OnlyBucs

Sometimes I wonder if the trades of Bell, Musgrove ,and Taillon were made just to replenish the farm system, or because of the pending expiration of the Labor Agreement. All 3 of the former Pirates had two years of control remaining before they reached free agency. The relationship between the Owners and Players is far from amicable. Many people have indicated that the next round of negotiations between the parties will be difficult. If there is a strike or lockout for the 2022 season it could be lengthy,and who knows it could turn out to be another shortened season. If that would happen the Pirates weren’t going to get two full seasons from these 3 players. Since the team is not going to have these 3 players for two full seasons could this also be a reason to make these trades ? As fans we don’t know if MLB has informed teams that the 2022 season could be in jeopardy, so prepare accordingly.

I think the trades were made because (A) the Pirates know they won't be competitive before those players left as FAs and therefore (B) restocking the depleted farm system was of more value to the organization than whatever those players could add to a bad team for 2 more years and (C) teams will give up more in trades when they will have more control over the players they acquire. In this case, 2 years.



It remains to be seen how well BC did in those trades in terms of the prospects he acquired but I understand the theory behind trading those players. I'm sure Polanco would also be traded if he had any trade value.

434F4E151C151D10170812250 wrote: Sometimes I wonder if the  trades of Bell, Musgrove ,and Taillon were made just to replenish the farm system, or because of the pending expiration of the Labor Agreement. All 3 of the former Pirates had two years of control remaining before they reached free agency. The relationship between the Owners and Players is far from amicable. Many people have indicated that the next round of negotiations between the parties will be difficult. If there is a strike or lockout for the 2022 season it could be lengthy,and who knows it could turn out to be another shortened  season. If that would happen the Pirates weren’t going to get two full seasons from these 3 players. Since the team is not going to have these 3 players for two full seasons could this also be a reason to make these trades ? As fans we don’t know if MLB has informed teams that the 2022 season could be in jeopardy, so prepare accordingly.


I think the trades were made to dump salary.