Doc wrote: ↑Tue Nov 26, 2024 10:09 pm
My initial thought as to why they didn’t offer De La Cruz a contract is that, first, they didn’t want to pay him and, second, he failed miserably here. Money was the first consideration. It always will be. Maybe you’re right, that the Pirates will sign a legit guy to play right field. But until they actually do it, I won’t be excited by the possibility. I’ve been disappointed too many times.
I agree, Doc. If we're being realistic, we can't expect them to sign or trade for a legitimately productive guy to play RF. It's just not how they operate. Part of releasing Joe and De La Cruz is to offset raises for Bednar and arb eligible players Oviedo, Falter, Santana, Holderman and Bart. So the payroll is going up without adding a big bat. They haven't given up on Suwinski, and Yorke and Cook will be part of the OF equation.
If a good hitting RFer was the missing piece on a team otherwise ready to contend, I'd be disappointed if they didn't add one. But the Pirates aren't there yet. I think they'd be thrilled to win 81 games next year. So there might be more value in giving unproven players an opportunity than in adding a short-term bat. And they won't pay for one anyway. The Pirates are set in their ways and restricted by self-imposed financial constraints that prevent them from operating any differently. So all we can realistically hope for is success in the methods they utilize.
I am going to be optimistic and say they will bring a legitimate hitter or two on board. They know what they have with Skenes, and they are not going to waste the opportunity of him leading the rotation. Sure, maybe Hague will help a couple of the existing players, but they will also have a backup plan.
I would like to be as optimistic as you are but what they’ve done in the past is more of an indication as to what they’ll do in the future. What they say they’re going to do has become meaningless. They stopped trying to win after the 2015 season. Mediocrity is the only thing they’re good at because it’s the one thing they put the most effort into being.
I am not sure I trust the Bucco brain trust as to what a legitimate hitter is. I think somebody like Bryan Reynolds but the Pirates think Rowdy Tellez.
Yeah, it makes one wonder who’s doing the player evaluations.
Doc wrote: ↑Tue Nov 26, 2024 10:09 pm
My initial thought as to why they didn’t offer De La Cruz a contract is that, first, they didn’t want to pay him and, second, he failed miserably here. Money was the first consideration. It always will be. Maybe you’re right, that the Pirates will sign a legit guy to play right field. But until they actually do it, I won’t be excited by the possibility. I’ve been disappointed too many times.
I agree, Doc. If we're being realistic, we can't expect them to sign or trade for a legitimately productive guy to play RF. It's just not how they operate. Part of releasing Joe and De La Cruz is to offset raises for Bednar and arb eligible players Oviedo, Falter, Santana, Holderman and Bart. So the payroll is going up without adding a big bat. They haven't given up on Suwinski, and Yorke and Cook will be part of the OF equation.
If a good hitting RFer was the missing piece on a team otherwise ready to contend, I'd be disappointed if they didn't add one. But the Pirates aren't there yet. I think they'd be thrilled to win 81 games next year. So there might be more value in giving unproven players an opportunity than in adding a short-term bat. And they won't pay for one anyway. The Pirates are set in their ways and restricted by self-imposed financial constraints that prevent them from operating any differently. So all we can realistically hope for is success in the methods they utilize.
Sadly, the next time the Pirates have success in the methods they utilize will be the first time.
Doc wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 11:44 am
MLB.com is reporting that the Dodgers have signed Blake Snell to a five year, $182 million contract.
Another reason why I hate the Dodgers!
I get why anyone would hate the Dodgers, Yankees, etc because of what they do, but they're just playing by the current rules. It's the rules that I hate and what make the possibilities and opportunities to compete so uneven.
Im on a 2 week break from sports and I have not missed it. That includes two Steelers games ! Thought I should sneak a peek and see if Bucs snagged up Bregman on a reasonable 3-year deal. Seems I haven't missed anything. Joc Pederson could be fun !
PooperScooper ! wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 2:14 pm
Im on a 2 week break from sports and I have not missed it. That includes two Steelers games ! Thought I should sneak a peek and see if Bucs snagged up Bregman on a reasonable 3-year deal. Seems I haven't missed anything. Joc Pederson could be fun !
If the past is any indication, you can take another three month break and still not miss anything Pirates-related.
Doc wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2024 11:44 am
MLB.com is reporting that the Dodgers have signed Blake Snell to a five year, $182 million contract.
Another reason why I hate the Dodgers!
I get why anyone would hate the Dodgers, Yankees, etc because of what they do, but they're just playing by the current rules. It's the rules that I hate and what make the possibilities and opportunities to compete so uneven.
I certainly don't hate the teams that spend (even those that spend ludicrously), I hate the owners who don't play by that same set of rules and screw their fans, cities, and players by choosing to game the system and take the revenue sharing money and don't even try to improve their respective team's situation. There are more than just Nutting who do exactly that.