38 Comments

I think that it is obvious that the Pirates need at least one, probably two bats in their lineup next year. Potentially they have an excellent rotation with some backups. It would be seriosly disappointing if they do not take advantage of this window of opportunity with Skenes, et al. I think that you deal from strength. Package one of Braxton, Harrington, Burrow, or even Jones with Temarr or Gonzo. Make it a two for one so the return is substantial. When the Pirates trade a good player and get a cast of thousands in return, I am skeptical (Taillon, Musgrove, Cole trades). Probably this could net a good and young and controllable outfielder. Then we have to depend on BC and the scouts to choose the right trade focus.

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If BC was competent and interested in winning, this could be an interesting offseason. Lots of pitching depth and stagnating/mediocre-but-somewhat-valuable position players to be moved for actual offense. I would think Ortiz, Falter, Burrows, Ashcraft, Harrington, Gonzales, Peguero, Hank, Triolo, and maybe even Jones could be in play.

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In watching the game last night I wondered whether anyone would trade Skenes, who we'll likely only control through '29 (after he finishes top 2 in ROY), for Chourio, who is under team control through '33? And would the Brewers even be interested? The question only occurred to me because I'm not optimistic about us contending next year under Cherington, and thinking that then we'll make a change which may mean another lost year or two, and then we'll be in Skenes' last couple of seasons.

_I'm not trading Skenes_ but given that we have an owner who is unlikely to extend Skenes, the four extra years of another generational talent at least tempts me. As for the Brewers, Skenes would have an even bigger impact in the postseason and could be the difference in them finally winning a WS.

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Even Cherington isn't dumb enough to make that trade.

I truly don't understand why anyone would entertain the idea of trading the best pitching prospect since Doc Gooden.

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It's not a crazy idea, but I wouldn't do it. I would be open to trading 1 of keller/ Jones and 1 of Falter/Ortiz if it could bring back 2 good hitters. Then have Chandler make opening day rotation and then add a low cost free agent sp if Oviedo isn't ready. A risky move but I just don't see them paying for good hitters.

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https://www.si.com/mlb/jeff-passan-pirates-owner-bob-nutting-meager-payroll

Not sure if anyone saw this. I couldn't imagine them having Pete Alonso. Or any one decent at 1b.

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I like the point he made that the focus shouldn't be on saving the $200K but that we likely went with and then stuck with Tellez only because he was cheap. Spend money on a better player up front, then you're not having to DFA a veteran with a week left.

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Sep 26·edited Sep 26

Dude looks like John Mulaney. If you never heard of him Google sometimes I get nervous on planes. Or salt and pepper diner. Or really anything he does. SVU.

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One of my daughters is a big fan, even seeing him live, so I've watched a few of his bits with her.

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My comedic idol was Mitch Hedberg. my dad saw him in Pittsburgh probably 20+ years ago. It's incredible how many times I reference his jokes in my head throughout my day.

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I'll need to check him out.

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His Xanax bit was pretty funny

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He (among others) had a stellar guest spot on The Bear too.

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Never saw it. May check it out.

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Nervous on planes. Oooooh and I'm sorry. The Batman nurse.

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He does look like Mulaney.

Triolo looks like Gillis.

Yorke looks like a young Benicio Del Toro

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Rather look like Del Toro than Mulaney. Usual Suspects is great.

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Yeah, you don't want to look like Mulaney

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Quite the return for Peggy, and he also just missed a long HR which would have also ranked in the top five EVs. I know he didn't force his way back with his AAA stats and four more games won't show anything, but I hope he plays in all four. Him and Ortiz were my primary motivations for tuning in last night.

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And they both performed better than expected! I was also interested in the other Ortiz in the game - Joey Ortiz (who he?). The position player named in the Corbin Burnes Trade to B'More just before ST 2024. They also got a pitcher and the 34th pick in the 2024 Draft (Comp A) from the Orioles. Burnes is doing well as expected (3.6 fWAR), and Ortiz is flying under the radar with a 2.9 fWAR heavily weighted by his D at 3B. In Advanced stats for 3B he is 2nd in Def (10.6), 3rd in DRS with 8, and 4th in UZR/150. Also a .720+ OPS. Had 30 days of MLB Service in 2023 so I think he would be a Rookie this year? I think it can be said that he has put a smile on Matt Arnold's face.

BTW, adjusted for Hayes 829 innings at 3B, Advanced stats he is a 6.5 Def, 10 Defensive Runs Saved (2nd), and a UZR/150 of 10.7 (1st).

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Sep 26·edited Sep 26

Rather than Ortiz, I would like to see them deal either Jones or Keller. Both have more value than Ortiz and Lord knows this team needs much better hitting to be a good team.

Between Chandler, Ashcraft, Burrows, Harrington, and Oviedo, they shouldn’t have much of a fall off if Keller or Jones is dealt away.

Of course, they could just keep all of them and go sign Walker or Alonso this winter, but we all know what the chances of that are.

What’s most likely to happen is they don’t make a trade nor sign an impact bat, followed by BC saying something to the effect of “the players we have just have to be better.”

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It’s difficult for me to get on board with the idea of trading Jones/Keller. For starters, it’s awfully risky to assume any or all of those four (all prospects, save for Oviedo) to come in and just be healthy, mid-rotation starters. Hell, look how long it took Mitch to get to this point. Who’s to say Bubba and the Band won’t experience similar struggles?

I’d prefer they shift Reynolds to first, and try to find an OF on the trade market or FA. My thinking is, it’s easier to find an OF or two than it is to find a 1B (both of those names, while helpful, would cost a ton). In short, eliminate the awful on defense, get another bat, keep most of the arms.

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Trading any of the starters is painful. But, they do seem to have a skill for finding pitching talent. Maybe a Jared Jones for one of the Orioles young hitters is the way to go? Even without Jones, Skenes/Keller/Ortiz/Oviedo/Chandler/Falter/Burrows/Ashcraft can probably hold the fort down with even a league average offense and better defense.

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sources saying Jones to Oakland for Wilson

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Yes, although I’d be plugging both Burrows and Ashcraft into the pen. As in, immediately. I’m beating this drum to death, but signing an outside starter and moving one of Ortiz/Falter to the pen gives them a strong rotation, a better pen (with Burrows/Ashcraft added), and they still have solid depth with Oviedo, Bubba, Harrington and (hopefully) Barco.

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Yep. I guess it is easy to forget that they are about 7 pitchers short of having a bullpen next season. To have depth, you would actually need to have depth and not be picking up Joey Wentz off waivers in September.

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Sep 26·edited Sep 26

relievers are so fickle...is there a team in baseball that has bullpen depth?

Hell, midway through the season the 800-million-dollar Dodgers were plucking DFA'd Pirate relievers off the waiver wire.

Not to mention Wentz has pitched quite well.

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That’s true. But I’d also bet on the two young guys and their high octane stuff being big cogs in the pen.

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Like the idea. I don't know if you get the needed bat by trading prospects. The organization would have to be willing to spend money.....😐

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100%. keep as much of the rotation depth as you can, improve the defense & make 1 or 2 actual FA signings / trades for OF

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They have to kick the tires on trading Keller. He's a horse and he comes with a reasonable, controllable salary for teams not named the Pirates.

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With Keller's second-half struggles (e.g., .817 OPS allowed, 5.68 ERA) and that he's no longer cheap, I don't think the return would justify the trade. BR has him at 2 WAR and with his salary about to jump to ~16MM, there is hardly any surplus value there.

Jones might be someone to consider dealing. He's struggled even more than Keller in the second half, but it's only been five games and he was coming back from injury. You can never have too much pitching, though.

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I would not make a decision based on what Jared Jones has done since returning. A rookie not many thought would be on the 26 breaking camp, but his velo carried him until after the AS Break. Coming back, the velo and location have not been where they were prior to the injury. I hope that they shut he and Paul Skenes down right now - rest is what they could both use at this point. I'll bet we have some arms still throwing at AAA, or at Altoona hoping for a chance.

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I didn't express my point very well--I'm not advocating for trading him because he struggled but noting that if we trade him, the struggles (only 5 games) probably wouldn't impact his value as much as Keller's, especially given that Keller only performed at what you'd expect for his upcoming salaries.

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Very happy for Luis Ortiz finishing the season in grand form for the Pirates. Also mention that the season he pitched as both a strong SP and as a RP will make him either a strong candidate for the Pirate Rotation in 2025, or as a very valuable trade chip for a power hitting young OF. It's the reality of the circumstances right now with guys like Bubba Chandler, Thomas Harrington, Braxton Ashcraft, Michael Burrows, and Hunter Barco developing as they have and being just a very short step away from MLB. Don't forget Johan Oviedo returning from TJ possibly in May 2025.

Liover Peguero got the call and showed well in his first start in MLB in 2024. I think he had about 80 days of MLB Service in 2023 filling in for the injured Oneil Cruz at SS/2B. Two line drives off of Freddy Peralta impressed, and the second, a double, drove in the only 2 runs scored by the Pirates last night. Still only in his age 23 season, he is an excellent defender at both SS and 2B, and has the pop in the bat to possibly be a steady 15+ HR hitter at the MLB level. Last year with the Pirates he hit 7 HR in about 200 AB.

I hope the new Manager of the Pirates will view him as a valuable asset in the MI for 2025.

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Peggy becoming the impact SS we all hoped he would be when he was acquired in the Marte deal, would be a huge boost to the teams chances for the next few seasons.

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It would be pretty wild if he kinda sleepwalked through the minors and then does well in the majors.

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