OnlyBucs

292E38303E296E621B3C363A3237753834365B0 wrote: The worse thing that could happen now, for the Pirates,is for Jung Ho to suddenly get cleared with a Visa.  The Pirates would be on the hook for a guy that simply can not compete in MLB today.  His time in the DR this winter was a disaster.  I Hate it for him and the Pirates, but he can’t help the Pirates.


Say what?? ;D. That's the worst thing?

212A222E2B2A317472053C242D2A2A6B262A450 wrote: The worse thing that could happen now, for the Pirates,is for Jung Ho to suddenly get cleared with a Visa.  The Pirates would be on the hook for a guy that simply can not compete in MLB today.  His time in the DR this winter was a disaster.  I Hate it for him and the Pirates, but he can’t help the Pirates.


Because of one winter league performance?



Wasn't there an article posted here about his struggles?  It seemed it was more personal why his play suffered.



It just bad timing if he gets cleared. The team doesn't need a 3B anymore. Maybe with Kang, they go in a different direction.


I don’t think he can take a year off and then pick it back up again. I don’t know about his personal issues in the DR, maybe culturally he just couldn’t do it. But his results were just awful. I doubt he has any trade value. But



I loved Kang. But i can’t see this now.



I just checked his contract - $3M for 2018 and a buyout of 2019 option. Not a big deal, or shouldn’t be. But with one year left, a less than hopeful winter, new options for the long term on the roster - I think the Pirates are better to move on. Too bad...

303931202E540 wrote: The worse thing that could happen now, for the Pirates,is for Jung Ho to suddenly get cleared with a Visa.  The Pirates would be on the hook for a guy that simply can not compete in MLB today.  His time in the DR this winter was a disaster.  I Hate it for him and the Pirates, but he can’t help the Pirates.


Say what??  ;D.  That's the worst thing?




Okay, maybe the 2nd or 30th worse. I’ll do my best to be very precise going forward realizing you take things literally. I will translate my intent for you: based on my comments above, I think it best for the pirates to move on. Of course I could definitely be wrong. Or I could be right. ;D

I don't expect Kang back. But I don't think 24 games in a new culture in the Dominican League after a year off is meaningful in determining his abilities.

Kang is a tremendous defensive 3bman.  Tremendous.   Also, he's a good defensive 2nd baseman.  Both of these are probably because he's naturally a shortstop, a position he can still fake it at, I'm sure.  He's not going to forget how to play defense, surely that much is agreeable at least?  Even if he is a .220 hitter with marginal power after getting rusty, he would be a great addition because he's got real upside if the rust can be kicked off.  While he kicks of the rust, his defense plays.  He's not valueless, even when not hitting.



To me, Kang has more upside in his big toe than about half of the roster does in their whole body.  that's 3 million dollars we should be spending 100% of the time if the opportunity presents itself.  I doubt it will, but I would consider it a very good break if it does.   



We've got 12 million dollars wrapped up on Hudson and Srod.   5 million in Freese. That's 17 million dollars on backups with no real upside at all.  We should definitely be OK to spend another 3 million on a guy who not long ago was a very, very good 3bman. 



Instead when Daniel Nava makes the club, we'll probably spend it on him.



We LOVE spending what limited money we do use on ML payroll on veteran backups.  Just love it.   It's the dumbest strategy I've ever seen. This organization cannot complain about the current economic structure of MLB on one hand and then continue to spend the percentage of payroll (all important to NH!) they do on BACKUPS.



Use your farm for bench spots.  Can you not even develop support players??     

2A232B3A344E0 wrote: Kang is a tremendous defensive 3bman.  Tremendous.   Also, he's a good defensive 2nd baseman.  Both of these are probably because he's naturally a shortstop, a position he can still fake it at, I'm sure.  He's not going to forget how to play defense, surely that much is agreeable at least?  Even if he is a .220 hitter with marginal power after getting rusty, he would be a great addition because he's got real upside if the rust can be kicked off.  While he kicks of the rust, his defense plays.  He's not valueless, even when not hitting.



To me, Kang has more upside in his big toe than about half of the roster does in their whole body.  that's 3 million dollars we should be spending 100% of the time if the opportunity presents itself.  I doubt it will, but I would consider it a very good break if it does.   



We've got 12 million dollars wrapped up on Hudson and Srod.   5 million in Freese. That's 17 million dollars on backups with no real upside at all.  We should definitely be OK to spend another 3 million on a guy who not long ago was a very, very good 3bman. 



Instead when Daniel Nava makes the club, we'll probably spend it on him.



We LOVE spending what limited money we do use on ML payroll on veteran backups.  Just love it.   It's the dumbest strategy I've ever seen.  This organization cannot complain about the current economic structure of MLB on one hand and then continue to spend the percentage of payroll (all important to NH!) they do on BACKUPS.



Use your farm for bench spots.  Can you not even develop support players??     


I completely agree with this. This is simply a mind boggling exercise that they do. I can't understand their thinking. They have such limited resourced and blow huge chunks on back ups and platoon people. If I were them, I'd get rid of all of the Freeses/SRods/Hudsons and play young players in those roles. There can't be much of any performance upgrade on those guys over playing Moroff/Luplow/Brault. Then take that money and get 1 (just one) good FA. Someone like Moustakas.

I don't want young, soon to be starters not being used on the bench. I want them playing every day in the minors to get their at bats.



The biggest problem is that they aren't developing starters and these guys play significant roles.



Freese was a late signing due to Kang not ready to start the season from the previous season injury. They certainly weren't going to call up a youngster to fill that role.

2328202C2928337670073E262F2828692428470 wrote: I don't want young, soon to be starters not being used on the bench.  I want them playing every day in the minors to get their at bats. 



The biggest problem is that they aren't developing starters and these guys play significant roles. 



Freese was a late signing due to Kang not ready to start the season from the previous season injury.  They certainly weren't going to call up a youngster to fill that role.


If Hurdle was willing to play youngsters more they wouldn't rot on the bench in role as back ups. A good manager would get them in 4 or 5 out of 7 games. It should be no problem getting a back up outfielder at least 3 starts a week and a couple pinch hit at bats. If the players have a had a season or a season and a half at triple A they should be ready for major leagues.

496469787F6E79393A0B0 wrote: I don't expect Kang back. But I don't think 24 games in a new culture in the Dominican League after a year off is meaningful in determining his abilities.


Fair enough. I probably over reacted to the DR. In my mind I saw this as a continuation of Kang’s self destruction. I’m pretty sure (although not positive) that he’s had to endure tremendous shame in the Korean culture. From a super star to shame is hard for anyone. Then the DR - He’s like a tragic figure to me now - it’s all pointing toward a bad ending. I hope I’m wrong because I like the guy and I hate to see his bad judgement destroy what could have been.



But yeah, probably should just disregard the DR.

646D65747A000 wrote: Kang is a tremendous defensive 3bman.  Tremendous.   Also, he's a good defensive 2nd baseman.  Both of these are probably because he's naturally a shortstop, a position he can still fake it at, I'm sure.  He's not going to forget how to play defense, surely that much is agreeable at least?  Even if he is a .220 hitter with marginal power after getting rusty, he would be a great addition because he's got real upside if the rust can be kicked off.  While he kicks of the rust, his defense plays.  He's not valueless, even when not hitting.



To me, Kang has more upside in his big toe than about half of the roster does in their whole body.  that's 3 million dollars we should be spending 100% of the time if the opportunity presents itself.  I doubt it will, but I would consider it a very good break if it does.   



We've got 12 million dollars wrapped up on Hudson and Srod.   5 million in Freese. That's 17 million dollars on backups with no real upside at all.  We should definitely be OK to spend another 3 million on a guy who not long ago was a very, very good 3bman. 



Instead when Daniel Nava makes the club, we'll probably spend it on him.



We LOVE spending what limited money we do use on ML payroll on veteran backups.  Just love it.   It's the dumbest strategy I've ever seen.  This organization cannot complain about the current economic structure of MLB on one hand and then continue to spend the percentage of payroll (all important to NH!) they do on BACKUPS.



Use your farm for bench spots.  Can you not even develop support players??     




Good post. Good prospective. Actually from my first post to my second last night I checked his contract status. I thought he was due $5m + 1M if option is not exercised. I’m thinking the Pirates CANT allocate this $$ to such a risk. When I saw the actual numbers, $3M + $250K, I started thinking I should maybe back off my proclamation; but then I thought “no way, I’ll die on this sword before I back down”. But on second thought, nah. Discretion and surrounder is the better of living a long life.