Cheng up and triolo to the IL feels roughly net neutral to me, so at least theres that? Maybe cheng can find his way on and swipe some bags as a form of offense
I know there's a sharp divergence of opinion on IKF's defense (personally I think he's roughly average), but I'm hoping Cheng will get some action at short, not second. He's not a big highlight-reel guy. More like Clint Barmes, just makes all the plays.
Unfortunately, upper level pitchers have been knocking the bat out of his hands.
Liover Peguero, meanwhile, takes a step closer to dfa territory.
This would improve the Pirates across the board, even if every fastball knocks the bat out of Cheng's hands, he would not be much worse at the plate than Frazier. Better infield defense... no loss of hitting.
Timely, good read about closers! Contrary to author, the 9th inning is not mythology. See Ryan Borucki and hundreds of others who don't have either the stuff or the "go for the throat" makeup.
It was predictable that Borucki would try too hard to get his first save. He might be fine in the future, but yesterday Shelton should have had a shorter leash. Giving Borucki his first opportunity in a game with a 3-run lead made a lot of sense. But, Shelton needed to ber ready to make a move once the tying run came to bat, let alone when the tying run was in scoring position.
It is like when Bednar and Holderman were both one game away from being demoted to the minors, he put them both in key situations with the game on the line. How about let's try to win the game (rather than trying to justify to everyone why you are sending them down.)
Grisham might be the most underrated player in baseball. Everyone looks at his .195 career BA and disregards that he is a premier defender, hits a pile of HRs, and gets on base a good bit.
Watch the postseason. Most teams use their best relievers either as firemen or against the other team's best hitters, regardless of inning. Think Alvarado coming in 2 years ago ang giving up the big HR in the 6th inning. The only exception that I can of in recent years was the Rangers 2 years ago, and they only had 3 reliable relievers. Everyone in baseball knows that the whole "closer" thing is just a mythological construct, but they cling to it for some reason in the regular season. In my opinion because assigning innings to relief pitchers absolves the manager of responsibility for bullpen management.. "So and so has the 8th. He didn't execute. Not my fault for putting a right-handed fastball-heavy pitcher in against a group of power-hitting lefties who feast on fastballs."
A further thought on the Priester trade. I think the Brewers may have also paid a premium given the Sox scrapped his FF, showcasing further how effective his sinker was, which could be very useful in Milwaukee
My fellow statcast nerds, assistance requested for my failing memory...which Pirate affiliates get the treatment and how do you filter into their games?
Some resemblance to Marte going back towards the wall. Hard time judging if catchable or playable off the wall. Idk if Marte ever improved in that area! It's going to be a rollercoaster for Cruz too.
The reason is that 37 year old Tommy Pham and 33 year old Adam Frazier have untapped potential and the Pirates of all teams are going to be the ones to unlock it
Need to know the PTBNL. Real prospect or lottery guy? Yophery Rodriguez in a way looks similar to Yorke, decent but not overwhelming ceiling. Yorke has done it higher up, though, so he'd be more valuable, at least enough to offset the Comp A pick, maybe. Of course, Yophery isn't stuck in an org. that prefers a washed-up Adam Frazier.
And the brewers aren't in a strong bargaining position. Almost all of their starting pitchers are hurt. I'm fine with the red sox soaking them in this deal.
Heaney was indeed fantastic yesterday and I'm happy to eat a small sample size of crow for my earlier negative comments about the soft-tossing nibbler. A much needed high-quality start for the rotation.
Now let's find a "closer" who can actually shut the door and finish games.
Cheng up and triolo to the IL feels roughly net neutral to me, so at least theres that? Maybe cheng can find his way on and swipe some bags as a form of offense
Cheng probably won’t play, but he can’t hit… so he might play.
Then again, he can catch the ball, so he probably won't.
Prospect depth in the upper minors is looking… bleak. Probably should change course from the “undersized utility” types.
Gotta keep these guys healthy now or we get Alika back.
A really lousy time for Yorke to be on the DL. Otherwise he certainly would have gotten the call.
The total lack of depth is remarkable.
The pirates are calling up Cheng
I would have thought Nick Solak might be next in line, but it will be fun to see how Cheng does.
He’s already on the 40 man. Solak isn’t. Plus ability to play short I’d imagine is appealing.
Yeah, Plans B and C at short, Triolo and Nick, are on IL.
Very good. Thanks for that info. Makes sense. I like it now.
damn!
Cheng up, Triolo to IL.
I know there's a sharp divergence of opinion on IKF's defense (personally I think he's roughly average), but I'm hoping Cheng will get some action at short, not second. He's not a big highlight-reel guy. More like Clint Barmes, just makes all the plays.
Unfortunately, upper level pitchers have been knocking the bat out of his hands.
Liover Peguero, meanwhile, takes a step closer to dfa territory.
Barmes, Newman.......very acceptable.
Either would be an upgrade to the current roster: Newman a significant upgrade.
I'd love to see Cheng at SS batting 9th tonight. Play IKF at 2b and batting 8th.
Writing certainly appears to be on the wall for Peguero.
Totally forgot about Peguero. That’s sad.
This would improve the Pirates across the board, even if every fastball knocks the bat out of Cheng's hands, he would not be much worse at the plate than Frazier. Better infield defense... no loss of hitting.
Bad time for Yorke to get hurt
When did that happen and what's wrong with him?
Yep
https://calltothepen.com/david-bednar-demotion-is-further-proof-modern-bullpen-strategy-is-failing-relievers
Timely, good read about closers! Contrary to author, the 9th inning is not mythology. See Ryan Borucki and hundreds of others who don't have either the stuff or the "go for the throat" makeup.
It was predictable that Borucki would try too hard to get his first save. He might be fine in the future, but yesterday Shelton should have had a shorter leash. Giving Borucki his first opportunity in a game with a 3-run lead made a lot of sense. But, Shelton needed to ber ready to make a move once the tying run came to bat, let alone when the tying run was in scoring position.
Hopefully Borucki will get another chance.
It is like when Bednar and Holderman were both one game away from being demoted to the minors, he put them both in key situations with the game on the line. How about let's try to win the game (rather than trying to justify to everyone why you are sending them down.)
How and why Shelton let him face Gresham is unconscionable. Just 24 hours earlier
Gresham hit 2 HRs off a lefty (Falter). Even Greg Brown knew Gresham's reverse splits.
I think this may be Shelton's last year......finger's crossed.
Grisham might be the most underrated player in baseball. Everyone looks at his .195 career BA and disregards that he is a premier defender, hits a pile of HRs, and gets on base a good bit.
Established closers have "it" until they don't and other relievers don't have "it" until they do.
From Mariano to Kimbrel to Chapman, you have to have an out pitch in order to pitch the 9th. And a little intimidation factor never hurt.
Carlos Estevez would like a word.
He throws a FB and slider. Slider looks to be his out pitch.
He generates some Ks, but is mostly a guy who tries to generate soft contact and avoid barrels.
Watch the postseason. Most teams use their best relievers either as firemen or against the other team's best hitters, regardless of inning. Think Alvarado coming in 2 years ago ang giving up the big HR in the 6th inning. The only exception that I can of in recent years was the Rangers 2 years ago, and they only had 3 reliable relievers. Everyone in baseball knows that the whole "closer" thing is just a mythological construct, but they cling to it for some reason in the regular season. In my opinion because assigning innings to relief pitchers absolves the manager of responsibility for bullpen management.. "So and so has the 8th. He didn't execute. Not my fault for putting a right-handed fastball-heavy pitcher in against a group of power-hitting lefties who feast on fastballs."
A further thought on the Priester trade. I think the Brewers may have also paid a premium given the Sox scrapped his FF, showcasing further how effective his sinker was, which could be very useful in Milwaukee
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/what-can-peter-paul-and-mary-teach-us-about-roster-construction/
excellent article. Pirates don't play the washed-up vet aka puffs as much as some think.
reads rest of article and the Pirates are projected to have the most puffs in 2025
Hahaha I was just about to say something about that
But also, I'd consider someone like Vanmeter a puff, even though he JUST turned 30
JVM was only 27 when he played for the Pirates
27 year old puff
27 year old pud
Did a double take when I first saw it. But given his motion, not so shocking.
Hey you guys.
It's National Beaver Day!!!!
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12818328/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_7_nm_1_in_0_q_Hundreds%2520
(link is G-rated and very funny about one of my favorite recent films, "Hundreds of Beavers.")
----------------------------------
"Please Jauques! Not THIS one!"
-Wabbit
It's a silly damn movie, and I enjoyed it a great deal.
My fellow statcast nerds, assistance requested for my failing memory...which Pirate affiliates get the treatment and how do you filter into their games?
Bradenton and Indy. When you go to scoreboard, "MLB" will be hyperlinked, you click that and then can select other levels.
you da man
Am I completely dreaming that Oneil looked immediately competent last season after getting thrown out in CF?
Whatever the hell is going on out there this year is genuinely surprising to me.
Some resemblance to Marte going back towards the wall. Hard time judging if catchable or playable off the wall. Idk if Marte ever improved in that area! It's going to be a rollercoaster for Cruz too.
He looked good last year. He looks like one of the very worst CF defenders I've seen on an MLB diamond.
The minor league off day on Monday is such a curse for those of us wishing for afternoon baseball to help pass the work day. :(
Red Sox trade Quinn Priester to the Brewers for a 19 y/o OF prospect (their #7) and a Competitive Balance A pick.
Would we prefer this return to Nick Yorke?
Seems like a fairly large return for Quinn Priester
Personally I’d prefer Yorke. I still really think he’s got upside that for unknown reasons we aren’t exploring
The reason is that 37 year old Tommy Pham and 33 year old Adam Frazier have untapped potential and the Pirates of all teams are going to be the ones to unlock it
Need to know the PTBNL. Real prospect or lottery guy? Yophery Rodriguez in a way looks similar to Yorke, decent but not overwhelming ceiling. Yorke has done it higher up, though, so he'd be more valuable, at least enough to offset the Comp A pick, maybe. Of course, Yophery isn't stuck in an org. that prefers a washed-up Adam Frazier.
I believe the correct term is “warshed up.”
Or, if you're a Pirate fan, "hosed."
And the brewers aren't in a strong bargaining position. Almost all of their starting pitchers are hurt. I'm fine with the red sox soaking them in this deal.
Zander Mueth with 5 earned off 3 hits and no walks, little league-ass line.
Well, he plunked three, and somebody else let the last two score.
bingo. you don't see that line on major league games, although our 2025 Pirates might prove me wrong.
Thing stuck my reply up top
Did not have Heaney being our stopper, nor Pham with game-winning hit on the bingo card. Baseball is such a great game.
Heaney was indeed fantastic yesterday and I'm happy to eat a small sample size of crow for my earlier negative comments about the soft-tossing nibbler. A much needed high-quality start for the rotation.
Now let's find a "closer" who can actually shut the door and finish games.