Weekly Mailbag: Rotation questions, Ohtani signing, Endy Rodriguez implications

Another edition of our weekly mailbag

Zack: If you had to place a bet, who would you bank on making the most major league starts in 2024 from this group? Roansy, Ortiz, Priester, or Burrows.

If we are going the betting route, in terms of ‘safe picks, ’ it’d go in this order - Roansy, Ortiz, Priester, Burrows. Roansy is out of options, so unless he completely tanks in Spring Training, he’s on the roster and how it’s currently set up as a starter.

If I am betting, I’ll put my money on Ortiz. I think he’s the closest of the group to being an actual major league starter, and if he comes to camp in shape, he’ll probably win a spot.

Priester needs some work, and I’d probably have him second. Roansy, I’m good with shifting to the bullpen now. Burrows is intriguing, but I don’t know what kind of timeline we are dealing with, so I don’t think he’ll be close to what the others do.

I wouldn’t even be opposed to throwing him in the bullpen at this point with his injury history, which I’m not sure if that’s talked about enough.

AdminSky236: What was your reaction to the Ohtani signing? I’m talking immediate facial expressions hearing the bomb of 10/$700?

I was playing NBA 2K when that happened. I got an ESPN alert, saw the amount, and nearly dropped my controller. I knew it’d break the record, I didn’t realize it’d be by that much.

What superpower would you most like and why? What would be most useful in your work life vs daily life?

Seeing as I’ve sold cell phones for the past seven years, I’d imagine some power of persuasion would be at the top of the list. Although, if you talked to me during my peak days at T-Mobile, I’d argue I already had that.

As far as daily life, the thing that would probably completely change my life is the ability not to get distracted so easily. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in the middle of writing, I’ll stop to check my phone, and before you know it, I’m three hours deep in a completely unrelated and completely different project.

Either that or just the ability to shut my brain off at the end of the night so I’m not looking at my ceiling for two hours.

I’m a man of basic needs; I don’t need super speed and am petrified of heights, so flying is out of the question. I want to cut back on the ‘Oh look, a squirrel’ moments.

Bob: Is it possible that we could sign a pitcher like Wacha or Flaherty? Would BC be allowed to spend as necessary? Ten years ago, we could sign Liriano and then Volquez. I believe Liriano was $12 million a year for three years. We need to spend an equivalent amount now. That should net us a decent pitcher, but I don’t see any indication that we are willing to spend.

Of course, it is possible. I hate to constantly feel like I’m defending the ownership/front office, but also, I feel like if they weren’t at least going to try, there would be no reason to hand out $100 million to Bryan Reynolds.

They could have traded him and just started the cycle over.

It’s the middle of December. If we are still where we are in late January/February, then it will be time to hit the panic button.

George: With Endy getting hurt in the winter league, is that affiliated with the MLB? What’s the benefit to the Pirates having their young players on the MLB roster play in the winter leagues when injuries like this can occur? Also, I know Endy isn’t making much, but does that injury in a different league affect what the Pirates owe him this year?

As far as I know, there is zero affiliation between the Winter Leagues and the MLB. So there is always a risk, but generally, it’s an excellent way to get some extra work in live game situations.

Having someone like Rodriguez go instead of a minor leaguer seems like much more of a risk. For a prospect, it’s an excellent way to get extra work and build momentum going into the season (plus, I’m sure, an added way to get paid in the off-season).

Ethan could probably give the exact breakdown when it comes to the last part, but since he was pre-arbitration, it won’t change too much as far as what he will get paid.

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Every Monday during the offseason, we will be doing a mailbag article. Please send in your questions to have them answered! Either comment below with ‘mailbag’ entered in the message or email us at bucsondeckqa@gmail.com.

I look forward to answering what you guys have!

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