A Reynolds question. Is him moving to firstbase a rumor or a suggestion?
Rumor: Some team member / player (Reynolds) has actually discussed or considered this and the source reporting it has some (even slight) level of credibility.
Suggestion: Blog, website, user comments etc. who may have very good or very bad ideas but are just stating what they would like to see or they think may work. ie. there are great suggestions on this board on players to target... these are suggestions.
I'm not being critical I just see the Reynolds move coming up more and more and personally kind of like the idea, but I don't know know the genesis and I see WAY to often suggestions suddenly presented as rumors .
It’s been openly discussed. This is from the 9-16-2024 Tribune Review. Kevin Gorman reporting:
“Reynolds, however, doesn’t see it happening before this season ends.”
“I highly doubt that,” Reynolds told TribLive. “I’m just trying to increase some general athleticism, help me all the way around on the field. It’s fun, a little change of pace. What do we got, two weeks left? That would be something.”
“Neither Reynolds nor Pirates manager Derek Shelton ruled out the possibility of a position switch next year. First base is a position of need this offseason, with Rowdy Tellez’s one-year contract expiring. Moving Reynolds could be a long-term solution at a position that has been a revolving door: Twenty-two players have started there for the Pirates since Josh Bell was traded in December 2020.”
A question I have is are folks looking for a long term replacement this year like Soderstrom? That likely is pricey. Or a one year (Lamont Wade, Ryan O’Hearn) which is a good one year bridge. Personally I’m fine with the latter and if they’re going to spend serious prospect capital on the outfield, to do that route.
Man, I struggle giving up prospect capital on 1b. Just cut the cord and move BRey to 1b. They shouldn’t have a problem finding a couple corner OF’ers via FA & trades. Conforto I suppose would work as an FA signing
Go big or go home (or, at least, do something significant). Sign an impact bat, such as Conforto, and trade for one, such as Soderstrom. Enough piddling around with long-shots, bounce-backs, and goof-offs. The clock is ticking. Hope is not a plan.
I'd be ok on a short contract with Conforto. His best seasons are probably behind him, but he should be a slightly above average player for a year or 2.
I don't know, but Conforto had a pretty good year in a tough park for lefties. I'm not sure if he still has the defensive chops to play left at PNC, but he would be fine in RF. He is still smoking fastballs and has no trouble with velocity, which is often the first tell of a declining player. I don't have my heart set on the guy or anything, but he is only 31 compared to Walker who is 34. They need a serious bat, and the only reason that I bring up Conforto is that he is still youngish and may be within their price range.
We're on the same page, I just wouldn't want to lock into a long-term contract with Conforto. I think a max of 3 years because I think defensively he's more of a right fielder at PNC. Good point on PNC helping his bat.
I like Wade, don't think the Orioles want to move O'Hearn though.
I just hope they get 2 to 3 above average bats, Reynolds needs to be moved either to right field or first base in my opinion. Whichever position they can acquire a better player is the move they need to make.
If I were the O's, I would be looking to move O'Hearn, but I would be asking for the moon this off-season and less at the trade deadline, depending upon how things shake out with their minor league system.
I'm with you on this as well, they'd want a lot in return until they are certain they have his position fully filled at the mlb level. They're in a win now position.
I’m inclined to agree with you here. The first base market has become horribly inefficient: teams are paying good money in free agency for what, in a lot of cases, amounts to empty home run production. Look at how many guys get non-tendered every year because their home run driven arb figure doesn’t back up their paltry WAR production. Move Reynolds to first to fill the hole, you improve your outfield defense in the process and there are plenty of reasonable OF’s on the market in our price range. Moving Reynolds to a less demanding position might even help the bat a bit.
I wouldn't even use the term production for him lol. Just empty. Some good examples are 2024 Rhys Hoskins 26 home runs and .1 fWAR, 2023 Josh Bell 22 home runs and .4 fWAR, 2022 Rowdy Tellez 35 home runs and 1.1 fWAR, 2021 Ryan Mountcastle 33 home runs and .8 fWAR. The other areas of their game takes away a lot of their value.
No. O'Hearn is good, but he is on a 1-year, very team-friendly contract, so you would have to give up good value for a one-year rental. I would very much prefer getting a longer-term benefit from trade assets, even if the price is higher. Giving up prospects or good-value players on the 40-man for a 1-year rental may be pennywise, but is quite likely pound foolish in the longer run.
Yeah. Well... when you can't draft, sign, or develop position players, you have to pay the piper with pitchers if you want to dance.
Loading up what little they have for one season is not very helpful. Lots can go wrong in one season: injuries, bullpen blowups, unexpected falloffs in production. You need a window of 4 or 5 years. They have nothing coming up in the minors that says, "window." So they are going to have to open one somehow.
Productive guys like O’Hearn (who could be available due to Mayo) and Wade (who could be available because SF is looking to trim some salary) are not going to cost a fortune in prospects.
They’re going to have to do a mix of one year improvements and long term controlled players if they want to get better both in 25 and for a few years after that. Trade for a guy like Wade and make a big offer for someone with some risk (Buxton? Lou Bob?) and that props the window open for a few years. Or go big with offers centered around Bubba for someone like Doyle or Tovar in Colorado.
My fear with letting Stratton go is that some team will sign him to a two year deal, similar to what the Braves did with Perdomo. Now, Stratton has not been as impressive as Perdomo was, so this isn't all that likely, but unless the Pirates are short of 40 man space, why not do the same? Stratton was far from the worst of the bullpen crew. Oh, and if Perdomo becomes available, I would love to get him back.
The Pirates have relieved themselves of their supply of veteran First Basemen. Left are Jared Triolo and Billy Cook who both played 1B in 2024 and they will be joined by C/1B and switchhitter Endy Rodriguez. Time to add a young, LH hitting 1B? If so, Tyler Soderstrom, Oakland A's.
Why him? Because Nick Kurtz will possibly be ready to start his MLB career in 2025, and the Oakland A's need pitching more than anything else. Soderstrom has a year of MLB Service, and is turning 23 today, so he will play all of 2025 as a 23 year old. He played 61 games in MLB last year with a slash of .233/315/429/744 OPS, that included 10 doubles and 9 HR in 189 AB, a BABIP of only .273, ISO of .196, 114 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR. I am sure the A's would like to hold Soderstrom, but if they can get a SP now, I think they will find a way to cover 1B. He was a first rounder when drafted - I think 26th.
I’m terrible at gauging cost, but I bet it would be more than you’d want to pay. He’s got a lot of years of control left, he’s young (23 today in fact) and probably has some recently graduated prospect luster. So probably some upper tier pitching prospects (Harrington and Ashcraft maybe?).
Love Soderstrom but I agree he’s going to cost bank: Oakland has been pretty adamant that they don’t want to sell a lot of the assets like Soderstrom or Rooker. Not saying that the front office looks at the cost and finds it prohibitive, but assuming they don’t move Reynolds to first, they might prefer the cost of a Naylor, O’Hearn, or even a Carlos Santana reunion.
I like Yandy but don't like the idea of trading for him. We are already right hand heavy and PNC is not a good ballpark on marginal power righty hitters.
I love his approach and ability to put the ball in play though.
I think Josh Naylor is a better target. He has already broken out, is in his peak years, and Cleveland could be looking to get rid of him as his salary continues to rise and they have a major league ready replacement.
I don't think you are saying this, but as I look at who you list as current 1B on the roster, I consider them players who can play first but not first base starting candidates . If the Pirates would trade for their clones from another team today (ie. not our love of our own prospects) and were announcing them as our 1B solution for 2025 I think we would be rightfully angry. I do think Cook as others have said is basically the Joe replacement with way more value as a defender and a total TBD with the bat. More power .. yes, but he has a lot to prove at the MLB level in the batters box assuming contention is the plan for 2025.
He is my top 1st base target, and second or third target overall on the trade market.
My top target, Mauricio or Acuna from the Mets. I think shortstop is a huge need and that either of those could play other positions. I'd be happy with one or the other.
Second would be Soderstrom, third if they got both of the others. The other 1st base target I'd go for regardless if they acquired Soderstrom would be Juan Brito from Cleveland.
I'm not sure either, I saw him a couple times in 2023, the man has star potential but might not be able to play short after the injury. There is no doubt in my mind he could play almost anywhere else on the field very well.
Those suggestions are something you attempt as a rebuild club. Pirates are beyond that, they need more of a sure thing than unknowns like Mauricio & Acuna.
How do we acquire better players without taking risks on major league ready prospects? Are they going to sign 3 above average players in free agency? Are they going to empty the farm on established above average players with club control? Are they going to trade for an above average player with a multi year contract at a high AAV?
The only 2 real options are acquiring slightly above average players on short control, like a Naylor from Cleveland and be be back at it next year or 2 trying to find a replacement. Or finding trade partners that have mlb ready prospects to expand the known window that is currently open.
Please let me know what the other options are? I can only count 3 above average bats on the team, several average to slightly below, some way below, and a few incomplete.
Usually you have to have something to rebuild it (the pirates offense) or have the money to straight up buy it.
I’d probably target players that can hit. Acuna has a large sample of not hitting in the upper minors and Mauricio has plate discipline issues as well as an ACL. I don’t think teams that are trying to win are targeting guys like this.
With Acuna we know he can field shortstop, his hit tool has potential but like you said has a decent size sample since being traded to mets of below average.
With Mauricio the ACL is concerning maybe he can no longer play shortstop, but prior to the injury Mauricio had a great full season with the bat at triple A and played great defense at multiple positions.
A Reynolds question. Is him moving to firstbase a rumor or a suggestion?
Rumor: Some team member / player (Reynolds) has actually discussed or considered this and the source reporting it has some (even slight) level of credibility.
Suggestion: Blog, website, user comments etc. who may have very good or very bad ideas but are just stating what they would like to see or they think may work. ie. there are great suggestions on this board on players to target... these are suggestions.
I'm not being critical I just see the Reynolds move coming up more and more and personally kind of like the idea, but I don't know know the genesis and I see WAY to often suggestions suddenly presented as rumors .
It’s been openly discussed. This is from the 9-16-2024 Tribune Review. Kevin Gorman reporting:
“Reynolds, however, doesn’t see it happening before this season ends.”
“I highly doubt that,” Reynolds told TribLive. “I’m just trying to increase some general athleticism, help me all the way around on the field. It’s fun, a little change of pace. What do we got, two weeks left? That would be something.”
“Neither Reynolds nor Pirates manager Derek Shelton ruled out the possibility of a position switch next year. First base is a position of need this offseason, with Rowdy Tellez’s one-year contract expiring. Moving Reynolds could be a long-term solution at a position that has been a revolving door: Twenty-two players have started there for the Pirates since Josh Bell was traded in December 2020.”
Thank you.
A question I have is are folks looking for a long term replacement this year like Soderstrom? That likely is pricey. Or a one year (Lamont Wade, Ryan O’Hearn) which is a good one year bridge. Personally I’m fine with the latter and if they’re going to spend serious prospect capital on the outfield, to do that route.
I would like a power hitter for 1st base. 30 doubles and 27-30 hrs
I´d ready to give Endy at bats for the year, at least to platoon with a reclamation project like Torkelson
I was thinking Tork meself
big trade going down between us and the tigers
Torkelson and Baez for KeBryan and IKF
A big no no for Baez
If we ever want to win anything more than a one and done wild card exits, we need to start making some gambles
Man, I struggle giving up prospect capital on 1b. Just cut the cord and move BRey to 1b. They shouldn’t have a problem finding a couple corner OF’ers via FA & trades. Conforto I suppose would work as an FA signing
Right, it’s easier to find a corner OF than 1B.
Go big or go home (or, at least, do something significant). Sign an impact bat, such as Conforto, and trade for one, such as Soderstrom. Enough piddling around with long-shots, bounce-backs, and goof-offs. The clock is ticking. Hope is not a plan.
I'd be ok on a short contract with Conforto. His best seasons are probably behind him, but he should be a slightly above average player for a year or 2.
I don't know, but Conforto had a pretty good year in a tough park for lefties. I'm not sure if he still has the defensive chops to play left at PNC, but he would be fine in RF. He is still smoking fastballs and has no trouble with velocity, which is often the first tell of a declining player. I don't have my heart set on the guy or anything, but he is only 31 compared to Walker who is 34. They need a serious bat, and the only reason that I bring up Conforto is that he is still youngish and may be within their price range.
We're on the same page, I just wouldn't want to lock into a long-term contract with Conforto. I think a max of 3 years because I think defensively he's more of a right fielder at PNC. Good point on PNC helping his bat.
Agree. Conforto and Kepler fit our budget, needs and ballpark well. Joc Pederson wouldn’t be bad except the defense is awful.
I agree with your last point, but Wade/O’Hearn aren’t long shots or cast offs. They both had higher wRC+ than Conforto.
As for 1B, I’d rather get a better bat/glove combo and stick Reynolds at first.
I like Wade, don't think the Orioles want to move O'Hearn though.
I just hope they get 2 to 3 above average bats, Reynolds needs to be moved either to right field or first base in my opinion. Whichever position they can acquire a better player is the move they need to make.
If I were the O's, I would be looking to move O'Hearn, but I would be asking for the moon this off-season and less at the trade deadline, depending upon how things shake out with their minor league system.
I'm with you on this as well, they'd want a lot in return until they are certain they have his position fully filled at the mlb level. They're in a win now position.
I’m inclined to agree with you here. The first base market has become horribly inefficient: teams are paying good money in free agency for what, in a lot of cases, amounts to empty home run production. Look at how many guys get non-tendered every year because their home run driven arb figure doesn’t back up their paltry WAR production. Move Reynolds to first to fill the hole, you improve your outfield defense in the process and there are plenty of reasonable OF’s on the market in our price range. Moving Reynolds to a less demanding position might even help the bat a bit.
Empty HR production. Like BDLC?
I wouldn't even use the term production for him lol. Just empty. Some good examples are 2024 Rhys Hoskins 26 home runs and .1 fWAR, 2023 Josh Bell 22 home runs and .4 fWAR, 2022 Rowdy Tellez 35 home runs and 1.1 fWAR, 2021 Ryan Mountcastle 33 home runs and .8 fWAR. The other areas of their game takes away a lot of their value.
Reynolds potentially could solve 1b long term. Seems like the type of dude that would have no problem moving to 1b
No. O'Hearn is good, but he is on a 1-year, very team-friendly contract, so you would have to give up good value for a one-year rental. I would very much prefer getting a longer-term benefit from trade assets, even if the price is higher. Giving up prospects or good-value players on the 40-man for a 1-year rental may be pennywise, but is quite likely pound foolish in the longer run.
If you think one year rentals are expensive, wait till you see what young pre arb guys cost
Yeah. Well... when you can't draft, sign, or develop position players, you have to pay the piper with pitchers if you want to dance.
Loading up what little they have for one season is not very helpful. Lots can go wrong in one season: injuries, bullpen blowups, unexpected falloffs in production. You need a window of 4 or 5 years. They have nothing coming up in the minors that says, "window." So they are going to have to open one somehow.
Productive guys like O’Hearn (who could be available due to Mayo) and Wade (who could be available because SF is looking to trim some salary) are not going to cost a fortune in prospects.
They’re going to have to do a mix of one year improvements and long term controlled players if they want to get better both in 25 and for a few years after that. Trade for a guy like Wade and make a big offer for someone with some risk (Buxton? Lou Bob?) and that props the window open for a few years. Or go big with offers centered around Bubba for someone like Doyle or Tovar in Colorado.
Couldn't agree more. Do something that might make another low ass payrolls fans jealous.
My fear with letting Stratton go is that some team will sign him to a two year deal, similar to what the Braves did with Perdomo. Now, Stratton has not been as impressive as Perdomo was, so this isn't all that likely, but unless the Pirates are short of 40 man space, why not do the same? Stratton was far from the worst of the bullpen crew. Oh, and if Perdomo becomes available, I would love to get him back.
The Pirates have relieved themselves of their supply of veteran First Basemen. Left are Jared Triolo and Billy Cook who both played 1B in 2024 and they will be joined by C/1B and switchhitter Endy Rodriguez. Time to add a young, LH hitting 1B? If so, Tyler Soderstrom, Oakland A's.
Why him? Because Nick Kurtz will possibly be ready to start his MLB career in 2025, and the Oakland A's need pitching more than anything else. Soderstrom has a year of MLB Service, and is turning 23 today, so he will play all of 2025 as a 23 year old. He played 61 games in MLB last year with a slash of .233/315/429/744 OPS, that included 10 doubles and 9 HR in 189 AB, a BABIP of only .273, ISO of .196, 114 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR. I am sure the A's would like to hold Soderstrom, but if they can get a SP now, I think they will find a way to cover 1B. He was a first rounder when drafted - I think 26th.
What would be a fair offer?
I’m terrible at gauging cost, but I bet it would be more than you’d want to pay. He’s got a lot of years of control left, he’s young (23 today in fact) and probably has some recently graduated prospect luster. So probably some upper tier pitching prospects (Harrington and Ashcraft maybe?).
Love Soderstrom but I agree he’s going to cost bank: Oakland has been pretty adamant that they don’t want to sell a lot of the assets like Soderstrom or Rooker. Not saying that the front office looks at the cost and finds it prohibitive, but assuming they don’t move Reynolds to first, they might prefer the cost of a Naylor, O’Hearn, or even a Carlos Santana reunion.
Or Yandy Diaz. Can’t forget him.
I like Yandy but don't like the idea of trading for him. We are already right hand heavy and PNC is not a good ballpark on marginal power righty hitters.
I love his approach and ability to put the ball in play though.
I think Josh Naylor is a better target. He has already broken out, is in his peak years, and Cleveland could be looking to get rid of him as his salary continues to rise and they have a major league ready replacement.
It would be nice to trade for a young 1b instead of our annual dumpster dive.
I don't think you are saying this, but as I look at who you list as current 1B on the roster, I consider them players who can play first but not first base starting candidates . If the Pirates would trade for their clones from another team today (ie. not our love of our own prospects) and were announcing them as our 1B solution for 2025 I think we would be rightfully angry. I do think Cook as others have said is basically the Joe replacement with way more value as a defender and a total TBD with the bat. More power .. yes, but he has a lot to prove at the MLB level in the batters box assuming contention is the plan for 2025.
He is my top 1st base target, and second or third target overall on the trade market.
My top target, Mauricio or Acuna from the Mets. I think shortstop is a huge need and that either of those could play other positions. I'd be happy with one or the other.
Second would be Soderstrom, third if they got both of the others. The other 1st base target I'd go for regardless if they acquired Soderstrom would be Juan Brito from Cleveland.
I’m not sure Ronnie Mo can play short. And I dunno if I want a guy coming off a torn ACL playing there. Agreed that short is a big need though.
I'm not sure either, I saw him a couple times in 2023, the man has star potential but might not be able to play short after the injury. There is no doubt in my mind he could play almost anywhere else on the field very well.
Those suggestions are something you attempt as a rebuild club. Pirates are beyond that, they need more of a sure thing than unknowns like Mauricio & Acuna.
How do we acquire better players without taking risks on major league ready prospects? Are they going to sign 3 above average players in free agency? Are they going to empty the farm on established above average players with club control? Are they going to trade for an above average player with a multi year contract at a high AAV?
The only 2 real options are acquiring slightly above average players on short control, like a Naylor from Cleveland and be be back at it next year or 2 trying to find a replacement. Or finding trade partners that have mlb ready prospects to expand the known window that is currently open.
Please let me know what the other options are? I can only count 3 above average bats on the team, several average to slightly below, some way below, and a few incomplete.
Usually you have to have something to rebuild it (the pirates offense) or have the money to straight up buy it.
How are the pirates beyond that?
I’d probably target players that can hit. Acuna has a large sample of not hitting in the upper minors and Mauricio has plate discipline issues as well as an ACL. I don’t think teams that are trying to win are targeting guys like this.
Ok what players do you target in a trade?
With Acuna we know he can field shortstop, his hit tool has potential but like you said has a decent size sample since being traded to mets of below average.
With Mauricio the ACL is concerning maybe he can no longer play shortstop, but prior to the injury Mauricio had a great full season with the bat at triple A and played great defense at multiple positions.
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