TJ has been bad for the last 2 years not just this year. I realize he’s only 21 years old but last year he only had a 750 OPS and this year’s barely above 700. I think we got a week at Adam Frazier with Johnson
I am still waiting for the news that the Yankees or Dodgers and the Pirates have made a trade involving Mitch Keller. The Yankees have Spencer Jones, repeating AA and doing very well, and the Dodgers have Josue DePaula and/or Zyhir Hope, both 20 year old LH hitting OF's who have VG numbers in over 200 AB's at A+ and should be on their way to AA to finish the season.
I was reminded that one or more of these teams are paying 110% luxury tax, which means Keller would cost them double his actual payroll. So it's a big big number for them to take on Mitch's contract, same with Alcantara in Miami.
That's changed my thinking on who would actually pull the trigger in Keller.
The the Dodgers outfield prospect probably won’t see the majors until 2027 if all goes right. The Pirates need players you could help now. Not two years down the road. Just wasting another year of SKENES. Just my thoughts
I hear you and I would like that too, but we can get a better return by taking the gamble on younger prospects. Since it looks like we will not be winning percentage competitive until we get some bats like Griffin, Valdez, Alfonzo, Plaz, Florentino, etc. (who are 1- 2 years off) we should go for the depth of the return at this point.
And, Keller is not only our most valuable trade chip, he is also holding about $60 mil of guaranteed now/future salary. Get the best we can now, with a return of at least one of those players I mentioned, and use part of that $60 mil to sign Cruz through at least the first two years of his Free Agency. 21 HR last year and 16 so far this year - if we had some support around him just think of what we could do. The only "now" power hitters available will be people teams are unloading because they are going into FA.
We said the same thing 2-3 ago. Wait until the bats like Henry, Eddy Rodriguez, Nunez,Jack S. Same story every year. Get major league, almost ready, players.. Do
I was impressed watching Cassie in the futures game last night, double the opposite way, hard groundout and a couple walks. The power is legit and his AB’s yesterday were impressive. Also having a fellow Canadian wouldn’t be the worst move
No Arquette. I feel like when we get a college bat they are full developed or will regress. Hopefully a HS kid will have a entirely new developmental regime in less than 3 months.
I can't stand the run on dudes for cheap until rd 11 or whatever when we can again take a player who we really wanted rd 2.
At least whoever we pick won't be automatically number one in the system like years past. Still got Bubs and Special K at least ahead of him.
The pipeline guys mentioned in the podcast recently that Arquette would have been a mid Teens pick in last years draft. I guess best case he can play a good 3b and replace Hayes sooner rather than later. We don’t have a lot of 3b prospects until you get into rookie ball and below. I’m hoping for Parker or Willits in part because of their LH bats
Haven research as much as most, but Parker/Irish for me. At first i scuffed at the thought of Irish, but the more I think about it, rather have a plus hit, plus power guy position be darned.
My preference would be Hernandez or one of the HS bats. Just not a fan of the college bats especially with how they have developed in the Pirates Organization
My dad informed the Pirates this week that we won’t be renewing our season ticket package next year in its current form. We’ve split some version of four half-to-full season tickets with a group of other guys since the late 80s/early 90s. Well done, Ben and Bob! You finally broke him this year!
Understandable. It’s very frustrating but I haven’t been to PNC Park since 2018 and I don’t think I’ll go again unless Nutting sells, an unlikely scenario I know
That's understandable. Why pay to watch this miserable team. I don't even watch them on TV. It's just not worth the frustration. I'll check in on Skenes games but that's about it.
This site is the only place I check in for pirates info and really I pay more attention to the minors leagues. If I didn't have so many friends that are pirates fans, I probably would be completely out. Each year I get a little closer to being out. Just no point with this ownership.
I'll probably be back in if they ever figure out how to develop hitters. It really wouldn't take much to make this team interesting. The pitching is there. This trade deadline they should be aggressive in trying to acquire several bats that are mlb ready or near ready that could start opening day next season.
In their final mock, Callis has us going with Carlson and Mayo with Arquette. It's the first pick they disagree on with their first six being Anderson, Doyle, Hernandez, Holliday, and Willits. They flip Carlson and Arquette at 7 for the Marlins and then agree on 8-10. So the same top 10 with only a slight disagreement on who goes 6 and who goes 7.
I know, I know, he’s only 21. But it’s looking increasingly like he’s not going to be a star. So the question now is whether he becomes a major league regular or not.
What does he do well? His one previous undeniable skill —- plate patience —- has eroded at AA. He doesn’t hit for average. His power is limited. He doesn’t steal bases. He’s not a defensive wiz.
i never bought the wade boggs comparisons, but it is quite bizarre to see his batting profile go from hit over power, to power over hit when he turned pro...and he's not even hitting for much power now
It's been a bad year for TJ personally, and a bad year overall for the Franchise. I like Blake Butler, who has put up big winners the past 2 years at GBO, and I had hoped he would be promoted to be the Manager at AA. Instead we got a guy who was terminated from the Boston Org after many years with them. So, absolutely little, if any, knowledge of our players, or what they had done in A/A+ etc. And, very difficult to play against the teams from the Tigers and Guardians who take it very seriously when it comes time to prep kids for AAA/MLB.
TJ has been bad for the last 2 years not just this year. I realize he’s only 21 years old but last year he only had a 750 OPS and this year’s barely above 700. I think we got a week at Adam Frazier with Johnson
I am still waiting for the news that the Yankees or Dodgers and the Pirates have made a trade involving Mitch Keller. The Yankees have Spencer Jones, repeating AA and doing very well, and the Dodgers have Josue DePaula and/or Zyhir Hope, both 20 year old LH hitting OF's who have VG numbers in over 200 AB's at A+ and should be on their way to AA to finish the season.
I was reminded that one or more of these teams are paying 110% luxury tax, which means Keller would cost them double his actual payroll. So it's a big big number for them to take on Mitch's contract, same with Alcantara in Miami.
That's changed my thinking on who would actually pull the trigger in Keller.
The the Dodgers outfield prospect probably won’t see the majors until 2027 if all goes right. The Pirates need players you could help now. Not two years down the road. Just wasting another year of SKENES. Just my thoughts
I hear you and I would like that too, but we can get a better return by taking the gamble on younger prospects. Since it looks like we will not be winning percentage competitive until we get some bats like Griffin, Valdez, Alfonzo, Plaz, Florentino, etc. (who are 1- 2 years off) we should go for the depth of the return at this point.
And, Keller is not only our most valuable trade chip, he is also holding about $60 mil of guaranteed now/future salary. Get the best we can now, with a return of at least one of those players I mentioned, and use part of that $60 mil to sign Cruz through at least the first two years of his Free Agency. 21 HR last year and 16 so far this year - if we had some support around him just think of what we could do. The only "now" power hitters available will be people teams are unloading because they are going into FA.
We said the same thing 2-3 ago. Wait until the bats like Henry, Eddy Rodriguez, Nunez,Jack S. Same story every year. Get major league, almost ready, players.. Do
I was impressed watching Cassie in the futures game last night, double the opposite way, hard groundout and a couple walks. The power is legit and his AB’s yesterday were impressive. Also having a fellow Canadian wouldn’t be the worst move
I was touting him yesterday as someone to obtain in a Keller trade.
Isn't he with the Cubs? DePaula and Hope are in the NL, but not the NL Central, and we need LH hitting OF's.
Yeah he's at AAA Iowa which is the Cubs affiliate.
DRAFT DAY!!!!
Beat me to it! This is Anthony and Nola's biggest day of the year. Christmas in July! Looking forward to the coverage boys.
Pirates most meaningful day of the year.
Looking for a bat we can get into the lineup next year? No. Therefore, which pitcher are we going to get to secure our future?
There's no bat that's guaranteed to be in the lineup next or the following year in this year's draft.
No Arquette. I feel like when we get a college bat they are full developed or will regress. Hopefully a HS kid will have a entirely new developmental regime in less than 3 months.
I can't stand the run on dudes for cheap until rd 11 or whatever when we can again take a player who we really wanted rd 2.
At least whoever we pick won't be automatically number one in the system like years past. Still got Bubs and Special K at least ahead of him.
I’m with you. No Arquette. There are any number of guys who seem intriguing with the next few picks.
The pipeline guys mentioned in the podcast recently that Arquette would have been a mid Teens pick in last years draft. I guess best case he can play a good 3b and replace Hayes sooner rather than later. We don’t have a lot of 3b prospects until you get into rookie ball and below. I’m hoping for Parker or Willits in part because of their LH bats
Haven research as much as most, but Parker/Irish for me. At first i scuffed at the thought of Irish, but the more I think about it, rather have a plus hit, plus power guy position be darned.
My preference would be Hernandez or one of the HS bats. Just not a fan of the college bats especially with how they have developed in the Pirates Organization
Any of the top guys but Arquette seems like the consensus on this board and I would tend to agree
My dad informed the Pirates this week that we won’t be renewing our season ticket package next year in its current form. We’ve split some version of four half-to-full season tickets with a group of other guys since the late 80s/early 90s. Well done, Ben and Bob! You finally broke him this year!
Many should follow your dad's lead.
Aren’t many left!
He probably doesn’t eat in restaurants with awful food, either. Imagine that.
Understandable. It’s very frustrating but I haven’t been to PNC Park since 2018 and I don’t think I’ll go again unless Nutting sells, an unlikely scenario I know
Even die hards have a breaking point. Good for your dad.
Hate that I liked this cause technically I hate it.
My kids could care less about the Pirates. They are 5 and 7. Can't say I tried too hard.
Where have you gone Joe Randa? Pirates fans turn their lonely eyes to you. Wooo wooo wooo.
Side note I'd take Brian Woo in a heartbeat. Or any Mariner pitcher.
Mariners say we can't have him.
That's understandable. Why pay to watch this miserable team. I don't even watch them on TV. It's just not worth the frustration. I'll check in on Skenes games but that's about it.
Same. I come in here. Check the box score when I scour fantasy baseball.
This site is the only place I check in for pirates info and really I pay more attention to the minors leagues. If I didn't have so many friends that are pirates fans, I probably would be completely out. Each year I get a little closer to being out. Just no point with this ownership.
I slowly gave out but boy if they are good again I belly flopping right back in. Ya heard?
I'll probably be back in if they ever figure out how to develop hitters. It really wouldn't take much to make this team interesting. The pitching is there. This trade deadline they should be aggressive in trying to acquire several bats that are mlb ready or near ready that could start opening day next season.
I hoped they would be aggressive for hats prior to the season. Let's hope Ben lucks I to one.
In their final mock, Callis has us going with Carlson and Mayo with Arquette. It's the first pick they disagree on with their first six being Anderson, Doyle, Hernandez, Holliday, and Willits. They flip Carlson and Arquette at 7 for the Marlins and then agree on 8-10. So the same top 10 with only a slight disagreement on who goes 6 and who goes 7.
Here’s the link: https://www.mlb.com/milb/news/final-mlb-mock-draft-2025?t=mlb-draft-coverage
Been a rough stretch for Termarr the last month or so.
I know, I know, he’s only 21. But it’s looking increasingly like he’s not going to be a star. So the question now is whether he becomes a major league regular or not.
What does he do well? His one previous undeniable skill —- plate patience —- has eroded at AA. He doesn’t hit for average. His power is limited. He doesn’t steal bases. He’s not a defensive wiz.
It’s not looking good.
i never bought the wade boggs comparisons, but it is quite bizarre to see his batting profile go from hit over power, to power over hit when he turned pro...and he's not even hitting for much power now
That was a worry as he went up. That part of his plate patience was because so many pitches in A and A+ are uncompetitive.
It's been a bad year for TJ personally, and a bad year overall for the Franchise. I like Blake Butler, who has put up big winners the past 2 years at GBO, and I had hoped he would be promoted to be the Manager at AA. Instead we got a guy who was terminated from the Boston Org after many years with them. So, absolutely little, if any, knowledge of our players, or what they had done in A/A+ etc. And, very difficult to play against the teams from the Tigers and Guardians who take it very seriously when it comes time to prep kids for AAA/MLB.
Not what I want to read. Sir Stout is young for that level. I just keep repeating that when negative or intrusive thoughts set in.