The media whiners of course will never admit it, but the players did an absolutely phenomenal job in the last CBA of redistributing revenue from their best stars to marginal vets ("middle class" veterans) and minor leaguers *and* that's far worse for the competitiveness of the game than Shohei Ohtani getting a billion dollars instead of $700m.
I'm coming to the conclusion there are too many teams, hence too many players who aren't very good. If MLB can't significantly change its economic system, it should adopt a relegation system.
Is it too many teams or too many bad owners? I vote for too many bad owners who are lining their pockets with profits instead of investing in their team.
I agree, and I don’t think we have enough depth in our system to swing a trade that would bring back am impact bat.
But we better build a very strong pen if we’re going to contend because I don’t see the lineup as more than a ~5 win upgrade on last year’s, and that’s probably a bit optimistic—improvement at several positions (realistic) with none going in the other direction (unlikely).
i think members of the pen bounce back from last year and if we are not making a significant trade then we have credable reinforcements from the minor leagues instead of castaways and Rowdy Tellez pitching for us in 2025
Just need Yorke to get more at bats against lefties, he's had pretty significant reverse splits but I think it's more to do with the lack of facing them.
I hear you. I’m not talking about a 20-30 mill a year FA. Let’s trade. Some team out there would( I think) like a couple of out prospects. T Johnson + ( insert name) should start some conversation, I would think. Just my opinion.
I am glad to see Petersen signing anywhere. Too much talk about him signing here. It’s not about the money, defensively he doesn’t fit anywhere. He might be the best platoon DH in MLB but that doesn’t solve our problems.
Tick-Tock. Odds of actually adding a decent player (I don't consider Cutch an "add") stack against this team daily. I hate the annual off off-seasons of this ridiculous administration.
Good to see 'Cutch back. Third best EBH/AB of the full time players last year of an EBH for every 11.5 AB, following Cruz with an EBH for every 9.3 AB, and Reynolds an EBH for every 11.1 AB. Just his presence in the clubhouse is a major plus for this young team, and especially somebody who pitched in with his 20 HR for a guy only making $5 mil. Not far behind that group are Billy Cook (only 49 AB/5 EBH) an EBH every 9.8 AB. Another to be recognized is Nick Gonzales with an EBH for every 12.4 AB.
Both Gonzales and Cook with 50 xbh between AAA/MLB last year. In 2023, NG and BC with 60 and 51 xbh, respectively. Yorke not too far behind 43 in 2023 and 47 in 2024. This lineup would be markedly better if they could add two more guys that could consistently put the ball in play with 40 doubles and 15 homers.
As far as established players, almost almost all are signing mult-year deals, for so-so guys the rate is 15-20 million, and for decent players its 20-30 million. The Pirates have never demonstrated that they will sign a single free agent player to a contract that is market rate or more than 1 year, and they will not now. Chapman at 2/20 million would have been a very good idea. But they will not do the '2'.
They would rather give away their farm system for some flawed player at the minimum than pay a free agent.
The Boston globe confirms discussions between the Red Sox and Pirates. Would have loved to have been a fly on the wall
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/12/red-sox-discussed-jared-jones-trade-with-pirates-during-winter-meetings.html
The media whiners of course will never admit it, but the players did an absolutely phenomenal job in the last CBA of redistributing revenue from their best stars to marginal vets ("middle class" veterans) and minor leaguers *and* that's far worse for the competitiveness of the game than Shohei Ohtani getting a billion dollars instead of $700m.
I'm coming to the conclusion there are too many teams, hence too many players who aren't very good. If MLB can't significantly change its economic system, it should adopt a relegation system.
Is it too many teams or too many bad owners? I vote for too many bad owners who are lining their pockets with profits instead of investing in their team.
And most of them play on the Pirates
I´d rather roll with Suwinkski and Cook than any of the remaining outfield acquisition options
I agree, and I don’t think we have enough depth in our system to swing a trade that would bring back am impact bat.
But we better build a very strong pen if we’re going to contend because I don’t see the lineup as more than a ~5 win upgrade on last year’s, and that’s probably a bit optimistic—improvement at several positions (realistic) with none going in the other direction (unlikely).
i supposed we include a rotation of Yorke, Endy, Bae and Palacios in there as well
Yorke>>>Cook
i agree with this
but what kind of Nick will show up in 2025 to force Yorke to RF?
that's the kicker...
i think members of the pen bounce back from last year and if we are not making a significant trade then we have credable reinforcements from the minor leagues instead of castaways and Rowdy Tellez pitching for us in 2025
We need someone in the outfield with BR and Cruz who will hit with some power. Yorke/Bae/Jack( big wild card)/Palacios- ain’t cutting it.
A combination of 2022 Suwinski and 2024 Yorke is better than any single bat on the market right now.
Just need Yorke to get more at bats against lefties, he's had pretty significant reverse splits but I think it's more to do with the lack of facing them.
i think we all agree with your sentiment but the realistic options do not apear appetising
I hear you. I’m not talking about a 20-30 mill a year FA. Let’s trade. Some team out there would( I think) like a couple of out prospects. T Johnson + ( insert name) should start some conversation, I would think. Just my opinion.
but what about all his years of control?
I am glad to see Petersen signing anywhere. Too much talk about him signing here. It’s not about the money, defensively he doesn’t fit anywhere. He might be the best platoon DH in MLB but that doesn’t solve our problems.
Tick-Tock. Odds of actually adding a decent player (I don't consider Cutch an "add") stack against this team daily. I hate the annual off off-seasons of this ridiculous administration.
Cutch must finish his career in Pittsburgh. Don’t go anywhere else like he did before.
https://x.com/TJStats/status/1870582997717766501
Reposting for some Christmas Eve hopeium. A look at Bubba's triple A statcast rankings.
Looks like he broke Statcast.
"I like to picture Bubba in a tuxedo t-shirt, he wants to be formal, but he's here to party."
Courtesy of Cal Naughton Jr. with a small change
Shake n Bake!!
Good to see 'Cutch back. Third best EBH/AB of the full time players last year of an EBH for every 11.5 AB, following Cruz with an EBH for every 9.3 AB, and Reynolds an EBH for every 11.1 AB. Just his presence in the clubhouse is a major plus for this young team, and especially somebody who pitched in with his 20 HR for a guy only making $5 mil. Not far behind that group are Billy Cook (only 49 AB/5 EBH) an EBH every 9.8 AB. Another to be recognized is Nick Gonzales with an EBH for every 12.4 AB.
Billy Cook Fan Club President present!
Both Gonzales and Cook with 50 xbh between AAA/MLB last year. In 2023, NG and BC with 60 and 51 xbh, respectively. Yorke not too far behind 43 in 2023 and 47 in 2024. This lineup would be markedly better if they could add two more guys that could consistently put the ball in play with 40 doubles and 15 homers.
As far as established players, almost almost all are signing mult-year deals, for so-so guys the rate is 15-20 million, and for decent players its 20-30 million. The Pirates have never demonstrated that they will sign a single free agent player to a contract that is market rate or more than 1 year, and they will not now. Chapman at 2/20 million would have been a very good idea. But they will not do the '2'.
They would rather give away their farm system for some flawed player at the minimum than pay a free agent.
The key phrase with a banner posted in Ben's office: "At the minimum". The team motto.