A Couple of Comments
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2022 4:18 pm
Overall, I like what BC has done , but:
1) Why are the Pirates, who have below average starters and a circumspect bullpen, now regularly using the bullpen starter approach? If you want to take a look at Beede as a starter (who was a reliever who didn't pitch high leverage innings) fine, but, you should have someone else in the pen who could be expected to go another 3+ innings.
2) Last night illustrated the folly of the bullpen start approach. Early in last night's game (I believe it was the second) it appeared that Thompson may need to leave the game because of injury. While he remained in the game, asking/expecting a pen that is mostly composed of recent cast-offs to throw 6 or so innings 2 nights in a row is a bit much.
3) Unsure if I heard it correctly last night, but I believe it was noted that 56 players have appeared on the 26 man active roster this year. No wonder my feeble brain is having trouble keeping up with what is going on.
4) And, as was noted in an earlier thread, Contreas pitching at Indy when Tyler Beede is now a starter?
5) I am excited to see the sheer volume of rookies/young players getting a shot this year, but if management has any expectations of competing next year, someone needs to be able to convince Nutting to be willing to spend some money on pitching. And, there should be some money available. No Yoshi - $4 mil, no Pena - $5 mil, likely no Newman - $3 mil and no Gamel -$1.5 mil, and minor savings on other veterans (Underwood & Peters). Further, even though it is (very) small change, slowing down the merry-go-round of constant player turn-over should save some dollars. Bucs need to take a risk and try to bring in a veteran arm or 2 on 2 or 3 year contracts.
6) JVM is an enigma. It appears that he may be here through the end of the season. I don't get it, but, I have decided not to comment on it anymore.
7) Arizona's announcers were incredulous over Castro having his cell phone in his back pocket. That said, likely preferable to the late 70's - early 80's when too many players regularly had vials of cocaine on them when they were playing.
8) With the number of remaining games in the season dwindling, it is hard to identify many Pirate players who are exceeding expectations. On offense, perhaps Chavis (I had no real expectations for him entering the season). On the pitching front, perhaps Kellar who is showing some signs of consistency. Otherwise, not much. In short, this is not encouraging.
9) Lastly, couldn't sleep last night. Actually watched the last 4 innings of the Yankees/Mariners 13 inning 1-0 Mariners win. In the 10th, 11th, and 12th, the Yankees ran themselves into multiple stupid outs, and actually ended up wiping out their ghost runner on the bases, and even having 2 players thrown out on the bases in run-downs on the same play. The Yankees are one of the best teams in baseball. If this had happened to the Pirates, I would have cited it as evidence that Shelton and others must go.
1) Why are the Pirates, who have below average starters and a circumspect bullpen, now regularly using the bullpen starter approach? If you want to take a look at Beede as a starter (who was a reliever who didn't pitch high leverage innings) fine, but, you should have someone else in the pen who could be expected to go another 3+ innings.
2) Last night illustrated the folly of the bullpen start approach. Early in last night's game (I believe it was the second) it appeared that Thompson may need to leave the game because of injury. While he remained in the game, asking/expecting a pen that is mostly composed of recent cast-offs to throw 6 or so innings 2 nights in a row is a bit much.
3) Unsure if I heard it correctly last night, but I believe it was noted that 56 players have appeared on the 26 man active roster this year. No wonder my feeble brain is having trouble keeping up with what is going on.
4) And, as was noted in an earlier thread, Contreas pitching at Indy when Tyler Beede is now a starter?
5) I am excited to see the sheer volume of rookies/young players getting a shot this year, but if management has any expectations of competing next year, someone needs to be able to convince Nutting to be willing to spend some money on pitching. And, there should be some money available. No Yoshi - $4 mil, no Pena - $5 mil, likely no Newman - $3 mil and no Gamel -$1.5 mil, and minor savings on other veterans (Underwood & Peters). Further, even though it is (very) small change, slowing down the merry-go-round of constant player turn-over should save some dollars. Bucs need to take a risk and try to bring in a veteran arm or 2 on 2 or 3 year contracts.
6) JVM is an enigma. It appears that he may be here through the end of the season. I don't get it, but, I have decided not to comment on it anymore.
7) Arizona's announcers were incredulous over Castro having his cell phone in his back pocket. That said, likely preferable to the late 70's - early 80's when too many players regularly had vials of cocaine on them when they were playing.
8) With the number of remaining games in the season dwindling, it is hard to identify many Pirate players who are exceeding expectations. On offense, perhaps Chavis (I had no real expectations for him entering the season). On the pitching front, perhaps Kellar who is showing some signs of consistency. Otherwise, not much. In short, this is not encouraging.
9) Lastly, couldn't sleep last night. Actually watched the last 4 innings of the Yankees/Mariners 13 inning 1-0 Mariners win. In the 10th, 11th, and 12th, the Yankees ran themselves into multiple stupid outs, and actually ended up wiping out their ghost runner on the bases, and even having 2 players thrown out on the bases in run-downs on the same play. The Yankees are one of the best teams in baseball. If this had happened to the Pirates, I would have cited it as evidence that Shelton and others must go.