Ramon Laureano with an .852 OPS for Baltimore with a 140 wRC+ and positive defensive value. He is probably their best player right now. They signed him for 1.5 million this offseason. He was still available when Cherington signed Pham and was the guy that I thought the Pirates would sign: the guy any GM who is not a complete buffoon would have signed on the cheap.
Fire Cherington Now! Do not let him handle the trade deadline!
Ok. I'll be sure to private message you all my comments before I post them so that you can decide whether you like them or not. Your trolling me gets old.
Sorry, bro. Seeing you post fire Cherington now! 18 times per day and saying I told you so is so twitter. I’d like to think this community is talking about baseball and the childish behavior is reserved for X. But, you keep doing you and keep showing us that you’re the smartest guy in the room.
So what OF’er are we going to be trading for soon. No help in AAA. Maybe Baltimore. It will be a young players with still a year or 2 making the minimum. ( talking deadline deals)
Have to be some one with multiple years of control. Right now I like Trevor Larnach or Kyle Stowers. Larnach is ready for a breakout I believe and Minnesota is loaded in outfielders. Buxton Bader Castro Wallner and Jenkins and Rodriguez on the way. Stowers has been solid for a Miami team that is clearly in a rebuild. They will be selling off Alcantara and what ever else soon. One solid addition in the outfield with Horowitz here and Nickie G coming back I can imagine a real MLB lineup. And if Davis continues to improve look out we may have something.
I told you he was looking good this year. He finally got the changeup to work. It is still not a great pitch, but it plays better with his curve and fastball than his cutter did against lefties. Didn't I say that this was likely to be his best season so far?
The Pirates are playing marginally better under Kelly. We’ll see what the lineup looks like today, but he seems to have moved on from Pham. Horwitz appears to be a professional hitter, who as a bonus can actually field his position. Cruz has recovered from his back injury.
Those are the positives, along with the starting pitching.
But collectively they still are not hitting. They score runs on solo HRs, bases loaded double plays, and infield singles. They never drive the ball with runners in scoring position. So they are always living on the edge. The two one-run wins over the Brewers mean that 10 of their 19 wins are by one run. That is crazy. Just once I want to see them win a game 6-3 or 7-1.
Just checked Baseball Reference. The Pirates are 6 for 32 with the bases loaded, with one double and one HR. (Who hit the grand slam? I have no recollection of that). Batting .188 with the bases loaded is really hard to do.
I always want your best power hitter at the 3, 4 or 5..... but then again I want the league leader in stolen bases batting lead-off.
I kind of like Kiner-Falefa batting two batters before him. In a way I also like Henry batting before him in the 9 spot, not because it helps the Pirates..... but just because I want Henry to do well.
The whole lineup is suboptimal. You really can't construct anything resembling a traditional lineup from this roster. At least this way Cruz gets to bat slightly more often. Constructing a sensible lineup can wait until they have some more major league players.
When is it time to cut bait with Pham? Obvious answer is weeks/months ago, but seriously… How do we see teams designating/releasing their own mistakes and Cherington is acting like a GM who is in the first year of a five year contract? There are probably no good answers; it just baffles me that he is still on the team, even if his time on the field now seems more limited.
Also, once Gonzales returns, I hope any Triolo starts (assuming he remains I. The roster) are limited to only Hayes off days. Absolutely no reason for both to be in the same lineup.
IKF is also a great interview--very thoughtful. I don't watch the postgame shows after losses so haven't seen that many, but I couldn't have been more impressed with IKF in yesterday's interview. Seems like a future manager if he wants to go that route.
I bet Pirates will deem Bubba ready shortly after Super 2 has safely passed. Which given Pirates current situation, is the right decision.
I’m hopeful this time next year Skenes, Jones, and Chandler are lightning up PNC Park radar guns, and sitting down opponent hitters with equal ferocity.
It's 3+ more weeks. Might as well wait for Super 2 at this point. Even then, unless there is an injury, they would need to move someone out of the rotation, so maybe wait to trade Heaney?
Bubba is probably ready, but the Pirates Rotation has been very solid - currently 7th overall according to FG for SP's. Ranked SP's are Skenes 6th, Keller 15th, Falter 48th, Heaney 49th. Four pitchers in the Top 50 SP's in MLB is territory the Pirates have never experienced to my knowledge. Therefore, with about a month before teams start talking seriously about trades, it is best for the Pirates to keep the current Rotation as it is, including Mlodzinski/Burrows, and keep giving them opportunities to excel.
If we get the right offers, at least two of our current Rotation could be with other teams as early as the All Star Break, and no later than the trade deadline. I say the AS Break because the Pirates could use a Comp A Draft Pick (32 thru 37) in this year's Draft, and those picks are tradeable. There are a few teams in that group that need Pitching and could include that pick as part of a trade. I think the Pirates Rotation could possibly add Bubba, and others such as Johan Oviedo, Thomas Harrington, and Mike Burrows after the trade deadline.
I agree, but the talent that BC has put into MiLB/MLB the past few years through the Draft has been outstanding, and this year is supposed to be a solid and very deep group. The teams in the Comp A group are No. 32 Boston (trade from Milwaukee), No. 33 Detroit, No. 34 Seattle, No. 35 Minnesota, No 36 Tampa Bay, and No. 37 Cincy. Because that No. 32 has already been traded I do not think Boston is allowed to trade it.
Looking at the teams I see two contending possibilities - Detroit and Minnesota. Detroit is pretty strong for pitching, so that is probably not going to happen. Minnesota needs another SP and has an all RH Rotation - Ryan, Ober, Lopez, Woods-Richardson. Rather than touch their Top Prospects they could try to get Heaney for about $1.75 mil remaining on his contract, and the Comp A Pick - cheap quality LHSP & no long term commitment. Or even Bailey Falter, who has more years of MLB Service available. I doubt that either are long term for the Pirates.
If successful, the Pirates will go into the Draft with the #6, #35, #50, #75, #83, and then #114 in the 4th Round.
I strongly suspect BC recognizes that he will be lucky to be GM of the Pirates next year. I doubt he will be trading for draft picks that will take years to make it. Lottery tickets for players like Frazier? Ferguson? Maybe. But for Heaney, I would be surprised.
The problem is the cost for near ready bats, none of our trade pieces at the mlb level will bring one back other than Keller (I can't see Nutting allowing BC to trade him).They'll have to do a prospect for prospect swap to get an unproven bat at the mlb level with potential.
I'd target Gilbert and Mauricio from the Mets
or Veen from Colorado giving up Harrington or the likes.
With the guys with expiring contracts, players like Kahlil Watson would be their best bets (young and still developing with red flags). Established mlb bats will cost more or will be on expiring contracts themselves. I guess they could trade for bigger contracts but that isn't the Nutting way.
Melkel, when did NCAA go to two first base bags!! Just saw it today with ACC game.....
Ramon Laureano with an .852 OPS for Baltimore with a 140 wRC+ and positive defensive value. He is probably their best player right now. They signed him for 1.5 million this offseason. He was still available when Cherington signed Pham and was the guy that I thought the Pirates would sign: the guy any GM who is not a complete buffoon would have signed on the cheap.
Fire Cherington Now! Do not let him handle the trade deadline!
pham haterz are not recognizing the reason he was brought here
results speak for themselves
JC this stuff gets so old.
Ok. I'll be sure to private message you all my comments before I post them so that you can decide whether you like them or not. Your trolling me gets old.
Sorry, bro. Seeing you post fire Cherington now! 18 times per day and saying I told you so is so twitter. I’d like to think this community is talking about baseball and the childish behavior is reserved for X. But, you keep doing you and keep showing us that you’re the smartest guy in the room.
Are you a woman? You act like a hysterical woman. Take some testosterone. It could only help.
Such an emotionally immature response. You are what they call emotionally retarded.
Not apart of this exchange but the sexism here is real classy
So what OF’er are we going to be trading for soon. No help in AAA. Maybe Baltimore. It will be a young players with still a year or 2 making the minimum. ( talking deadline deals)
sources saying Mitch Keller to the Nationals for Dylon Crews
Have to be some one with multiple years of control. Right now I like Trevor Larnach or Kyle Stowers. Larnach is ready for a breakout I believe and Minnesota is loaded in outfielders. Buxton Bader Castro Wallner and Jenkins and Rodriguez on the way. Stowers has been solid for a Miami team that is clearly in a rebuild. They will be selling off Alcantara and what ever else soon. One solid addition in the outfield with Horowitz here and Nickie G coming back I can imagine a real MLB lineup. And if Davis continues to improve look out we may have something.
Mitch goin’ on his run. Maybe this is the year?
I told you he was looking good this year. He finally got the changeup to work. It is still not a great pitch, but it plays better with his curve and fastball than his cutter did against lefties. Didn't I say that this was likely to be his best season so far?
This is the year!
The Pirates are playing marginally better under Kelly. We’ll see what the lineup looks like today, but he seems to have moved on from Pham. Horwitz appears to be a professional hitter, who as a bonus can actually field his position. Cruz has recovered from his back injury.
Those are the positives, along with the starting pitching.
But collectively they still are not hitting. They score runs on solo HRs, bases loaded double plays, and infield singles. They never drive the ball with runners in scoring position. So they are always living on the edge. The two one-run wins over the Brewers mean that 10 of their 19 wins are by one run. That is crazy. Just once I want to see them win a game 6-3 or 7-1.
Just checked Baseball Reference. The Pirates are 6 for 32 with the bases loaded, with one double and one HR. (Who hit the grand slam? I have no recollection of that). Batting .188 with the bases loaded is really hard to do.
Still say hitting your only consistent power hitter 1 is suboptimal.
I always want your best power hitter at the 3, 4 or 5..... but then again I want the league leader in stolen bases batting lead-off.
I kind of like Kiner-Falefa batting two batters before him. In a way I also like Henry batting before him in the 9 spot, not because it helps the Pirates..... but just because I want Henry to do well.
The whole lineup is suboptimal. You really can't construct anything resembling a traditional lineup from this roster. At least this way Cruz gets to bat slightly more often. Constructing a sensible lineup can wait until they have some more major league players.
But I wouldn't move him right now, no distractions, he seems to be excelling there.
I get the general point here, but the Pirates scored via a double and a triple last night.
sources saying Heaney, Harrington and Suwinski to the Cubs for Ian Happ and 2026 money
.Happ is making way too much dough according to our skinflit owner.
is why we are trading #84 mlb prospect to pay for Happ's salary ala Reese McGuire/Harold Ramirez
When is it time to cut bait with Pham? Obvious answer is weeks/months ago, but seriously… How do we see teams designating/releasing their own mistakes and Cherington is acting like a GM who is in the first year of a five year contract? There are probably no good answers; it just baffles me that he is still on the team, even if his time on the field now seems more limited.
Also, once Gonzales returns, I hope any Triolo starts (assuming he remains I. The roster) are limited to only Hayes off days. Absolutely no reason for both to be in the same lineup.
Rant over. Good win last night!
Also, IKF is hitting the quietest .295 I’ve seen! Whatever WAR espn uses puts him at 1.3.
If this team had a roster built to contend, he’d be the perfect utility IF.
IKF is also a great interview--very thoughtful. I don't watch the postgame shows after losses so haven't seen that many, but I couldn't have been more impressed with IKF in yesterday's interview. Seems like a future manager if he wants to go that route.
My long term belief that fans don’t actually like contact hitters is once again confirmed with a guy like IKF.
Fans don’t like contact, they like power hitters who make contact, which, well, yes I too like the very best hitters in baseball.
Love what IKF is doing at the plate. Just don't like him at SS. Would be much better at 2nd.
Observation 1) you know you have major issues when your lineup makes Priester look like a TOR arm, competitive advantage neutralized.
Observation 2) Horwitz might be the slowest base runner I’ve ever seen.
Albert Pujols.
Jacob Stallings gets my vote.
BUT… He gets on base lol
Colin Moran? Ole Mudbogger.
Clearly you do not remember Sid “Creekie Knees” Bream chugging around the bases
Reported for making me remember him chugging into home in the 1992 nlcs.
Statcast has always had Horwitz’ sprint speed in the 7th to 9th percentile.
Rod Barajas will always be the standard…
Ed Off wasn't fast, but he ran & slid hard & came up fists swinging!
I bet Pirates will deem Bubba ready shortly after Super 2 has safely passed. Which given Pirates current situation, is the right decision.
I’m hopeful this time next year Skenes, Jones, and Chandler are lightning up PNC Park radar guns, and sitting down opponent hitters with equal ferocity.
It's 3+ more weeks. Might as well wait for Super 2 at this point. Even then, unless there is an injury, they would need to move someone out of the rotation, so maybe wait to trade Heaney?
How about in 3+ weeks we see where we stand with Burrows and play the best one?
Bubba is probably ready, but the Pirates Rotation has been very solid - currently 7th overall according to FG for SP's. Ranked SP's are Skenes 6th, Keller 15th, Falter 48th, Heaney 49th. Four pitchers in the Top 50 SP's in MLB is territory the Pirates have never experienced to my knowledge. Therefore, with about a month before teams start talking seriously about trades, it is best for the Pirates to keep the current Rotation as it is, including Mlodzinski/Burrows, and keep giving them opportunities to excel.
If we get the right offers, at least two of our current Rotation could be with other teams as early as the All Star Break, and no later than the trade deadline. I say the AS Break because the Pirates could use a Comp A Draft Pick (32 thru 37) in this year's Draft, and those picks are tradeable. There are a few teams in that group that need Pitching and could include that pick as part of a trade. I think the Pirates Rotation could possibly add Bubba, and others such as Johan Oviedo, Thomas Harrington, and Mike Burrows after the trade deadline.
I'd rather have actual players than draft picks. A draft pick is less certain than major league ready talent.
Yes. At this point of BC's tenure year 6. We'll see if he will back up his words about "acting with urgency".
He may finally feel urgency after Nutting forced his hand with Shelton because he knows he will be next.
I agree, but the talent that BC has put into MiLB/MLB the past few years through the Draft has been outstanding, and this year is supposed to be a solid and very deep group. The teams in the Comp A group are No. 32 Boston (trade from Milwaukee), No. 33 Detroit, No. 34 Seattle, No. 35 Minnesota, No 36 Tampa Bay, and No. 37 Cincy. Because that No. 32 has already been traded I do not think Boston is allowed to trade it.
Looking at the teams I see two contending possibilities - Detroit and Minnesota. Detroit is pretty strong for pitching, so that is probably not going to happen. Minnesota needs another SP and has an all RH Rotation - Ryan, Ober, Lopez, Woods-Richardson. Rather than touch their Top Prospects they could try to get Heaney for about $1.75 mil remaining on his contract, and the Comp A Pick - cheap quality LHSP & no long term commitment. Or even Bailey Falter, who has more years of MLB Service available. I doubt that either are long term for the Pirates.
If successful, the Pirates will go into the Draft with the #6, #35, #50, #75, #83, and then #114 in the 4th Round.
Cincinnati traded their compA as part of the Lux deal. Heaney won't bring a compA, perhaps a compB and a lottery ticket.
I strongly suspect BC recognizes that he will be lucky to be GM of the Pirates next year. I doubt he will be trading for draft picks that will take years to make it. Lottery tickets for players like Frazier? Ferguson? Maybe. But for Heaney, I would be surprised.
The problem is the cost for near ready bats, none of our trade pieces at the mlb level will bring one back other than Keller (I can't see Nutting allowing BC to trade him).They'll have to do a prospect for prospect swap to get an unproven bat at the mlb level with potential.
I'd target Gilbert and Mauricio from the Mets
or Veen from Colorado giving up Harrington or the likes.
With the guys with expiring contracts, players like Kahlil Watson would be their best bets (young and still developing with red flags). Established mlb bats will cost more or will be on expiring contracts themselves. I guess they could trade for bigger contracts but that isn't the Nutting way.