Not sure the best place to put this, but have to recognize the death of Vic Davalillo. He got a ring with the 1971 Pirates and was an outstanding fourth outfielder and pinch hitter from 71-73. Those were the days when you loved having a doubleheader because the Bucs had so much depth that their Game 2 lineup was as strong as most teams’ regulars. No power, but could hit line drives all over the yard.
It's nice the commissioner has (so far) let this contact to go through. Ohtani is only getting $2 million a year, rest is deferred. $46 million cbt hit a year. Wouldn't want the Dodgers to be at a disadvantage bidding for Yamamoto or any other top free agent for that matter.
Last night I began wondering how our payroll compares to what's typical in MLB as it feels like we've lost ground despite the promises that the money will be there. As a quick comparison, in 2013 our Opening Day payroll was about $80MM and the MLB median was about $90MM so we were at about 89% of the median (in 2012 we were at about 74%). This past year our payroll was about $61MM and the league median was about $157MM, so we had dropped to about 39% of the typical spending. The numbers I used came from https://www.stevetheump.com/Payrolls.htm and the figures will vary slightly based on source, but the bottom line is that we've lost ground.
If a Nutting apologist wants to go back to 2011 (Huntington's 4th year as 2023 was Cherington's), we were at 53% of the league median, so even then we've lost ground. To get to the 53% figure last year, we would have needed to spend an additional $22MM--think about what that might have bought on the FA market.
Nutting doesn't seem willing or able to keep up with the pace of payroll growth.
Why is Alika Williams still on the 40-man? We can't run out a position player with Austin Hedges bat. I'd bet we could bring back Kevin Newman at $1.25M if they just want a defensive sub. Ahhh yes, those late Feb. signings always a fun stocking stuffer.
But on the other hand, why drop him until you need the spot. Right now he looks like he will be playing SS in AAA with Cheng who may still end up at 2B. I put him on the short list of who would be dropped next. Personally if they need he or Kevin Newman playing significant time at SS then we have bigger problems.
Plus, while I'm somewhat optimistic, we don't know that Peguero, Gonzales, Triolo, and Bae are anything more than utility players and that Cruz can still handle SS following his injury. So while Williams seems least likely of that group to be more than a bench player, we might as well hang on to him until there's more certainty.
Naylor makes 7.5M this year and let’s say 12M next year. His pay and his lack of track record would probably allow his cost to be more reasonable than you’d think.
He's a ballplayer, and his fWAR is low due primarily to being a first baseman. He's a GET for any ballclub, but I cannot see the need for the Pirates to give up prospects to fill a position where we have 2 and possibly 3 or 4 position players who can play that position and are in need of the valuable AB's. In 2023, Connor Joe played 543 innings in the OF and 343 innings at 1B; Jared Triolo played 52 innings at 1B, 87 at 2B, and 309 at 3B. Liover Peguero is another possible at 1B after playing 2B for 208 innings, and SS for 284 innings in 2023. Endy Rodriguez played 1B for the Pirates for a few innings last year and during his years in MiLB with the Mets and Pirates he played 1B about 350 innings.
Not sure how long the Pirates will keep Connor Joe, but guys like Peguero, Triolo, and Rodriguez are all ballplayers with a future in Pittsburgh, and they can always use a few extra AB's in their first few years in MLB
He broke .800 in OPS once in his first 4 seasons. He’s been historically terrible against LHP but was good against them in 2023. So he might be a platoon player the Guards are trying to sell before everyone knows he is.
You didn't list the internal option most likely to see significant time at 1B this year: Nick Gonzalez. If you want my opinion, that is most likely the guy who gets a chance at that position to show if he can stick in the MLB.
We have enough guys in play at 1B. Gonzales was provided the MI opportunity last year and it did not work very well. He went back to AAA and did better at that level.
However, there were already players at the MLB level doing better than he did, and that's how this all works. Right now, because of how things worked out last year, he is going to ST behind at least 3 or 4 other MI's with the Pirates, and that's not even counting Connor Joe who played the most innings at 1B after Santana and Choi were traded.
My personal opinion is that Gonzalez was in the process of adjusting his swing mechanics when they called him up, if Tim Williams was to be believed. It was not the correct time to call him up. He is not, at this point in his career, a substantial asset to a MLB team. He needs to get comfortable and reps in at AAA at whatever position. There is nothing wrong with 25-year old rookies and calling up guys when they are ready. Triolo is 25. It is also necessary, however painful, to cut bait on high round draft picks who don't pan out without putting every light-hitting SS in RF as a last-ditch effort to save face.
I am not advocating for this. I am saying that this is what I suspect that the Pirates will do if they cannot acquire a 1B solution on the cheap in the off-season.
Chavis was by any metric that I have seen an above average defensive 1Bman. It wasn't the glove or height that got him DFAed. It was the bat. What Gonzalez would give away in being pulled off the bag by high throws, he would give back in having much better range than your typical MLB 1Bman. I am not advocating this move, simply stating what the Pirates are likely to do if they cannot or do not acquire a 1Bman this offseason.
Chavis had played 1B plenty with Boston. He was very solid defensively. The concern with Endy or Nicky G. is needing the additional wing span to save Cruz from throwing errors. Another foot of wing span (like a 6'2 player) will save maybe 20 errors of IF throws. Peggy seems to have figured out his throwing problems, Cruz is still a question mark.
He's a good target but if the report that the Cubs and Mariners are also interested is accurate, then I'm pessimistic that Ben will make a deal. Like was said about Huntington, there's little to no evidence that we'll compete against other teams for players. It drives the price up too much.
Yes. The risk aversion is obscene. Although in fairness, if we have prospects to give up to get Naylor they should probably be used to acquire a pitcher? Someone like Ty France might be a more affordable 1B option in terms of prospects.
This sums up the Nutting Pirates as succinctly as can be. Even “cheapness” doesn’t fully capture it.
Where trading is concerned, they have the prospects — if they don’t screw up the development — to build a pitching staff over the next year or so. They don’t have a 1B solution in the pipeline.
I’ve never thought cheapness adequately described their operations because they are willing to spend money, albeit at very low levels, all on players willing to sign ridiculously team friendly/short term deals.
Not sure the best place to put this, but have to recognize the death of Vic Davalillo. He got a ring with the 1971 Pirates and was an outstanding fourth outfielder and pinch hitter from 71-73. Those were the days when you loved having a doubleheader because the Bucs had so much depth that their Game 2 lineup was as strong as most teams’ regulars. No power, but could hit line drives all over the yard.
RIP, Vic.
How many generations of Ohtani's will never have to worry about $ ?
Yes
It's nice the commissioner has (so far) let this contact to go through. Ohtani is only getting $2 million a year, rest is deferred. $46 million cbt hit a year. Wouldn't want the Dodgers to be at a disadvantage bidding for Yamamoto or any other top free agent for that matter.
Last night I began wondering how our payroll compares to what's typical in MLB as it feels like we've lost ground despite the promises that the money will be there. As a quick comparison, in 2013 our Opening Day payroll was about $80MM and the MLB median was about $90MM so we were at about 89% of the median (in 2012 we were at about 74%). This past year our payroll was about $61MM and the league median was about $157MM, so we had dropped to about 39% of the typical spending. The numbers I used came from https://www.stevetheump.com/Payrolls.htm and the figures will vary slightly based on source, but the bottom line is that we've lost ground.
If a Nutting apologist wants to go back to 2011 (Huntington's 4th year as 2023 was Cherington's), we were at 53% of the league median, so even then we've lost ground. To get to the 53% figure last year, we would have needed to spend an additional $22MM--think about what that might have bought on the FA market.
Nutting doesn't seem willing or able to keep up with the pace of payroll growth.
Why is Alika Williams still on the 40-man? We can't run out a position player with Austin Hedges bat. I'd bet we could bring back Kevin Newman at $1.25M if they just want a defensive sub. Ahhh yes, those late Feb. signings always a fun stocking stuffer.
He has good range and a good glove but he doesn't have much of an arm or a bat so yeah he's not really valuable enough for a 40-man spot.
Now I remember why.....BC lost his -ss on the Robert Stephenson trade, so he's gotta get something from Alika.
But on the other hand, why drop him until you need the spot. Right now he looks like he will be playing SS in AAA with Cheng who may still end up at 2B. I put him on the short list of who would be dropped next. Personally if they need he or Kevin Newman playing significant time at SS then we have bigger problems.
Plus, while I'm somewhat optimistic, we don't know that Peguero, Gonzales, Triolo, and Bae are anything more than utility players and that Cruz can still handle SS following his injury. So while Williams seems least likely of that group to be more than a bench player, we might as well hang on to him until there's more certainty.
Naylor makes 7.5M this year and let’s say 12M next year. His pay and his lack of track record would probably allow his cost to be more reasonable than you’d think.
"lack of track record'?
2021 Part-time 250 PA, .311 xwOBA, 93 wRC+, 0.1 fWAR
2022 Full-time 498 PA, .327 xwOBA, 119 wRC+, 1.8 fWAR
2023 Full-time 495 PA, .345 xwOBA, 128 wRC+, 2.5 fWAR
He's a ballplayer, and his fWAR is low due primarily to being a first baseman. He's a GET for any ballclub, but I cannot see the need for the Pirates to give up prospects to fill a position where we have 2 and possibly 3 or 4 position players who can play that position and are in need of the valuable AB's. In 2023, Connor Joe played 543 innings in the OF and 343 innings at 1B; Jared Triolo played 52 innings at 1B, 87 at 2B, and 309 at 3B. Liover Peguero is another possible at 1B after playing 2B for 208 innings, and SS for 284 innings in 2023. Endy Rodriguez played 1B for the Pirates for a few innings last year and during his years in MiLB with the Mets and Pirates he played 1B about 350 innings.
Not sure how long the Pirates will keep Connor Joe, but guys like Peguero, Triolo, and Rodriguez are all ballplayers with a future in Pittsburgh, and they can always use a few extra AB's in their first few years in MLB
He broke .800 in OPS once in his first 4 seasons. He’s been historically terrible against LHP but was good against them in 2023. So he might be a platoon player the Guards are trying to sell before everyone knows he is.
Yeah, spend that money on a pitcher.
You didn't list the internal option most likely to see significant time at 1B this year: Nick Gonzalez. If you want my opinion, that is most likely the guy who gets a chance at that position to show if he can stick in the MLB.
We have enough guys in play at 1B. Gonzales was provided the MI opportunity last year and it did not work very well. He went back to AAA and did better at that level.
However, there were already players at the MLB level doing better than he did, and that's how this all works. Right now, because of how things worked out last year, he is going to ST behind at least 3 or 4 other MI's with the Pirates, and that's not even counting Connor Joe who played the most innings at 1B after Santana and Choi were traded.
My personal opinion is that Gonzalez was in the process of adjusting his swing mechanics when they called him up, if Tim Williams was to be believed. It was not the correct time to call him up. He is not, at this point in his career, a substantial asset to a MLB team. He needs to get comfortable and reps in at AAA at whatever position. There is nothing wrong with 25-year old rookies and calling up guys when they are ready. Triolo is 25. It is also necessary, however painful, to cut bait on high round draft picks who don't pan out without putting every light-hitting SS in RF as a last-ditch effort to save face.
I am not advocating for this. I am saying that this is what I suspect that the Pirates will do if they cannot acquire a 1B solution on the cheap in the off-season.
Michael Chavis was 5´10
Nick is 5´9
Chavis was by any metric that I have seen an above average defensive 1Bman. It wasn't the glove or height that got him DFAed. It was the bat. What Gonzalez would give away in being pulled off the bag by high throws, he would give back in having much better range than your typical MLB 1Bman. I am not advocating this move, simply stating what the Pirates are likely to do if they cannot or do not acquire a 1Bman this offseason.
I think there would be many catastrophic events happening if Gonzales is playing 1b.
Chavis had never played there before, started one night in a pinch and then owned it on the fielding side with picks and splits
Chavis had played 1B plenty with Boston. He was very solid defensively. The concern with Endy or Nicky G. is needing the additional wing span to save Cruz from throwing errors. Another foot of wing span (like a 6'2 player) will save maybe 20 errors of IF throws. Peggy seems to have figured out his throwing problems, Cruz is still a question mark.
He's a good target but if the report that the Cubs and Mariners are also interested is accurate, then I'm pessimistic that Ben will make a deal. Like was said about Huntington, there's little to no evidence that we'll compete against other teams for players. It drives the price up too much.
Concur w competing w teams in dollars but prospects ?
Yes. The risk aversion is obscene. Although in fairness, if we have prospects to give up to get Naylor they should probably be used to acquire a pitcher? Someone like Ty France might be a more affordable 1B option in terms of prospects.
“The risk aversion is obscene.”
This sums up the Nutting Pirates as succinctly as can be. Even “cheapness” doesn’t fully capture it.
Where trading is concerned, they have the prospects — if they don’t screw up the development — to build a pitching staff over the next year or so. They don’t have a 1B solution in the pipeline.
I’ve never thought cheapness adequately described their operations because they are willing to spend money, albeit at very low levels, all on players willing to sign ridiculously team friendly/short term deals.
All I want for christmas is more rumors from Bmac's sources, hot off the press
forget Naylor - - - We should be trading Mitch Keller for Manzardo
Now thats a hot take my guy
Mitch is leaving anyways
that there is a left handed first baseman under contract for six years
Certainly beats the dreary reality of the BC Pirates.
id be a lot more fun if i was in charge
True, but it’s a low bar. Peewee Herman would be more fun than this FO, even dead.
* low bar * is today´s secret word
whenever you hear someone say it, scream real loud
Can't I just do a shot instead?????
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH