14 Comments

I know it sounds a little over the top, but I would like to see 8 or 9 multi-inning pitchers and 4 or 5 one inning relievers. I think it is possible for Borucki or Mlodzinski to be a multi-inning pitcher.

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ABS - Anyone But Selby

You know, I should know better than to even type this, but with Skenes, Ashcraft, Solometo, Chandler and Harrington all going to be in AA/AAA to start the year, they should not be overly worried about starting the clock on Jones right out of ST if he continues to pitch the way he has.

He's not a guy they should be super concerned about getting that extra year of control by keeping him down until June.

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Mar 6·edited Mar 6

One of the reasons why I could see him open on the big team.

I could even see a modest extension for Jones if he would take it. Say a 6 year deal for $24mil with an option for years 7 and 8. Basically a AAV of $3mil with a $6mil signing bonus. Option years have a $3mil buyout each year (7 & 8). The options would be for about $15mil each year. 1)$9 2)$3 3)$3 4)$3 5)$3 6)$3 or $9 buyout 7)$15 8)$15

Worst case 6 years $30mil.

Best case 8 years $55mil.

It isn't really necessary to extend Jones but I would consider it because he does have top of the rotation potential.

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That would be a bit of a risk, and at some point I'd like to see Ben take a risk. You could call Keller's extension a risk but I'm pretty sure that 28 of the other 29 teams would take that same risk (not sure about the A's until they get resettled).

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Mar 6·edited Mar 6

The way I see it as well. I wouldn't beat a drum for it, but would like to see it happen. With a 1 year frontloaded deal it should work for Jones as well. He would be inline for $15 million before he would see $4 million in pre-arb. He would probably only make more in years 5 and 6 through arbitration but he would have already received it in pre-arb. There is definitely a little risk on each side but a potential huge benefit to both sides as well.

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Luis Ortiz seems like a classic multi-inning dude.

You can mitigate the days where he leaves in command in Blawnox by putting him in a pen role without giving away a game or blowing your pen for the rest of the week as a starter.

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Blawnox? I like your take on Ortiz in the BP, but possibly a year too soon. The Pirates of 2024 are in dire need of at least one more SP.

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I think they have better options in the near and mid terms. If pinched, they can move Ortiz back into the rotation for spot starts.

The Huntington Era schtick of needing arbitrary amount of time to build up to 75 pitches or whatever was balogna.

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The thought of having Selby who I don’t think has a strong grip on his 40 man spot, and Nicholas, who I like a lot, but I’m doubting that he will ever have enough command to be an effective on the team to open the season is a bit deflating.

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I can't imagine the Buccos waiving Contreras, and I don't think he can make it through being demoted.

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I expect Falter, Contreras, and Peralta to be on the 26-man. Those with options will probably be optioned. It preserves depth, and if Contreras, Falter, or Peralta are waived and DFA'ed, they will likely be claimed by some pitching-starved or injured team. Falter has potential to serve as a good swingman or 5th starter. Same for Contreras. Peralta has been more or less solid as a pitcher for years. There is no reason to toss any of these guys to the waiver wire whims of the league.

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I think Peralta is on a minor league deal. Don't know if he has an opt-out if he doesn't make the big league roster by some set date.

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Oh... I thought he had a split contract. All the better then. Even if he has an opt-out date for 30 days into the regular season or something, it would be best to start him in AAA. I applaud Cherington for ensuring that there is some pitching depth at AAA that does not involve calling up guys before they are ready. About the only thing that he has done right in this mess of an off-season.

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Same with the Anderson signing, not sure if there's an opt-out time frame but at least it should provide some early season depth.

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