When I was a kid, could throw darts from the outfield. My manager thought it would translate to pitching. Could not find the plate from the mound. Gave my catcher a hell of a workout. Threw on both sides of the batter. Never got an out and gave up like 3 or 4 runs and left the mound with bases still loaded. Lol!
I feel it is a very short leash. Since he is a good defender he should still get some ABs against lefties just because it is either too early in the game to burn a bench player or his defense is more important that an at bat (Pirates are winning!). Part of me has almost reached the point where his opportunity against a random lefty comes when they choose to leave him vs. starting him vs. a lefty.
I am actually getting colder at that idea as I look more at his stats. He is a platoon option at best and did have a resurgence last year but was actually pretty bad the two previous years. I am probably biased by all the years his contract was considered bad even though he was still a decent (not worth his contract) player. I just feel that he is more likely to be 2021-22 Heyward than 2023 and that would be a hard pass for me.
Nobody off limits. I don't see how logically anybody can be untouchable with the obvious caveat - the return. I wouldn't trade any top (however each of us may define that) prospect for a one year fix. Skenes would need a boatload but what if Nationals said we will give you Crews and Wood (or House) because they make a crazy playoff run and need the late season pitcher. Of course not happening... but you always answer the phone.
Signing a 24-year-old former top prospect that can at minimum provide decent D in CF is a good depth move. Losing Marcano and adding Celestino feels a bit like rearranging deck chairs but we come out slightly ahead because it's a minor league deal and he's healthy or healthier.
Adding Braxton Ashcraft (sitting 95-97 with two decent breaking balls late in the year) adds to what was already a ton of homegrown depth and flexibility on their pitching staff, and that’s before considering that Paul Skenes, Thomas Harrington, Jared Jones and other non-40 man occupants could be swiftly on their way. I think Pittsburgh is going to be in the thick of a very entertaining four- or five-team NL Central race next year, but whether they become actual contenders across the next two or three years will depend on how many of these youngsters become high-end impact players like the Braves and Phillies have up and down their lineups.
"The Pirates’ time could be nigh. They still need a mashing corner outfield upgrade to the incumbent Connor Joe/Joshua Palacios platoon (it might ultimately be Oneil Cruz, depending on how mobile he is returning from injury), but otherwise the players currently on their roster are young guys who have mostly been evaluated pretty strongly here at FanGraphs, and now it’s time for them to sink or swim at the big league level as a group."
I agree that if we can get that mashing corner OF (or 1B if they keep Davis in RF) and 2-3 pitchers to bridge to when those pitchers he mentions are ready, then we will be part of the NL Central race.
I think the brass believes that Davis is the RF masher. I'm guessing they bring in Telez to platoon with Joe. Palacios will be the 4th OFer. Triolo and Peguero battle it out in ST for the 2b job. They'll sign a couple arms to fill out the rotation and hope the rooks from last year improve enough to be competitive.
This sounds incredibly close to accurate on the position player front. Not exactly inspiring (with the Twins looking to cut salary I’d call them on Kepler for one) but I don’t expect anything.
I’d like them both. They’re reasonable salaries for short time and decent players. Of course that qualification isn’t really in play here. Neither would cost much as well.
St. Louis must be aiming for one of the top free agent pitchers (Yamamoto?). They just signed Kyle Gibson, with Lynn they have to be aiming for another front of the rotation arm.
Yep, they have to be aiming for one of the frontline starters now. The two they signed will eat between 320 and 360 innings in the back of their rotation though at $23 million.
I wonder if they're going to try trading for Cease or put up another $25+/- million for a top arm.
I got either the cards or dodgers getting Cease. Cards with a slight edge due to finishing last place…they have young guys like Walker & Gorman as well as prospect capital to pull it off. They possibly could pull it off without including Walker.
I can see them going after Cease, they have the players to make a trade work. I think they're the dark horse candidate to land Yamamoto, I really hope they don't get either.
Not sure if their choice of guys are two that i would have targeted or not, but i would feel so much better if we had been aggressive and snagged a few vet starters already
I'd like it if they got one inning eating vet signed or a high upside rebound starter signed. The mid tier arms will start signing soon, really hope we get one, before they're gone lol.
With that strong of an arm, let's get him on the mound in winter ball. Coach him up.
When I was a kid, could throw darts from the outfield. My manager thought it would translate to pitching. Could not find the plate from the mound. Gave my catcher a hell of a workout. Threw on both sides of the batter. Never got an out and gave up like 3 or 4 runs and left the mound with bases still loaded. Lol!
Anthony Gose 2.0
Hank already hit two bombs of shohei, who says he couldnt strike him out twice too
Jason Motte. Sean Doolittle. Kenley Jansen.
How much rope should Jack get to prove he can hit lefties?
I feel it is a very short leash. Since he is a good defender he should still get some ABs against lefties just because it is either too early in the game to burn a bench player or his defense is more important that an at bat (Pirates are winning!). Part of me has almost reached the point where his opportunity against a random lefty comes when they choose to leave him vs. starting him vs. a lefty.
is a righty/lefty right field platoon of Hank and Jack that absurd?
As long as Hank is also in the lineup against righties as a catcher or DH then in many ways that works. That leaves one outfield position open.
yes - I am warming up to this idea of Jason Heyward in center field
I am actually getting colder at that idea as I look more at his stats. He is a platoon option at best and did have a resurgence last year but was actually pretty bad the two previous years. I am probably biased by all the years his contract was considered bad even though he was still a decent (not worth his contract) player. I just feel that he is more likely to be 2021-22 Heyward than 2023 and that would be a hard pass for me.
didnt realize he is a left handed hitter like jack
had heard some where he is still good with the glove
How about those St Louis Cardinals not wasting any time...
let go round the horn and everybody say the highest ranking prospect their willing to relinquish in trade
Anyone can be got! Hank, Termarr and Bubba for Lou Bob.
Nobody off limits. I don't see how logically anybody can be untouchable with the obvious caveat - the return. I wouldn't trade any top (however each of us may define that) prospect for a one year fix. Skenes would need a boatload but what if Nationals said we will give you Crews and Wood (or House) because they make a crazy playoff run and need the late season pitcher. Of course not happening... but you always answer the phone.
Chavez Ravine, or how about Cantina...5-4-3
All are on the table, but the haul for Skenes would be enormous. Bubba would be huge. Solo and Termarr would be a lot.
The only one I wouldn't trade is Skenes.
not Skenes, Termarr or Bubba. There are others I wouldn't trade unless it is someone really good.
Nobody off limits
me: nothing higher than Harringon / Cheng
Signing a 24-year-old former top prospect that can at minimum provide decent D in CF is a good depth move. Losing Marcano and adding Celestino feels a bit like rearranging deck chairs but we come out slightly ahead because it's a minor league deal and he's healthy or healthier.
There's this...
Adding Braxton Ashcraft (sitting 95-97 with two decent breaking balls late in the year) adds to what was already a ton of homegrown depth and flexibility on their pitching staff, and that’s before considering that Paul Skenes, Thomas Harrington, Jared Jones and other non-40 man occupants could be swiftly on their way. I think Pittsburgh is going to be in the thick of a very entertaining four- or five-team NL Central race next year, but whether they become actual contenders across the next two or three years will depend on how many of these youngsters become high-end impact players like the Braves and Phillies have up and down their lineups.
The first part of the piece by Longenhagen:
"The Pirates’ time could be nigh. They still need a mashing corner outfield upgrade to the incumbent Connor Joe/Joshua Palacios platoon (it might ultimately be Oneil Cruz, depending on how mobile he is returning from injury), but otherwise the players currently on their roster are young guys who have mostly been evaluated pretty strongly here at FanGraphs, and now it’s time for them to sink or swim at the big league level as a group."
I agree that if we can get that mashing corner OF (or 1B if they keep Davis in RF) and 2-3 pitchers to bridge to when those pitchers he mentions are ready, then we will be part of the NL Central race.
Link?
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/40-man-roster-deadline-reaction-and-analysis-national-league/
nice, thanks man.
I think the brass believes that Davis is the RF masher. I'm guessing they bring in Telez to platoon with Joe. Palacios will be the 4th OFer. Triolo and Peguero battle it out in ST for the 2b job. They'll sign a couple arms to fill out the rotation and hope the rooks from last year improve enough to be competitive.
This sounds incredibly close to accurate on the position player front. Not exactly inspiring (with the Twins looking to cut salary I’d call them on Kepler for one) but I don’t expect anything.
Personally, I'd target Polanco...but, they'll balk at the 10M+ salary.
I’d like them both. They’re reasonable salaries for short time and decent players. Of course that qualification isn’t really in play here. Neither would cost much as well.
St. Louis must be aiming for one of the top free agent pitchers (Yamamoto?). They just signed Kyle Gibson, with Lynn they have to be aiming for another front of the rotation arm.
idk, but 36-year-olds Lynn and Gibson hardly move the needle for them.
Yep, they have to be aiming for one of the frontline starters now. The two they signed will eat between 320 and 360 innings in the back of their rotation though at $23 million.
I wonder if they're going to try trading for Cease or put up another $25+/- million for a top arm.
I got either the cards or dodgers getting Cease. Cards with a slight edge due to finishing last place…they have young guys like Walker & Gorman as well as prospect capital to pull it off. They possibly could pull it off without including Walker.
I can see them going after Cease, they have the players to make a trade work. I think they're the dark horse candidate to land Yamamoto, I really hope they don't get either.
Not sure if their choice of guys are two that i would have targeted or not, but i would feel so much better if we had been aggressive and snagged a few vet starters already
I'd like it if they got one inning eating vet signed or a high upside rebound starter signed. The mid tier arms will start signing soon, really hope we get one, before they're gone lol.
Not opposed to the signing, but he should be looked at as a depth option, not a platoon option for Jack.
Cherington found his Jaff Decker...
Knew a dude named Geoff. Always confused me.
Haven't thought of that dude in a while.
Geoffrey.
god i hate that name
I always figured it was supposed to be "Chaff" and got misspelled.
ahahahaha
It's not a name. It's spelled Jeff or Geoff.
Now that I think of it, I believe it's some type of family name.
Good D in center, can take a walk & right handed. You had me until 'reverse splits'. Banished to Indy lol
That was literally how it went for me when I was digging through his stuff.
I was like ‘WOW, they found the perfect guy’ then got to the splits and was ‘oh’
Same. I do like that whether AAA depth or 5th outfielder, he can legitimately play CF.
Same. Pirates lack that in the upper levels.
Sounds like a AAAA player. Gorkys Hernandez with a bit of plate discipline?
I thought maybe one thing the Pirates needed less of was guys who can't hit, lol.