OnlyBucs

I realize this franchise has a lot of big-picture issues, and so does this 2018 team.



So here's one example from today that frustrates me to no end.



The Giants signed OF Austin Jackson for 2 years/$6M.



Now let's look at our beloved Pirates. We have 2 proven MLB outfielders. One of them is always hurt. We need 4.



Why in the world are we not signing Austin Jackson for 2 yrs/$6.5M, or 2 yrs/$7M? Lord knows we can afford it.



I'm not saying Austin Jackson is the best OF on the market.



But I am saying (1) He would immediately be our 3rd best outfielder; and (2) He was VERY affordable, even by Pirates standards.



This is just one example. I know there are several players on the market right now who are imminently affordable and available ... yet the Pirates seem very content with beginning the season with 2 outfielders, again, and not enough proven pitching depth, again.

5B796A77747176795A6D7B7B77180 wrote: I realize this franchise has a lot of big-picture issues, and so does this 2018 team.



So here's one example from today that frustrates me to no end.



The Giants signed OF Austin Jackson for 2 years/$6M.



Now let's look at our beloved Pirates. We have 2 proven MLB outfielders. One of them is always hurt. We need 4.



Why in the world are we not signing Austin Jackson for 2 yrs/$6.5M, or 2 yrs/$7M? Lord knows we can afford it.



I'm not saying Austin Jackson is the best OF on the market.



But I am saying (1) He would immediately be our 3rd best outfielder; and (2) He was VERY affordable, even by Pirates standards.



This is just one example. I know there are several players on the market right now who are imminently affordable and available ... yet the Pirates seem very content with beginning the season with 2 outfielders, again, and not enough proven pitching depth, again.






maybe the Bucs would have signed if he his price would have dropped lower.

I think they will end up signing an additional outfielder, but they are going to wait it out and sign someone at a bargain basement price. I too wish they would sign someone now, but in their minds they think they can acquire someone like they did with Matt Joyce a couple off seasons ago. That is no way to operate a baseball team.

You can build a pretty good team right now with all the free agents out there. I knew this would be a weird off season, but this is extremely weird. I am surprised a team didn't try the 1997 Florida Marlins model.



This would have been a good off season for the Pirates to load up on some players. It's why I said they could buy and sell at the same time. Only nine players got a $20+ million free agent contract (so far) this off season. Pitchers and Catchers are ready to report too.

It's mind-boggling to me that the Pirates look to be perfectly content with this team (most likely minus J-Hay) and this bottom-basement payroll, and willing to rely on the likes of Frazier, Luplow, a total of 2 outfielders and a pitching staff with tons of question marks.



Sure, that's a good way to enter a season in which at least 3 teams in the NL Central are TRYING TO WIN and threatening to leave you in the dust.

Someone made a good point on twitter the other day.



In a year where the FA market prices are low and teams not willing to part with top prospects as buyers, it seems as though the Pirates made a miscalculation to sell.



I think it's half a good take. They could have added ML assets and made a run for the WC. I think the Pirates had to choose to either go for it with Cole and McCutchen one more time, or move short term assets for long term ones. They clearly chose the latter, and I think considering the known unknowns on this team (Polanco, Glasnow, Cervelli and Marte to an extent) it was likely the right move.



I think the wrong part of the take relates to the prospect view. In Cole talks, they weren't able to pry away a true premium prospect. As opposed to settling for lesser prospects, they acquired a bevy of long term ML assets. They got long term ML guys with some upside, I think they got commensurate value for what Cole has done. I think unfortunately Cole can be better, but he was bad last year and that was reflected in his market value.