Add a rookie league team (or two)?

psuinpgh21 · Post by **psuinpgh21** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 5:43 pm

The Pirates have signed 45 international free agents, along with the 35 or so they had in the DSL last year. Even if 20 of those players make it to GCL, that's still 60. What would it take to have the Bucs field a second DSL team (or even a 2nd GCL team)? They've got plenty of options, since they signed so many of their draft picks last year, could possibly field 2 teams in both leagues.

CTBucco · Post by **CTBucco** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 6:50 am

5A595F43445A4D42181B2A0 wrote: The Pirates have signed 45 international free agents, along with the 35 or so they had in the DSL last year. Even if 20 of those players make it to GCL, that's still 60. What would it take to have the Bucs field a second DSL team (or even a 2nd GCL team)? They've got plenty of options, since they signed so many of their draft picks last year, could possibly field 2 teams in both leagues.
Agreed. I think they really need two teams at one of those levels. I’d guess it would be in the DSL given the rawer LA prospects they tend to sign.

dogknot17@yahoo.co · Post by **dogknot17@yahoo.co** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 3:35 pm

You can add as many teams as you want/need?

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 4:15 pm

0611073026262A450 wrote: The Pirates have signed 45 international free agents, along with the 35 or so they had in the DSL last year. Even if 20 of those players make it to GCL, that's still 60. What would it take to have the Bucs field a second DSL team (or even a 2nd GCL team)? They've got plenty of options, since they signed so many of their draft picks last year, could possibly field 2 teams in both leagues.
Agreed. I think they really need two teams at one of those levels. I’d guess it would be in the DSL given the rawer LA prospects they tend to sign.
Can't see Nutting putting the resources into the operation of another franchise. In addition to the DSL, they've got the GCL Pirates in the GCL and the Bristol Pirates in the Appalachian League. That's 3 rookie teams plus the short season A, West Virginia Black Bears. Then there's the guys in extended spring training who aren't yet assigned to any league. A lot of these low level guys will wash out.

psuinpgh21 · Post by **psuinpgh21** » Sat Feb 17, 2018 6:24 pm

I can't see adding another DSL team as being very expensive, the players are already at the complex; travel costs would be a consideration but a lot of the teams, if I remember correctly, are located in the same cities. I don't know if they would have to practice separately, but they would need to hire a manager and coaches for game day anyway. I'm no expert on the DSL, but there are so many players.

Ecbucs · Post by **Ecbucs** » Sun Feb 18, 2018 1:18 am

5A595F43445A4D42181B2A0 wrote: I can't see adding another DSL team as being very expensive, the players are already at the complex; travel costs would be a consideration but a lot of the teams, if I remember correctly, are located in the same cities. I don't know if they would have to practice separately, but they would need to hire a manager and coaches for game day anyway. I'm no expert on the DSL, but there are so many players.

I don't see another DSL team as being expensive either. However the Pirates strategy of signing a lot of players at low bonuses may mean they expect to have a higher turnover than other teams.