27 Comments

Ashcraft wont be the arm traded for a bat this offseason based on the injury, maybe burrows becomes the most likely prospect?

Expand full comment

they are both damaged goods

wonder if we could trade Ashcraft to MIami for one of their gimp cases?

Expand full comment

Good article on Solo in today's PG with the short version being that he's embraced his struggles and feels like this season has been anything but a wasted season. So, really nice reading that he had such a great outing last night.

Expand full comment

And still only 21. I think injuries just set him back and is only now starting to feel confident.

He threw 111 innings last year in A+ (59) and AA (52). This year he is around 65 innings - see him getting additional innings in the AFL this Fall? Possibly Ashcraft also?

Jaden Woods also threw 3 VG innings following Solo to close out the game. The 2023 Draft was excellent in what we have kept, and the guys we drafted (Forrester, Reilly, and McAdoo) who were used to get us other players at the trade deadline this year. Trading from Strengths.

Expand full comment

I think it is much more likely that Ashcraft has an appointment with Dr. James Andrews this fall versus throwing in the AFL.

Expand full comment

Thats a very mature mindset, love to hear it thanks for sharing

Expand full comment

Luis Ortiz…Ace.

Expand full comment

He certainly has proven himself to be a valuable commodity. He seems to have matured into his role of being a SP, and I am sure that same maturity would play up for him as a long relief and part time SP for this team. He threw 144 innings last year between AAA (57) and MLB (87), and will probably come close to that number of Innings this year for the Pirates.

He could also be a solid trade piece - it all depends on how the Pirates want to play it. In his age 25 season and has earned his first year of MLB Service this year. I'll bet that many of the teams he has pitched against this year would be very interested.

Expand full comment

Maybe Keller becomes the trade piece. Keller could probably get a mlb hitter in return and with this penny pinching organization they could free up some money.

Expand full comment

I wouldn’t figure on using money from Keller’s contract to bring in a big hitter or anything. That’s not how these guys operate. More likely it goes to the Nuttin Family Trust, with maybe a little set aside for Ben to sign another .180 hitter.

Expand full comment

That's the fun off the off season.....seeing what washed up major leaguers the Pirates will be hot after and for a bonus they usually overpay 1 or 2 of those stiffs.

Expand full comment

.180… optimistic aren’t we?

Expand full comment

I love you man! You used to get under my skin with all the Shelton BC bashing but damn you're right on point. This is who they are and until they show us otherwise we should not be bullshitted.

Expand full comment

WTM is exactly right. I totally understand how the bashing can get old, and I was of that sentiment until about 18 months ago. I was one of the people in here defending them. But their performance has been alarmingly bad. The slide in the farm system is most concerning, as the draft lottery doesn’t guarantee us a high pick, so you can’t necessarily rescue yourself just by losing more and lucking into Bryce Harper. And their record in drafting/signing/trading for position players doesn’t give me much hope that they can turn things around.

Expand full comment

i think its more of a case of each offseason we have a $30mil budget to spend on free agents

this coming offseason we will have $15 mill less to spend because of the raises to Keller, Bednar and Reynolds

Expand full comment

Oh noes!! $15M less to spend on guys like MAT and Grandal??!! That might make the team . . . . . . better.

Expand full comment

that $15 mil is enough to pay for Happ or half of Vlad

Expand full comment

He’s definitely a valuable member of the organization. Either as a member of the rotation, swing man, depth option, or trade piece.

I’m of the opinion he’s better served to be used as a rotation piece next year, rather than traded. But I won’t be surprised if he’s dealt this offseason.

Expand full comment

I think it will have to do with the return. That said, it is damn hard to figure out the Pirates. It's Sep 1 and I am waiting to see who they are calling up. I mentioned yesterday that we can limp home without Williams, McKinney, MAT, and the roster expands by 2 to 28 - that tells me we can bring at least 5 people up - 4 of mine would be Peguero, Yorke, Suwinski, and Cook.

Expand full comment

I agree on Peguero, Yorke and Cook. I would leave Suwinski in Indy, I'd rather bring up Gorski. Suwinski needs to play everyday facing right and left handed pitchers.

I don't want them coming up to sit the bench though.

Expand full comment

Shelton is managing for his job. No way he’s staking his career on those guys.

If you do see those guys get regular PT in PNC, feel free to believe DS is toast.

Expand full comment

You're right, but the best way for DS to save his job is by having success with players that are cheap and going to be options for the future. Losing with guys who might not be on the team doesn't really help him.

Expand full comment