB level. Moving him to positions that demand hitting even more doesn't work until he actually hits. I think we have 3 catchers and the ultimate safety valve (Delay)..Assuming Bart/Rodriguez as the answer is risky. Bart absolutely is #1 - he earned it, but he could turn back into a pumpkin at the plate. He isn't much different than Hank IMO that his bat has to carry him. Endy didn't succeed hitting at the MLB level anymore than Hank of course with less sample size and feels like the most natural catcher (so bat not quite as important). Bart on MLB roster and Endy/Hank fight it out initially for backup roll and hopefully enough at bats so they don't get rusty at the MLB level. If Bart DOES hit like last year it is pretty easy too see him catching 3 days, 2 days at DH (Cutch no spring chicken) and resting the other days. That leaves 3-4 days for the backup catcher to get legit playing time.
Just one thing I’d point out in response: if they do go internal, none of the internal options are proven hitters anymore than Davis. I’m not saying you outright hand him the RF job, but why not have the added option? He isn’t going to catch. Assuming they move Reynolds that blocks first base. I get opinions differ on this, but playing a less defensively demanding could help the bat, assuming he’s comfortable out there. Why not put him out there with Jack, Yorke, Palacios, etc and see who can earn it?
I agree to an extent. It's hard to tell him to just go and hit when he hasn't solved that part of the equation in the majors.
I also believe he isn't playable behind the plate. Tomorrow's feature will go into caught stealing rates in the minors. Davis was 1-37 throwing out runners in the minors. The framing and blocking were graded below average.
He's not a catcher. I'd rather him go somewhere that he can solely focus on hitting at this point, because there is potential there.
Which also means probably sending him to AAA to start 2025 anyway. That way he can work on everything there.
It's crazy. The Pirates have four catchers on the 40-man, and I could probably make a case they still need to add one.
Davis isn't good defensively and can't hit as of now.
Endy had Tommy John, so who knows how he's going to look
Delay could be a solid backup playing once or twice, but even he took a step back in 2024 at least when it came to CS%.
Yes Endy had TJ and IIRC he was pulled from a game last week of the season due to arm fatigue after throwing down to second on a couple steal attempts. So Endy's arm is a question mark for now. We need to keep the other catcher's rostered.
Good info and I was still saying Hank can catch without seeing the future of tomorrow's article (not one of my powers). If Hank is moved then I think he does need to start in AAA and force his way with the bat. If Bart picks up where he left off and is passable defensively then if Endy is not ready etc, I don't see using Delay as the backup as being that big of deal if it is at a low usage rate. Partly because I just hate to see them pick up another catcher with other areas that at least on paper seem to need more attention. Delay having options is great to have. The optimist in my (removing Hank per your input) is Bart hits and Endy shows he belongs and my formula above can then play out with Bart at DH 1 or 2 times a week.
Obviously, Hank needs to be able to hit major league pitching for him to help. Same with Endy. If they do hit, they both have some serious competitive and leadership qualities that the Pirates lack from their hitters. I thought Henry looked much improved behind the plate and did throw out 5 of 25 runners which I think is a higher percentage than the rest of catchers. If Cutch DHs all season next year that limits the Pirates options for Henry and Endy..... but first things first, they need to be able to hit at the MLB level.
Anthony Santander please!!
That might be too much to ask though. I think he's one of the top UFAs this summer.
Well the Dodgers signed Blake Snell for $182 million. If the sign Roki Sasaki maybe we can sweep in on Frijol de Mantequilla, he's a really big guy, not fast, walks a lot, good contact rates, and hits really hard. And if you like guys that can take one for the team, you'll love him.
i see what you did there!
Tried it again this morning
Reynolds as far as in-house for right. His arm was good last year, less area to cover. If they move him to first it's a crap shoot.
So, almost assured to be at 1B?
Speaking of minor league options for the OF, Jared Olivia who has been bouncing around since the Angels claimed him off waivers, just signed a minors deal with da Brew Crew…..
Austin Hays is on the market, he would fit in the OF nicely, and I would expect a bounceback season from him. Maybe Philly was too big a market for him, too much expectations. Bring him back to a small market AND be dam sure to get a year 2 or year 3 option. I'd go 2 years/$14M with option for year 3. EDIT: He had a kidney infection, he was seriously ill with Phillies. Yeah that would be money well spent.....Ben should get it done.
Somehow we need to find 2 power hitters. 1st base and outfield. No power at 2nd,SS or 3rd base right now( with what we have on our 40 man)
Peguero is a mystery going into 2025, but he was really on the right path when he went to AA in 2023. As a 22 year old he had 285 AB, 20 doubles/1 triple/11 HR, and good BB/K numbers of 32 BB/58 K. Then the Pirates interrupted his development. Cruz went down with the ankle fracture, and the Pirates tried everybody at SS but nothing worked. They sent Peguero to AAA for 27 AB and then straight to Pittsburgh where he posted a decent slash of .237/.280/.374/.653 OPS - decent for a kid learning on the fly.
Last year, Cruz returned and we put Peguero in reverse back to AAA. It was a decent year with 29 doubles, 4 triples, 13 HR, and 79 RBI, and he has some pop in his bat and will only be barely 24 starting the 2025 season. We'll see how he comes out in ST.
He's a SS/2B with better fielding stats at 2B. If we keep IKF at SS, I would favor him to start at 2B, and also take some work at SS. It could be a very good situation for the Pirates for the next few years going with youth, with the expectation that he and Termarr would be the MI in 2026.
All in all, it’s a sad state of affairs. I can’t get enthusiastic about any of the realistic options. Why this organization can’t produce a single bona fide outfield prospect is beyond me.
You have to draft them. From 2020-2023 they drafted 5 players that were announced as outfielders. Two of the five had really low bonus figures and were probably drafted more as filler types. White and Bishop were prep guys that were super high risk. TBH, and we have plenty of prospect experts here, so feel free to chime in on my assessment of the odds, but it’s probably a miracle had they ended up with one good player of those 5?
Yep, they only drafted 2 from '20 through '23 in the top 5 rounds. Lonnie White and Tre Gonzales, with Jebb as a shortstop the most likely to actually make the majors as an outfielder. They drafted well on the pitching side, not so much on the hitting side especially outfielders.
This one's easy.
Suwinski and Yorke platoon with more at-bats for Yorke if Suwinski doesn't regain his '22-'23 platoon advantage.
Short of a complete dumpster-fire performance from those two, they'd have to get exceptionally lucky to find a better FA.
Palacios instead of jack could also work on the left side, just like cook could supplant yorke on the right side, so good to have options/competition. Filling one OF spot internally and reach league average should be doable plus then maybe we can put those funds into one solid signing rather than filling multiple holes with few dollars
league average. dare to dream.
I agree with the post on the platoons and that options are limited. But jesus h., I would hope the team can aspire to something a little more than the very definition of mediocrity. Where's that gif of Immortan Joe?
Be nice if Jack and Hank both have a good year.
Id be happy with Jack OR Hank having a good year.
Yea I’m not greedy, one or the other would do just fine lol
Yep, preferably in Pittsburgh instead of Indy as well.
While the heading was right field, I guess my assumption (hope?) was that some middle of the road bat (Kepler/Conforto maybe worse etc.) might be possible and 2 bats would not be. So to me the heading would be who can fill 1B or a corner OF depending on where Reynolds plays and where the 'meh' bat that is signed plays. Honestly I see the Yorke as a rover, Cooke, Jack, and Cabbage as a wild card as the likely 'gang' that will fight it out. I just see Palacios as a bench guy IMO. Jack becoming old Jack would be great but he was just a train wreck last year and personally I would prefer to send him to AAA no matter what happens in spring training and say 'crush things for 5-6 weeks'.
Murray seems to have a good source within the pirates org so we he talks pirates I tend to listen/believe. I’m trying to interpret what you wrote and assuming that he said the pirates won’t be spending much this offseason (disappointing but not surprising)?
In terms of spending, sounds like we might have to scale back our free agent wishlists. Someone like Conforto might not even be in the cards.
There’s one name I think that’s missing: Henry Davis (ducks from all the thrown objects).
Seriously though, do we really think he’s a catcher long term with Bart and Endy here? I get the first time in RF didn’t go well, but he was kinda thrown into the fire. Perhaps with an offseason of work there he’d be passable? Just trying to think outside the box within the parameters of their financial limitations.
I've never been on the Davis as a catcher bandwagon. Never thought he'd end up there. Right field was a disaster, yes, but along the same lines as Yorke, if they go into the offseason telling Tank to focus only on RF, I'd buy a little more into it.
Personally, just toss him at first base and let him focus on hitting at this point. But I'd be ok with another try at RF first.
So agree with 1b for Davis. That is our future Bagwell.
I only say first because he hasn't shown he can play another position or hit in the majors. Even at 1B he has a long way to go to even prove he should be on a major league roster.
1B just carries so much bat requirement assuming he will never be Keith Hernandez (hopefully better than Josh Bell) around the bag. Since I am multi-replying I'll put this here. To me Hank has conquered AAA with the bat, how do the Pirates (assuming competing for a playoff is the goal) get him MLB at bats to see what he can become when he could crater games with the glove? Certainly can't make him a DH but it would be nice if a few more ABs were available there.
I differ in opinion. Hank's problem IMO is hitting at the MLB level. Moving him to positions that demand hitting even more doesn't work until he actually hits. I think we have 3 catchers and the ultimate safety valve (Delay)..Assuming Bart/Rodriguez as the answer is risky. Bart absolutely is #1 - he earned it, but he could turn back into a pumpkin at the plate. He isn't much different than Hank IMO that his bat has to carry him. Endy didn't succeed hitting at the MLB level anymore than Hank of course with less sample size and feels like the most natural catcher (so bat not quite as important). Bart on MLB roster and Endy/Hank fight it out initially for backup roll and hopefully enough at bats so they don't get rusty at the MLB level. If Bart DOES hit like last year it is pretty easy too see him catching 3 days, 2 days at DH (Cutch no spring chicken) and resting the other days. That leaves 3-4 days for the backup catcher to get legit playing time.
Just one thing I’d point out in response: if they do go internal, none of the internal options are proven hitters anymore than Davis. I’m not saying you outright hand him the RF job, but why not have the added option? He isn’t going to catch. Assuming they move Reynolds that blocks first base. I get opinions differ on this, but playing a less defensively demanding could help the bat, assuming he’s comfortable out there. Why not put him out there with Jack, Yorke, Palacios, etc and see who can earn it?
I agree to an extent. It's hard to tell him to just go and hit when he hasn't solved that part of the equation in the majors.
I also believe he isn't playable behind the plate. Tomorrow's feature will go into caught stealing rates in the minors. Davis was 1-37 throwing out runners in the minors. The framing and blocking were graded below average.
He's not a catcher. I'd rather him go somewhere that he can solely focus on hitting at this point, because there is potential there.
Which also means probably sending him to AAA to start 2025 anyway. That way he can work on everything there.
It's crazy. The Pirates have four catchers on the 40-man, and I could probably make a case they still need to add one.
Davis isn't good defensively and can't hit as of now.
Endy had Tommy John, so who knows how he's going to look
Delay could be a solid backup playing once or twice, but even he took a step back in 2024 at least when it came to CS%.
Yes Endy had TJ and IIRC he was pulled from a game last week of the season due to arm fatigue after throwing down to second on a couple steal attempts. So Endy's arm is a question mark for now. We need to keep the other catcher's rostered.
Good info and I was still saying Hank can catch without seeing the future of tomorrow's article (not one of my powers). If Hank is moved then I think he does need to start in AAA and force his way with the bat. If Bart picks up where he left off and is passable defensively then if Endy is not ready etc, I don't see using Delay as the backup as being that big of deal if it is at a low usage rate. Partly because I just hate to see them pick up another catcher with other areas that at least on paper seem to need more attention. Delay having options is great to have. The optimist in my (removing Hank per your input) is Bart hits and Endy shows he belongs and my formula above can then play out with Bart at DH 1 or 2 times a week.
Obviously, Hank needs to be able to hit major league pitching for him to help. Same with Endy. If they do hit, they both have some serious competitive and leadership qualities that the Pirates lack from their hitters. I thought Henry looked much improved behind the plate and did throw out 5 of 25 runners which I think is a higher percentage than the rest of catchers. If Cutch DHs all season next year that limits the Pirates options for Henry and Endy..... but first things first, they need to be able to hit at the MLB level.