Did not see it mentioned anywhere, but nice to see Jordan Luplow doing well in ST for the Braves. An OPS of .939. And out of the same box score, Jarred Kelenic with a .243 OPS (2 for 30).
Connor Joe in CF? Fangraphs has him 40 in speed and 40 in fielding. Lots of CF's are slow - not getting to the balls is a good way to avoid errors! I liked the comment about RH hitting Center Fielder (a Center Fielder by MLB experience) Gilberto Celestino leading the team in number of hits.
Sorry if this was posted elsewhere but just came across it. Can't say I ever was there when it was a full house besides an opening day. Would have loved to be there for those few playoff games.
Was lucky enough to be there for all three wild card games... the blackout in 2013 will very likely be far above any other sporting event that I ever attend. This city deserves a good baseball team to fill up that park
I totally agree. I remember in those years making the trip home to Pittsburgh from Charleston, SC and thinking how many more Bucs fans there was when I left in 2008. My Charlestonian wife was impressed by how much black and gold was being worn by the general population. Had to explain the Clemente, Stargell, and other t-shirt jersey's were no longer on the team. Or for the most part alive.
CSN over Palacios? Let’s compare notes, Palacios destroyed AAA and had his moments in the bigs, CSN had a good, above average run in AAA and struggled in the bigs, Palacios is a better fielder and better at filling out the role of 4th outfielder/pinch hitter than CSN, hands down in my opinion.
Palacios hasn’t played much at all this spring. I think that may be why he’s leaning CSN. I agree Palacios is probably better served as the 4th outfielder than CSN.
I don’t think he has options left, so unless they are able to place him on the IL or take a chance that he might get through waiver, especially at the end of ST when so many players are exposed. Bottom line, we are talking about players that are barely average at best.
Palacios had his heroic moments and seems to be able to come off the bench and hit where other ball players need to play every day. I think Smith-Njigba's defense is better than what people think. I also think Smith-Njiba's ceiling is much higher than Palacios. If we need a 4th outfielder, I agree with you keep Palacios and send down CSN. If we have a starting outfielder get hurt, I would consider bringing up CSN for regular at bats (if he was still raking in the minors.)
Don't really have a preference for the backup catcher yet, but leaning to Delay if Grandal is unavailable. Leaning Palacios as a left handed bench bat 4th outfielder.
Makes way too much sense. If Olivares goes down to AAA, will he still be paid his MLB Salary? I doubt that Grandal can be ready in 2 weeks unless he has been running and hitting every day - probably start the season on the DL, and possibly the same for Palacios.
I think Olivares is out of options, and they agreed to a contract, so if he was not claimed by another team the pirates would be on the hook for his salary. Much like Andujar last year when he made it through the first time.
It's the only reason in the world that I can think of to acquire him when the Pirates had Palacios, Joe, Andujar, and CSN on the 40-man at the end of last season. The motivation to acquire Olivares will forever remain, I suppose, one of the many mysteries of this off-season.
After watching him hit this spring, I hope he is being considered an option or depth. Just have a feeling they have already penciled him in as the starting RFer.
Have the Pirates said anything about their plans for the CF backup this season? Seems like they are cementing Jack to have the bulk of the playing time this year.
I don't think they know lol. They've been putting Joe, Olivares, McKinney and Celestino out in center. Celestino is the only above average defender out there. Of course Bae has an injury and options.
Cutch mentioned it, and Cherington seemed inclined to have Shelton put him in the field from time to time, so it is possible that he will see some time in RF.
I thought you were looking for him to be a full time starter out there. If he gets 20 or less starts in RF, I’m good with that. I don’t see a way for him to perform well at the plate while being asked to play RF along with a higher risk for injury.
I'm just trying to find a way to put the best hitters on the field and have competent defense at 1B and SS... you know... like most teams would. It's hard to do that though with the hodge podge of players that Cherington acquired in the offseason who fit no need and nowhere.
What MLB team is trying to play a 37 year old every day in the outfield? Lol. All I was saying is I don’t see a scenario where Cutch is playing regularly in the outfield. Those days are in the past.
I like this roster but I'd almost prefer that CSN starts in AAA getting regular ABs and then get called up if/when Palacios and/or Oliveras struggles. I definitely would not DFA CSN, so keeping someone already on the 40-man makes more sense than Celestino or McKinney even though they've done more to deserve a roster spot. If CSN is rostered, he needs to be starting 4-5 times per week--maybe 3 starts in RF, one to spell Reynolds in LF, and one as a DH.
Did not see it mentioned anywhere, but nice to see Jordan Luplow doing well in ST for the Braves. An OPS of .939. And out of the same box score, Jarred Kelenic with a .243 OPS (2 for 30).
An add, Osvaldo Bido was sent down to AAA earlier this week. A high ERA, but not many innings thrown.
Connor Joe in CF? Fangraphs has him 40 in speed and 40 in fielding. Lots of CF's are slow - not getting to the balls is a good way to avoid errors! I liked the comment about RH hitting Center Fielder (a Center Fielder by MLB experience) Gilberto Celestino leading the team in number of hits.
Termarr, Brannigan reassigned. CSN and Selby optioned to Indy, Cheng to Altoona.
I think Brannigan will be the next Jared Triolo. Excellent defensive skills at 3B, SS, 2B
Seems like 26th man is now down to Bae, Gonzalez, and Celestino. Palacios missed too much time and has options.
https://triblive.com/sports/usa-today-ranks-pnc-park-as-mlbs-best-ballpark/
Sorry if this was posted elsewhere but just came across it. Can't say I ever was there when it was a full house besides an opening day. Would have loved to be there for those few playoff games.
Was lucky enough to be there for all three wild card games... the blackout in 2013 will very likely be far above any other sporting event that I ever attend. This city deserves a good baseball team to fill up that park
I totally agree. I remember in those years making the trip home to Pittsburgh from Charleston, SC and thinking how many more Bucs fans there was when I left in 2008. My Charlestonian wife was impressed by how much black and gold was being worn by the general population. Had to explain the Clemente, Stargell, and other t-shirt jersey's were no longer on the team. Or for the most part alive.
CSN over Palacios? Let’s compare notes, Palacios destroyed AAA and had his moments in the bigs, CSN had a good, above average run in AAA and struggled in the bigs, Palacios is a better fielder and better at filling out the role of 4th outfielder/pinch hitter than CSN, hands down in my opinion.
Palacios hasn’t played much at all this spring. I think that may be why he’s leaning CSN. I agree Palacios is probably better served as the 4th outfielder than CSN.
I don’t think he has options left, so unless they are able to place him on the IL or take a chance that he might get through waiver, especially at the end of ST when so many players are exposed. Bottom line, we are talking about players that are barely average at best.
Palacios has one option.
Palacios had his heroic moments and seems to be able to come off the bench and hit where other ball players need to play every day. I think Smith-Njigba's defense is better than what people think. I also think Smith-Njiba's ceiling is much higher than Palacios. If we need a 4th outfielder, I agree with you keep Palacios and send down CSN. If we have a starting outfielder get hurt, I would consider bringing up CSN for regular at bats (if he was still raking in the minors.)
The starting lineup I'd like to see.
1) Cutch dh
2) Reynolds lf
3) Cruz ss
4) Hayes 3rd
5) Suwinski rf
6) Davis c
7) Tellez 1st
8) Peguero 2nd
9) Celestino cf
Super Utility Triolo (plays a lot)
Backup catcher Ali Sanchez, Delay or Grandal
1st/outfield Joe
4th outfielder Palacios or Olivares
Don't really have a preference for the backup catcher yet, but leaning to Delay if Grandal is unavailable. Leaning Palacios as a left handed bench bat 4th outfielder.
Makes way too much sense. If Olivares goes down to AAA, will he still be paid his MLB Salary? I doubt that Grandal can be ready in 2 weeks unless he has been running and hitting every day - probably start the season on the DL, and possibly the same for Palacios.
I think Olivares is out of options, and they agreed to a contract, so if he was not claimed by another team the pirates would be on the hook for his salary. Much like Andujar last year when he made it through the first time.
Olivares has 1 option left, which was his only real selling point.
That's good to know, thanks.
It's the only reason in the world that I can think of to acquire him when the Pirates had Palacios, Joe, Andujar, and CSN on the 40-man at the end of last season. The motivation to acquire Olivares will forever remain, I suppose, one of the many mysteries of this off-season.
After watching him hit this spring, I hope he is being considered an option or depth. Just have a feeling they have already penciled him in as the starting RFer.
Have the Pirates said anything about their plans for the CF backup this season? Seems like they are cementing Jack to have the bulk of the playing time this year.
Suwinski is definitely their guy for CF, I'd rather sacrifice some power for better defense and potentially on base ability.
I hear ya. I wonder if they are ok with B Rey playing a little CF or maybe that gives Bae and Celestino an upper hand to land a bench spot.
I don't think they know lol. They've been putting Joe, Olivares, McKinney and Celestino out in center. Celestino is the only above average defender out there. Of course Bae has an injury and options.
The lineup that I would like to see...
1) Cutch RF
2) Reynolds LF
3) Cruz 3B
4) Hayes SS
5) Suwinski CF
6) Davis C
7) Triolo 2B
8) Tellez DH
9) Player acquired in trade 1B
Can we packaged a few guys to land Schanuel lol
Cutch will tear that Achilles tendon if he is asked to play the outfield on a regular basis.
Cutch mentioned it, and Cherington seemed inclined to have Shelton put him in the field from time to time, so it is possible that he will see some time in RF.
I thought you were looking for him to be a full time starter out there. If he gets 20 or less starts in RF, I’m good with that. I don’t see a way for him to perform well at the plate while being asked to play RF along with a higher risk for injury.
I'm just trying to find a way to put the best hitters on the field and have competent defense at 1B and SS... you know... like most teams would. It's hard to do that though with the hodge podge of players that Cherington acquired in the offseason who fit no need and nowhere.
What MLB team is trying to play a 37 year old every day in the outfield? Lol. All I was saying is I don’t see a scenario where Cutch is playing regularly in the outfield. Those days are in the past.
The perfect lineup composition involves jack hitting 5th!
Yep, until proven otherwise lol
I like this roster but I'd almost prefer that CSN starts in AAA getting regular ABs and then get called up if/when Palacios and/or Oliveras struggles. I definitely would not DFA CSN, so keeping someone already on the 40-man makes more sense than Celestino or McKinney even though they've done more to deserve a roster spot. If CSN is rostered, he needs to be starting 4-5 times per week--maybe 3 starts in RF, one to spell Reynolds in LF, and one as a DH.