OnlyBucs

Keuchel would be an incredible pickup and would instantly make the rotation SIGNIFICANTLY better. Then we really would have an elite starting 5.



And the Pirates have gobs of money available to make such a move.



But, no, it makes much more sense to stick with our "internal options" of Brault, Kingham, Lyles, etc...



I still can't believe this team has made NO ATTEMPT to bring in a SS and a lefty starter ... when plenty of both have been available at rock-bottom prices. It's unreal.

5B796A77747176795A6D7B7B77180 wrote: Keuchel would be an incredible pickup and would instantly make the rotation SIGNIFICANTLY better. Then we really would have an elite starting 5.



And the Pirates have gobs of money available to make such a move.



But, no, it makes much more sense to stick with our "internal options" of Brault, Kingham, Lyles, etc...



I still can't believe this team has made NO ATTEMPT to bring in a SS and a lefty starter ... when plenty of both have been available at rock-bottom prices. It's unreal.
Oh, it's real alright. Winning is not a priority. Why compete with better players when you can maximize profits by fielding a team as cheaply as possible?

I think Musgrove is being undersold. His FIP was 3.59 last year. His WHIP was a very respectable 1.17 and he has a great 4.35 K/BB ratio. He strikes guys out. There is a lot to be optimistic about with him that his ERA and win totals do not depict.

465B7F7D73160 wrote: I think Musgrove is being undersold.  His FIP was 3.59 last year.  His WHIP was a very respectable 1.17 and he has a great 4.35 K/BB ratio.  He strikes guys out.  There is a lot to be optimistic about with him that his ERA and win totals do not depict.


I think he can be a good pitcher. I don't know if he can start 30 games and pitch 160 or more innings.

436564736575060 wrote: As it stands right now I don't think the Pirates rotation is any better than 3rd in the division.


It could be the best in the division potentially if Williams duplicates his 2018; if Taillion continues to thrive ... if Archer can pitch like he did two years ago and Musgrove is healthy.  Will all happen?  I don't know.  Williams is the biggest question to me.



The fifth slot is terrible.  Brault is an AAA pitcher ... Lyles is garbage ... Liriano is another reclamation project ... who else?



Once again, Pittsburgh dumps Harrison; Mercer; Nova ... 27 million in salary and doesn't come close to reinvesting the savings.  Miley would have been there for 4.5 million ... Gio ...



Today, Marwin Gonzalez signs with the Twins for 2 years at 21 million (total).  The Twins have invested in the offseason (Cruz, Schoop, Gonzo and someone else).  Meanwhile we get reclamation projects and a slap hitting middle infielder.


in our favor is that the Bucs have a better gm and more committed owner than the Twinkies.


I laugh at this comment. Hope it's sarcasm.

51766763667B44706766667B020 wrote: Dallas Keuchel continues to be available as well and the Pirates have the money to offer him a reasonable contract and yet want nothing to do with him. Signing a guy like Keuchel immediately makes the Pirates pitching staff that much better.


I've often thought of Keuchel this offseason. He'd frankly be the perfect fit for this rotation. Would slide everyone down a spot where they are better suited. Would push Brault/Kingham/Lyles to the bullpen where they should be, and is left handed. Won't happen, but would absolutely be a good fit from a baseball standpoint.

070F0C3B2D082F204E0 wrote: Dallas Keuchel continues to be available as well and the Pirates have the money to offer him a reasonable contract and yet want nothing to do with him. Signing a guy like Keuchel immediately makes the Pirates pitching staff that much better.


I've often thought of Keuchel this offseason. He'd frankly be the perfect fit for this rotation. Would slide everyone down a spot where they are better suited. Would push Brault/Kingham/Lyles to the bullpen where they should be, and is left handed. Won't happen, but would absolutely be a good fit from a baseball standpoint.
I'd sure take Keuchel even tho he had an off year last season. But I was watching the Phillies broadcast of the Phils/Pirate exhibition game and they discussed Keuchel. They were wondering if his bad year had something to do with the fact that he is a low ball pitcher, getting outs on batters hitting above the ball to get ground balls but batters are now obsessed with launch angle, swinging to catch the ball at a low point and drive it up and out. Interesting theory.

1F323F2E29382F6F6C5D0 wrote: Dallas Keuchel continues to be available as well and the Pirates have the money to offer him a reasonable contract and yet want nothing to do with him. Signing a guy like Keuchel immediately makes the Pirates pitching staff that much better.


I've often thought of Keuchel this offseason. He'd frankly be the perfect fit for this rotation. Would slide everyone down a spot where they are better suited. Would push Brault/Kingham/Lyles to the bullpen where they should be, and is left handed. Won't happen, but would absolutely be a good fit from a baseball standpoint.
I'd sure take Keuchel even tho he had an off year last season. But I was watching the Phillies broadcast of the Phils/Pirate exhibition game and they discussed Keuchel. They were wondering if his bad year had something to do with the fact that he is a low ball pitcher, getting outs on batters hitting above the ball to get ground balls but batters are now obsessed with launch angle, swinging to catch the ball at a low point and drive it up and out. Interesting theory.






That could be what is happening. I wondered if he was struggling some with injury as in 2016 and 2017 he didn't pitch many innings. 2016 was his worst season as starter and 2018 second worst. Lefthanded batters did slightly better than right handers last year. I can see why he hasn't gotten a huge deal.



Didn't Houston make him a qualifying offer so they will get a pick for him? That also means he turned down about 18 million on a one year deal.

I think Lyles will be the #5, almost irrespective of his ST. He has good peripherals (though not as a starter) and they signed him for a couple mil.



Also, the org will want to "win" the Nova salary dump for #5 starter. Lyles is the guy that will let NH say "see, I know what I'm doing. Saved 7 million nuttingbucks and got the same or better production"



Will get a scholarship. Really ugly numbers as a starter. Chances are high he's going to flop in rotation.

6C656D7C72080 wrote: I think Lyles will be the #5, almost irrespective of his ST.    He has good peripherals (though not as a starter) and they signed him for a couple mil.



Also, the org will want to "win" the Nova salary dump for #5 starter.  Lyles is the guy that will let NH say "see, I know what I'm doing. Saved 7 million nuttingbucks and got the same or better production"



Will get a scholarship.  Really ugly numbers as a starter.   Chances are high he's going to flop in rotation.
I agree. There have been other springs when the Pirates said they were holding a competition for the 5th spot only to give it to the guy who did the worst. I'm sure they already know who it will be.