2024 Off-Season Thread

[3pirates3]

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2025-zips-p ... gh-pirates

https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/1882158233093345534

https://x.com/martinonyc/status/1882523213844123989

[fjk090852-7]

Profar is signing with the Braves, even though he was not on the Pirates radar. It would now seem that the next level of free agent outfielders, such as Verdugo and Grischok will be signed over the next few days. If the Pirates have had discussions with either of them they better soon hammer out an agreement because if not it will be time to check those dumpsters.

[Doc]

Profar is signing with the Braves, even though he was not on the Pirates radar. It would now seem that the next level of free agent outfielders, such as Verdugo and Grischok will be signed over the next few days. If the Pirates have had discussions with either of them they better soon hammer out an agreement because if not it will be time to check those dumpsters.

As each day goes by, it’s looking more and more like Jack Suwinski or Nick Yorke or Endy Rodriquez, or someone else on the roster who doesn’t come to mind, will man RF. It’s what we should’ve expected from the start. Now we won’t be able to complain that BC was in those dumpsters you mentioned.

[fjk090852-7]

Profar is signing with the Braves, even though he was not on the Pirates radar. It would now seem that the next level of free agent outfielders, such as Verdugo and Grischok will be signed over the next few days. If the Pirates have had discussions with either of them they better soon hammer out an agreement because if not it will be time to check those dumpsters.

As each day goes by, it’s looking more and more like Jack Suwinski or Nick Yorke or Endy Rodriquez, or someone else on the roster who doesn’t come to mind, will man RF. It’s what we should’ve expected from the start. Now we won’t be able to complain that BC was in those dumpsters you mentioned.

I know what you are saying, but I still hope they bring in a more established player. I do like Endy, and Yorke, but both have very little MLB experience, and if they can’t become good enough players the Pirates lose another season. I know I am beating a dead horse, but take advantage of the young pitchers while they are making peanuts when compared with salaries of established pitchers who may not be as good. This is the Pirates best window since the 2013 - 2015 seasons. I am not asking for much, but how about a platoon of Verdugo and Cook, or Grichuk and Suwinski/Palacios. In my opinion either one of those platoons would extend the lineup, and would make the team better.

[Doc]

Profar is signing with the Braves, even though he was not on the Pirates radar. It would now seem that the next level of free agent outfielders, such as Verdugo and Grischok will be signed over the next few days. If the Pirates have had discussions with either of them they better soon hammer out an agreement because if not it will be time to check those dumpsters.

As each day goes by, it’s looking more and more like Jack Suwinski or Nick Yorke or Endy Rodriquez, or someone else on the roster who doesn’t come to mind, will man RF. It’s what we should’ve expected from the start. Now we won’t be able to complain that BC was in those dumpsters you mentioned.

I know what you are saying, but I still hope they bring in a more established player. I do like Endy, and Yorke, but both have very little MLB experience, and if they can’t become good enough players the Pirates lose another season. I know I am beating a dead horse, but take advantage of the young pitchers while they are making peanuts when compared with salaries of established pitchers who may not be as good. This is the Pirates best window since the 2013 - 2015 seasons. I am not asking for much, but how about a platoon of Verdugo and Cook, or Grichuk and Suwinski/Palacios. In my opinion either one of those platoons would extend the lineup, and would make the team better.

I know that you have hope that the players you mentioned will suddenly turn into really good players, but hope isn’t a plan. The team needs a legit, reliable 30+ HR hitter in the line-up. Suwinski was looking like that player two years ago but, after last season, can we count on that in ‘25? We need reliability. We need long term, proven success. Santander was available for a price that was easily affordable. The Pirates passed. That tells us all we need to know.

[JollyRoger8]

Profar is signing with the Braves, even though he was not on the Pirates radar. It would now seem that the next level of free agent outfielders, such as Verdugo and Grischok will be signed over the next few days. If the Pirates have had discussions with either of them they better soon hammer out an agreement because if not it will be time to check those dumpsters.

As each day goes by, it’s looking more and more like Jack Suwinski or Nick Yorke or Endy Rodriquez, or someone else on the roster who doesn’t come to mind, will man RF. It’s what we should’ve expected from the start. Now we won’t be able to complain that BC was in those dumpsters you mentioned.

I know what you are saying, but I still hope they bring in a more established player. I do like Endy, and Yorke, but both have very little MLB experience, and if they can’t become good enough players the Pirates lose another season. I know I am beating a dead horse, but take advantage of the young pitchers while they are making peanuts when compared with salaries of established pitchers who may not be as good. This is the Pirates best window since the 2013 - 2015 seasons. I am not asking for much, but how about a platoon of Verdugo and Cook, or Grichuk and Suwinski/Palacios. In my opinion either one of those platoons would extend the lineup, and would make the team better.

Agree with your post. Adding a Grichuk or Verdugo will provide mor flexibility and extend the lineup for very little cost. But as Doc states below, the FO whiffed on Santander who could have been had with a reasonable contract by today’s standards. The problem is that I can’t see any free agents of good value wanting to commit to Pittsburgh given how we treated Tellez and the overall miserly approach that has been taken. The Pirates need to realize that they will have to “overpay” to get anyone of value. They keep waiting for the price to drop which will inevitably lead them to the yearly dumpster dive.

[Doc]

As each day goes by, it’s looking more and more like Jack Suwinski or Nick Yorke or Endy Rodriquez, or someone else on the roster who doesn’t come to mind, will man RF. It’s what we should’ve expected from the start. Now we won’t be able to complain that BC was in those dumpsters you mentioned.

I know what you are saying, but I still hope they bring in a more established player. I do like Endy, and Yorke, but both have very little MLB experience, and if they can’t become good enough players the Pirates lose another season. I know I am beating a dead horse, but take advantage of the young pitchers while they are making peanuts when compared with salaries of established pitchers who may not be as good. This is the Pirates best window since the 2013 - 2015 seasons. I am not asking for much, but how about a platoon of Verdugo and Cook, or Grichuk and Suwinski/Palacios. In my opinion either one of those platoons would extend the lineup, and would make the team better.

Agree with your post. Adding a Grichuk or Verdugo will provide mor flexibility and extend the lineup for very little cost. But as Doc states below, the FO whiffed on Santander who could have been had with a reasonable contract by today’s standards. The problem is that I can’t see any free agents of good value wanting to commit to Pittsburgh given how we treated Tellez and the overall miserly approach that has been taken. The Pirates need to realize that they will have to “overpay” to get anyone of value. They keep waiting for the price to drop which will inevitably lead them to the yearly dumpster dive.

That's been the strategy since 2016, and what's it gotten the team? One lousy winning season. No where close to a playoff season. Mostly bad to mediocre baseball. It must be that they want it that way. I just wish they'd stop saying that they're trying to win. Just don't say anything at all.

[Bobster]

I would be shocked if the Pirates had even been on Santander's radar.

[fjk090852-7]

As we get closer to ST players like Verdugo and Grichuk remain as free agents. I know they were not the most desirable free agents, but if the Pirates continue to wait and not sign one of these players they are going to waste an opportunity. Maybe rather than signing a free agent they have been working on a trade, but as fans we don’t know that. In my opinion it is too risky to rely on the players on the current roster, or those players invited to ST to fill that open outfield position. I might be wrong because maybe Cook, Yorke, Palacios or even Suwinski will capably fill the position, but if they don’t there is a huge hole in the lineup. Like many posters have mentioned as long as Bob is making money why compete for the postseason?

[Bobster]

As we get closer to ST players like Verdugo and Grichuk remain as free agents. I know they were not the most desirable free agents, but if the Pirates continue to wait and not sign one of these players they are going to waste an opportunity. Maybe rather than signing a free agent they have been working on a trade, but as fans we don’t know that. In my opinion it is too risky to rely on the players on the current roster, or those players invited to ST to fill that open outfield position. I might be wrong because maybe Cook, Yorke, Palacios or even Suwinski will capably fill the position, but if they don’t there is a huge hole in the lineup. Like many posters have mentioned as long as Bob is making money why compete for the postseason?

I hate to say it but Cook, Yorke, Palacios or even Suwinski might be better options. Verdugo and Grichuk aren't difference makers. They're both decent. Either would make the team's hitting less bad. But neither will propel the team over the hump. If that's all Nutting/Cherington are looking for, then they are already punting on the season (as the inactivity of this offseason has suggested). So why not see if Cook, Yorke, Palacios or even Suwinski might not be able to do as much or more? If the team was completive and just 1 decent bat away, then go for the 2nd or 3rd tier FAs. But since acquiring impact players is verboten, they might as well see if someone like Cook or Yorke (or the other 2) can develop into a difference maker.