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Re: 2024 Off-Season Thread

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2025 4:18 pm
by 3pirates3

Re: 2024 Off-Season Thread

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2025 4:29 pm
by UtahPirate2
Dutton wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 4:07 pm
Doc wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 12:22 am
fjk090852-7 wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 12:03 am The Pirates are signing Andrew Heaney on a Major League Contract of 5 million plus incentives.
While I admit a team never has enough major league pitching, this season is a perfect time to introduce the younger pitchers (Ashcraft, Chandler, Burrows, and/or Harrington) to the major leagues in preparation for the next several seasons, since management has pretty much already mailed it in on this one based on their offseason work. Is this a guy who was acquired just so he can be dealt at the Deadline for yet another Single A middle infielder?
Doc, I know what you mean, but Heaney is a lefty, and so this move gets a thumbs up from me. I actually have more confidence in Heaney than Falter. Buccos haven't taken proper advantage of PNC'S layout for several years now. Now let's see if Shelton can manage his resources.
With so many young arms I wouldn't mind seeing a six-man rotation to start the year. Heany does give them the flexibility to be a little more creative. I don't know how many starters we used last year, but with sore arms and IL visits from your starters in a typical year, everyone is going to get a chance at some point. A surprise signing, but I think a really helpful one.

Re: 2024 Off-Season Thread

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2025 5:07 pm
by JollyRoger8
UtahPirate2 wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 4:29 pm
Dutton wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 4:07 pm
Doc wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 12:22 am

While I admit a team never has enough major league pitching, this season is a perfect time to introduce the younger pitchers (Ashcraft, Chandler, Burrows, and/or Harrington) to the major leagues in preparation for the next several seasons, since management has pretty much already mailed it in on this one based on their offseason work. Is this a guy who was acquired just so he can be dealt at the Deadline for yet another Single A middle infielder?
Doc, I know what you mean, but Heaney is a lefty, and so this move gets a thumbs up from me. I actually have more confidence in Heaney than Falter. Buccos haven't taken proper advantage of PNC'S layout for several years now. Now let's see if Shelton can manage his resources.
With so many young arms I wouldn't mind seeing a six-man rotation to start the year. Heany does give them the flexibility to be a little more creative. I don't know how many starters we used last year, but with sore arms and IL visits from your starters in a typical year, everyone is going to get a chance at some point. A surprise signing, but I think a really helpful one.
I definitely agree that a 6 man rotation is the way to go. Help preserve Skenes and Jones. Maybe Keller would not wear down in the second half. Also I want to see Oviedo back in the rotation.

Re: 2024 Off-Season Thread

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2025 6:13 pm
by fjk090852-7
JollyRoger8 wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 5:07 pm
UtahPirate2 wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 4:29 pm
Dutton wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 4:07 pm

Doc, I know what you mean, but Heaney is a lefty, and so this move gets a thumbs up from me. I actually have more confidence in Heaney than Falter. Buccos haven't taken proper advantage of PNC'S layout for several years now. Now let's see if Shelton can manage his resources.
With so many young arms I wouldn't mind seeing a six-man rotation to start the year. Heany does give them the flexibility to be a little more creative. I don't know how many starters we used last year, but with sore arms and IL visits from your starters in a typical year, everyone is going to get a chance at some point. A surprise signing, but I think a really helpful one.
I definitely agree that a 6 man rotation is the way to go. Help preserve Skenes and Jones. Maybe Keller would not wear down in the second half. Also I want to see Oviedo back in the rotation.
I would not object to a 6 man rotation. It would take the toll off some of the young pitchers. With regards to Haney, I am thinking he might be similar to JA Happ which would be great if he was as good as him. When he arrived in 2015 he was unbeatable. I am hoping Haney has that same success.

Re: 2024 Off-Season Thread

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2025 7:05 pm
by 3pirates3

Re: 2024 Off-Season Thread

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2025 7:44 pm
by fjk090852-7
Great article. I enjoyed the comments from Skenes and Keller. The article gave me some additional hope for the upcoming season. I like it when players say, that they like the signing of the veteran pitcher.

Re: 2024 Off-Season Thread

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2025 9:31 pm
by Ecbucs
fjk090852-7 wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 7:44 pm
Great article. I enjoyed the comments from Skenes and Keller. The article gave me some additional hope for the upcoming season. I like it when players say, that they like the signing of the veteran pitcher.
I am going to be more cynical about the article. If Heaney was bringing all this to the team and Ben C. was intentional, why did they not approach him earlier. Why wait until after Quintana says no? Or would have Quintana have brought even more to the team?

That being said I just am not able to look anymore at this team in a positive light until good things happen. Every team has some good players but I have been given no reason to think that the Bucs have enough good players to have a winning season.

Re: 2024 Off-Season Thread

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2025 1:50 am
by Doc
Dutton wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 4:07 pm
Doc wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 12:22 am
fjk090852-7 wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 12:03 am The Pirates are signing Andrew Heaney on a Major League Contract of 5 million plus incentives.
While I admit a team never has enough major league pitching, this season is a perfect time to introduce the younger pitchers (Ashcraft, Chandler, Burrows, and/or Harrington) to the major leagues in preparation for the next several seasons, since management has pretty much already mailed it in on this one based on their offseason work. Is this a guy who was acquired just so he can be dealt at the Deadline for yet another Single A middle infielder?
Doc, I know what you mean, but Heaney is a lefty, and so this move gets a thumbs up from me. I actually have more confidence in Heaney than Falter. Buccos haven't taken proper advantage of PNC'S layout for several years now. Now let's see if Shelton can manage his resources.
I agree the Pirates have not built a pitching staff that would benefit them at home. I’m surprised that they haven’t sought out more lefties for the rotation and I’ve always felt having three more in the bullpen would help negate left handed power hitters in the late innings. But, when winning isn’t the priority, it’s easier to understand.

Re: 2024 Off-Season Thread

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2025 2:50 am
by fjk090852-7
I know I am probably a more optimistic fan then many who post on OnlyBucs, but with the addition of Haney I like the starting rotation. Oviedo, and Chandler can join the rotation later in the season after a few starts at Indy. The bullpen could be solid, but Bednar and Holderman are key. With the offense there are many questions. When will Horowitz return, and will he be a solid hitter? Will Hayes have back issues? Has Davis corrected his hitting deficiencies? Will Endy be the hitter he was in the minors? Can IKF be the full time shortstop? If all these questions get positives responses, and Cruz and Reynolds have good seasons this could be an interesting season in Pittsburgh.

Re: 2024 Off-Season Thread

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2025 3:23 pm
by Bobster
fjk090852-7 wrote: Sat Feb 22, 2025 2:50 am I know I am probably a more optimistic fan then many who post on OnlyBucs, but with the addition of Haney I like the starting rotation. Oviedo, and Chandler can join the rotation later in the season after a few starts at Indy. The bullpen could be solid, but Bednar and Holderman are key. With the offense there are many questions. When will Horowitz return, and will he be a solid hitter? Will Hayes have back issues? Has Davis corrected his hitting deficiencies? Will Endy be the hitter he was in the minors? Can IKF be the full time shortstop? If all these questions get positives responses, and Cruz and Reynolds have good seasons this could be an interesting season in Pittsburgh.
The starting pitching looks legit. The bullpen is questionable. It could be a strength or it could be a weakness. I think we can count on Reynolds and Cruz for reliable offense. Maybe Gonzales too. Bart was solid behind the plate and hit a little last year. But everyone else is very "iffy."
Horwitz? We can only hope.
IKF? We can only hope.
Hayes? We can only hope.
LF? We can only hope.
Davis? We can only hope.
Endy? We can only hope.
Suwinski? We can only hope.

There will probably be a few pleasant surprises. But so many are iffy.