OnlyBucs

With the Yankees signing Walker, the Royals resigning Moustakas and other moves around the majors, it appears that very few teams will be looking for a reasonably affordable veteran 3rd baseman.



While I like David Freese as a veteran presence on the Bucs, having both Rodriguez and him on the roster is a bit redundant and squeezes out some folks who I believe are decent bench options. I was hoping that the Bucs could move Freese and, thus, have his salary available at the break (likely overly optimistically and hopefully) to add more talent.



With Freese on-board the bench appears to be Diaz, Frazier, Rodriguez, Freese and one among many contenders. I personally like Moroff, but imagine that the other spot will go to Bentz. Likely not that much of an issue. I also recognize that it will be a long season and that anything could unfold through-out the year.

Pirates already have about $20 million in salary space.

Rodriguez seems to me to be the only guy who can adequately back-up at short and center. With Freese capable of covering at third and first I don't see any real redundancy.



I also like Moroff, and there's no guarantee Bentz will take the last bench spot. As has already been mentioned the Pirates have plenty of "financial flexibility" so Freese's salary isn't preventing any moves NH might be inclined to make.

I don’t see the Pirates making any additional moves prior to opening day. My guess is that Brentz will fill the final bench spot. If when teams set their rosters prior to opening day some player who they like gets waived they could make a claim. Other than that the 5 man bench will be Freese, S Rod, Frazier, Diaz and Brentz, but an injury to a player could alter that plan.

I thought someone mentioned Bentz was out of options. If that is the case, that makes it a tough decision. That might mean Moroff or Osuna won't make the team.



SS and CF don't seem to have great back ups, but Rodriguez can play both positions. Moroff and Frazier can spot start at SS for days off. If Mercer goes down, I assume Newman or Kramer would be called up.

5A51595550514A0F097E475F565151105D513E0 wrote: I thought someone mentioned Bentz was out of options.  If that is the case, that makes it a tough decision.  That might mean Moroff or Osuna won't make the team.



SS and CF don't seem to have great back ups, but Rodriguez can play both positions.  Moroff and Frazier can spot start at SS for days off.  If Mercer goes down, I assume Newman or Kramer would be called up. 
Brentz is out of options, so that is why it is a strong possibility he comes north. If he does not pan out in the first few weeks they will probably let him go and bring up someone from Indy.

I think we’ll have a RHH heavy bench with Freese, Brentz, Diaz, S-Rod, and Frazier. If any of Frazier, S-Rod, or Jordy gets hurt, Moroff is the first guy up. If Jordy is out for more than a 15-day stint, it could be Newman or Kramer.



I will not be surprised to see them sign a AAAA SS who is cut late to a minors contract to sit in Indy as an insurance policy. It’s a classic risk-averse NH move that will cost Newman, Kramer, and Moroff playing time.

I'd like to see another CF or CC player "by trade" on the bench. It seems to me that the logical place to find room for something like that would be to move David Freese.



Of course we all know what the reaction from the Peanut Gallery would be if the Pirates let Freese go.

I don't think Freese really has a position as Rodriguez is better on defense. I do think Freese is the best right-handed bat off the bench. I would love Rodriguez to duplicate his 2016 season, but I think that is a lot to ask.

54666A6A7E4C6F666B6E6166070 wrote: I'd like to see another CF or CC player "by trade" on the bench.  It seems to me that the logical place to find room for something like that would be to move David Freese. 



Of course we all know what the reaction from the Peanut Gallery would be if the Pirates let Freese go.
If we were closer to contention I would want to keep Freese, but since we aren't I would be ok with letting him go. I don't want Moroff sent down. I think he has a decent power bat for a middle infielder. I would rather see him be the backup 2nd over Frazier. I want Frazier playing in the OF at this point. SROD isn't going anywhere and he is the most versatile defender we have.