More evidence that bullpens are fragile and sometimes fleeting animals. You definitely can never have enough arms but they are less reliable year to year than lineups or even starting pitching.
I hate to say this... but Cherington... gulp... did, IMO, a very good job picking through the trash and finding some quality guys to invite to camp on minor-league deals and split deals. If only he could have done similar work acquiring the headline free agents.
I think he was one move from excellent, so I'll say good. Though if German or Lauer end up being mid-rotation quality, then I'll bump up his grade.
EDIT: I hadn't seen the note about German, which would imply a lack of due diligence despite their claims (but I also understand the reality of alcoholism and the difference between one's intentions and their actual behavior).
Small gripe that i would have much more confidence of santana instead of rowdy at first for minimal increased cost, but otherwise i think he found a lot of reasonable solutions on a small budget. I am kind of impressed looking back
I liked the Gonzalez trade. High-risk, but little money gambled with potentially high upside... the type of moves that the Pirates have to make to be competitive. Obviously, I liked bringing Cutch back. I'm not so sanguine about the other moves: thinking that they tried to stretch their dollars too far, going for quantity over quality.
I don't really think he was given the budget capacity to go bigger *and* fill the holes he did, so it's more qualified support for his acquisitions than one I'm thrilled about in general.
In other news, pretty alarming article about German still drinking and only going to rehab cause the Yankees made him. Seems like he has no real interest in laying off the sauce.
Good thing BC took the time for that thorough background check
I've somewhat cynically assumed that the Bauer thing was juts politics but I don't know, it's also very possible their investigation dug up more than publicly known.
Same here, man. If Tennessee Mel is serving up some crow for Jones making the roster, I’ll take my helping. Maybe a donation to a charity of Mel’s choice?
I have been hard on the current front office because I don’t feel that they have lived up the hype of the promises they’ve made, nor do I feel that they’ve always made the “hard” decisions in line with the quasi-template that I feel is essential for small markets to be successful. But, in fairness, Cherington and Co have not always operated in line with the prior regime, and that’s what I was using as a metric here, wrongly so. So yes, name the charity guys.
That could be very true. I just look at it from the point of the Pirates need to explore market inefficiencies to overcome the lack of spending. I just want to see some winning baseball this year or next.
It is only a minor league deal. If he messes up he will be gone with next to nothing lost. If he can keep on the straight an narrow or at least close to it, could work out well for the rotation.
Oh, the irony in reading an article about how they have the 3rd best bullpen in baseball only for them to announce the next day that Ryder Ryan, Bailey Falter and Josh Fleming made the team…
I imagine Ryan will be the first to depart once Holderman is healthy, with Falter shortly after once Mlodzinski is cleared (hopefully soon). Hunter Stratton earned this opportunity. Thought Honeywell Jr. might’ve done enough to make the cut.
Not as optimistic about this pen as I would like to be.
He can fill in as a spot-starter or emergency 5th starter for a time. He can cover innings as a reliever or he can work in a pinch. He has 70 grade command and a 62% groundball rate. That is an enticing profile.
Yeah, I've been intrigued by Honeywell. However, if they think Holderman will be ready in a couple of weeks, they may have selected the guy who will be easier to DFA than who they think may provide the most value long-term.
So did Ortiz, Falter, Fleming, Stratton and Ryder Ryan. I assume Ortiz is starting, and the others plus Bednar, Ro and Chapman are the bullpen. Holderman and Mlod to IL. Evidently no Honeywell, not that merit is ever a factor with these guys.
Davis and Delay catching. Joe, Williams and Olivares on the bench. McKinney gets no reward for earning a spot, but Williams gets one for making Mario Mendoza look like ARod.
At least he didn't crash into the wall on that double yesterday: instead, giving up on the ball and assuming it was gone. He put himself in good position to field it off the wall.
It wouldn't surprise me if they dealt McKinney in the next few days to a team desperate for OF help, especially after releasing Anderson so that he could get a better deal elsewhere.
I agree with your assessment, three NRI should be added; Honeywell, Stratton and Peralta, with the idea that if they don’t perform will eventually get replaced by Holderman and Mlod. But, for the first time I could see a case for Ashcroft making the team out of the pen. He only threw 52 innings or so last season, so a full starter load seems like an out of the question this season in the minors. Why not give him a few big league innings and take that experience down when/if the time comes to be option?
Happy for Jones, but even happier for us fans. He’s the 1st top 100 prospect to make OD roster since Kris Benson in 1999.
Maybe, just maybe, Bob Dylan was right when he said, “Times, they’re a changing.”
Things better start changing… how long can they throw out a garbage product?
More evidence that bullpens are fragile and sometimes fleeting animals. You definitely can never have enough arms but they are less reliable year to year than lineups or even starting pitching.
Exactly. I remmeber some people on Twitter really upset about signign Chapman, said they didn't 'need' more relievers. This is exactly why
I hate to say this... but Cherington... gulp... did, IMO, a very good job picking through the trash and finding some quality guys to invite to camp on minor-league deals and split deals. If only he could have done similar work acquiring the headline free agents.
His FA work this winter was excellent.
I think he was one move from excellent, so I'll say good. Though if German or Lauer end up being mid-rotation quality, then I'll bump up his grade.
EDIT: I hadn't seen the note about German, which would imply a lack of due diligence despite their claims (but I also understand the reality of alcoholism and the difference between one's intentions and their actual behavior).
That's fair, excellent was too strong.
Tellez is my sleeper.
Small gripe that i would have much more confidence of santana instead of rowdy at first for minimal increased cost, but otherwise i think he found a lot of reasonable solutions on a small budget. I am kind of impressed looking back
Definitely the safer play, Tellez is my sleeper acquisition of the winter tho so I gotta roll with it.
I hope youre right!
I liked the Gonzalez trade. High-risk, but little money gambled with potentially high upside... the type of moves that the Pirates have to make to be competitive. Obviously, I liked bringing Cutch back. I'm not so sanguine about the other moves: thinking that they tried to stretch their dollars too far, going for quantity over quality.
Definitely the risk, for sure.
I don't really think he was given the budget capacity to go bigger *and* fill the holes he did, so it's more qualified support for his acquisitions than one I'm thrilled about in general.
Skenes to Indy, not Altoona.
In other news, pretty alarming article about German still drinking and only going to rehab cause the Yankees made him. Seems like he has no real interest in laying off the sauce.
Good thing BC took the time for that thorough background check
What article?
If the Pirates are going to sign trash people, why not sign a player or two who can still throw gas…
I've somewhat cynically assumed that the Bauer thing was juts politics but I don't know, it's also very possible their investigation dug up more than publicly known.
Mackey reported in the chat that it was his reputation as a clubhouse cancer.
Btw, I’m here to be wrong about Jones. 😁
Same here, man. If Tennessee Mel is serving up some crow for Jones making the roster, I’ll take my helping. Maybe a donation to a charity of Mel’s choice?
I have been hard on the current front office because I don’t feel that they have lived up the hype of the promises they’ve made, nor do I feel that they’ve always made the “hard” decisions in line with the quasi-template that I feel is essential for small markets to be successful. But, in fairness, Cherington and Co have not always operated in line with the prior regime, and that’s what I was using as a metric here, wrongly so. So yes, name the charity guys.
Good dude!
That could be very true. I just look at it from the point of the Pirates need to explore market inefficiencies to overcome the lack of spending. I just want to see some winning baseball this year or next.
Good, get him out of here
It is only a minor league deal. If he messes up he will be gone with next to nothing lost. If he can keep on the straight an narrow or at least close to it, could work out well for the rotation.
Last Chance U!
Oh, the irony in reading an article about how they have the 3rd best bullpen in baseball only for them to announce the next day that Ryder Ryan, Bailey Falter and Josh Fleming made the team…
I imagine Ryan will be the first to depart once Holderman is healthy, with Falter shortly after once Mlodzinski is cleared (hopefully soon). Hunter Stratton earned this opportunity. Thought Honeywell Jr. might’ve done enough to make the cut.
Not as optimistic about this pen as I would like to be.
Fleming is underrated. You heard it here first.
His margin for error is razor thin.
I have trouble believing the Pirates can develop an arm that Tampa couldn't.
Guy has a career 4.88 era, 4.63 FIP, his FB sits @ 91.6 mph and he gets no K's.
okay but other than that
I actually don’t hate Fleming, but I can also see Shelton sending him out there 5 times a week
I doubt it. He will probably be used in a long relief role mostly, getting 2-3 innings per outing, which means twice a week tops.
When they started talking rotation for Fleming I wasn’t that thrilled but as a reliever? I think he can be solid
He can fill in as a spot-starter or emergency 5th starter for a time. He can cover innings as a reliever or he can work in a pinch. He has 70 grade command and a 62% groundball rate. That is an enticing profile.
Surprised to see ryan making it over honeywell or peralta
Yeah, I've been intrigued by Honeywell. However, if they think Holderman will be ready in a couple of weeks, they may have selected the guy who will be easier to DFA than who they think may provide the most value long-term.
Same. I thought Peralta had an incredibly strong spring.
I would have gone with Peralta, but it probably has to do with contracts, opt-out dates, and preserving depth.
updating story now to include the roster announcement
Jones made the team.
So did Ortiz, Falter, Fleming, Stratton and Ryder Ryan. I assume Ortiz is starting, and the others plus Bednar, Ro and Chapman are the bullpen. Holderman and Mlod to IL. Evidently no Honeywell, not that merit is ever a factor with these guys.
Davis and Delay catching. Joe, Williams and Olivares on the bench. McKinney gets no reward for earning a spot, but Williams gets one for making Mario Mendoza look like ARod.
Grandal and Bae to IL.
McKinney can't play SS
New policy…outfielders playing infield!
Neither can Olivares. In fact, he can’t even play OF.
At least he didn't crash into the wall on that double yesterday: instead, giving up on the ball and assuming it was gone. He put himself in good position to field it off the wall.
Really wanted Billy to get a shot
It wouldn't surprise me if they dealt McKinney in the next few days to a team desperate for OF help, especially after releasing Anderson so that he could get a better deal elsewhere.
He'll get a chance at some point.
Forgot Borucki.
Your last sentence is definitely the key to the current situation.
I agree with your assessment, three NRI should be added; Honeywell, Stratton and Peralta, with the idea that if they don’t perform will eventually get replaced by Holderman and Mlod. But, for the first time I could see a case for Ashcroft making the team out of the pen. He only threw 52 innings or so last season, so a full starter load seems like an out of the question this season in the minors. Why not give him a few big league innings and take that experience down when/if the time comes to be option?