Not sure if having two teams in the WS who only two years ago had worse records than the Pirates is encouraging or infuriating. It's nice to see someone there other than the usual suspects but can the Pirates follow suit or will they continue the usual path to mediocrity or worse?
BCs moves or lack thereof during the next couple of months should strongly suggest whether building a winner here is a serious goal or simply more talk. Here's hoping.
Well, they took different ways, Texas spent a lot of money these past two seasons, Arizona on the other hand drafted, developed and traded their way here and let me not forget, retained players like Marte and Walker.
At the old place, I would pick fights with the Nutting’s Wallet crowd regarding the importance, or lack thereof, of money and MLB success. The trump card they always played was WS winners always come from top tier payroll teams. Which is true.
However if Snakes win this year, they will no longer be able to make that claim.
Last time I went to the *old place* was maybe a month ago and it immediately went away from that site and said my iPhone is highly infected. Haven't been there since...assuming the *old place* is now done entirely or a complete shell.
Last Tuesday (10/17), there was an article that was dropped about tiered prospect rankings that said there would be additional article drops on the 18th, 19th & 20th, but nothing has ever dropped.
I have a soft spot for TW. He lives a lifestyle I don’t endorse and I disagree with him on many important issues, but he is exceptionally talented and kind-hearted. I hope things aren’t as bad for him as I fear they are.
Of course it helps. I’d even go so far as to say spending money on FA’s who aren’t located in the clearance aisle is the bare minimum a team has to do to win.
I would push back on the notion a team has to spend “X” amount of dollars to win, or be in the top 15, but it defies logic to suggest it wouldn’t increase your chances of winning.
I just remember them being held up as the pinnacle of "LOOK WJHAT A SMALL MARKET TEAM CAN DO!" then they won....
thebasecallcube.com shows them 17th with a $112.9 million payroll, but it doesn't specify if that is opening day payroll or not. Still they were 17th in payroll at some point in 2015, not the low 20's.
That was start of year payroll. They added guys like Volquez and others at the deadline. I tried looking at sportrac but you need to be a member to see payrolls before 2023.
Edit - The 2015 KC Royals end of year payroll was 127M, which ranked 13th in baseball.
Even at only(?) $116 mil, they are still $43 mil higher than the Pirates.
Interesting look at the Astro's off-season on MLBTR. Most interesting is the number of CF's they have - Mauricio Dubon projected for $3.1 mil in Arb, Chas McCormick projected for $3.1 in Arb, and Jake Meyers who only has 2.044 MLB yrs service. Dubon played a lot of 2B while Altuve was injured, and he hit well so they definitely will keep him. McCormick hit 20 HR with 70 RBI in 2023. Do they keep both McCormick and Meyers? If they decide to trade either, the Pirates have a need. Meyers claim is his defense - for CF's with 800 innings or more he rates No. 5 defensively, Suwinski in CF is 18th.
I ran a proposed trade for Meyers at the trade simulator site, was the fastest fattening thumbs down proposal I’ve made!!!! But yeah in my search for a good fielding RH bat to platoon with Jack, he has been one of my many targets!
Well, I went to Fangraphs and pulled up Leaders on Defense and CF's, and then I started looking for Bae. When I went down to 800 innings, I was surprised to see somebody I had never heard of - Jake Meyers. He's not a bad hitter (wRC+ of 88), but his Defensive numbers are right up there with the best, UZR150 of 8.3, and a Def of 7.7 - that's where he earns his 1.7 fWAR. He'd be a nice grab if he's available.
Exciting, but MLB needed (and was probably lighting candles for) the exposure of a Northeastern team playing in the World Series against Texas. The ratings on this one could be very low.
In the AFL, the Rafters were in First Place about a week ago. They have been outscored late in most of the games this week. Carter Bins is having an excellent AFL - when he gets the opportunity - and he may be showcasing for his future with another ballclub in 2024. It's a numbers game at the upper levels and right now he has about 3 or 4 guys ahead of him at Catcher with the Pirates.
That trade of Varsho was a gutsy trade, one that I hope we could pull. Granted we don’t really have a Varsho type talent to trade since he was traded from a position of strength and we currently don’t have that “problem.”
Lol that is a very good point, but while we dont necessarily have strength I could see how we have some square pegs for round holes. Hank, for example, could be seen that way and could also fetch us something very solid I am sure
Mike Hazen has now pulled this turnaround off *twice*. Incredible story with his wife tragically passing last year.
Not sure if having two teams in the WS who only two years ago had worse records than the Pirates is encouraging or infuriating. It's nice to see someone there other than the usual suspects but can the Pirates follow suit or will they continue the usual path to mediocrity or worse?
BCs moves or lack thereof during the next couple of months should strongly suggest whether building a winner here is a serious goal or simply more talk. Here's hoping.
Yeah, Ari and Tex obliterated the rebuilding excuse. If the Pirates are serious about winning, we’ll know very soon.
Well, they took different ways, Texas spent a lot of money these past two seasons, Arizona on the other hand drafted, developed and traded their way here and let me not forget, retained players like Marte and Walker.
So, they both did a good job. Maybe we should get a FO that can do that.
At the old place, I would pick fights with the Nutting’s Wallet crowd regarding the importance, or lack thereof, of money and MLB success. The trump card they always played was WS winners always come from top tier payroll teams. Which is true.
However if Snakes win this year, they will no longer be able to make that claim.
Let’s Go Snakes!
Last time I went to the *old place* was maybe a month ago and it immediately went away from that site and said my iPhone is highly infected. Haven't been there since...assuming the *old place* is now done entirely or a complete shell.
Last Tuesday (10/17), there was an article that was dropped about tiered prospect rankings that said there would be additional article drops on the 18th, 19th & 20th, but nothing has ever dropped.
Unfortunately, the only thing that dropped was Tim. I don't want to speak bad about him, but I hope he gets the help he desperately needs.
Same thing happened to me. I nearly shed a tear.
I have a soft spot for TW. He lives a lifestyle I don’t endorse and I disagree with him on many important issues, but he is exceptionally talented and kind-hearted. I hope things aren’t as bad for him as I fear they are.
Only the Royals have done it with a low payroll in at least the last 10 years. Sure it's possible, but spending money certainly helps.
Of course it helps. I’d even go so far as to say spending money on FA’s who aren’t located in the clearance aisle is the bare minimum a team has to do to win.
I would push back on the notion a team has to spend “X” amount of dollars to win, or be in the top 15, but it defies logic to suggest it wouldn’t increase your chances of winning.
Royals had a payroll in excess of 130M. Not exactly a low payroll back in the day and that's still higher than the 2023 Snakes.
I did not know that.
I just remember them being held up as the pinnacle of "LOOK WJHAT A SMALL MARKET TEAM CAN DO!" then they won....
thebasecallcube.com shows them 17th with a $112.9 million payroll, but it doesn't specify if that is opening day payroll or not. Still they were 17th in payroll at some point in 2015, not the low 20's.
That was start of year payroll. They added guys like Volquez and others at the deadline. I tried looking at sportrac but you need to be a member to see payrolls before 2023.
Edit - The 2015 KC Royals end of year payroll was 127M, which ranked 13th in baseball.
Cot’s has year-end payrolls back to 2012. They also include 40-man payroll.
muchas gracias
Even at only(?) $116 mil, they are still $43 mil higher than the Pirates.
Interesting look at the Astro's off-season on MLBTR. Most interesting is the number of CF's they have - Mauricio Dubon projected for $3.1 mil in Arb, Chas McCormick projected for $3.1 in Arb, and Jake Meyers who only has 2.044 MLB yrs service. Dubon played a lot of 2B while Altuve was injured, and he hit well so they definitely will keep him. McCormick hit 20 HR with 70 RBI in 2023. Do they keep both McCormick and Meyers? If they decide to trade either, the Pirates have a need. Meyers claim is his defense - for CF's with 800 innings or more he rates No. 5 defensively, Suwinski in CF is 18th.
Good find Mel! Could be an interesting trade partner
I ran a proposed trade for Meyers at the trade simulator site, was the fastest fattening thumbs down proposal I’ve made!!!! But yeah in my search for a good fielding RH bat to platoon with Jack, he has been one of my many targets!
Well, I went to Fangraphs and pulled up Leaders on Defense and CF's, and then I started looking for Bae. When I went down to 800 innings, I was surprised to see somebody I had never heard of - Jake Meyers. He's not a bad hitter (wRC+ of 88), but his Defensive numbers are right up there with the best, UZR150 of 8.3, and a Def of 7.7 - that's where he earns his 1.7 fWAR. He'd be a nice grab if he's available.
Fastest gathering, not fattening??.
Exciting, but MLB needed (and was probably lighting candles for) the exposure of a Northeastern team playing in the World Series against Texas. The ratings on this one could be very low.
In the AFL, the Rafters were in First Place about a week ago. They have been outscored late in most of the games this week. Carter Bins is having an excellent AFL - when he gets the opportunity - and he may be showcasing for his future with another ballclub in 2024. It's a numbers game at the upper levels and right now he has about 3 or 4 guys ahead of him at Catcher with the Pirates.
Loving the cinderella story of the snakes, just hoping it doesnt turn into a one-sided WS matchup. Fuck it, snakes in 7 you heard it here first!
That trade of Varsho was a gutsy trade, one that I hope we could pull. Granted we don’t really have a Varsho type talent to trade since he was traded from a position of strength and we currently don’t have that “problem.”
Really think Arizona made a great trade there, for the present and the future.
Lol that is a very good point, but while we dont necessarily have strength I could see how we have some square pegs for round holes. Hank, for example, could be seen that way and could also fetch us something very solid I am sure
Biggest Cinderella story in awhile if that’s the case. Could’ve got them at 150-1 at beginning of season.