Not one comment on Cruz' 4th error? I guess I understand that with his 4th HR.......wonder if anyone has had a 40/40 season.....and that's not stolen bases!
Thanks! Probably depends a lot on if they can move someone to the 60 day to make room. We all have some choices we'd DFA to make room, but I'd be surprised if the Pirates DFA someone to add a NRI (but they might).
Feels like Moreta is destined for the 60-day DL. If they have to DFA someone, the most obvious candidate to me is Alika. After that it’s probably CSN, Falter, or Roansy.
The price for Cease appears to have been very reasonable and something we could have met. The prospects going to the Sox sound interesting but none are considered elite or were in the Padres' top 5. Would have I done a deal if it meant quality over quantity with that quantity coming outside of top 5? Probably in a heartbeat. Of course it's possible that Getz really liked one of the prospects more than the national evaluators did.
The trade seems fair for both teams to me. I'm guessing the Padres are high on Zavala. I think he may be underrated by the national rankings. I don't think that a similar package for Cease would have been in the best interests of the Pirates at this juncture, since they made no effort to upgrade CF or 1B and have shown no other signs of "going for it," opting for hopium and best-possible outcomes rather than making a serious effort to put together a playoff-caliber team.
Jones is probably the best comp to the headline piece in this deal imo, whether or not that is worth might be down to the individual but we could have definitely matched it
Only time (and speculation) will tell, but if Cease pitches like he's projected (3+ WAR), he very well could have been the difference in making the postseason or not.
Ben just likes to play it safe--you don't get criticized nearly as much for the trades you didn't make than the ones you make. And since there is no accountability to actually win (all we hear from the good 'ole boy club of Nutting, Williams, Cherington, and Shelton is what a fantastic job each is doing), it's just too easy for Ben to wait on our prospects.
I’m not sure I would’ve loved such a deal given our current position. Come July, if we are ten games over .500? Maybe I feel a little differently.
The Pirates shouldn’t be gun-shy about trading for a guy with two years of control if they are in contention. You just flip the last year of control for more prospects at the end of the season. If you evaluate guys well enough, you might even come out ahead.
I’m not a big believer in pushing in non-refundable chips on any one season. You should be looking to establish a contention window. Now, if the return doesn’t equate to the comp pick? Fine. But if you can get 6 years of some solid guys that’s great too.
I think Bins and Guitierrez looking like passable MLB backups is easing concerns as well. If top 6 catchers are Hank, Yas, Delay, Sanchez, Guitierrez and Bins I'm totally comfortable.
PS - Wilbur don't you think Endy will be able to hit by midseason? I think he'll be DHing (maybe 1Bing?) by August ala Bryce Harper
Endy DH'ing would be an absolute black hole of a DH. ZiPS generously seems him walking his wRC+ up 26 points to 91 but a .230 BA sub .300 OBP and no power line from him is very possible.
Like, if we start the season off terribly and are just clearly out of it by midseason and you want Endy to get ABs, sure. Do it for developmental reasons but no team even pretending at trying to win should let him spend any time at DH.
Not one comment on Cruz' 4th error? I guess I understand that with his 4th HR.......wonder if anyone has had a 40/40 season.....and that's not stolen bases!
He’ll start trying around June.
Someone asked yesterday what NRIs had made the Pirates Opening Day roster the past few years. By my unofficial count…
2023 - Rob Zastryzny
2022 - Aaron Fletcher
2021 - none
2020 - John Ryan Murphy, Nik Turley
2019 - J.B. Shuck
Thanks! Probably depends a lot on if they can move someone to the 60 day to make room. We all have some choices we'd DFA to make room, but I'd be surprised if the Pirates DFA someone to add a NRI (but they might).
Feels like Moreta is destined for the 60-day DL. If they have to DFA someone, the most obvious candidate to me is Alika. After that it’s probably CSN, Falter, or Roansy.
J.B Shuck
I'm almost certain he started opening day.
You are correct!
The price for Cease appears to have been very reasonable and something we could have met. The prospects going to the Sox sound interesting but none are considered elite or were in the Padres' top 5. Would have I done a deal if it meant quality over quantity with that quantity coming outside of top 5? Probably in a heartbeat. Of course it's possible that Getz really liked one of the prospects more than the national evaluators did.
The trade seems fair for both teams to me. I'm guessing the Padres are high on Zavala. I think he may be underrated by the national rankings. I don't think that a similar package for Cease would have been in the best interests of the Pirates at this juncture, since they made no effort to upgrade CF or 1B and have shown no other signs of "going for it," opting for hopium and best-possible outcomes rather than making a serious effort to put together a playoff-caliber team.
Do the national evaluators even like our prospects much?
From a lazy BTV standpoint, the comps would be roughly Priester and Chandler.
Right. They could've done it, but would it be worth it?
I was thinking Jones and Ashcraft as the headliners.
Jones is probably the best comp to the headline piece in this deal imo, whether or not that is worth might be down to the individual but we could have definitely matched it
Only time (and speculation) will tell, but if Cease pitches like he's projected (3+ WAR), he very well could have been the difference in making the postseason or not.
Ben just likes to play it safe--you don't get criticized nearly as much for the trades you didn't make than the ones you make. And since there is no accountability to actually win (all we hear from the good 'ole boy club of Nutting, Williams, Cherington, and Shelton is what a fantastic job each is doing), it's just too easy for Ben to wait on our prospects.
I’m not sure I would’ve loved such a deal given our current position. Come July, if we are ten games over .500? Maybe I feel a little differently.
The Pirates shouldn’t be gun-shy about trading for a guy with two years of control if they are in contention. You just flip the last year of control for more prospects at the end of the season. If you evaluate guys well enough, you might even come out ahead.
Or…you keep him if he’s that good and look to make the postseason.
Honestly? There’s a chance they could look to trade for him from Preller next year. Although if it goes poorly he may be gone.
If it goes poorly, Preller will probably be gone.
I’m not a big believer in pushing in non-refundable chips on any one season. You should be looking to establish a contention window. Now, if the return doesn’t equate to the comp pick? Fine. But if you can get 6 years of some solid guys that’s great too.
Plantar fasciitis isn’t easy to get over. Ben & Derry may be forced into their nightmare scenario of having to let Davis catch.
I think Bins and Guitierrez looking like passable MLB backups is easing concerns as well. If top 6 catchers are Hank, Yas, Delay, Sanchez, Guitierrez and Bins I'm totally comfortable.
PS - Wilbur don't you think Endy will be able to hit by midseason? I think he'll be DHing (maybe 1Bing?) by August ala Bryce Harper
Endy DH'ing would be an absolute black hole of a DH. ZiPS generously seems him walking his wRC+ up 26 points to 91 but a .230 BA sub .300 OBP and no power line from him is very possible.
Correct. he has no value at 1b or DH.
Like, if we start the season off terribly and are just clearly out of it by midseason and you want Endy to get ABs, sure. Do it for developmental reasons but no team even pretending at trying to win should let him spend any time at DH.
On Endy, you’d think, but they’re just flat saying next year.
It's probably as much a roster spot concern as just ability to play.
Message to Ben and the medical staff:
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