OnlyBucs

Theo Epstein: "It's getting to the point where we're likely to head back to Chicago without getting anything significant done."

League ownership and management has been pushing back the free agency process for several years. Remember a couple of seasons ago when the MLBPA was thinking about having a spring training for FA because guys weren't getting signed?

Well, we had a chance to grab a decent catcher in the Rule 5 but did not. I'm disappointed. With the 26-man roster, it would never have been easier to hide a third catcher.

4B616A5A6D7B7B77180 wrote: Well, we had a chance to grab a decent catcher in the Rule 5 but did not. I'm disappointed. With the 26-man roster, it would never have been easier to hide a third catcher.


Austin Romine signing with Detroit. Yep, another cheap decent option off the board. Castro or bust. Trying to figure out what our new GM is doing.

3121201701010D620 wrote: Well, we had a chance to grab a decent catcher in the Rule 5 but did not. I'm disappointed. With the 26-man roster, it would never have been easier to hide a third catcher.


Austin Romine signing with Detroit.  Yep, another cheap decent option off the board.  Castro or bust.  Trying to figure out what our new GM is doing.


BC is thinking, "What did I get myself into?"

Rob Biertempfel



In minor league phase of Rule 5 draft, Pirates take RHP Alex Aquino off Braves’ rookie affiliate



Aquino originally was an INF, switched to pitcher in 2017. Last season: 20 ip, 3.60 era, 0.85 whip, 3.2 bb/9, 9.9 k/9

4E7C70706456757C71747B7C1D0 wrote:

Rob Biertempfel



In minor league phase of Rule 5 draft, Pirates take RHP Alex Aquino off Braves’ rookie affiliate



Aquino originally was an INF, switched to pitcher in 2017. Last season: 20 ip, 3.60 era, 0.85 whip, 3.2 bb/9, 9.9 k/9


I'm not upset about this pick. At least we don't have a kid picked in the MLB portion that we would need to hide on the ML roster for the season. This kid looks to be a decent prospect and his success will depend on how new player development guys work with him.

537574637565160 wrote: Well, we had a chance to grab a decent catcher in the Rule 5 but did not. I'm disappointed. With the 26-man roster, it would never have been easier to hide a third catcher.


Austin Romine signing with Detroit.  Yep, another cheap decent option off the board.  Castro or bust.  Trying to figure out what our new GM is doing.


BC is thinking, "What did I get myself into?" 


I am a little surprised they did not make a move during the Meetings, but BC may be a GM who wants to consider all his options before he pulls the trigger. He doesn’t want to make a trade just to make a deal. I think before Christmas there will be at least one trade.

I'm surprised the Pirates didn't draft someone in the major league phase of Rule 5. A team that's in a rebuild and not worried about competing can afford to add a Rule 5 player and keep him on the roster for a year. There's really nothing to lose in that instance. It just seems that so far this new regime is aggressively pursuing the avoidance of any and all player moves.

694449585F4E59191A2B0 wrote: I'm surprised the Pirates didn't draft someone in the major league phase of Rule 5. A team that's in a rebuild and not worried about competing can afford to add a Rule 5 player and keep him on the roster for a year. There's really nothing to lose in that instance. It just seems that so far this new regime is aggressively pursuing the avoidance of any and all player moves.


I wonder if they had their eyes on one of the players picked in front of them. Otherwise it only matters if there was someone left that they think is better (or has a lot more potential) than someone already on the 40 man roster. Its hard to believe they didn't find someone.



On the other hand, they prepared well in not losing anyone in the major league portion.