Agree with all of the above. Some caution merited with Matoma as there just isn't much of a track record yet. Burrows actually seems low to me, unless you debit him for health, but then there's Ashcraft at 4.
Severino (11) maybe too high given the risk factors. Exciting to watch, though.
Cheng (19) is too high.
The Dotel (27) writeup is tantalizing. If they're serious about it, he should be higher. One thing about his mediocre #s from last year -- again, if you accept the writeup, he was pretty much revamping his offerings while adding a ton of velo and also moving up a level. In that context, the results weren't bad. The Ortiz comparison was especially interesting to me as that's one I've made.
I agree with this. There are at least a half dozen players I would have waived ahead of Alvarado, who was more a prospect signing then your usual out of options relief pitcher. Pirates bet no one would pay Alvarado's split contract but they guessed wrong. Stupid move.
Floatsom is floatsom to me several if not all of the other floatsom guys will end up going bye bye any way. The order that the go doesn’t really matter to me
Here is why I am still steaming about the Frazier signing!
: Lose a somewhat interesting reliever who seemed like he had some upside
: Are the Pirates seriously telling us they couldn’t have signed Frazier to a minor league contract???
: Giving out a guaranteed 40 man spot to a guy who is obviously going to play ahead of the likes of Yorke and other guys who are already better and offer future upside
Trying to find the positives and it’s just not there
Over the past several years, the Pirates have had a large portion of their lineup contributing negative WAR. For instance, last year, the team had 12 of 25 (48%) players contributing no positive value. A good team should have only about 10% of its plate appearances taken by those with “negative” values. The Pirates are closer to 25%.
Frazier is likely to contribute at least some positive value. Triolo and Frazier “replacing” those with negative value could have the same impact as adding a 4 WAR player.
IMO, that’s the value of building a roster with a fist full of 2B / LF / Utility players.
Considering that that bottom half got about 1200 plate appearances, Frazier's gonna be awfully busy.
And that's assuming bWAR is a better measure than fWAR, which it's not. It's also assuming Frazier won't continue his decline of the last several years, which at age 33 is a very bad assumption.
I know Bleacher Report is a pretty low tier outlet for real info, but they had an article proposing we send Harrington, blanco jr, and Curtis for Robert jr. Any thoughts? I think I’m one of the folks here that’s more in support of a Robert jr deal and that would be a decent package from my armchair GM point of view
Robert jr is the biggest swing I could realistically see us taking, he could crash and burn but he also has the talent to be a 5 WAR player if healthy. I’d even upgrade Curtis to someone like barco or blanco jr to anyone but griffin (and maybe termarr) for them to kick in money to appease bobs wallet
Or the flip side is I wonder how reinvigorated he might be by getting out from that org. Honestly which way that one goes depends on the person and I dont know anything about who he is personality wise
He’s pretty good vs RHP in his career and still just 27. He’s entering his prime and a season removed from a 5 WAR season. Without understanding if there is some fundamental flaw or weakness that got exposed last year or some other reason to expect last season is his new normal, I would go for this. I would prefer to keep Blanco Jr just because we have so few prospects with that profile. But it shouldn’t be that hard to find a substitute. You could give them Suwinski.
I would have rather the Pirates added pop by signing Chritian Walker who is getting 3 years 60 million (and give up no prospects). As opposed to pay Luis Robert 3 year 59 million and give up 3 prospects.
I'd like it (and I really like Harrington) but it seems too risky for Ben's MO. Cruz in left, Robert in center, Reynolds in right--that sounds like a major league OF.
Robert is basically a $15M one year trial. He has options for $20M in 2026 and 2027 with $2M buyouts. So if he tanks it was a 1 year experiment. If he succeeds you get 2 more years for a reasonable price.
Totally agree. Also, if he’s good this year, and any later years, we can trade mid season if we are out of the race to recoup some prospect capitol and avoid paying the whole seasons salary since we know that would be a priority
Just listened to Call Up podcast Pirates top prospect countdown and the discussion on Yorke was exciting, they believe that he played good defense everywhere he played at Indy and although 2b is his best, they believe that he could be a very good corner outfielder with more reps. He won’t be a HR treat due to flat angle, but a 30+ double 10 triple is not out of the question according to them he has good speed. (They used statcast number to reach the speed conclusion.)
I saw him play one game at 3rd base in the minors and thought he looked below average there. (Pretty big sample :) ) I like the right field option. I think the guy can hit.
Keith Law issued his organizational rankings. He divided the teams into tiers (7 in all). The Pirates at #16 are at the top of tier four, for what that’s worth.
So now I see the Cubs are talking to the Padres about Cease and the Reds are in trade discussions with the White Sox on Luis Robert- meanwhile the Pirates are in on………?
Getting harder and harder to stay committed to a team that operates with Adam frickin Frazier as one of its big offseason moves
I can talk myself into believing that we're okay with position players with some combination of Yorke, Suwinski, Cook, Frazier, and Palacios in RF and IKF or Triolo at SS. And the bullpen will be okay if Bednar bounces back, though I'd like a clearer plan b to Bednar if he doesn't.
All to say, where I'd like to see the team spend money or talent is to acquire another starter like Cease. Now it would be doubly advantageous if we kept him from the Cubs. But to tie this into JRC21's post, it will be easier for the Cubs to acquire him with their #6 ranked system than it is for us with our #16 ranked system--we just don't have a lot of depth to trade from.
Off topic, but I didn't realize that Brandon Belt didn't play last year. In his Fangraphs news blurb he says that he didn't receive many calls from teams with interest. Pretty weird, considering he had a pretty strong 2023.
I think since teams found it best to go with 13 pitchers and 13 hitters on a roster that has changed the values of certain types of players. I believe the value of utility players have gone up, even if they are below average hitters. Back up one-position players are the ones that are getting pushed out of baseball. Those are usually first basemen.
Crazy that a guy like Belt who homered almost every 20 at bats in 2023 and had an ops of .858 had no team in 2024. (CJ Cron is another one of those guys .905 ops in 2021, all-star in 2022, missed half of 2023, no team in 2024).
So... I lived in Pittsburgh when PNC park was built. I remember clearly and specifically being told that the project was absolutely necessary to ensure that the Pirates have enough revenue to field a major-league team and remain in Pittsburgh.
Imagine my surprise, I open Cots contracts today to examine the Pirates' major-league payroll, and I see that only 3 teams are below them: the Marlins, As, and Rays. The As and Rays are very close in spending to the Pirates with only the tanking Marlins lagging by any significant margin. If I were an educated fellow, I would point out that the As and Rays will both be playing at minor-league stadiums next season.
The next lease at PNC, IMO, should mandate that Nutting open his books to the city and spend a set percent of revenue on the team. Tell you local politicians. I can't. My mayor is the town doctor. He doesn't care what happens in Pittsburgh.
What is the job demand in Argentina for physical therapists? I could rehab the hell out of a Boca Juniors or River Plate players. Convince them to never walk alone across the pond.
Housing is very cheap. I bought my house for $45,000 USD, and no one would be ashamed to live here. It is nice... solid as the foundations of the earth. Has 6 -foot deep footers under the walls, heavy brick, beautiful tile bathroom.
It is very safe where I live (which is in a small town near the Andes). European backpackers used to come through all the time. Youngs 20s, girls, alone... people put them up in their houses. Never a problem. 6 years ago, a guy got out of jail and came home to find his girlfriend with another guy. He shot her and his mother-in-law. That has been all of our violent crime for the 13 years that I have lived here. Buenos Aires is another story.
The only person around here who has ever touched a baseball is my son, so not much chance of IAFA here.
I love Argentina and will never live it. I highly recommend it as a tourist destination or retirement locale. Avoid Buenos Aires though. Move out to the campo. Live simple and free.
I would never, ever marry an American woman. Way too spoiled rotten. The women here are a mix of Latin, Spanish, and Italian. If you can live with the fire that combination brings, they are the best... , Just a warning... though... their tempers are not to be trifled with.
My wife insisted that he be the mayor. I am still waiting for pavement on my street though. The last mayor promised that our street would be next. Now we need a "study" on water drainage. Really? The 2 guys who ride around on a farm tractor all day and clean the streets are going to study my street?
When I have a bad day and I'm stuck in this office, I often daydream about being a farmer. Being outside all day, spitting all over the place, driving various types of farming equipment, no dress code...Just me, mother nature and the animals.
Then at the end of the day, it's just me and the dog on the front porch, drinking a lemonade and listening to the Pirates on the radio.
Don't be a chicken. Get a few chickens and you are on your way. That's what happened to me. At least you are already making lemonade out of lemons in the situation.
That almost describes my life, except I did not build the house (though I was planning on building my own before the place became available at a bargain price).
ESPN has their second hundred out. Only a pair of Buccos there, Harrington and Brannigan. The Brewers have six, Cardinals have four, Reds have three, Cubs have two.
In the sixth year of a rebuild, we should be better than placing six in the top 200 and only one in the top 50. Even if you give them credit for Skenes' quick promotion because almost all of the other '23 draftees are still prospects, it's still not impressive.
Cherington's inability to build a stronger system (like what the Brewers are able to do despite not drafting at the top) means they'll need to spend money to fill in gaps. But we know that's not happening.
There's still reason for hope with Skenes, Jones, and Chandler for the next few years, but that hope doesn't have much depth and we're an elbow or shoulder injury away from being resigned to another couple (at least) years of losing.
In all seriousness, what was the purpose of sending out that survey to fans? I find it strange. They had to have already known how the fanbase feels regarding the direction of the team and the confidence in the current leadership…
Were they just hoping that the critical voices in national, local, and social media were being too harsh and overshadowing the many true diehard fans that are secretly impressed and satisfied with their performance?
I'd guess that they thought that all the excitement about Skenes translates to more general positive feelings. And who knows, maybe many fans did answer the survey in a positive way given that it's hard not to be at least somewhat hopeful when spring training is just around the corner.
I got one via email and given my disagreement with statements like the Pirates are committed to putting a winning team on the field, I'm guessing that I won't get the next survey.
Ben Clemens on Fangraphs put an article out yesterday regarding the Adam Frazier signing. He thinks it could be a reasonable signing for an OF or 2B Platoon. He summarizes the pitiful 2024 of Frazier then states "But he doesn't need to bounce back by much to contribute. Incumbent second baseman Nick Gonzales has struggled against righties so far in his young career. Would it shock you if Frazier takes over there for at least a stretch of the season?"
I checked and he has a point - Gonzales in 2024 had an overall OPS of .709 - a 665 OPS against Righties, and an 837 OPS against Lefties, so a platoon at 2B could work. NG had only 4 HR against Righties so if Frazier can also return to form as a legit HR threat against Righties, the Pirates can benefit in that category also.
What I do not like is that Nick Yorke was an 862 OPS against Righties in AAA for Boston in 2024 with 23 doubles and 13 HR. Who knows if he can bridge those numbers over to MLB? Still not sure where Yorke fits for the Pirates, but probably know more about him this year.
I did not read the Fangraphs article or the comments yet but I thought our Huge(humor yes..) trade for Emmanual Valdez provided a possible platoon option for 2nd/3rd base. And in some ways I am serious as his 2024 was no less / more ugly than Frazier's. Only so many backup infielders (I am not worried about the 40 man) can be carried on the Major League roster. Is Triolo out? Yorke to minors? To me Nick has earned playing time in some manner and regardless of his spring should not be sent to the minors.
Amazing! I liked a lot of them but the best for me was a statement by Okra " I get that LA and Pittsburgh are in different stratospheres, but just so striking for me from a philosophical level that the Dodgers/Braves are run as a business (as opposed to a billionaire's hobby - Steve Cohen) and find it to be in the best interest of the business to invest in the product, but guys like Nutting say it's a business yet act like slum lords.
They are both run like businesses, but when you're revenue stream is the Dodgers vs. the Pirates, therein lies the difference.
Not that I'm defending how BN runs the team. He could definitely spend more on payroll than he does, but if he were to spend like the Dodgers he wouldn't be in business long....
Imo the Frazier signing is intended to add depth to the bobblehead night lineup. Frazier was a fan favorite, and he has solid, chiseled features that look great on a small statue with a spring loaded head. It's a big win. I'm sure Giant-Eagle has already signed up to sponsor the festivities.
That’s brilliant Having Frazier and his .598 OPS vs RHPs would be a massive improvement over Nick’s .665 - if only it weren’t for math.
BA Top 10 seems pretty right on with the players there, maybe some shifting within.
Anyone surprise you in 10-30?
Burrows at 13 still feels like a huge sleeper.
Solo (15) and Jebb (17) feel heavy while Matoma (29) feels light.
Lonnie nowhere to be found stings.
big year coming for Burrows
he looked electric in that one start last year
Agree with all of the above. Some caution merited with Matoma as there just isn't much of a track record yet. Burrows actually seems low to me, unless you debit him for health, but then there's Ashcraft at 4.
Severino (11) maybe too high given the risk factors. Exciting to watch, though.
Cheng (19) is too high.
The Dotel (27) writeup is tantalizing. If they're serious about it, he should be higher. One thing about his mediocre #s from last year -- again, if you accept the writeup, he was pretty much revamping his offerings while adding a ton of velo and also moving up a level. In that context, the results weren't bad. The Ortiz comparison was especially interesting to me as that's one I've made.
Lonnie . . . uh, yikes.
Love that comment on Dotel.
Elvis claimed by Oak.
There are about 6-8 guys on the 40 I’d have preferred losing.
I agree with this. There are at least a half dozen players I would have waived ahead of Alvarado, who was more a prospect signing then your usual out of options relief pitcher. Pirates bet no one would pay Alvarado's split contract but they guessed wrong. Stupid move.
Why are you now upset about losing a role player?
I'm not. There are just guys I have less use for. He's flotsam class 1. Others are flotsam class 2 and 3.
Floatsom is floatsom to me several if not all of the other floatsom guys will end up going bye bye any way. The order that the go doesn’t really matter to me
Here is why I am still steaming about the Frazier signing!
: Lose a somewhat interesting reliever who seemed like he had some upside
: Are the Pirates seriously telling us they couldn’t have signed Frazier to a minor league contract???
: Giving out a guaranteed 40 man spot to a guy who is obviously going to play ahead of the likes of Yorke and other guys who are already better and offer future upside
Trying to find the positives and it’s just not there
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fraziad01.shtml
Over the past several years, the Pirates have had a large portion of their lineup contributing negative WAR. For instance, last year, the team had 12 of 25 (48%) players contributing no positive value. A good team should have only about 10% of its plate appearances taken by those with “negative” values. The Pirates are closer to 25%.
Frazier is likely to contribute at least some positive value. Triolo and Frazier “replacing” those with negative value could have the same impact as adding a 4 WAR player.
IMO, that’s the value of building a roster with a fist full of 2B / LF / Utility players.
Frazier was worth -0.6 fWAR in 2024.
And the bottom half of the Pirates players was worth about -5 bWAR
Replacing those opportunities with Frazier would get you an improvement of about 4 WAR
Considering that that bottom half got about 1200 plate appearances, Frazier's gonna be awfully busy.
And that's assuming bWAR is a better measure than fWAR, which it's not. It's also assuming Frazier won't continue his decline of the last several years, which at age 33 is a very bad assumption.
Ok
They are having a sneaky very solid offseason in my book
I know Bleacher Report is a pretty low tier outlet for real info, but they had an article proposing we send Harrington, blanco jr, and Curtis for Robert jr. Any thoughts? I think I’m one of the folks here that’s more in support of a Robert jr deal and that would be a decent package from my armchair GM point of view
Robert jr is the biggest swing I could realistically see us taking, he could crash and burn but he also has the talent to be a 5 WAR player if healthy. I’d even upgrade Curtis to someone like barco or blanco jr to anyone but griffin (and maybe termarr) for them to kick in money to appease bobs wallet
this might be petty but I honestly wonder what kind of stank a guy like Robert brings from that White Sox club.
Or the flip side is I wonder how reinvigorated he might be by getting out from that org. Honestly which way that one goes depends on the person and I dont know anything about who he is personality wise
He’s pretty good vs RHP in his career and still just 27. He’s entering his prime and a season removed from a 5 WAR season. Without understanding if there is some fundamental flaw or weakness that got exposed last year or some other reason to expect last season is his new normal, I would go for this. I would prefer to keep Blanco Jr just because we have so few prospects with that profile. But it shouldn’t be that hard to find a substitute. You could give them Suwinski.
I would have rather the Pirates added pop by signing Chritian Walker who is getting 3 years 60 million (and give up no prospects). As opposed to pay Luis Robert 3 year 59 million and give up 3 prospects.
and i'd rather have pam anderson BEFORE tommy lee but let's not be beggars and choosers.
do this and sign the polar bear and lets roll
I'd like it (and I really like Harrington) but it seems too risky for Ben's MO. Cruz in left, Robert in center, Reynolds in right--that sounds like a major league OF.
I mean the ceiling if we add Robert is probably a top 5? 10? MLB outfield. That would be pretty damn nice
Robert is basically a $15M one year trial. He has options for $20M in 2026 and 2027 with $2M buyouts. So if he tanks it was a 1 year experiment. If he succeeds you get 2 more years for a reasonable price.
Is that worth Harrington? I’d say yes.
agreed on the price, i think Hunter Barco is likely just as good of a big leaguer.
Totally agree. Also, if he’s good this year, and any later years, we can trade mid season if we are out of the race to recoup some prospect capitol and avoid paying the whole seasons salary since we know that would be a priority
Just listened to Call Up podcast Pirates top prospect countdown and the discussion on Yorke was exciting, they believe that he played good defense everywhere he played at Indy and although 2b is his best, they believe that he could be a very good corner outfielder with more reps. He won’t be a HR treat due to flat angle, but a 30+ double 10 triple is not out of the question according to them he has good speed. (They used statcast number to reach the speed conclusion.)
I saw him play one game at 3rd base in the minors and thought he looked below average there. (Pretty big sample :) ) I like the right field option. I think the guy can hit.
Keith Law issued his organizational rankings. He divided the teams into tiers (7 in all). The Pirates at #16 are at the top of tier four, for what that’s worth.
Top tier: Seattle, Boston , and LA in that order.
The Pirates are last in the NL Central:
#6: Cubs
#8: Reds
#10: Brewers
#14: Cardinals
#16: Pirates
So now I see the Cubs are talking to the Padres about Cease and the Reds are in trade discussions with the White Sox on Luis Robert- meanwhile the Pirates are in on………?
Getting harder and harder to stay committed to a team that operates with Adam frickin Frazier as one of its big offseason moves
I can talk myself into believing that we're okay with position players with some combination of Yorke, Suwinski, Cook, Frazier, and Palacios in RF and IKF or Triolo at SS. And the bullpen will be okay if Bednar bounces back, though I'd like a clearer plan b to Bednar if he doesn't.
All to say, where I'd like to see the team spend money or talent is to acquire another starter like Cease. Now it would be doubly advantageous if we kept him from the Cubs. But to tie this into JRC21's post, it will be easier for the Cubs to acquire him with their #6 ranked system than it is for us with our #16 ranked system--we just don't have a lot of depth to trade from.
Off topic, but I didn't realize that Brandon Belt didn't play last year. In his Fangraphs news blurb he says that he didn't receive many calls from teams with interest. Pretty weird, considering he had a pretty strong 2023.
I think since teams found it best to go with 13 pitchers and 13 hitters on a roster that has changed the values of certain types of players. I believe the value of utility players have gone up, even if they are below average hitters. Back up one-position players are the ones that are getting pushed out of baseball. Those are usually first basemen.
Crazy that a guy like Belt who homered almost every 20 at bats in 2023 and had an ops of .858 had no team in 2024. (CJ Cron is another one of those guys .905 ops in 2021, all-star in 2022, missed half of 2023, no team in 2024).
Tough to draw any interest when a two-way star like Rowdy Tellez is out there.
So... I lived in Pittsburgh when PNC park was built. I remember clearly and specifically being told that the project was absolutely necessary to ensure that the Pirates have enough revenue to field a major-league team and remain in Pittsburgh.
Imagine my surprise, I open Cots contracts today to examine the Pirates' major-league payroll, and I see that only 3 teams are below them: the Marlins, As, and Rays. The As and Rays are very close in spending to the Pirates with only the tanking Marlins lagging by any significant margin. If I were an educated fellow, I would point out that the As and Rays will both be playing at minor-league stadiums next season.
The next lease at PNC, IMO, should mandate that Nutting open his books to the city and spend a set percent of revenue on the team. Tell you local politicians. I can't. My mayor is the town doctor. He doesn't care what happens in Pittsburgh.
What is the job demand in Argentina for physical therapists? I could rehab the hell out of a Boca Juniors or River Plate players. Convince them to never walk alone across the pond.
I'll ask my neighbor. She is the town therapist. I am not kidding.
I believe you. Maybe I can do a cameo one day. Cheap housing around? And safe?
Are you from there?
Any potential international baseball signings?
Housing is very cheap. I bought my house for $45,000 USD, and no one would be ashamed to live here. It is nice... solid as the foundations of the earth. Has 6 -foot deep footers under the walls, heavy brick, beautiful tile bathroom.
It is very safe where I live (which is in a small town near the Andes). European backpackers used to come through all the time. Youngs 20s, girls, alone... people put them up in their houses. Never a problem. 6 years ago, a guy got out of jail and came home to find his girlfriend with another guy. He shot her and his mother-in-law. That has been all of our violent crime for the 13 years that I have lived here. Buenos Aires is another story.
The only person around here who has ever touched a baseball is my son, so not much chance of IAFA here.
I love Argentina and will never live it. I highly recommend it as a tourist destination or retirement locale. Avoid Buenos Aires though. Move out to the campo. Live simple and free.
I am from rural PA original: Butler county, Armstrong county... that area. Near East Brady.
What's the women situation like down there?
Do they seem to tolerate more BS than American women?
I would never, ever marry an American woman. Way too spoiled rotten. The women here are a mix of Latin, Spanish, and Italian. If you can live with the fire that combination brings, they are the best... , Just a warning... though... their tempers are not to be trifled with.
My mayor is the town doctor!!!
LOL!
My wife insisted that he be the mayor. I am still waiting for pavement on my street though. The last mayor promised that our street would be next. Now we need a "study" on water drainage. Really? The 2 guys who ride around on a farm tractor all day and clean the streets are going to study my street?
When I have a bad day and I'm stuck in this office, I often daydream about being a farmer. Being outside all day, spitting all over the place, driving various types of farming equipment, no dress code...Just me, mother nature and the animals.
Then at the end of the day, it's just me and the dog on the front porch, drinking a lemonade and listening to the Pirates on the radio.
Don't be a chicken. Get a few chickens and you are on your way. That's what happened to me. At least you are already making lemonade out of lemons in the situation.
Blow up your TV, throw away your paper
Go to the country, build you a home
Plant a little garden, eat a lot of peaches
Try and find Jesus on your own
Love me some Prine!
That almost describes my life, except I did not build the house (though I was planning on building my own before the place became available at a bargain price).
Be careful, that topless lady has something up her sleeve.
ESPN has their second hundred out. Only a pair of Buccos there, Harrington and Brannigan. The Brewers have six, Cardinals have four, Reds have three, Cubs have two.
In the sixth year of a rebuild, we should be better than placing six in the top 200 and only one in the top 50. Even if you give them credit for Skenes' quick promotion because almost all of the other '23 draftees are still prospects, it's still not impressive.
Cherington's inability to build a stronger system (like what the Brewers are able to do despite not drafting at the top) means they'll need to spend money to fill in gaps. But we know that's not happening.
There's still reason for hope with Skenes, Jones, and Chandler for the next few years, but that hope doesn't have much depth and we're an elbow or shoulder injury away from being resigned to another couple (at least) years of losing.
And one of the top is an 18 y/o who is all projection. I'm hoping Stout Johnson can take a big step forward.
In all seriousness, what was the purpose of sending out that survey to fans? I find it strange. They had to have already known how the fanbase feels regarding the direction of the team and the confidence in the current leadership…
Were they just hoping that the critical voices in national, local, and social media were being too harsh and overshadowing the many true diehard fans that are secretly impressed and satisfied with their performance?
I'd guess that they thought that all the excitement about Skenes translates to more general positive feelings. And who knows, maybe many fans did answer the survey in a positive way given that it's hard not to be at least somewhat hopeful when spring training is just around the corner.
Could you imagine the excitement if the Pirates extended Skenes? Or the Pirates spent over-budget to really take advantage of this window?
Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?
Another stellar comment. This board is en Fuego
What survey?
I got one via email and given my disagreement with statements like the Pirates are committed to putting a winning team on the field, I'm guessing that I won't get the next survey.
Ben Clemens on Fangraphs put an article out yesterday regarding the Adam Frazier signing. He thinks it could be a reasonable signing for an OF or 2B Platoon. He summarizes the pitiful 2024 of Frazier then states "But he doesn't need to bounce back by much to contribute. Incumbent second baseman Nick Gonzales has struggled against righties so far in his young career. Would it shock you if Frazier takes over there for at least a stretch of the season?"
I checked and he has a point - Gonzales in 2024 had an overall OPS of .709 - a 665 OPS against Righties, and an 837 OPS against Lefties, so a platoon at 2B could work. NG had only 4 HR against Righties so if Frazier can also return to form as a legit HR threat against Righties, the Pirates can benefit in that category also.
What I do not like is that Nick Yorke was an 862 OPS against Righties in AAA for Boston in 2024 with 23 doubles and 13 HR. Who knows if he can bridge those numbers over to MLB? Still not sure where Yorke fits for the Pirates, but probably know more about him this year.
I did not read the Fangraphs article or the comments yet but I thought our Huge(humor yes..) trade for Emmanual Valdez provided a possible platoon option for 2nd/3rd base. And in some ways I am serious as his 2024 was no less / more ugly than Frazier's. Only so many backup infielders (I am not worried about the 40 man) can be carried on the Major League roster. Is Triolo out? Yorke to minors? To me Nick has earned playing time in some manner and regardless of his spring should not be sent to the minors.
That article has generated 80 comments!
Amazing! I liked a lot of them but the best for me was a statement by Okra " I get that LA and Pittsburgh are in different stratospheres, but just so striking for me from a philosophical level that the Dodgers/Braves are run as a business (as opposed to a billionaire's hobby - Steve Cohen) and find it to be in the best interest of the business to invest in the product, but guys like Nutting say it's a business yet act like slum lords.
They are both run like businesses, but when you're revenue stream is the Dodgers vs. the Pirates, therein lies the difference.
Not that I'm defending how BN runs the team. He could definitely spend more on payroll than he does, but if he were to spend like the Dodgers he wouldn't be in business long....
Lots of anger
Lots of really pissed off dudes
Lots of armchair GMs
Some of the commenter's sound like they have nothing to lose
It might be a dangerous place at night
Lots of economy talk! Angry economy talk, to be specific. I don’t know anything about that stuff.
I saw the word woke and got out. Stopped reading and logged out.
I wasn’t exactly tempted to join in.
Imo the Frazier signing is intended to add depth to the bobblehead night lineup. Frazier was a fan favorite, and he has solid, chiseled features that look great on a small statue with a spring loaded head. It's a big win. I'm sure Giant-Eagle has already signed up to sponsor the festivities.
Maybe they have a load left over from when he got traded?
Weenie.
.
That's funny.
.
.
.
.
In a dark way...
-BB
That was a great comment to start my next day of Pirate fan existence