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Tedwins's avatar

Ben Cherington told the team’s beat today that he feels Shelton is the “right person to manage this team in 2025” and said he expects Shelton will return next season (X link via Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

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Tedwins's avatar

Oh, im way behind, this is already being discussed on gameday new thread🤣

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NMR's avatar

legitimate argument for best pitching prospect in baseball.

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bmcferren's avatar

how about the best prospect in baseball?

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NMR's avatar

I can't remember a time where there was less of a clear-cut argument for any specific prospect, I'll say that

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Bucsfan2023's avatar

I’ve read a lot that it’s not looking better in the near future either. Some of the upcoming drafts are supposed to be underwhelming as things currently stand.

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Bucsfan2023's avatar

BA appears to have gone with Roman Anthony for that honor. Feel like it’s tougher for a pitcher to get top billing.

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bmcferren's avatar

out of the question to give Beer a look for the last few weeks?

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Buccoboy's avatar

Not a problem I'm planning on having many.

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WTM's avatar

The front page at MiLB.com has a string of clips of Bubba striking out some very frustrated looking hitters.

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J-Ro's avatar

Today is when I erroneously believe (again) that we can pull it together and finish the season on a high(-ish) note.

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Catch22's avatar

That would certainly be nice. Build some momentum for next season.

Believe it or not, the Pirates are 6 runs away from being tied with Atlanta for 16th in baseball. If they can somehow get that towards 10th next season, with Skenes, Keller, Jones, Bubba, Falter/Ortiz going *every 5th day*, they might have something.

I understand I'm one of the more optimistic ones on here, but this team is so close. Yes, barring something unforeseen, Bubba breaks camp.

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SufferinBuccotash's avatar

I think it's more likely that Bubba is on the Skenes plan and joins the team in mid May to try and get that extra year.

But with Skenes most likely screwing that plan up by finishing no worse than second in NL ROY voting, I wouldn't say that mid June is out of the question. Especially if they are doing well with Skenes - Keller - Jones - Ortiz - Falter.

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NMR's avatar

Other than the insufferable victimization of believing the Pirates are always manipulating service time, why would you not zero in on the manner in which they promoted Jared Jones?

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SufferinBuccotash's avatar

Because I think they value Chandler more than they value Jones, and would want that extra year. If he starts at Indy next year as well as he pitching there this season, it will be mid- May.

I don't think there's a way he can use ST to pitch his way into a rotation that's going to have Skenes - Keller - Jones - Ortiz - Falter in front of him the way Jones did this year. What did the Bucs have in front of Jones this year in ST? Keller, Perez & Gonzalez? Everyone else was a question mark pretty much.

Chandler will have 5 established guys in front of him next year, barring injury, of course. Or Ortiz or Falter having an utter and complete disaster of a ST. Which I guess is always a possibility.

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Catch22's avatar

I'd be fine with that as well.

Curious of what Ortiz might fetch in a trade...

In a perfect world, Ortiz and Falter would serve better in a long relief role.

That would mean sign a starter via FA.

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Catch22's avatar

Luis for Pavin Smith?

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Arky Wags's avatar

I’m thinking Baltimore for O’Hearn and something else.

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AdministrativeSky236's avatar

Subscribe

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Scott Kliesen's avatar

Please let this be the real Bubba Chandler! If so, we’re in for some fun summers the next few years boys!

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SufferinBuccotash's avatar

Nice to see Cutch get his 20th, but he really looks like he needs a stint on the IL because of that knee. He can barely run.

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J-Ro's avatar

I agree. It's really too bad he had several lackluster years away from the Pirates. Hopefully, he can still contribute on a legitimately contending team in the next couple of years before retirement. He deserves that (and so do we lol).

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Anthony's avatar

Idk, just the eye test, but Cook looks great in RF. Range, arm, and accuracy; might be the best defensive RF (and maybe LF) on the roster.

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