If the Pirates are comfortable with IKF's performance after the trade - 13+ K's for every BB - and the fact it will cost us $7.5 mil for possibly more of the same in 2025, then fine, use Liover Peguero in a trade. My opinion is that they tank IKF, start Peguero at SS where he played in 2023 after the injury to Cruz and managed to hit 7 HR for the Pirates in only 198 AB. Peguero will only be in his age 24 season next year and has some pop in that bat. Maybe we can find a Hitting Coach who will help these kids.
Hank has no position unless the Pirates trade Joey Bart and Jason Delay and designate Endy and Hank as our Catching tandem.
Endy has some ground to make up and I hope he makes a strong recovery and comes back right where he left off. Tough coming out of an injury, missing all of the reps with the glove and the bat, and the day-to-day interaction. Could see him at C, 1B, and DH with the Pirates.
Thanks for the recap, John. For additional reading, Jonathan Mayo has an article on Siani that is on the AFL Site. During his conversation with Mayo, Siani told him he was unhappy with his hitting that kept him at Hi A for 2 seasons. He adjusted his swing path, dropped the number of strikeouts, and in his words the approach was about "minimizing strikeouts and just putting the ball in play"!
This sounds so simple, but with so many "helpers" telling a hitter how to be better, it tends to get lost in the speed of the game. Sounds like he hit the brakes and brought it back to "See ball, hit ball". From a K Rate around 30% he has dropped that down to under 20% this year, and is putting those improvements in his game out there for a team in need of a plus defensive OF who hits from the left side. Keep it up and he could find his way to the Pirates as the 4th OF behind Reynolds, Cruz, and Cook.
Credit to Siani for realizing it wasn’t working and making adjustments. Not everyone is able and willing to do that. Let’s see how he does in AAA. If he does well, he could see the majors next year.
The Contreras news has me thinking about our 1B situation. I’d hold off on the Reynolds experiment and try to bring back Santana. He can still play, is affordable, has great energy, and would be a much better defensive mentor for BR should they seriously decide to move him to 1B in the not-too-distant future. I think that is a considerably harder transition than realize. I would still look for another corner OF bat, Conforto looks like a great fit. Projected to be affordable, hits from the left side, and put up some impressive Statcast numbers. MLBTR has him projected at 2/$18, which seems kind of low considering the limited starter alternatives.
I'd like to see them target a high-end prospect for the outfield, using their pitching depth. I kind of have my heart set on Rodriguez from the Twins. First offer would be Ortiz and any minor league pitcher not named Chandler. They probably wouldn't go for that. Jones might be enough to get him, and I might ask for something more, someone like Culpepper.
I don't think there's any way you pry Emmanuel Rodriguez, but, I'd definitely be interested in seeing who between Larnach or Wallner they'd be willing to part with to make space for E-Rod.
Conforto for 2/$18 sounds very low for a Boras Client. In his MLB career, he has been around a 2/1 K/BB hitter with 20+ HR power, and hit in the 3, 4, 5 slots for the Giants. He'd be a nice add.
Conforto may have to settle for that kind of deal, but with Boras it won't be until spring training, and I think we need more certainty going into ST than hoping we get a bargain on a guy still on the market.
Billy Cook Fan Club checking in! No particular reason, just reminding all that we (me) are out here
Hank, Endy and Peguero all field their position(s) well enough in the major leagues
"getting them consistent at bats in Indy" days are done
these are bench players in the major leagues until some freak injury to someone else
If the Pirates are comfortable with IKF's performance after the trade - 13+ K's for every BB - and the fact it will cost us $7.5 mil for possibly more of the same in 2025, then fine, use Liover Peguero in a trade. My opinion is that they tank IKF, start Peguero at SS where he played in 2023 after the injury to Cruz and managed to hit 7 HR for the Pirates in only 198 AB. Peguero will only be in his age 24 season next year and has some pop in that bat. Maybe we can find a Hitting Coach who will help these kids.
Hank has no position unless the Pirates trade Joey Bart and Jason Delay and designate Endy and Hank as our Catching tandem.
Endy has some ground to make up and I hope he makes a strong recovery and comes back right where he left off. Tough coming out of an injury, missing all of the reps with the glove and the bat, and the day-to-day interaction. Could see him at C, 1B, and DH with the Pirates.
Thanks for the recap, John. For additional reading, Jonathan Mayo has an article on Siani that is on the AFL Site. During his conversation with Mayo, Siani told him he was unhappy with his hitting that kept him at Hi A for 2 seasons. He adjusted his swing path, dropped the number of strikeouts, and in his words the approach was about "minimizing strikeouts and just putting the ball in play"!
This sounds so simple, but with so many "helpers" telling a hitter how to be better, it tends to get lost in the speed of the game. Sounds like he hit the brakes and brought it back to "See ball, hit ball". From a K Rate around 30% he has dropped that down to under 20% this year, and is putting those improvements in his game out there for a team in need of a plus defensive OF who hits from the left side. Keep it up and he could find his way to the Pirates as the 4th OF behind Reynolds, Cruz, and Cook.
Credit to Siani for realizing it wasn’t working and making adjustments. Not everyone is able and willing to do that. Let’s see how he does in AAA. If he does well, he could see the majors next year.
The Contreras news has me thinking about our 1B situation. I’d hold off on the Reynolds experiment and try to bring back Santana. He can still play, is affordable, has great energy, and would be a much better defensive mentor for BR should they seriously decide to move him to 1B in the not-too-distant future. I think that is a considerably harder transition than realize. I would still look for another corner OF bat, Conforto looks like a great fit. Projected to be affordable, hits from the left side, and put up some impressive Statcast numbers. MLBTR has him projected at 2/$18, which seems kind of low considering the limited starter alternatives.
Committing to Carlos Santana at age 40 and it *not* turning out poorly would be absolutely remarkable.
They should do it!
I'd like to see them target a high-end prospect for the outfield, using their pitching depth. I kind of have my heart set on Rodriguez from the Twins. First offer would be Ortiz and any minor league pitcher not named Chandler. They probably wouldn't go for that. Jones might be enough to get him, and I might ask for something more, someone like Culpepper.
I don't think there's any way you pry Emmanuel Rodriguez, but, I'd definitely be interested in seeing who between Larnach or Wallner they'd be willing to part with to make space for E-Rod.
Wallner would be a good get. Shouldn't take a big prospect to get him. Harrington maybe. I'm not as high on Larnach.
I really believe Laranch is ready for a breakout. I think he would be a good get and would cost less than Wallner
Keller for Royce Lewis should would do the trick
It’d be lovely, except Minnesota is trying to shed salary.
Conforto for 2/$18 sounds very low for a Boras Client. In his MLB career, he has been around a 2/1 K/BB hitter with 20+ HR power, and hit in the 3, 4, 5 slots for the Giants. He'd be a nice add.
Conforto may have to settle for that kind of deal, but with Boras it won't be until spring training, and I think we need more certainty going into ST than hoping we get a bargain on a guy still on the market.
He might get a little more than 2/18, but not much more. It's been 5 years since he's been worth at least 2 fWAR