OnlyBucs

Tuesday, November 30 is now the deadline to nontender arb eligible players. The Pirates have 8 arb eligible players: Ben Gamel, Bryan Reynolds, Chad Kuhl, Chris Stratton, Colin Moran, Jacob Stallings, Kevin Newman, and Steven Brault.



Jason Mackey in the PPG suggests the Bucs may nontender Newman, Moran, Kuhl and Brault.

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pir ... 2111290082



Rumbunter predicts Brault and Kuhl are the most vulnerable.

https://rumbunter.com/2021/11/24/pittsb ... -deadline/

Ah, but who do you think they'll nontender?



I think the Moran decision will say something about how confident they are with Yoshi (although $4MM probably says more).

When it comes to the confidence that the team has in Yoshi as a solution, I think that one year tells us more than the $4 million does.



So, if they need someone with him, then, if not Moran, who would it be?

5B59434553360 wrote: Ah, but who do you think they'll nontender?



I think the Moran decision will say something about how confident they are with Yoshi (although $4MM probably says more).
I think the signing of Quintana makes the oft injured Brault expendable. And Moran just doesn't have much value. Not enough power for 1B and now they have Yoshi there. Even if there's a DH, they won't get much more from Moran than by using someone off the bench to DH. So I think Brault and Moran will be nontendered.

5F6A7D7D764F7D7D76717D180 wrote: When it comes to the confidence that the team has in Yoshi as a solution, I think that one year tells us more than the $4 million does. 



So, if they need someone with him, then, if not Moran, who would it be?
We don't know if 1 year was all that was offered or if it was all Yoshi would accept to stay a Pirate. If he has a good year he can get big money elsewhere as a FA.

While all too often money appears to be the only issue the Bucs consider, I believe there should be enough money available and other players to designate to keep 2 of the 4 above noted players.



The players I would keep are Brault and Kuhl. I would choose these 2 even knowing that both are often injured and that neither is that good of a pitcher. The main reason I would keep them is because of the sorry state of the Pirate's pitching staff and the premium that other teams seem to be placing on pitching.



My number 1 player to designate would be Moran. No power, below league average hitter, absolutely no speed (something Joey Cora never seemed to realize), and average at best defense. Quite a few injuries as well. Also, the decision on Moran shouldn't hinge on if the NL adopts the designated hitter next year.



The second player on my list is Newman; a player who I actually like. That said, with the exception of a 10 game stretch (I believe it was in August) in which he drove the ball with some authority, Newman struggled to hit the ball past the pitcher in most games. Good defense and a good 2019 season aside, some combination of Tucker, Pak, Marcano, or Castillo should be able to replicate or exceed Newman's performance. And, if one or more of the above don't perform in 2022, you have a better sense of who to cut heading in 2023.



With respect to Brault and Kuhl, I have to believe that both of them have a higher upside than the likes of Hanhold, Ponce, and even Underwood who are now on the 40 man roster. In short, I keep the pitchers and designate the 2 position players.



Also, sure would be nice if Tsutugo can deliver some offense next year.

Brault has been DFA'd.

7D505D4C4B5A4D0D0E3F0 wrote: Brault has been DFA'd.
I was looking for a related transaction for adding Quintana to the 40, but the Pirates site had 41 guys on it.



If he's the one, which I disagree with because I think he has value, we'll soon find out. Find it hard to believe someone isn't going to pick him up immediately.

436562777E7265737B100 wrote: Brault has been DFA'd.
I was looking for a related transaction for adding Quintana to the 40, but the Pirates site had 41 guys on it.



If he's the one, which I disagree with because I think he has value, we'll soon find out. Find it hard to believe someone isn't going to pick him up immediately.


that might be the plan, hopefully a couple teams will be interested in him and may be willing to send something back to Pirates. I am a little surprised as I don't that there is any reason to think that Quintana is going to be better (or even pitch more) than Brault.

527473666F6374626A010 wrote: Brault has been DFA'd.
I was looking for a related transaction for adding Quintana to the 40, but the Pirates site had 41 guys on it.



If he's the one, which I disagree with because I think he has value, we'll soon find out. Find it hard to believe someone isn't going to pick him up immediately.
The Quintana signing was finalized and Brault was the one removed from the 40 to make room. Brault will catch on with someone but I think his frequent injuries and only sporadic effectiveness will probably result in him spending more time in the BP than in a rotation.