Re: 2024 Official Spring Training Thread
Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2024 5:08 am
You may be right. Last season ended with a rotation of Keller and Oviedo and a bunch of "openers." Knowing how expensive good starting pitching in MLB is today, and how even the good ones only go about 100 pitches or 5-6 innings, the Pirates just don't prioritize it. I think they focus more on building a bullpen that can handle 4-5 innings in most games. Even the 2 they added this year are iffy. Gonzales is returning after missing most of 2023 with arm surgery and Perez was moved the Rangers' bullpen last year after pitching poorly in the rotation. Seems like they aren't too concerned about the other spots in the rotation. Skenes can be added at some point and 2 from among Ortiz, Contreras, Priester, Fleming, Falter or Anderson can start the season in the rotation. If that's not the worst rotation in MLB, I'd hate to see what is. But I don't think Cherington cares. I believe their pitching strategy focuses more on the bullpen than the starting rotation. And considering the price for good starters and how pitch counts limit their innings, maybe that's not a bad idea for a team unwilling to spend.GhostOfPitthorn wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 2:11 am Being this will be my seventh post on this site, most of you folks aren't yet acquainted with my stupid ideas and idiotic notions, so I take this opportunity to properly introduce myself and swing for the fence here.
I keep thinking that the lack of movement on picking up starters might be due to the fact that the Pirates might be planning alot more bullpen games this year, at least until a past auditioner like Contreras or Priester for example steps up and takes a spot, or a newcomer like Solometo comes up and pulls a Randy Tomlin and works his way into the rotation in the second half of the season. Until...or if...someone locks up a spot or two in the rotation, the Pirates will rely on a perceived strength in the bullpen at least early on into the season.
I think both of you are spot on regarding the starting staff. It does not seem like they are going to pursue to acquire any of the remaining free agent starting pitchers . I think they hope someone like Ortiz takes the number 4 spot, and the final spot will be filled by possibly Fleming, Peralta, Anderson or Falter. They will see how that works for a few weeks, and if Skenes, or Jones are doing well at AAA they will bring one of them up. It is a big risk because early season games are just as important as games down the stretch.Bobster wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 5:12 pmYou may be right. Last season ended with a rotation of Keller and Oviedo and a bunch of "openers." Knowing how expensive good starting pitching in MLB is today, and how even the good ones only go about 100 pitches or 5-6 innings, the Pirates just don't prioritize it. I think they focus more on building a bullpen that can handle 4-5 innings in most games. Even the 2 they added this year are iffy. Gonzales is returning after missing most of 2023 with arm surgery and Perez was moved the Rangers' bullpen last year after pitching poorly in the rotation. Seems like they aren't too concerned about the other spots in the rotation. Skenes can be added at some point and 2 from among Ortiz, Contreras, Priester, Fleming, Falter or Anderson can start the season in the rotation. If that's not the worst rotation in MLB, I'd hate to see what is. But I don't think Cherington cares. I believe their pitching strategy focuses more on the bullpen than the starting rotation. And considering the price for good starters and how pitch counts limit their innings, maybe that's not a bad idea for a team unwilling to spend.GhostOfPitthorn wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 2:11 am Being this will be my seventh post on this site, most of you folks aren't yet acquainted with my stupid ideas and idiotic notions, so I take this opportunity to properly introduce myself and swing for the fence here.
I keep thinking that the lack of movement on picking up starters might be due to the fact that the Pirates might be planning alot more bullpen games this year, at least until a past auditioner like Contreras or Priester for example steps up and takes a spot, or a newcomer like Solometo comes up and pulls a Randy Tomlin and works his way into the rotation in the second half of the season. Until...or if...someone locks up a spot or two in the rotation, the Pirates will rely on a perceived strength in the bullpen at least early on into the season.
I am very surprised that Wolf was optioned this quickly and that he was sent to Altoona instead of Indy. I thought he may have been a dark horse to fill in the rotation
Nothing surprises me about the moves GMBC makes with this team.JollyRoger8 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 05, 2024 2:40 amI am very surprised that Wolf was optioned this quickly and that he was sent to Altoona instead of Indy. I thought he may have been a dark horse to fill in the rotation
They probably already have a good idea who the SPs will be for Indy and sending Wolf to Altoona gives him a chance to pitch regularly.JollyRoger8 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 05, 2024 2:40 amI am very surprised that Wolf was optioned this quickly and that he was sent to Altoona instead of Indy. I thought he may have been a dark horse to fill in the rotation