No thanks on Cannarella. I wouldn't mind Devin Taylor but seems a little high at 6 overall.
Brendan Summerhill, Kayson Cunningham or Billy Carlson please. Still along ways off though but this years Prep class is absolutely loaded.
It's why I wasn't thrilled with this years draft cause I thought the 2024 Prep class was a bit shaky and going so Prep heavy two years in a row might not be the best approach.
And like you said, Kyason Cunningham is a bit like Termarr but imo he should be what we thought Termarr was gonna be. Hit .280-.300 with 12-15 HR but play a good SS.
Watching video of him(I implore others to also do so), I was super impressed. Not a pronounced bat tip and not as much lower half movement as Termarr. Just a sweet lefty swing. He is older for the class though. He'll be 19 at draft time and a Sophomore eligible in 2027.
And I agree with Chase Shores too. If anyone could have a Skenes/Chase Burns type rise it him. The stuff is electric. The arm path does gets a little long though and probably needs shortened up.
College pitching for the 2025 draft is also extremely loaded.
I just looked at some of the most recent Chase Shores video from this fall and if you care at all Jeff, it seems like he has shortened up his arm action🤷♂️
So... Sasaki's agent says that he is probably open to signing with a small-market team and that the advice that his agent gave him was to focus on signing a deal with a deal that best promotes his career development and long-term value. A team that has a track-record of doing well by young pitchers should certainly be one that he considers. Roki Sasaki meet the Pittsburgh Pirates. Get on it BC! Then you can move another young pitcher for hitting.
That would be an interesting and cool meeting to plan. I’d imagine you’d center it around pitching with Keller, Skenes and Jones. Have Strom talk about what he did for Verlander, Morton and Cole. Etc.
Go over his pitches, potential sequencing against various types of hitters, identify any potential problems that he may have with major-league hitters, and possible solutions.
He doesn't have the pressure of being a number 1. Skenes has that job locked down. He may not even have to be a #2 or 3. Chandler and Jones may end up in those positions. He can even start the season at AAA to get his feet wet and iron out any kinks. Then you can trade Oviedo after he (hopefully) re-establishes value, and you can trade another young pitcher now for some hitting.
So, by June, your rotation is (hopefully) Skenes, Chandler, Sasaki, Jones, Keller. That would probably be the best rotation in baseball and has the potential to be the best starting rotation in 45 years, since the 1969 Mets. With all those guys under control for 5 years, you have the potential for several runs at the post-season. No reason not to try to make it happen.
It seems like a no brainer. Why not? This is the kinda thing they need to do. Then trade one of these arms for a young outfielder and sign a legit SS. Grab a few bullpen arms Andrew chafin would be one of my targets. Then you have yourself a contender.
$7.2M SP Sasaki, OF Abreu, $4M RP Chafin, $4M RP Yarbrough, $5M SS DeJong, and $5M DH McCutchen that’s $25-$30M for all of those guys and probably a Harrington or Keller for Abreu.
If you could find someone upon whom to dump Hayes and IKF, you would have the money to fill out the bullpen and sign someone who is likely to help next year.
Moving IKF should be no problem. Hayes, on the other hand, would be difficult.
I have no problem with IKF, but he is expensive for the Pirates. They have Triolo, York, and Gonzalez who can fill out the infield one way or another. Of course, moving IKF would probably mean finding a SS, but I think Triolo would be fine defensive at SS (probably at least as good as IKF).
I would take a look at signing Mason McCoy on a split contract. He may prove to be a serviceable SS with good defensive metrics. Now you have an IF for 15 million less than the one they have now (if they can move Hayes). Of course, if this was in any way their plan, they would have had to start 3 weeks ago, because there will not be anyone left worth spending $15 million on a month from now.
Not Suzuki (although he would look good in Pirate uniform too), but Roki Sasaki, the 23-year-old right-handed pitcher who will be posted this year and can be signed for international amateur bonus pool money, which means the Pirates have the same resources as everyone else (7.2 million or whatever the pool is in 2025). The Dodgers and Padres have already decided that they are going to sign him and he will be in their rotation at some point next season. No one has bothered to check with Sasaki to see if this is his plan, however. What I say is that, like his agent says, he needs to build long-term value, because he cannot sign a long-term big-money deal for several years, so he should go with an organization that is most likely to build his long-term value by getting him adjusted to MLB, and the Pirates can point to a track record of doing this very thing. Get him on board.
Question related to the Williams trade -> but really a thought. I saw where Yankees may also be sending cash (which usually is to help pay for a higher salaried player). But upon very quick review (hope I am right) Cortes salary < Williams salary therefore no real need for cash other than to sweeten the deal.
So given that 'fact' and the fact that $$ for at maybe 5 - 10 teams is burnable (not an issue), what prevents more significant cash transactions outside of the commish saying no. My Pirate applicability. Some team wants Keller and has legitimate young (cheaper!!) but talented player that could move right into RF (as an example) so in theory talent for talent seems fair. So Pirates are shedding $15M in 2025 salary. What if the other team throws in $15M because it just doesn't matter to them and want Keller bad enough and the young talent (to them) is easily replaceable with their current roster or plan on just spending more on another free agent. Bucs end up with $30M to spend instead of the just the offloaded $15M. I am confident there is something obvious I may be missing other than knowing $15M is probably pushing my luck and that teams wouldn't truly just give money away (although given the cost of MLB starting pitching... am I wrong?). My skin is thick.. did I forget some max cash amount that a real fan would know? Pirate basically get a $15m coupon to spend where they want.
Yep, they needed a second basemen, a bit under the radar but put up consecutive good years in the upper minors. Looks like he gets on base and can swipe a bag, not sure of his defense but it's probably decent as well.
Heck the Brewers will probably get allstar Cortez knowing their luck.
Listening to the podcast and I hope we are not pigeon-holing Horwitz as a First Baseman against RHP's only. We need to look at his recent defensive development in the Jay's system. Prior to 2024 he was pretty much a First Baseman and an OF with a few games at Second Base. When brought to MLB in 2024 he played 41 games at 1B and fielded well at .996. He also played 39 games at 2B where he also fielded well at .982.
His bat is what we need the most. Using 350 PA, he finished No. 125 based on fWAR of 1.9. VG numbers of 11.0% BB/18.4% K, .168 ISO, a wRC+ of 127, and BABIP of .300. Keeping his bat in the lineup will be our primary mission. He did hit better against RHSP last year .810 OPS, but against LHSP he was a .696 OPS - 114 OPS points lower, but still respectable. Not just a hitter we need to strictly use against RH pitchers.
The scouting reports on his defense in the minors weren't good, but the metrics in the majors are fine. Both Statcast and UZR have him as a little above avg at 1B and close to avg at 2B. Not a ton of innings yet.
What I thought was unique was that he did not get many opportunities at 2B at AAA, but played almost equal numbers of games at 1B and 2B for Toronto - could be they were looking and planning for the offseason and 2025.
I think he’ll get a shot to hit lefties too. Big trade like that he’ll get every opportunity. Would be nice if he just grew into that everyday role. Makes the trade look that much better
I would think so, and the fact he played 2B and did not embarrass himself or the team, I am thinking of a possible use of both he and Endy in the lineup at the same time.
How many PAs did he have against lefties? I didn't look it up, but the numbers have to be too small to make any judgements based upon stats. I agree. He'll get a chance against lefites, probably a long look... through July anyway.
Had some numbers scribbled but not sure if they are PA or AB - 269 against RHSP's, 14 doubles, 11 HR, 31 RBI; 59 against LHSP's, 5 doubles, 1 HR, 9 RBI. Against both I think his BB/K numbers were good.
Ive become reluctantly supportive of the Ortiz trade based on everyone, well most here not everyone, stating Horwitz will maintain and improve and Ortiz is obviously going to decline and the two recent lefty high draft picks are seemingly just ho hum lottery picks for Cleveland...I got it now, super cool, we won that trade I guess👏👍👍.... But that has to be it in trading starting pitching, except Jones as I will allow that, he is a reliever to me... Do not trade Keller pls, its amazing how starting pitching goes from so much depth to bullpen games after injury and/or lack of performance🙏
Ted we don't know who won a trade until we actually see how the players perform but if we end up getting a starting 1B with some pop and give up a 5-6 SP you make that deal everyday and twice on Sunday.
I disagree, especially on Ortiz. He was projected to be "less than a true No. 5 SP", but he came in and did very well for the Pirates when most needed. IMO, Ortiz is one of the true success stories of the Pirates. And he was used in trade because his opening with the Pirates would have been as the #7 or #8 SP, but most likely as a middle reliever for the rest of his career. Good for him and good for the Pirates. Hartle?? Michael Kennedy I liked but he is at least 4 years away and we can all name a boatload of pitching talent ahead of him in the queue.
My 7/8 included Bubba Chandler, Thomas Harrington, and Braxton Ashcraft. Ortiz did very well last year when this team needed it most, but no GM would put him in front of Chandler and Harrington, who is getting a lot of positives on MLB. The 3rd would be Ashcraft who is a big time SP waiting to get totally healthy - 2025 is his time! Or, he could be one of a package to get another bat.
Hartle was a preseason 1st rounder going into 2024, one of the top three LHPs in NCAA. He dominated as a sophomore but had some struggles last year, still has tons of projectability at 6’5”. This kid was more than a throw-in.
Tons of projection that hasn’t come about yet for an early 20’s kid that went to the best pitching lab out there. If they didn’t coax more stuff and velocity out of him, it might be because it isn’t there to begin with.
Having said this, I was more comfortable putting Kennedy in this deal.
I'm not worried about the minor league arms included in the deal.
I'm worried that Cle gets 2022 Luis Ortiz, blowing hitters away with 98-101 FB's and a wipeout slider. When he burst on the scene, he was must watch. It was like watching a dominate closer blow hitters away for 5 innings.
I wouldn’t agree that Ortiz is a 7/8 on the depth chart, but his role is undefined because he doesn’t miss enough bats/put enough balls on the ground to be super effective in any role. His strikeout rate as a starter is almost identical to when he pitches relief. What’s the ceiling on a reliever who K’s 7 per 9 and has a GB rate of 42% in relief?
I understand the risk that Cleveland possibly unlocks something with him, but at the same time with Oviedo coming back and pitching behind at AAA, I’m not entirely sure what his role would look like with us.
Kind of ballsy without trading Bellinger or Susuki, if not both. They are looking at PCA, Happ, Tucker, Susuki, and Tucker…..no big name DH so a rotation migth work. Maybe they have a deal in place.
Bellinger to the yankees as the next step has been largely rumored. Thats a huge stepdown from soto though, think the yankees need to pony up for tucker
I was reading hes likely to head to the open market next year after seeing what soto pulled. Wonder if the yankees are hesitant to lose two stars in a row after trading for them as a rental
Agreed. I don’t think they really have much left in their system after all the recent trades. And if I’m the Yankees, I’d just wait a year and try to sign him.
Yeah and they’d be insane to give up that kinda return for a player with 1 of year of control, knowing you have zero chance of extending the guy. I’d be leery of two years of control even.
I’d also point out that we’d never get this return if we had to trade Tucker as teams would lowball us knowing we had to trade him.
Yep, one of the reasons I wanted the pirates to go after Crochet is that he's the rare 2 year of control that would have been very easy to extend 1 year and reasonably 2 or 3 with a decent offer.
No thanks on Cannarella. I wouldn't mind Devin Taylor but seems a little high at 6 overall.
Brendan Summerhill, Kayson Cunningham or Billy Carlson please. Still along ways off though but this years Prep class is absolutely loaded.
It's why I wasn't thrilled with this years draft cause I thought the 2024 Prep class was a bit shaky and going so Prep heavy two years in a row might not be the best approach.
I'd throw in Max Belyeu from college and Eli Willits from the prep ranks with your group.
I'm high on Willits, think he has a chance to rise like Jackson Holliday with a strong season.
And like you said, Kyason Cunningham is a bit like Termarr but imo he should be what we thought Termarr was gonna be. Hit .280-.300 with 12-15 HR but play a good SS.
Watching video of him(I implore others to also do so), I was super impressed. Not a pronounced bat tip and not as much lower half movement as Termarr. Just a sweet lefty swing. He is older for the class though. He'll be 19 at draft time and a Sophomore eligible in 2027.
And I agree with Chase Shores too. If anyone could have a Skenes/Chase Burns type rise it him. The stuff is electric. The arm path does gets a little long though and probably needs shortened up.
College pitching for the 2025 draft is also extremely loaded.
I just looked at some of the most recent Chase Shores video from this fall and if you care at all Jeff, it seems like he has shortened up his arm action🤷♂️
Old - https://x.com/11point7/status/1639343909124952065?s=46
New - https://x.com/danvalerio3/status/1855693792600547359?s=46
Another old from catcher's view - https://x.com/pgcollegeball/status/1629982481729351681?s=46
Deciding that right now should never be a draft strategy in the MLB draft.
Taking the most pro ready type at discount is a strategy but shouldn't be a strategy before you see how the board plays out.
So... Sasaki's agent says that he is probably open to signing with a small-market team and that the advice that his agent gave him was to focus on signing a deal with a deal that best promotes his career development and long-term value. A team that has a track-record of doing well by young pitchers should certainly be one that he considers. Roki Sasaki meet the Pittsburgh Pirates. Get on it BC! Then you can move another young pitcher for hitting.
That would be an interesting and cool meeting to plan. I’d imagine you’d center it around pitching with Keller, Skenes and Jones. Have Strom talk about what he did for Verlander, Morton and Cole. Etc.
Go over his pitches, potential sequencing against various types of hitters, identify any potential problems that he may have with major-league hitters, and possible solutions.
He doesn't have the pressure of being a number 1. Skenes has that job locked down. He may not even have to be a #2 or 3. Chandler and Jones may end up in those positions. He can even start the season at AAA to get his feet wet and iron out any kinks. Then you can trade Oviedo after he (hopefully) re-establishes value, and you can trade another young pitcher now for some hitting.
So, by June, your rotation is (hopefully) Skenes, Chandler, Sasaki, Jones, Keller. That would probably be the best rotation in baseball and has the potential to be the best starting rotation in 45 years, since the 1969 Mets. With all those guys under control for 5 years, you have the potential for several runs at the post-season. No reason not to try to make it happen.
It seems like a no brainer. Why not? This is the kinda thing they need to do. Then trade one of these arms for a young outfielder and sign a legit SS. Grab a few bullpen arms Andrew chafin would be one of my targets. Then you have yourself a contender.
$7.2M SP Sasaki, OF Abreu, $4M RP Chafin, $4M RP Yarbrough, $5M SS DeJong, and $5M DH McCutchen that’s $25-$30M for all of those guys and probably a Harrington or Keller for Abreu.
If you could find someone upon whom to dump Hayes and IKF, you would have the money to fill out the bullpen and sign someone who is likely to help next year.
Moving IKF should be no problem. Hayes, on the other hand, would be difficult.
I’m good with IKF as utility guy this year and dumping Hayes. But I agree no one wants Hayes.
I have no problem with IKF, but he is expensive for the Pirates. They have Triolo, York, and Gonzalez who can fill out the infield one way or another. Of course, moving IKF would probably mean finding a SS, but I think Triolo would be fine defensive at SS (probably at least as good as IKF).
I would take a look at signing Mason McCoy on a split contract. He may prove to be a serviceable SS with good defensive metrics. Now you have an IF for 15 million less than the one they have now (if they can move Hayes). Of course, if this was in any way their plan, they would have had to start 3 weeks ago, because there will not be anyone left worth spending $15 million on a month from now.
Can I like this over and over again?
Has he tried pierogies yet?
Would love to dream
Not Suzuki (although he would look good in Pirate uniform too), but Roki Sasaki, the 23-year-old right-handed pitcher who will be posted this year and can be signed for international amateur bonus pool money, which means the Pirates have the same resources as everyone else (7.2 million or whatever the pool is in 2025). The Dodgers and Padres have already decided that they are going to sign him and he will be in their rotation at some point next season. No one has bothered to check with Sasaki to see if this is his plan, however. What I say is that, like his agent says, he needs to build long-term value, because he cannot sign a long-term big-money deal for several years, so he should go with an organization that is most likely to build his long-term value by getting him adjusted to MLB, and the Pirates can point to a track record of doing this very thing. Get him on board.
Question related to the Williams trade -> but really a thought. I saw where Yankees may also be sending cash (which usually is to help pay for a higher salaried player). But upon very quick review (hope I am right) Cortes salary < Williams salary therefore no real need for cash other than to sweeten the deal.
So given that 'fact' and the fact that $$ for at maybe 5 - 10 teams is burnable (not an issue), what prevents more significant cash transactions outside of the commish saying no. My Pirate applicability. Some team wants Keller and has legitimate young (cheaper!!) but talented player that could move right into RF (as an example) so in theory talent for talent seems fair. So Pirates are shedding $15M in 2025 salary. What if the other team throws in $15M because it just doesn't matter to them and want Keller bad enough and the young talent (to them) is easily replaceable with their current roster or plan on just spending more on another free agent. Bucs end up with $30M to spend instead of the just the offloaded $15M. I am confident there is something obvious I may be missing other than knowing $15M is probably pushing my luck and that teams wouldn't truly just give money away (although given the cost of MLB starting pitching... am I wrong?). My skin is thick.. did I forget some max cash amount that a real fan would know? Pirate basically get a $15m coupon to spend where they want.
Devin Williams to the Yankees.
Cortes and Caleb Durbin the only two names so far going to Milwaukee
Durbin really just popped up this year after the AFL right?
He had a strong year in AAA as well. Seems the Brewers want to move Turang to short and keep Ortiz at 3rd.
Seems like an OBP guy that really isnt going to hit the ball too hard. The brewers are smart though so there must be something there
A stolen base guy too. The Brewers like to run.
Yep, they needed a second basemen, a bit under the radar but put up consecutive good years in the upper minors. Looks like he gets on base and can swipe a bag, not sure of his defense but it's probably decent as well.
Heck the Brewers will probably get allstar Cortez knowing their luck.
Listening to the podcast and I hope we are not pigeon-holing Horwitz as a First Baseman against RHP's only. We need to look at his recent defensive development in the Jay's system. Prior to 2024 he was pretty much a First Baseman and an OF with a few games at Second Base. When brought to MLB in 2024 he played 41 games at 1B and fielded well at .996. He also played 39 games at 2B where he also fielded well at .982.
His bat is what we need the most. Using 350 PA, he finished No. 125 based on fWAR of 1.9. VG numbers of 11.0% BB/18.4% K, .168 ISO, a wRC+ of 127, and BABIP of .300. Keeping his bat in the lineup will be our primary mission. He did hit better against RHSP last year .810 OPS, but against LHSP he was a .696 OPS - 114 OPS points lower, but still respectable. Not just a hitter we need to strictly use against RH pitchers.
The scouting reports on his defense in the minors weren't good, but the metrics in the majors are fine. Both Statcast and UZR have him as a little above avg at 1B and close to avg at 2B. Not a ton of innings yet.
What I thought was unique was that he did not get many opportunities at 2B at AAA, but played almost equal numbers of games at 1B and 2B for Toronto - could be they were looking and planning for the offseason and 2025.
I think he’ll get a shot to hit lefties too. Big trade like that he’ll get every opportunity. Would be nice if he just grew into that everyday role. Makes the trade look that much better
I would think so, and the fact he played 2B and did not embarrass himself or the team, I am thinking of a possible use of both he and Endy in the lineup at the same time.
Agreed. He’s done very little since his AA breakout and he’s coming off a major injury.
How many PAs did he have against lefties? I didn't look it up, but the numbers have to be too small to make any judgements based upon stats. I agree. He'll get a chance against lefites, probably a long look... through July anyway.
Had some numbers scribbled but not sure if they are PA or AB - 269 against RHSP's, 14 doubles, 11 HR, 31 RBI; 59 against LHSP's, 5 doubles, 1 HR, 9 RBI. Against both I think his BB/K numbers were good.
I think 60 PAs is what they call "a small sample size" and far too few to draw any conclusions.
In other news, Randy Contreras has been DFA’d by Rangers. Anyone here interested in bringing him back since Pirates have room on the 40-man roster?
Minor league deal if he would take one could work too
Sure, why not, a desperate attempt of salvaging some value in the Taillon trade🤔🤣🤷♂️
No. He’s not good.
Ive become reluctantly supportive of the Ortiz trade based on everyone, well most here not everyone, stating Horwitz will maintain and improve and Ortiz is obviously going to decline and the two recent lefty high draft picks are seemingly just ho hum lottery picks for Cleveland...I got it now, super cool, we won that trade I guess👏👍👍.... But that has to be it in trading starting pitching, except Jones as I will allow that, he is a reliever to me... Do not trade Keller pls, its amazing how starting pitching goes from so much depth to bullpen games after injury and/or lack of performance🙏
Ted we don't know who won a trade until we actually see how the players perform but if we end up getting a starting 1B with some pop and give up a 5-6 SP you make that deal everyday and twice on Sunday.
I disagree, especially on Ortiz. He was projected to be "less than a true No. 5 SP", but he came in and did very well for the Pirates when most needed. IMO, Ortiz is one of the true success stories of the Pirates. And he was used in trade because his opening with the Pirates would have been as the #7 or #8 SP, but most likely as a middle reliever for the rest of his career. Good for him and good for the Pirates. Hartle?? Michael Kennedy I liked but he is at least 4 years away and we can all name a boatload of pitching talent ahead of him in the queue.
Agree Ortiz is a success story, an IFA success story too that we got for $25k. Disagree that he's a 7/8.
Since when is a 3.32 ERA, 1.11 whip a 7/8 anywhere in MLB? Horowitz had better hit.....just so we have an "even" trade with Guardians.
My 7/8 included Bubba Chandler, Thomas Harrington, and Braxton Ashcraft. Ortiz did very well last year when this team needed it most, but no GM would put him in front of Chandler and Harrington, who is getting a lot of positives on MLB. The 3rd would be Ashcraft who is a big time SP waiting to get totally healthy - 2025 is his time! Or, he could be one of a package to get another bat.
Hartle was a preseason 1st rounder going into 2024, one of the top three LHPs in NCAA. He dominated as a sophomore but had some struggles last year, still has tons of projectability at 6’5”. This kid was more than a throw-in.
Tons of projection that hasn’t come about yet for an early 20’s kid that went to the best pitching lab out there. If they didn’t coax more stuff and velocity out of him, it might be because it isn’t there to begin with.
Having said this, I was more comfortable putting Kennedy in this deal.
Then why draft him in the first place?
Because pro teams probably always think they can get something out of a player.
I'm not worried about the minor league arms included in the deal.
I'm worried that Cle gets 2022 Luis Ortiz, blowing hitters away with 98-101 FB's and a wipeout slider. When he burst on the scene, he was must watch. It was like watching a dominate closer blow hitters away for 5 innings.
He was Jared Jones before Jared Jones.
Cherington sucks at drafting, but when he trades, he trades away good draft picks.
I thought development, is what I read here, is our issue🤷♂️
No mate, Ortiz imho is a 4/5th starter on most teams, he is no 7th/8th guy for us pre trade, but I get that is the view from many...🤔
I wouldn’t agree that Ortiz is a 7/8 on the depth chart, but his role is undefined because he doesn’t miss enough bats/put enough balls on the ground to be super effective in any role. His strikeout rate as a starter is almost identical to when he pitches relief. What’s the ceiling on a reliever who K’s 7 per 9 and has a GB rate of 42% in relief?
I understand the risk that Cleveland possibly unlocks something with him, but at the same time with Oviedo coming back and pitching behind at AAA, I’m not entirely sure what his role would look like with us.
My guess is the Cubs are going to move Bellinger to the Yankees now.
Kind of ballsy without trading Bellinger or Susuki, if not both. They are looking at PCA, Happ, Tucker, Susuki, and Tucker…..no big name DH so a rotation migth work. Maybe they have a deal in place.
Bellinger to the yankees as the next step has been largely rumored. Thats a huge stepdown from soto though, think the yankees need to pony up for tucker
Is that official? Rumor is Tucker for Paredes and Cam Smith. Quite a haul for 1 year of a guy.
I think Tucker is a Boras client. He’s not signing an extension before letting others bid on his services first.
I was reading hes likely to head to the open market next year after seeing what soto pulled. Wonder if the yankees are hesitant to lose two stars in a row after trading for them as a rental
Agreed. I don’t think they really have much left in their system after all the recent trades. And if I’m the Yankees, I’d just wait a year and try to sign him.
Rumor was the Astros wanted Gil, so they could also pay that price and sign Buehler which feels like another solid option to me
Good point
You mean like Soto making not much less than the Pirates payroll? Which revenue sharing probably covers? It's a joke.
Yeah and they’d be insane to give up that kinda return for a player with 1 of year of control, knowing you have zero chance of extending the guy. I’d be leery of two years of control even.
I’d also point out that we’d never get this return if we had to trade Tucker as teams would lowball us knowing we had to trade him.
Yep, one of the reasons I wanted the pirates to go after Crochet is that he's the rare 2 year of control that would have been very easy to extend 1 year and reasonably 2 or 3 with a decent offer.
Hopefully it falls through. The type of talent I’d rather stays out of the NL Central.