In a very weird way I want to see how Heller performs. His full meltdown in 2 games was surprising to me as I actually liked his promotion as it seemed deserved. I am the preacher of AAA is not MLB but dang his AAA numbers. He (to me) just felt like that under the radar pickup of an older guy who finally figured it out and he could be a solid bullpen contributor or trade bait for several years. So, I am waiting to be burned again but am hoping he gets in a game or two and see if whatever caused the meltdown (mega nerves??) has passed.
There's several ways they could go but for some reason I think Mlod might be injured worse than they let on. I think he hits the 60 day IL so they can kick the can down the road further. It always seems BC will figure out a way to lose a former asset with minimal or no return or just figure out a way to wait longer.
Missing from that article is a realistic assessment of DLC. Below replacement the last two years. wRC+ of 92 last year and 88 this year. Scintillating statcast numbers: 22nd percentile batting value, 20th baserunning, 18th fielding. No better in 2023 and better only in baserunning in 2022. In short, by every available measure, he's a bad player, not even a decent backup on a real major league team. A Cherington guy through and through.
Both the Pirates crew and Marlins think Shim is among the best pitching prospects to come out of Korea. Marlins think DLC is not a starter or part of their future. Cherington wanted "a bat".
A little premature maybe, but with the collapse looking forward to our 2 call ups on 9/1. Yorke? Hank? Jack? Rotate a couple pitchers in for a cup of coffee.....Burrows? Bubba?
Yorke and Cook eventually, Suwinski I'd probably let him try to find himself in Indy. Hank needs the everyday reps and to work with Bubba, Harrington and others like Burrows and Ashcraft anyhow. Bring Delay up if Grandal goes unless something happens to Bart (Then Hank).
Burrows and Ashcraft could see a spot start or some bullpen time. I wouldn't want to start the clocks on Bubba or Harrington to eat into the 40 man for meaningless innings. If they flip a 180 and the innings are meaningful and they're ready then sure.
The 40 man is an important factor as you point out. As much as sometimes it feels in hindsight we wrestle over end of roster players, it can also force bad decisions by adding players before they are truly needed. Anybody who would need added in the offseason are of course more likely. But also let's be realistic, Bubba and Harrington JUST made it to AAA. I don't see the urgency for a token inning or start. Sure... invite them to come watch a game if they want them to get the MLB feel, don't burn a roster spot.
When the time comes, using your list here's how i would vote based on their status today: Hank yes - Jack no: I am not sure Hank has solved anything (can he hit gas yet?) but at least he is hitting in AAA. Jack needs to show he can hit in AAA (IMO) before any promotion and so far the 'box score' results don't look good at all (maybe he is crushing the ball right at people). Burrows a wishy washy 'depends'. Personally I prefer he continue to start and build up innings so if he is coming up just to help our bullpen (keep in mind your assumption is Bucs are fully out of contention) then I prefer the major league pen suffer and defer to him continuing to start. If he can get starts in MLB and he is pitching well in AAA - count me in. I hope at least one or both of Yorke and Cook would also get a look but I do want the players being promoted to get playing time (at least 3 starts a week) vs. regular ABs in AAA. I don't see how that would be a problem given your assumption on the Pirates fate.
DK says it's a 3 year plan for these jokers and they never thought they could have a winner this year. The trick with that sort of thinking is it's a self-fulfilling prophecy, often. And the reason they think 2025-2027 are contention years? The same players have gotten better. And the evidence of past player improvement? Oh, they have none. https://dkpittsburghsports.com/2024/08/09/friday-insider-pirates-steelers-penguins-three-year-window-dk
I HATE this thinking. Skenes blew up the plan in a good way so adjust on the fly and make something happen. Here I am convinced that Cherington and Nutting are partners in crime: Cherington prospect hoarding for that magical moment that never comes and Nutting refusing to put real dollars into the team.
They wouldn't keep him into his arb3 year anyway, probably not even arb2. He'll get $20M+ just in arb1. He was never going to be around more than four years.
Considering IKF was probably their big upgrade for next year I’m not hopeful with this latest set of talking points from the FO. The whole “bridge year” thing sounds like excuse making for this year.
That would match exactly Huntington's success--year 4 marked improvement, year 5 (this year) teased us with contention until collapsing in August, years 6-8, postseason.
The frustration is that Cherington was supposed to be an upgrade and took over a franchise in a healthier situation than when Huntington took over (one year removed from a winning record as opposed to fifteen, for example). Oh well, here we are and I have no illusions that changes will be made in the offseason so I'm just looking forward to '25 and hoping (and expecting, given the projected rotation) that we make the postseason, and hoping there are wholesale changes to the FO if we don't.
This presumption that 2025 through 2027 will be the years requires Davis, Suwinski and Endy to all hit _and_ Skenes, Jones and Keller to all stay healthy. Way too many ifs.
Kennedy is just one of the very talented 19 year olds who are now at A - others are Jhonny Severino, YDLS, Axiel Plaz, and Zander Mueth who are also looking very good. I liked second baseman Carlos Caro to be promoted from FCL along with Severino and YDLS after their season ended, but he was not promoted.
Jones probably has one more rehab start to go before coming up to start one of the games in the next home stand. Let’s hope there’s something to play for besides the battle for 3rd place in division by then.
Lastly, I’m definitely biased because I know the young man, but I would be over the moon if Pirates made a deal with the Tigers this winter and acquired Parker Meadows to man CF starting next year. Good defense, speed, and power.
No, not him; not Jonatan Clase, who is now with Toronto; not Berroa who others suggested; nor 3 or 4 others - none of them measured up to our standards. But, who knows - other teams are trading non MLB players at present, and if that doesn't work we can always book a seat on Rule 5 Airways.
So who leaves the roster for German later this afternoon? Easiest way would be to DFA Marco but I could also see them designating Heller again as well
In a very weird way I want to see how Heller performs. His full meltdown in 2 games was surprising to me as I actually liked his promotion as it seemed deserved. I am the preacher of AAA is not MLB but dang his AAA numbers. He (to me) just felt like that under the radar pickup of an older guy who finally figured it out and he could be a solid bullpen contributor or trade bait for several years. So, I am waiting to be burned again but am hoping he gets in a game or two and see if whatever caused the meltdown (mega nerves??) has passed.
With ya, once they recalled him, give him at least one more chance or it was a stupid move in the first place.
Me too, had good velo and a good breaker…..the slutter!
There's several ways they could go but for some reason I think Mlod might be injured worse than they let on. I think he hits the 60 day IL so they can kick the can down the road further. It always seems BC will figure out a way to lose a former asset with minimal or no return or just figure out a way to wait longer.
Where to begin . . . .
I thought this was worth sharing on the De la Cruz/Shim trade: https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/mlb/miami-marlins/article290869889.html
Missing from that article is a realistic assessment of DLC. Below replacement the last two years. wRC+ of 92 last year and 88 this year. Scintillating statcast numbers: 22nd percentile batting value, 20th baserunning, 18th fielding. No better in 2023 and better only in baserunning in 2022. In short, by every available measure, he's a bad player, not even a decent backup on a real major league team. A Cherington guy through and through.
He has a bat though
nontender candidate
how bout some cliff notes...
Both the Pirates crew and Marlins think Shim is among the best pitching prospects to come out of Korea. Marlins think DLC is not a starter or part of their future. Cherington wanted "a bat".
IOW, the Marlins figured DLC would be no use to them when they reach the stage the Pirates are at now.
'ppreciate it.
A little premature maybe, but with the collapse looking forward to our 2 call ups on 9/1. Yorke? Hank? Jack? Rotate a couple pitchers in for a cup of coffee.....Burrows? Bubba?
Yorke and Cook eventually, Suwinski I'd probably let him try to find himself in Indy. Hank needs the everyday reps and to work with Bubba, Harrington and others like Burrows and Ashcraft anyhow. Bring Delay up if Grandal goes unless something happens to Bart (Then Hank).
Burrows and Ashcraft could see a spot start or some bullpen time. I wouldn't want to start the clocks on Bubba or Harrington to eat into the 40 man for meaningless innings. If they flip a 180 and the innings are meaningful and they're ready then sure.
The 40 man is an important factor as you point out. As much as sometimes it feels in hindsight we wrestle over end of roster players, it can also force bad decisions by adding players before they are truly needed. Anybody who would need added in the offseason are of course more likely. But also let's be realistic, Bubba and Harrington JUST made it to AAA. I don't see the urgency for a token inning or start. Sure... invite them to come watch a game if they want them to get the MLB feel, don't burn a roster spot.
Right with ya, they would have to show they were the best available and needed in a meaningful situation.
When the time comes, using your list here's how i would vote based on their status today: Hank yes - Jack no: I am not sure Hank has solved anything (can he hit gas yet?) but at least he is hitting in AAA. Jack needs to show he can hit in AAA (IMO) before any promotion and so far the 'box score' results don't look good at all (maybe he is crushing the ball right at people). Burrows a wishy washy 'depends'. Personally I prefer he continue to start and build up innings so if he is coming up just to help our bullpen (keep in mind your assumption is Bucs are fully out of contention) then I prefer the major league pen suffer and defer to him continuing to start. If he can get starts in MLB and he is pitching well in AAA - count me in. I hope at least one or both of Yorke and Cook would also get a look but I do want the players being promoted to get playing time (at least 3 starts a week) vs. regular ABs in AAA. I don't see how that would be a problem given your assumption on the Pirates fate.
Those three bats and Burrows out of the pen seem worth it.
Cut BDLC, send Hayes to A+ and bring up four.
Is Burrows a ground ball pitcher? I will assume not with the way he uses his FB, but not sure what results he gets with he’s other stuff.
heavy fly ball guy.
DK says it's a 3 year plan for these jokers and they never thought they could have a winner this year. The trick with that sort of thinking is it's a self-fulfilling prophecy, often. And the reason they think 2025-2027 are contention years? The same players have gotten better. And the evidence of past player improvement? Oh, they have none. https://dkpittsburghsports.com/2024/08/09/friday-insider-pirates-steelers-penguins-three-year-window-dk
What could possibly go wrong with a future plan that hinges on the health of three starters pumping high-90s fastballs.
No reason to strike while the irons hot.
I HATE this thinking. Skenes blew up the plan in a good way so adjust on the fly and make something happen. Here I am convinced that Cherington and Nutting are partners in crime: Cherington prospect hoarding for that magical moment that never comes and Nutting refusing to put real dollars into the team.
Skenes blew up their thinking? I don’t get that end of it. They could have held him down like they would have under the prior regime.
DK also doesn't realize they only have Skenes for four more years after this one in that article because of ROY top two finisher.
They wouldn't keep him into his arb3 year anyway, probably not even arb2. He'll get $20M+ just in arb1. He was never going to be around more than four years.
Considering IKF was probably their big upgrade for next year I’m not hopeful with this latest set of talking points from the FO. The whole “bridge year” thing sounds like excuse making for this year.
That's the only talent they have. Excuse making.
That would match exactly Huntington's success--year 4 marked improvement, year 5 (this year) teased us with contention until collapsing in August, years 6-8, postseason.
The frustration is that Cherington was supposed to be an upgrade and took over a franchise in a healthier situation than when Huntington took over (one year removed from a winning record as opposed to fifteen, for example). Oh well, here we are and I have no illusions that changes will be made in the offseason so I'm just looking forward to '25 and hoping (and expecting, given the projected rotation) that we make the postseason, and hoping there are wholesale changes to the FO if we don't.
This presumption that 2025 through 2027 will be the years requires Davis, Suwinski and Endy to all hit _and_ Skenes, Jones and Keller to all stay healthy. Way too many ifs.
Michael Kennedy had a good outing for Bradenton, 5 innings 1h 1r 0bb 6k's, only damage was a rehabbing Starlin Marte homer.
Kennedy is just one of the very talented 19 year olds who are now at A - others are Jhonny Severino, YDLS, Axiel Plaz, and Zander Mueth who are also looking very good. I liked second baseman Carlos Caro to be promoted from FCL along with Severino and YDLS after their season ended, but he was not promoted.
Hopefully Bubba makes his AAA debut tonight.
Jones probably has one more rehab start to go before coming up to start one of the games in the next home stand. Let’s hope there’s something to play for besides the battle for 3rd place in division by then.
Lastly, I’m definitely biased because I know the young man, but I would be over the moon if Pirates made a deal with the Tigers this winter and acquired Parker Meadows to man CF starting next year. Good defense, speed, and power.
Do the Pirates need a Center Fielder? Just kidding - not a bad idea with Parker Meadows.
Did they get Everson Pereira?
No, not him; not Jonatan Clase, who is now with Toronto; not Berroa who others suggested; nor 3 or 4 others - none of them measured up to our standards. But, who knows - other teams are trading non MLB players at present, and if that doesn't work we can always book a seat on Rule 5 Airways.
I think Tigers have a glut of CF. Must be nice!
A nice adjustment by Jhonny so far. The Duce is loose!
It would be sooo awesome to pull one over on the Brew Crew if Severino was legit
His bat is legit (so far), and that will be his ticket - the glove is just not there at this time.