OnlyBucs

Here's some food for thought: Including his 4.1 mil for this year and 3 mil buyout in 2022, the Pirates are on the hook for 33.4 mil to Polanco. Meanwhile, there are obvious Super 2 considerations for Meadows. That doesn't effect years of control but it could make him eligible for arb a year sooner than normal. I'm sure the BMTIB is thrilled to see how well Meadows is looking but already working on the PR spin for when he returns to AAA until Super 2 status is determined. But on the other hand, if they could find a taker for Polanco to rid themselves of his contract, they would likely come out ahead financially even if Meadows got the extra year of arbitration. Polanco still carries the tag of "high but as yet unreached potential." But if he has another disappointing season, the ""high but as yet unreached potential" tag could be replaced by "overhyped" when it comes to trying to find an interested trade partner. Maybe a trade of Polanco sooner rather than later would work out best.

0F222F3E39283F7F7C4D0 wrote: Here's some food for thought: Including his 4.1 mil for this year and 3 mil buyout in 2022, the Pirates are on the hook for 33.4 mil to Polanco. Meanwhile, there are obvious Super 2 considerations for Meadows. That doesn't effect years of control but it could make him eligible for arb a year sooner than normal. I'm sure the BMTIB is thrilled to see how well Meadows is looking but already working on the PR spin for when he returns to AAA until Super 2 status is determined. But on the other hand, if they could find a taker for Polanco to rid themselves of his contract, they would likely come out ahead financially even if Meadows got the extra year of arbitration. Polanco still carries the tag of "high but as yet unreached potential." But if he has another disappointing season, the ""high but as yet unreached potential" tag could be replaced by "overhyped" when it comes to trying to find an interested trade partner. Maybe a trade of Polanco sooner rather than later would work out best.   


If there's a good trade out there maybe.



I'd take a SP. Don't know what other position I'd want to change.

I agree with Bobster's sentiment about selling sooner rather than later on Polanco. If I'm the Pirates the only reason I keep Polanco is if Dickerson can't be extended. With Frazier, Osuna and Bostick available for 4th outfielder duties if needed, and Meadows already showing signs that he will be a better player than Polanco; unless Polanco picks up his game to impact player level very soon I'd rather get what I can get for him now while the "potential" tag still has some play.

There's gotta be a decent trade out there for him.    He's doing ok right now and the HR's are there.   He's awkward and has an injury history.   Sell on the potential before the hammy goes again.



What's the rough super 2 date? basically after the ASB a team is going to be in the clear right?    

Here's some more food for thought: Austin Meadows has played four major league baseball games. It's somewhat amusing to see people discount what Polanco has done as some sort of short sample and then anoint Meadows a better player based upon little more than a weekend. Let's not forget that Polanco has a higher OPS in MLB than Meadows had in AAA this year.



With that said, if the Pirates think Meadows is ready, they have too many starting caliber outfielders and should be listening to offers. I don't think Polanco is the guy to trade, though. He's providing way more value than his salary and likely will for several seasons. This will be unpopular but Dickerson is the guy to trade. He was a great find but he's a short-timer in Pittsburgh. He's eligible for free agency in 2020. Those guys don't extend at significant team discounts and the Pirates aren't going to pay what he would command. Plus, the Pirates are doing something weird with their outfield alignment or short-term chance is making him a positive defender for the first time in his career while Polanco has now become a negative defender according to those metrics. It feels as though the Pirates could capitalize on an elevated value for Dickerson if they wanted to play Meadows.

as long as it's not for Daniel Hudson, haha

6F4A594C505B5051545C380 wrote: Here's some more food for thought: Austin Meadows has played four major league baseball games.  It's somewhat amusing to see people discount what Polanco has done as some sort of short sample and then anoint Meadows a better player based upon little more than a weekend.  Let's not forget that Polanco has a higher OPS in MLB than Meadows had in AAA this year.



With that said, if the Pirates think Meadows is ready, they have too many starting caliber outfielders and should be listening to offers.  I don't think Polanco is the guy to trade, though.  He's providing way more value than his salary and likely will for several seasons.  This will be unpopular but Dickerson is the guy to trade.  He was a great find but he's a short-timer in Pittsburgh.  He's eligible for free agency in 2020.  Those guys don't extend at significant team discounts and the Pirates aren't going to pay what he would command.  Plus, the Pirates are doing something weird with their outfield alignment or short-term chance is making him a positive defender for the first time in his career while Polanco has now become a negative defender according to those metrics.  It feels as though the Pirates could capitalize on an elevated value for Dickerson if they wanted to play Meadows. 


That would also be a possible path.  Dickerson should have very good value due to still being under arb next year.   return should be very good.



Meadows also has a long, distinguished injury history.   By no means would penciling him in for 130-140 starts be a sure thing. Perhaps he will shake that moniker starting this year



As far as additional depth Luplow is hitting in AAA again after a very poor start, and Jason Martin should be promoted to AAA soon and is making himself a very interesting piece at 22 years old.