It shortens the bench, who do you send down? With Cutch pretty much limited to DH, Triolo as a super utility, whoever gets the backup catcher role, the 4th outfielder, plus the 8 regulars, that's 12. Only one spot left on the bench with no additional positional flexibility.
I don't think Endy, Yorke, or Cook will open the season on the Pirates in a backup role. They'll all be getting plenty of at bats in Indy if they aren't starting for the Pirates. Otherwise they will be put in a position to fail. Same could be said of Davis. Cook would be the most likely in a platoon with Suwinski and a defensive replacement.
I thought this perspective was an accurate one (via ESPN):
" In a loaded, top-heavy National League, teams that aren't eligible to win the NL Central have to be aggressive. The Dodgers, Braves, Mets and Phillies are overwhelming favorites to land four of the five non-Central playoff slots, leaving the D-backs, Padres and Giants most likely vying for the last slot."
I don't know why, but I kinda would like the pirates to sign Jose Quintana. I think the 2 year $16 million deal he's predicted to get would be a bargain.
I'm torn. Signing a starter feels like they are predicting an injury. If Falter and Keller(hopefully a tad better) perform like last year, Skenes is Skenes and Jones is early season Jones, then I don't feel too exposed at the 5 spot with Meadows or Ashcraft as the swing bullpen person and likely Oviedo in the rotation to start. You have Bubba hopefully ready soon. But I know an injury for basically every team is a safe bet.
They should be predicting an injury. They’re pitchers for gods sakes. Look at all of the ifs in your scenarios there? How often is everyone the best versions of themselves AND perfectly healthy.
Yep, I kinda look at a set 3, Skenes, Keller, and Jones with the 4 and 5 still open. Falter has the inside track for the 4th spot, with the 5th spot an open competition between Bubba, Burrows, Ashcraft, Oviedo, and Harrington. All of which might need more time in Indy. By adding an extra arm, those guys might be the swing man or further developing in Indy as a starter and ready to jump in if an injury or poor performance dictates.
Competition is great, but I'm not sure we can count on any one of those guys seizing the 5th spot. I sure hope somebody does, but I don't like depending on it. Plus, s***'s just gonna happen. I'd like one more guy.
If they opened the season with Burrows and/or Ashcraft in an Ortiz-type role, I'd be very intrigued.
I feel Falter has a spot clinched and I think he deserves it outside of a signing (Quintana et al) and Bubba crushing it. The others to me need to earn it more and spring training is not enough time to dislodge somebody who was decent (clearly not spectacular) as Falter. I do feel Oviedo if healthy has the inside track on the 5th spot (Bubba caveat again). As in other threads I do like the idea of Ashcraft or Burrows being in the swing role and in the perfect world looking like they deserve to start. The remaining (whoever that is) off to Indy and battle it out for next man up and hope they force tough decisions vs. filling in for an injury.
I think we're on the same page, Falter has earned the shot, Oviedo is the question (health), and the others spring performance will separate their roles.
Good for Burnes, surprised we don't see more of this or maybe it is happening behind the scenes......where he contacted the Dbacks asking for the job. Outside of Cutch, and maybe Bednar, can't imagine BC's phone ringing very often with All-Star players wanting to join the Pirates!
They still have 5 guys that will go 20+ hrs and there's alot of speed in the OF. Naylor was a strong pick up. SS and CF are the only 2 weak spots in the lineup. Win total is 85.5 that seems about right.
why is it that we cannot have Torkelson also for Horwitz´s platoon partner? he had a 798 ops versus lefties last year
It shortens the bench, who do you send down? With Cutch pretty much limited to DH, Triolo as a super utility, whoever gets the backup catcher role, the 4th outfielder, plus the 8 regulars, that's 12. Only one spot left on the bench with no additional positional flexibility.
is important that the backup catcher gets rest? Endy and Yorke can spot start in RF
I´d rather have Torkelson´s bat than Cook
I don't think Endy, Yorke, or Cook will open the season on the Pirates in a backup role. They'll all be getting plenty of at bats in Indy if they aren't starting for the Pirates. Otherwise they will be put in a position to fail. Same could be said of Davis. Cook would be the most likely in a platoon with Suwinski and a defensive replacement.
i see this opening day roster
(1) CF Cruz
(2) RF Reynolds
(3) DH Cutch
(4) C Bart / Endy
(4) 1B Horwitz / #Torkelson
(5) 2B Yorke / Nick
(6) LF Suwinski or Cook
(7) SS IFK
(8) 3B Hayes / Triolo
if they´d just give Tank a first base mit, he could do instead of Torkelson
I thought this perspective was an accurate one (via ESPN):
" In a loaded, top-heavy National League, teams that aren't eligible to win the NL Central have to be aggressive. The Dodgers, Braves, Mets and Phillies are overwhelming favorites to land four of the five non-Central playoff slots, leaving the D-backs, Padres and Giants most likely vying for the last slot."
I don't know why, but I kinda would like the pirates to sign Jose Quintana. I think the 2 year $16 million deal he's predicted to get would be a bargain.
would that mean that we can use Falter as our lefty reliever?
That or the 5th starter.
Burrows is a lock for the rotation in my opinion
He looked really good in that start late last year
I think they need one more SP.
Me too, preferably a lefty.
I'm torn. Signing a starter feels like they are predicting an injury. If Falter and Keller(hopefully a tad better) perform like last year, Skenes is Skenes and Jones is early season Jones, then I don't feel too exposed at the 5 spot with Meadows or Ashcraft as the swing bullpen person and likely Oviedo in the rotation to start. You have Bubba hopefully ready soon. But I know an injury for basically every team is a safe bet.
They should be predicting an injury. They’re pitchers for gods sakes. Look at all of the ifs in your scenarios there? How often is everyone the best versions of themselves AND perfectly healthy.
Yep, I kinda look at a set 3, Skenes, Keller, and Jones with the 4 and 5 still open. Falter has the inside track for the 4th spot, with the 5th spot an open competition between Bubba, Burrows, Ashcraft, Oviedo, and Harrington. All of which might need more time in Indy. By adding an extra arm, those guys might be the swing man or further developing in Indy as a starter and ready to jump in if an injury or poor performance dictates.
Competition is great, but I'm not sure we can count on any one of those guys seizing the 5th spot. I sure hope somebody does, but I don't like depending on it. Plus, s***'s just gonna happen. I'd like one more guy.
If they opened the season with Burrows and/or Ashcraft in an Ortiz-type role, I'd be very intrigued.
I feel Falter has a spot clinched and I think he deserves it outside of a signing (Quintana et al) and Bubba crushing it. The others to me need to earn it more and spring training is not enough time to dislodge somebody who was decent (clearly not spectacular) as Falter. I do feel Oviedo if healthy has the inside track on the 5th spot (Bubba caveat again). As in other threads I do like the idea of Ashcraft or Burrows being in the swing role and in the perfect world looking like they deserve to start. The remaining (whoever that is) off to Indy and battle it out for next man up and hope they force tough decisions vs. filling in for an injury.
I think we're on the same page, Falter has earned the shot, Oviedo is the question (health), and the others spring performance will separate their roles.
Good for Burnes, surprised we don't see more of this or maybe it is happening behind the scenes......where he contacted the Dbacks asking for the job. Outside of Cutch, and maybe Bednar, can't imagine BC's phone ringing very often with All-Star players wanting to join the Pirates!
Arizona has a fun offense. Nice power/ speed combos. Wish I could say that about the pirates.
Losing joc and Christian walker will hurt though, don’t know how they are going to replace all that power
They still have 5 guys that will go 20+ hrs and there's alot of speed in the OF. Naylor was a strong pick up. SS and CF are the only 2 weak spots in the lineup. Win total is 85.5 that seems about right.
The NL west is once again going to be a gauntlet
Will be a good one to watch. I'm always down with some one beating a ny or la team. Guess Chicago too. And Philly. I will stop now.
That world series when the Dbacks beat the Yankees was a highlight for a lifelong bucco fan. Is that sad?