Has anyone seen or heard a report on Wyatt Sanford adding an additional 15 to 20 pounds of good weight. (Up to 195lbs)
I could have swore I saw something, might of been pre-draft but think they mentioned being in the pirates org. He said he feels not only stronger but faster.
I would like to see the pirates be sort of aggressive with the 4 prep-players they took in '24. I really liked the pirates first 3 picks, Samford was probably my favorite considering they got him in the second round.
I've committed to ignoring hit tool projections for teenagers on account of my mental health and the fact that scouts absolutely suck at it, so I too came away with a pretty good feeling about '24.
Already used Hartle as trade collateral before anyone could figure if big league clubs could coax more of him than Vandy.
I'm with ya, the only one's to truly avoid early are the extreme swing and miss guys like Greene in '22.
I usually prefer college bats but really liked the prep players they took in '24.
As long as Horwitz keeps hitting right hand pitchers (I think he will), Hartle was a fine throw in. If Wake's pitching lab didn't coax the best out of him (they probably did in '23), he's probably a 4 or 5 starter at best.
I’m kinda in the boat that guys who go to schools with all the pitching tech probably don’t have a TON more projection. I’m sure they can still get better but not the huge jump if they’ve already gone through pitch design and stuff
Just might be wise of us fans to look at SSS Horwitz and hope we get Colin Moran type production. That would be an upgrade over what we've had. If we get more, then we can applaud BC for the trade. This is where we live as Pirate fans,
crash and burn is always in the back of our minds :)
Yep, any plan can crash and burn. Horwitz seems like a much better plan than hoping tellez can hit 30 homers again. As you mentioned, the xwOBA gives me hope they won’t crash and burn. I’m also ok with a suwinski/Yorke platoon and cook assuming the Joe role. Rest of the minuscule budget should be money balled on BP arms.
Cutch and Horwitz would be a pretty sweet platoon at first base, as far as offense goes. Too bad Cutch can't play first, nor do I think 38 years old is a good time to learn.
But I also thinks it's convenient for the Bucs that Bryan Reynolds also makes a perfect platoon-mate and at 30 yo stands a better chance of picking up the position.
While I support the move, it’s kind of exhausting to see them continue to ride the same exact hype train year after year. There was never any doubt Cutch was going to resign here, he’s openly said this.
While other teams are plastering their new toys they got this Christmas all over social media, Pittsburgh has been unwrapping the same present for the past 3 off seasons and are expecting the same level of excitement. Cutch cannot continue to be your largest offseason acquisition.
High variance move by the Sox. Buehler was awful last year, and as a starting pitcher, is a pretty big injury risk. They could move him to the bullpen, where he was better, but at 21 million that is not what they are thinking. Only a few years removed from being a top flight starter. Could strike gold or lead. One year deal, so it doesn't have any long term risk.
Also not sure if this was covered from FG chat last week. Some Bucs content:
Griffin will likely shoot up lists if his contact piece is strong out of the gate.
Loves Termarr’s hands, thinks he’ll get enough power to play everyday.
Notes that the Bucs rebuild hasn’t hit Baltimore’s level because they haven’t had another home run atop the draft to pair with Skenes. Says some have underwhelmed, but also due to not as good options at the top of the draft. Said Baltimore ascended quickly cause they killed it with Adley and Henderson.
Thinking the same damn thing. If we’re drafting with hindsight, we’re probably saying Mayer with Bubba overslot and one of White/Sol. In which case, great!!! For the farm system at least, but the big club hasn’t moved an inch. There’s plenty enough to shitcan this front office, but even lucking into a generational talent in 2023, they haven’t had much luck elsewhere.
The Marlins are in another rebuilding mode - Luzardo did not have a good year with the Marlins in 2024, and they have their SS of the future in the system. Starlyn Caba was a $3 mil bonus baby for the Phillies, and will not turn 20 until Dec 2025. A switch hitter who has the offense and defense, and made it to A ball last year, where he will probably start in 2025.
So far, the Marlins have unloaded Stallings, Bell, Burger, and now Luzardo, but all of their pitching that missed 2024 should be coming back in 2025.
Just some food for thought and something I posted in response to yesterday’s thread this morning…Luxardo is a prime example of a player the Pirates should be looking to acquire as his acquisition cost is extremely reasonable, plus he has two years left of arbitration. The Pirates have a recent track record of being successful on the pitching development side, as well as with change of scenery lefties. Luxardo is a 27-year old, high upside arm coming off an injury. He posted two strong and upward trending years prior to this injury. There is a very strong probability that his trade value will be greater after a healthy, bounce back season. Nothing is a given, and there is always injury risk, but these are the bets this FO should be making. A Luxardo acquisition has a very real probability of costing you nothing, as his trade value could reasonably be equal to or greater than his acquisition cost next off-season. Not only does he give you a MOR arm, but he also provides a bridge to the younger guys in AAA. If/when these guys are called upon and ready, Luxardo becomes an expendable and valuable asset to trade. Rinse and repeat.
Very much agreed. While I sometimes hate to play the comp game, the acquisition cost for the Bucs would have been what…Delgado and YDLS? Guys who are half a decade away to begin with?
I agree with your take as far as the industry goes.
Personally I think Caba is a close comparison to Vidal Brujan at the same age. Vidal shot up the prospect boards as a low money ifa signing while Caba had the high dollar pedigree. Caba is the better defender while Vidal was the better hitter at the same age.
I probably was. For what it’s worth, I think I saw in a recent prospect-y chat that (BP maybe?) that they pumped Caba last year too much. He sounds like a super slick defender.
I won't say I hate the idea of intentionally drafting/signing super raw, high upside dudes for the explicit purpose of trade collateral but I just gotta believe we're talking about 1st round/7-figure bonus types. Still might be good money but they're gonna have to pay for it.
From what I understand, the infielder the phillies sent is borderline top 100 by some rankings and immediately the Marlins top hitting prospect (via the Cespedes BBQ guys), albeit definitely far away. We don't really have a good comp for that player but the price is probably more like termarr + another flier? You can argue if that price is worth it, but not like they gave up absolutely nothing for him
Maybe this is me, TJ sounds a good bit more advanced than Caba. Two levels ahead, held his own in short time at AA while Caba struggled early. And it sounds like Miami is targeting guys farther away from the bigs.
They didn’t give up nothing, but I’d be happy with this deal if I was a Phillies fan.
For sure he's definitely at least a year or two closer. The Phillies are pretty much in go for broke mode and Dave Dombrowski probably is out as GM by the time Caba even hits arb, if not before, so it doesn't matter to him. Makes a ton of sense for their org no doubt about it
Yep. Dombrowski is 68, and Caba is years away if he makes it. I gotta say, he’s a pretty easy HOF exec: 12 playoff appearances, 5 pennants, 2 titles.
The Phillies rotation is very good, but the 5 spot was a black hole and this is a good upside play. Every regular except Bohm, Marsh, and Stott are over 30. I wonder if they make a run at Tucker next offseason, with Realmuto and Schwarber coming off their books.
Dombrowski is the GM you bring in to swing big and push for a title using all of the resources (money, prospects, etc.). He's not the guy that you bring it to build a sustainable farm and not risk a big fall off at some point. All of the credit to the guy because he's been damn good at getting results. Agree that he belongs in the Hall
I imagine the Rangers are going to be one of the more underrated teams going into this year. They got nuked by injuries last year but are adding deGrom, Joc, Buerger, and bullpen help to last years squad is a pretty nifty boost. The Astros are taking a decent step backwards and the M's are still a few bats short so the division is up for grabs
The Astro's adding Christian Walker shortened that step backwards - possibly eliminated it altogether. Lose a 3B, sign a Top 3 First Baseman for 3 years. That is a very smart front office that wants to win!
I agree, go check out spray charts on statcast for Paredes and Bregman. Bergman is the better hitter but he's leaving a park that played well to his skill set. Paredes is leaving a park that played against his and into one he's perfect for.
Paredes is definitely moving into the best case scenario for his power and game. Houston's FO is smart, gotta give them that. Still shocked that they've let correa, springer, bregman, and now tucker leave though. Figured that they would have tried to retain at least one of them with altuve and alvarez
https://x.com/TJStats/status/1870582997717766501
A look at Bubba's statcast rankings
Has anyone seen or heard a report on Wyatt Sanford adding an additional 15 to 20 pounds of good weight. (Up to 195lbs)
I could have swore I saw something, might of been pre-draft but think they mentioned being in the pirates org. He said he feels not only stronger but faster.
I seen a video of Griffin, he said he added 10-15 lbs. Looks like a brick shit house
tis the season for hopium but I've had a sneaky feeling about this dude since the draft.
Would love to be fed a hit of the hope pipe if anyone has a link.
I dabble in hopium, and I endorse this message.
first hit's free!
I would like to see the pirates be sort of aggressive with the 4 prep-players they took in '24. I really liked the pirates first 3 picks, Samford was probably my favorite considering they got him in the second round.
I've committed to ignoring hit tool projections for teenagers on account of my mental health and the fact that scouts absolutely suck at it, so I too came away with a pretty good feeling about '24.
Already used Hartle as trade collateral before anyone could figure if big league clubs could coax more of him than Vandy.
I'm with ya, the only one's to truly avoid early are the extreme swing and miss guys like Greene in '22.
I usually prefer college bats but really liked the prep players they took in '24.
As long as Horwitz keeps hitting right hand pitchers (I think he will), Hartle was a fine throw in. If Wake's pitching lab didn't coax the best out of him (they probably did in '23), he's probably a 4 or 5 starter at best.
I’m kinda in the boat that guys who go to schools with all the pitching tech probably don’t have a TON more projection. I’m sure they can still get better but not the huge jump if they’ve already gone through pitch design and stuff
amen.
Here's some Cutch playing Santa. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s11PotwCcEg
I love you man. Great video
Not specifically Freddy. But you do seem cool.
Horwitz, McCutchen, Naylor, and Santana all posted expected wOBAs between .330 and .337 last year.
The Pirates ended up with the youngest, least expensive, and greatest controlled pair of the four.
I just can't lose sleep over not paying for 39 yo first base defense and one year of a dude who's only hit more than 20 homers once in his career.
They crashed and burned last year with Tellez and Joe and yet are still better off than if they gave Rhys Hoskins $30m.
Save your bullets for positions that matter more than 1B and DH.
Above average production at 1b & DH combined for less than 6M.
it could very much still crash and burn but i'm struggling to think their actual plan is significantly worse than others.
Just might be wise of us fans to look at SSS Horwitz and hope we get Colin Moran type production. That would be an upgrade over what we've had. If we get more, then we can applaud BC for the trade. This is where we live as Pirate fans,
crash and burn is always in the back of our minds :)
Yep, any plan can crash and burn. Horwitz seems like a much better plan than hoping tellez can hit 30 homers again. As you mentioned, the xwOBA gives me hope they won’t crash and burn. I’m also ok with a suwinski/Yorke platoon and cook assuming the Joe role. Rest of the minuscule budget should be money balled on BP arms.
bingo.
Cutch and Horwitz would be a pretty sweet platoon at first base, as far as offense goes. Too bad Cutch can't play first, nor do I think 38 years old is a good time to learn.
Very much agreed.
But I also thinks it's convenient for the Bucs that Bryan Reynolds also makes a perfect platoon-mate and at 30 yo stands a better chance of picking up the position.
This. 100000000%
Pirates reached deal with Cutch.
I cannot understand anyone who doesn’t think this is a good move
While I support the move, it’s kind of exhausting to see them continue to ride the same exact hype train year after year. There was never any doubt Cutch was going to resign here, he’s openly said this.
While other teams are plastering their new toys they got this Christmas all over social media, Pittsburgh has been unwrapping the same present for the past 3 off seasons and are expecting the same level of excitement. Cutch cannot continue to be your largest offseason acquisition.
I think the worst case is a Tellez-type start with a sub-500 OPS or some such for the first two months. But I doubt anyone would be booing.
Walker Buehler to the Red Sox for $21 million
High variance move by the Sox. Buehler was awful last year, and as a starting pitcher, is a pretty big injury risk. They could move him to the bullpen, where he was better, but at 21 million that is not what they are thinking. Only a few years removed from being a top flight starter. Could strike gold or lead. One year deal, so it doesn't have any long term risk.
Also not sure if this was covered from FG chat last week. Some Bucs content:
Griffin will likely shoot up lists if his contact piece is strong out of the gate.
Loves Termarr’s hands, thinks he’ll get enough power to play everyday.
Notes that the Bucs rebuild hasn’t hit Baltimore’s level because they haven’t had another home run atop the draft to pair with Skenes. Says some have underwhelmed, but also due to not as good options at the top of the draft. Said Baltimore ascended quickly cause they killed it with Adley and Henderson.
appreciate that draft point; luck of the draw is super underappreciated in the discussion of Cherington and the Pirates.
You could redraft with the benefit of hindsight and they still wouldn't be much further ahead going into 2025 right now.
About all I would do differently is take BPA in '21 with Mayer and go underslot college in '22 with Neto.
Thinking the same damn thing. If we’re drafting with hindsight, we’re probably saying Mayer with Bubba overslot and one of White/Sol. In which case, great!!! For the farm system at least, but the big club hasn’t moved an inch. There’s plenty enough to shitcan this front office, but even lucking into a generational talent in 2023, they haven’t had much luck elsewhere.
Exactly!
and even then, Roman Anthony looks to be about the only overslot guy in '22 that would've been worth it.
The Marlins are in another rebuilding mode - Luzardo did not have a good year with the Marlins in 2024, and they have their SS of the future in the system. Starlyn Caba was a $3 mil bonus baby for the Phillies, and will not turn 20 until Dec 2025. A switch hitter who has the offense and defense, and made it to A ball last year, where he will probably start in 2025.
So far, the Marlins have unloaded Stallings, Bell, Burger, and now Luzardo, but all of their pitching that missed 2024 should be coming back in 2025.
Just some food for thought and something I posted in response to yesterday’s thread this morning…Luxardo is a prime example of a player the Pirates should be looking to acquire as his acquisition cost is extremely reasonable, plus he has two years left of arbitration. The Pirates have a recent track record of being successful on the pitching development side, as well as with change of scenery lefties. Luxardo is a 27-year old, high upside arm coming off an injury. He posted two strong and upward trending years prior to this injury. There is a very strong probability that his trade value will be greater after a healthy, bounce back season. Nothing is a given, and there is always injury risk, but these are the bets this FO should be making. A Luxardo acquisition has a very real probability of costing you nothing, as his trade value could reasonably be equal to or greater than his acquisition cost next off-season. Not only does he give you a MOR arm, but he also provides a bridge to the younger guys in AAA. If/when these guys are called upon and ready, Luxardo becomes an expendable and valuable asset to trade. Rinse and repeat.
Very much agreed. While I sometimes hate to play the comp game, the acquisition cost for the Bucs would have been what…Delgado and YDLS? Guys who are half a decade away to begin with?
Waayyyyyy underselling it.
Caba is Baseball America's 54th best prospect in the game.
Your argument about proximity is fair enough but you're talking about Konor Griffin, not a Delgado or YDLS.
I agree with your take as far as the industry goes.
Personally I think Caba is a close comparison to Vidal Brujan at the same age. Vidal shot up the prospect boards as a low money ifa signing while Caba had the high dollar pedigree. Caba is the better defender while Vidal was the better hitter at the same age.
I probably was. For what it’s worth, I think I saw in a recent prospect-y chat that (BP maybe?) that they pumped Caba last year too much. He sounds like a super slick defender.
I won't say I hate the idea of intentionally drafting/signing super raw, high upside dudes for the explicit purpose of trade collateral but I just gotta believe we're talking about 1st round/7-figure bonus types. Still might be good money but they're gonna have to pay for it.
Isn’t that basically the San Diego method? Taking super raw guys, churching them up a bit, and send them out the door.
From what I understand, the infielder the phillies sent is borderline top 100 by some rankings and immediately the Marlins top hitting prospect (via the Cespedes BBQ guys), albeit definitely far away. We don't really have a good comp for that player but the price is probably more like termarr + another flier? You can argue if that price is worth it, but not like they gave up absolutely nothing for him
Maybe this is me, TJ sounds a good bit more advanced than Caba. Two levels ahead, held his own in short time at AA while Caba struggled early. And it sounds like Miami is targeting guys farther away from the bigs.
They didn’t give up nothing, but I’d be happy with this deal if I was a Phillies fan.
For sure he's definitely at least a year or two closer. The Phillies are pretty much in go for broke mode and Dave Dombrowski probably is out as GM by the time Caba even hits arb, if not before, so it doesn't matter to him. Makes a ton of sense for their org no doubt about it
Yep. Dombrowski is 68, and Caba is years away if he makes it. I gotta say, he’s a pretty easy HOF exec: 12 playoff appearances, 5 pennants, 2 titles.
The Phillies rotation is very good, but the 5 spot was a black hole and this is a good upside play. Every regular except Bohm, Marsh, and Stott are over 30. I wonder if they make a run at Tucker next offseason, with Realmuto and Schwarber coming off their books.
Dombrowski is the GM you bring in to swing big and push for a title using all of the resources (money, prospects, etc.). He's not the guy that you bring it to build a sustainable farm and not risk a big fall off at some point. All of the credit to the guy because he's been damn good at getting results. Agree that he belongs in the Hall
Seeing Luxardo typed this many times makes me think of the proper cherries to be put in an old fashioned
Luxardo should be in Manhattan, not Philadelphia!
Apparently tomorrows rundown has already written itself.
Joc Pederson signs with the Rangers
Sean Manaea with the Mets.
Buehler to the Red Sox now too. They’ve really boosted their rotation this offseason
I imagine the Rangers are going to be one of the more underrated teams going into this year. They got nuked by injuries last year but are adding deGrom, Joc, Buerger, and bullpen help to last years squad is a pretty nifty boost. The Astros are taking a decent step backwards and the M's are still a few bats short so the division is up for grabs
The Astro's adding Christian Walker shortened that step backwards - possibly eliminated it altogether. Lose a 3B, sign a Top 3 First Baseman for 3 years. That is a very smart front office that wants to win!
Definitely a good and cheap pivot. Though, parades and walker is still a solid ways behind tucker and bregman for this upcoming season in my opinion
I agree, go check out spray charts on statcast for Paredes and Bregman. Bergman is the better hitter but he's leaving a park that played well to his skill set. Paredes is leaving a park that played against his and into one he's perfect for.
Paredes is definitely moving into the best case scenario for his power and game. Houston's FO is smart, gotta give them that. Still shocked that they've let correa, springer, bregman, and now tucker leave though. Figured that they would have tried to retain at least one of them with altuve and alvarez
The Baseball Prospectus guys said “this ballpark works for Paredes and his particular brand of bullshit.” They’re right.