2024 Off-Season Thread

[Babe Adams]

Skenes and Cruz, and that's it. But at least Horwitz, Bart, IKF, Nicky G, and Reynolds were listed in the 20 player groups. Not much to hang a hat on there.

I think they look at it and say that Skenes, or Jones, hadn't thrown a pitch in the majors as of a year ago. Horwitz, Bart, IKF weren't on the roster, and Gonzalez had barely gotten his feet wet. The other side is that guys like Grandal, Tellez, and Taylor aren't on the roster - though it is still early in the diving season.

[Bobster]

So the offseason so far has been pretty much McCutchen, Horwitz, and Caleb Ferguson. If these guys were snacks, Cutch would be the bag of chips that was opened a couple of weeks ago, there's still a few good ones left there at the bottom of the bag, but overall kind of stale and falling apart, but not so much you can't enjoy them a little bit. Horwitz would be the new snack no one has heard of, and probably being pitched as a healthier alternative. Not going to hurt you much, but really not very flavorful and something you think you're going to enjoy everyday, like veggie straws. Ferguson is the snack that you buy from Dollar Tree to have your kindergarten kid take to a school party, one that no one has heard of, but is super cheap and you're not sure much about how it was made or where it came from, but it at least fills out the treat bag.

That was a great post, Surg. Your comparison of the players to snacks was funny but also feels disturbingly accurate.

There's talk among fans about the window of opportunity that they have with Skenes. But that appears to be a total disconnect from the direction (or lack thereof) of Pirates management. It feels like they aren't even trying and they don't care who knows it.

[Doc]

We're exactly 3 weeks away from first full squad workout. We're 16 days away from pitchers and catchers report.

So my question, when do we officially call the "offseason" over? One of those two dates? First regular season game?

Either way, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Daytona 500 on Sunday 2/16 and then 2/17 Spring Training gets underway completely.

Another offseason full of disappointment, and this one has been especially lackluster. I hate opening up the Pirates site and see nothing change for 3 or 4 days. I hate opening up the MLB page, and the only Pirates related mentions are a few of our players being listed in a group of 20 who will comprise the Top 10 right now for the season. The Bucs have Skenes and Cruz, and that's it. But at least Horwitz, Bart, IKF, Nicky G, and Reynolds were listed in the 20 player groups. Not much to hang a hat on there.

What's really fascinating to me, is this winter (for those of us living in Western Pennsylvania) has actually been a real winter so far. Lot of very cold, very grey days. It's almost as if the weather has matched the bleakness of the Pirates offseason to date.

It's sad that here we sit wondering if they'll get a Verdugo or Grichuk, yet in reality we know neither of those guys move the needle much more from what we already have in place. It's like going to a vending machine, and you see a lot of great snacks, but all you have is enough money to buy a 5 stick pack of Juicy Fruit. You'll sigh, buy that Juicy Fruit, smell the package and think how good Juicy Fruit could be if it lasted more than a minute of flavor. Kind of like when Michael Perez hit 3 HR's in a game, you were hoping that it would last, but you knew better.

So the offseason so far has been pretty much McCutchen, Horwitz, and Caleb Ferguson. If these guys were snacks, Cutch would be the bag of chips that was opened a couple of weeks ago, there's still a few good ones left there at the bottom of the bag, but overall kind of stale and falling apart, but not so much you can't enjoy them a little bit. Horwitz would be the new snack no one has heard of, and probably being pitched as a healthier alternative. Not going to hurt you much, but really not very flavorful and something you think you're going to enjoy everyday, like veggie straws. Ferguson is the snack that you buy from Dollar Tree to have your kindergarten kid take to a school party, one that no one has heard of, but is super cheap and you're not sure much about how it was made or where it came from, but it at least fills out the treat bag.

Thanks a lot. Now I'm starving.

[Ecbucs]

So the offseason so far has been pretty much McCutchen, Horwitz, and Caleb Ferguson. If these guys were snacks, Cutch would be the bag of chips that was opened a couple of weeks ago, there's still a few good ones left there at the bottom of the bag, but overall kind of stale and falling apart, but not so much you can't enjoy them a little bit. Horwitz would be the new snack no one has heard of, and probably being pitched as a healthier alternative. Not going to hurt you much, but really not very flavorful and something you think you're going to enjoy everyday, like veggie straws. Ferguson is the snack that you buy from Dollar Tree to have your kindergarten kid take to a school party, one that no one has heard of, but is super cheap and you're not sure much about how it was made or where it came from, but it at least fills out the treat bag.

That was a great post, Surg. Your comparison of the players to snacks was funny but also feels disturbingly accurate.

There's talk among fans about the window of opportunity that they have with Skenes. But that appears to be a total disconnect from the direction (or lack thereof) of Pirates management. It feels like they aren't even trying and they don't care who knows it.

Ben is waiting to draft another pitcher or two like Skenes before the time is right to think the team could contend if he adds talent.

[fjk090852-7]

I enjoyed Surge post comparing the Pirates 3 free agent signings to gum and snacks. It is hard to believe that we are 16 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting and the Pirates continue to do nothing. Yes, we all know Bob Nutting hates to spend money, and yes there are more important issues in this crazy world than the Pirates. It sure would be nice to hear some player news. Maybe the Pirates think that Jack Suwinski will find his home run stroke and also hit left-handed pitching. I do like Billy Cook and Nick York, but will they hit MLB pitching? There have been many young players who have hit minor league pitching but failed in the Big Leagues. It seems the FO doesn't think they need any additional players for the team. There are still several position players and pitchers on the free agent market, not impact players, but ones who could complement the roster. For me this has been an extremely disappointing offseason, but I will still follow the Pirates this year. I am sure there will be game this summer when I will say to myself, if we only had added that certain pitcher, or veteran hitter during the offseason the results of the game would be different.

[fjk090852-7]

I enjoyed Surge post comparing the Pirates 3 free agent signings to gum and snacks. It is hard to believe that we are 16 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting and the Pirates continue to do nothing. Yes, we all know Bob Nutting hates to spend money, and yes there are more important issues in this crazy world than the Pirates. It sure would be nice to hear some player news. Maybe the Pirates think that Jack Suwinski will find his home run stroke and also hit left-handed pitching. I do like Billy Cook and Nick York, but will they hit MLB pitching? There have been many young players who have hit minor league pitching but failed in the Big Leagues. It seems the FO doesn't think they need any additional players for the team. There are still several position players and pitchers on the free agent market, not impact players, but ones who could complement the roster. For me this has been an extremely disappointing offseason, but I will still follow the Pirates this year. I am sure there will be game this summer when I will say to myself, if we only had added that certain pitcher, or veteran hitter during the offseason the results of the game would be different.

Well I just saw they signed lefty Tim Mayza. Maybe things will start to happen.

[fjk090852-7]

Ryan Borucki is returning on a Minor League Contract per Alex Stumpf.

[Ecbucs]

so far no big moves. Maybe they are waiting for spring training to evaluate everyone again and decide where they need to upgrade.

biggest move was getting Horwitz which in my book makes this a quiet off season.

IMO, there is going to be a lot of pressure on him, much different when he was a complementary bat in the Toronto lineup. With the Pirates he may be expected to be third or fourth best bat trailing Reynolds, Cruz and??? (Bart?)

[JollyRoger8]

so far no big moves. Maybe they are waiting for spring training to evaluate everyone again and decide where they need to upgrade.

biggest move was getting Horwitz which in my book makes this a quiet off season.

IMO, there is going to be a lot of pressure on him, much different when he was a complementary bat in the Toronto lineup. With the Pirates he may be expected to be third or fourth best bat trailing Reynolds, Cruz and??? (Bart?)

There’s your big move…..Adam Frazier

[Ecbucs]

so far no big moves. Maybe they are waiting for spring training to evaluate everyone again and decide where they need to upgrade.

biggest move was getting Horwitz which in my book makes this a quiet off season.

IMO, there is going to be a lot of pressure on him, much different when he was a complementary bat in the Toronto lineup. With the Pirates he may be expected to be third or fourth best bat trailing Reynolds, Cruz and??? (Bart?)

There’s your big move…..Adam Frazier

I just penciled him as starting right fielder.