OnlyBucs

3317030B0E620 wrote: Why am I terrified that we're going to bring back Charlie Morton as this year's reclamation project?


NH: "I'm very happy to announce that the Pirates have signed Charlie Morton and his 'electric stuff' to a 3 year deal. We're gratified to have him back in black and gold to fill the role of a veteran starter in our rotation that was created by the departure of Ryan Vogelsong to free agency. We're also pleased to announce that we've come to terms with Jeff Locke on a contract extension that will avoid the arbitration process. With Jeff and Charlie now penciled into the rotation we'll be able to avoid having to rush any of our young starters to the big leagues."   :D


Honestly, we can laugh, but this wouldn't surprise me.  It's NH's MO.  Morton back would make me vomit.



In all seriousness, I wouldn't be stunned to see Andrew Cashner on a one year deal as mlbtraderumors suggests.  He has had some degree of success. I probably would b*tch if that happens, but I would quickly understand that we could do worse and have. I'd get over it. Want better than Cashner, but this is NH's MO.

6070714650505C330 wrote: Want better than Cashner, but this is NH's MO.


1). There's really not much better out there. Not much in the way of "MO" to it.

2). If there were better available, we wouldn't be able to get him anyway with 30+ teams looking for pitching.

3). We go into next year with a worse rotation than last year.

Locking up Jordy Mercer will be the first move.

777C74787D7C672224536A727B7C7C3D707C130 wrote: Locking up Jordy Mercer will be the first move.


Would be a mistake and I doubt it would happen. His range numbers last year are very troubling and he's always been below average. signing him long term, and having the range continue to suffer as he ages, would be a bad use of resources





We will not get where we need to get with the same players. The team isn't young.

28212938364C0 wrote: Locking up Jordy Mercer will be the first move.


Would be a mistake and I doubt it would happen.   His range numbers last year are very troubling and he's always been below average.    signing him long term, and having the range continue to suffer as he ages, would be a bad use of resources





We will not get where we need to get with the same players.   The team isn't young.


They don't have to lock him up, but he is the only position player going year to year. Arbitration this year, free agent after 2019. I expect them to give him a three or four year deal. Nothing earth shattering, maybe $12-15 million for three years. But I don't really know his market.

Whatever he does first, it doesn't look like getting front-line pitching is part of it.



http://www.bucsdugout.com/2016/11/8/135 ... ngton-says

64667C7A6C090 wrote: Whatever he does first, it doesn't look like getting front-line pitching is part of it.



http://www.bucsdugout.com/2016/11/8/135 ... ngton-says
Wow, I'm exciting about 2017 already! It's great to hear, "As we entered each season, from 2013 to 2015, the knock was we didn't have enough starting pitching," Huntington said. "I'm anticipating that will be the knock of the 2017 club entering the season." Wow, I've got goosebumps. The Cubs must be shivering in their shoes! Just what exactly is it that they have the financial flexibility to accomplish?

230E03121504135350610 wrote: Whatever he does first, it doesn't look like getting front-line pitching is part of it.



http://www.bucsdugout.com/2016/11/8/135 ... ngton-says
Wow, I'm exciting about 2017 already! It's great to hear, "As we entered each season, from 2013 to 2015, the knock was we didn't have enough starting pitching," Huntington said. "I'm anticipating that will be the knock of the 2017 club entering the season." Wow, I've got goosebumps. The Cubs must be shivering in their shoes! Just what exactly is it that they have the financial flexibility to accomplish?


The dark years have returned. Ownership and the FO have miserably failed on capitalizing on this momentum.

But the article says they can make a trade. Why are people ruling that out?



There are no top pitchers in free agency this year. They did try to sign Nova.

I would agree with Dog. A trade is really the only way to go. Nova may be one of the best choices out there and who knows if he can continue at the level he showed here. On the trade front, though, I think NH considers the Hutchison trade as a big one for 2017.