OnlyBucs

1. Kevin Newman (R) SS

2. Bryan Reynolds (S) CF

3. Colin Moran (L) 3B

4. Jose Osuna (R) 1B

5. Adam Frazier (L) 2B

6. Elias Diaz (R) C

7. Kevin Kramer (L) RF

8. Erik Gonzalez (R) LF

9. Dario Agrazal (R) P



Just one thought about this lineup. Why is Gonzalez playing in the OF? Are they trying to tell us that he might be a candidate to be the super sub? Isn't that why they are playing Kramer in LF? What happened to Pablo Reyes?

Pablo is on paternity leave.

I think you're right about Gonzalez. He was a utility infielder/outfielder with the Indians although he never spent an entire season with them. Even in the minors he played all positions. IMHO, the trade was a typical NH move, thinking he's smarter than everyone else. He traded for a utility INF/OFer and decided Gonzalez was going to be a standout SS. But Newman took the SS job and Gonzalez is eligible for arbitration next year. So I think the Pirates are trying him out in the role he would have next year if they decided to keep him. I don't think they will but these games are basically like ST now so I guess they have nothing to lose by taking a look at him in that role.

745954454253440407360 wrote: I think you're right about Gonzalez. He was a utility infielder/outfielder with the Indians although he never spent an entire season with them. Even in the minors he played all positions. IMHO, the trade was a typical NH move, thinking he's smarter than everyone else. He traded for a utility INF/OFer and decided Gonzalez was going to be a standout SS. But Newman took the SS job and Gonzalez is eligible for arbitration next year. So I think the Pirates are trying him out in the role he would have next year if they decided to keep him. I don't think they will but these games are basically like ST now so I guess they have nothing to lose by taking a look at him in that role. 


Remember back in spring training, perhaps earlier when the Pirates talked about getting more power from Gonzalez by getting him to change his launch angle?  It hasn't worked. 



Granted he was injured but still he has 102 at bats with just 23 hits and only 3 doubles and one triple.  Also he has struck out 29 times and walked just 8 times (and three of those are intentional).  He is a black hole on offense.



of course he is dirt cheap, isn't eligible for arbitration until after next season so I think the Bucs will keep him through spring training at least.

715756415747340 wrote: I think you're right about Gonzalez. He was a utility infielder/outfielder with the Indians although he never spent an entire season with them. Even in the minors he played all positions. IMHO, the trade was a typical NH move, thinking he's smarter than everyone else. He traded for a utility INF/OFer and decided Gonzalez was going to be a standout SS. But Newman took the SS job and Gonzalez is eligible for arbitration next year. So I think the Pirates are trying him out in the role he would have next year if they decided to keep him. I don't think they will but these games are basically like ST now so I guess they have nothing to lose by taking a look at him in that role. 


Remember back in spring training, perhaps earlier when the Pirates talked about getting more power from Gonzalez by getting him to change his launch angle?  It hasn't worked. 



Granted he was injured but still he has 102 at bats with just 23 hits and only 3 doubles and one triple.  Also he has struck out 29 times and walked just 8 times (and three of those are intentional).  He is a black hole on offense.



of course he is dirt cheap, isn't eligible for arbitration until after next season so I think the Bucs will keep him through spring training at least.
Gonzalez is eligible for arb for next season along with Bell, Kuhl, Musgrove, Taillon, Williams, Diaz and Frazier. I think the Pirates will let him walk.

002D20313627307073420 wrote: I think you're right about Gonzalez. He was a utility infielder/outfielder with the Indians although he never spent an entire season with them. Even in the minors he played all positions. IMHO, the trade was a typical NH move, thinking he's smarter than everyone else. He traded for a utility INF/OFer and decided Gonzalez was going to be a standout SS. But Newman took the SS job and Gonzalez is eligible for arbitration next year. So I think the Pirates are trying him out in the role he would have next year if they decided to keep him. I don't think they will but these games are basically like ST now so I guess they have nothing to lose by taking a look at him in that role. 


Remember back in spring training, perhaps earlier when the Pirates talked about getting more power from Gonzalez by getting him to change his launch angle?  It hasn't worked. 



Granted he was injured but still he has 102 at bats with just 23 hits and only 3 doubles and one triple.  Also he has struck out 29 times and walked just 8 times (and three of those are intentional).  He is a black hole on offense.



of course he is dirt cheap, isn't eligible for arbitration until after next season so I think the Bucs will keep him through spring training at least.
Gonzalez is eligible for arb for next season along with Bell, Kuhl, Musgrove, Taillon, Williams, Diaz and Frazier. I think the Pirates will let him walk.


well there is no reason to keep him then. He will be eligible for arbitration and may not have even 400 MLB at bats in his career.

These last 5 games have all been like watching the other team take BP.

456865747362753536070 wrote: These last 5 games have all been like watching the other team take BP.


There are no words for how bad this is.



Worse of all - ZERO hope; literally nothing.

5552444C4255121E67404A464E4B0944484A270 wrote: These last 5 games have all been like watching the other team take BP.


There are no words for how bad this is.



Worse of all - ZERO hope; literally nothing.


May as well close up shop for the year ... let this board represent the Pirates. At least we get to stay in classy hotels and get $85 per diem or whatever on food. Can't do worse. Who is in the rotation?

There had better be major changes on this team as far as the manager and coaching staff and the General Manager are concerned in the next 10-15 days when this season is officially over. There is just no way to justify bringing Hurdle and Huntington back. Nutting has to make changes and they have to show accountability for this train wreck that’s taken place after the All Star Break this year.