Strikes me as scapegoating to protect the idiots higher up. The hitting was putrid throughout Haines' tenure, but the bullpen was pretty good last year. I don't see how Meccage can be blamed for the bad results this year. He wasn't the moron who kept letting Bednar blow leads.
When it hit me that we were 14 games out of playoff position this season, it was pretty discouraging because I don't see how Ben closes that gap for next season.
If I'm being optimistic, perhaps we get about halfway there by having a much more reliable bullpen and the rest of the way there by adding Chandler, having Jones for a full season, and getting average play (around 2 WAR) from RF and 1B.
Right idea. But there are a couple of problems with combining that much money into one guy. 1.) they have too many needs. 2.) the types of guys who can command a $30 million AAV are going to be multi year guys and they aren’t doing a 5/$150 deal under Nutting ever. Shooting for a guy making $15-$20 million is the right idea though.
Yes. Their best acquisition this year was a waiver wire pickup. They need to gamble on internal solutions and minor-league deals for bounce-back candidates. Spend the free-agent money on 2 established players. Small market teams cannot buy a roster through free-agency. I repeat, free-agency is not a solution to getting 6 playes for a team like the Pirates. That GMBC does not understand this simple concept is telling of how stupid this man really is.
Of course, free agents will sign with Pittsburgh if the offer is competitive. The Pirates have Paul Skenes, a beautiful ballpark, and it is a nice city, compared to most.
This excuse that free agents won't sign with the Pirates is just that: an excuse to avoid signing anyone to a long-term deal. Ask the Royals how hard it is for teams "in the middle of nowhere" to sign free agents? Not hard at all if the offer is competitive.
Maybe average or better instead of replacement level or worse players at each of those positions? FG has our RF worth about -2 WAR and our 1B worth about 0 WAR. If we do nothing but replace those players with players who earn +2 WAR at each position (about average), then we add about 6 WAR total over this year's team.
Of course easier said than done, though if they move Reynolds to 1B, that part is easy but just the challenge to LF.
Haines out
They also fired bullpen coach Justin Meccage.
that one kinda sucks. didn't think he was part of the problem.
Strikes me as scapegoating to protect the idiots higher up. The hitting was putrid throughout Haines' tenure, but the bullpen was pretty good last year. I don't see how Meccage can be blamed for the bad results this year. He wasn't the moron who kept letting Bednar blow leads.
Think you nailed it.
Honestly didn't even consider it could be that dumb, but the simplest answer...
Hopefully just a start.
priester with one run over 5 innings the other day with boston
Pete Rose passed away today at 83.
Phenomenal write-up, Wilbur.
This was a level, for me at least, where the talent gap was incredibly clear between pitchers and hitters.
It was hard just deciding what photos to include because I didn’t want to include photos of guys who’re obviously going nowhere.
Next one is even worse.
Cue the “you’re going the wrong way” meme’s for most of these guys.
How BC survives this offseason is beyond me. At least 28 other Owners wouldn’t put up with these results.
When it hit me that we were 14 games out of playoff position this season, it was pretty discouraging because I don't see how Ben closes that gap for next season.
If I'm being optimistic, perhaps we get about halfway there by having a much more reliable bullpen and the rest of the way there by adding Chandler, having Jones for a full season, and getting average play (around 2 WAR) from RF and 1B.
There's a way, if he's willing to try and be creative
So... pick up a 1B, a RFer, and 4 pitchers for $30 million... basically the exact same plan as last season. What was that about insanity?
How about try one player for $30 mil for once instead of spreading around a bunch of crap?
Won’t happen.
Spreading around a bunch of crap works wonders in a garden. Doesn't appear to work to well on the diamond though.
Right idea. But there are a couple of problems with combining that much money into one guy. 1.) they have too many needs. 2.) the types of guys who can command a $30 million AAV are going to be multi year guys and they aren’t doing a 5/$150 deal under Nutting ever. Shooting for a guy making $15-$20 million is the right idea though.
they dont have too many needs
they need to gamble on the bullpen bouncing back with existing guys
and then go all in on a guy who will be a free agent after next season
They need at least 2, and probably 3 bats IMO.
Yes. Their best acquisition this year was a waiver wire pickup. They need to gamble on internal solutions and minor-league deals for bounce-back candidates. Spend the free-agent money on 2 established players. Small market teams cannot buy a roster through free-agency. I repeat, free-agency is not a solution to getting 6 playes for a team like the Pirates. That GMBC does not understand this simple concept is telling of how stupid this man really is.
How about Christian Walker for 3 years 20 million per and Chapman again for 1-10million. Get anything else you need via trade. Done and Done.
noone will sign here on a mult-year deal
need to make a trade for a difference maker from a team over the luxury cap like Toronto or San DIego
Of course, free agents will sign with Pittsburgh if the offer is competitive. The Pirates have Paul Skenes, a beautiful ballpark, and it is a nice city, compared to most.
This excuse that free agents won't sign with the Pirates is just that: an excuse to avoid signing anyone to a long-term deal. Ask the Royals how hard it is for teams "in the middle of nowhere" to sign free agents? Not hard at all if the offer is competitive.
Going to have to get creative to do that, and that means not paying for defense/slightly above replacement level production next year.
Maybe average or better instead of replacement level or worse players at each of those positions? FG has our RF worth about -2 WAR and our 1B worth about 0 WAR. If we do nothing but replace those players with players who earn +2 WAR at each position (about average), then we add about 6 WAR total over this year's team.
Of course easier said than done, though if they move Reynolds to 1B, that part is easy but just the challenge to LF.
Grim.
Cheringtonesque.