I think I saw where over their last 10 games, the Cubs have scored the second most runs ever (99) for a 10-game stretch and they've moved onto the fringes of the WC race. I'd love to see us find redemption after last week's embarrassment.
Tim Williams had a good column last week about Cherington's inaction and I think that captures things well. The clearest example is that it took him nearly five years to make changes to our international program. Now, even if those changes are effective, we won't reap the benefits for another five years. Nutting claimed that there was urgency to contend this season; we'll see if his actions after the season hold people accountable. Without significant changes (beyond just firing Haines), it's hard to be optimistic about '25 even with a few elite arms in the rotation.
Wow. I don’t read DK too often. He lost me years ago when his analysis of the Pirates under NH seemed to lapse into the personal. Nevertheless I recognized that he had been really astute about the Pens when he had covered them. He is a smart guy. His articles have been finding a bit more often recently. Anyway his current article about the Pirate clubhouse is an eye opener and is just another indication of how lost this current regime is.
Don't read much of Dejan's stuff, however I agree with him that it's impossible to separate Shelton as the scapegoat and not move on from BC too. As for the lockers with staff names mixed in with players, I wonder if this was a one-off away series for much of the 18 staff in that it was Cleveland, about 2 hours away. Why didn't Dejan write about this in the past, is this his first time on an away trip that he observed the locker room? It would make more sense if this was a one time event......??
"I won't bury the lede: Based upon conversations I've had while here this weekend, Derek Shelton and his coaching staff need to get it together over the final month, or they're as good as gone. I’m not guessing at that.
I'm also not a DK fan--I think I've read two of his columns this season, both only because they were linked here. But this one seems good because it points to something tangible that is also head-scratching, even shocking. I would have never imagined that the clubhouse wasn't almost entirely the players domain.
What Nutting and Williams need to do is call Cutch in and pick his brain about how things are being run. He's had experience with several well-run organizations and clearly loves the Pirates. If he's okay with things, then fine. If he's not, move on. Of course everything would need to be done very discretely, so I wouldn't expect us to ever know if this happens (or has already happened). But he could be an amazing resource if they're considering changes.
Yorke and Cook both did well for Indy yesterday. It's Sep 2, the Pirates have no chance to make the playoffs, and we still have guys like McKinney, MAT, and Williams on the Active Roster.
Since arriving, Cook has 7 Doubles, 3 HR, 13 RBI and a slash of .282/.374/.471/.845 OPS at INDY. For the year in the International league he has 22 doubles, 3 triples, 14 HR, 56 RBI and an .853 OPS. He's 25 so I thought the Pirates had something in mind when they traded for him.
Yorke is only 22, but go figure - with Indy in 108 AB he has 12 doubles, 1 HR, and an .899 OPS. For the year in the Intl League and 253 AB he has 20 doubles, 7 HR and an OPS of .898.
I was going to automatically respond, but I decided to look into the MLB Transactions page just to see if I BC had awakened with a bit of imagination - not happening.
It is absolutely ridiculous the roster management. Quick count I would say there are at least 8 guys on the roster that have no business in the majors or have no future with the Pirates. No reason to have those guys on the mlb roster now. Cut them loose and bring up young players so they can get some experience. This year might be my most frustrating year with the Pirates in the last 30+ years. The starting rotation was way better than expected but the gm and manager sucked the life out of the team with how they handled everything else.
I think I saw where over their last 10 games, the Cubs have scored the second most runs ever (99) for a 10-game stretch and they've moved onto the fringes of the WC race. I'd love to see us find redemption after last week's embarrassment.
Tim Williams had a good column last week about Cherington's inaction and I think that captures things well. The clearest example is that it took him nearly five years to make changes to our international program. Now, even if those changes are effective, we won't reap the benefits for another five years. Nutting claimed that there was urgency to contend this season; we'll see if his actions after the season hold people accountable. Without significant changes (beyond just firing Haines), it's hard to be optimistic about '25 even with a few elite arms in the rotation.
Wow. I don’t read DK too often. He lost me years ago when his analysis of the Pirates under NH seemed to lapse into the personal. Nevertheless I recognized that he had been really astute about the Pens when he had covered them. He is a smart guy. His articles have been finding a bit more often recently. Anyway his current article about the Pirate clubhouse is an eye opener and is just another indication of how lost this current regime is.
https://m.facebook.com/groups/dkpslunatics/permalink/7968582916581086/?
Don't read much of Dejan's stuff, however I agree with him that it's impossible to separate Shelton as the scapegoat and not move on from BC too. As for the lockers with staff names mixed in with players, I wonder if this was a one-off away series for much of the 18 staff in that it was Cleveland, about 2 hours away. Why didn't Dejan write about this in the past, is this his first time on an away trip that he observed the locker room? It would make more sense if this was a one time event......??
I can sum it up.......Cherington may go too because he has committed the one fireable offense. He is wasting Nutting's $$.
We'll see (from the column):
"I won't bury the lede: Based upon conversations I've had while here this weekend, Derek Shelton and his coaching staff need to get it together over the final month, or they're as good as gone. I’m not guessing at that.
Repeat: I’m. Not. Guessing. At. That."
Read this, but it didn’t do much for me…DK loves making himself a main character whenever possible.
I don’t need some coup de grace around locker room usage. The on-the-field evidence is readily apparent every day.
I'm also not a DK fan--I think I've read two of his columns this season, both only because they were linked here. But this one seems good because it points to something tangible that is also head-scratching, even shocking. I would have never imagined that the clubhouse wasn't almost entirely the players domain.
What Nutting and Williams need to do is call Cutch in and pick his brain about how things are being run. He's had experience with several well-run organizations and clearly loves the Pirates. If he's okay with things, then fine. If he's not, move on. Of course everything would need to be done very discretely, so I wouldn't expect us to ever know if this happens (or has already happened). But he could be an amazing resource if they're considering changes.
should make Cutch the manager
If I thought his playing days were over, I'd push for bench coach or OF/baserunning coach. But it looks like he's got at least one more year.
List of Major League Baseball player-managers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Major_League_Baseball_player-managers
Cutch would probably have an easier time than those guys had because he´d have the luxury of being a DH
Yorke and Cook both did well for Indy yesterday. It's Sep 2, the Pirates have no chance to make the playoffs, and we still have guys like McKinney, MAT, and Williams on the Active Roster.
Since arriving, Cook has 7 Doubles, 3 HR, 13 RBI and a slash of .282/.374/.471/.845 OPS at INDY. For the year in the International league he has 22 doubles, 3 triples, 14 HR, 56 RBI and an .853 OPS. He's 25 so I thought the Pirates had something in mind when they traded for him.
Yorke is only 22, but go figure - with Indy in 108 AB he has 12 doubles, 1 HR, and an .899 OPS. For the year in the Intl League and 253 AB he has 20 doubles, 7 HR and an OPS of .898.
Oh they have something in mind for Cook and Yorke.....the plain vanilla invite to Spring Training.
I was going to automatically respond, but I decided to look into the MLB Transactions page just to see if I BC had awakened with a bit of imagination - not happening.
It is absolutely ridiculous the roster management. Quick count I would say there are at least 8 guys on the roster that have no business in the majors or have no future with the Pirates. No reason to have those guys on the mlb roster now. Cut them loose and bring up young players so they can get some experience. This year might be my most frustrating year with the Pirates in the last 30+ years. The starting rotation was way better than expected but the gm and manager sucked the life out of the team with how they handled everything else.