OnlyBucs

777B7A2128212924233C26110 wrote: Cards are making a comeback. Bucs may lose this game yet.
Yes, this is beginning to look like one of those games they can't possibly lose that they lose.

Just last week I floated the idea of trading Cole, but when you watch him pitch you can see what exceptional stuff he has. I would suggest taking the $600,000 we saved on Nicasio and arranging some support sessions for Cole --- maybe with Greg Maddox, a high priest, or the ghost of Freud ---but let's invest in helping him hit his ceiling.

If one of those parties is successful, we could take the $4million we save by not resigning Jaso and have them start in on Glasnow.

07002C3B2D4E0 wrote: Just last week I floated the idea of trading Cole, but when you watch him pitch you can see what exceptional stuff he has.  I would suggest taking the $600,000 we saved on Nicasio and arranging some support sessions for Cole --- maybe with Greg Maddox, a high priest, or the ghost of Freud ---but let's invest in helping him hit his ceiling. 

If one of those parties is successful, we could take the $4million we save by not resigning Jaso and have them start in on Glasnow.


That's the Searage extension.



This is a really disappointing effort by Cole. Your ace won't always be great, but given a lead like tonight, he should be able to battle to the seventh.

Cole not an Ace. Just like the organizations and fan bases infatuation with prospects, they too, over projected, drafted and labeled Cole with this Ace tag. It was never earned. It was always conjecture. He is a solid #3 on a competitive team and a reach of a #2 on a mediocre team. If he were viewed through this prism then he would be about what you expected with reason to hope for more at some point.

6645505051595A545150470D0D350 wrote: Cole not an Ace.  Just like the organizations and fan bases infatuation with prospects, they too, over projected, drafted and labeled Cole with this Ace tag.  It was never earned.  It was always conjecture.  He is a solid #3 on a competitive team and a reach of a #2 on a mediocre team.  If he were viewed through this prism then he would be about what you expected with reason to hope for more at some point. 
That's true. Another example of the Pirates wrongly expecting someone to fill a role. A team trying to contend needs an ace. Someone who can be counted on to consistently shut down the opposition, give at least 7 strong innings to save the bullpen and win big games. The Pirates aren't going to sign an established star pitcher so they have to develop one. But Cole's pitching has been no better than Williams or Kuhl. He's decent. But a failure in his role. Alvarez was a complimentary hitter. A guy who supplied HRs but couldn't be counted on to get hits consistently. He was drafted to be the franchise hitter but failed in that role. Tony Watson was a decent reliever. He was anointed the closer and failed in that role. Polanco was billed as a 5-tool player who would be a great asset. He's just ok at best. The problem with the Pirates is when a player fails in his role, there's seldom a Plan B.

The problem is that very rarely do our players live up to the hype that is put on them from the moment they're drafted.



"Top of the rotation starter"

" Middle of the order bat"

"Untouchable, he's a can't miss prospect"



Just unlucky, I guess.

I know the string of losses over the past 2+ weeks seems like a fitting end to this season of lackluster Pirate baseball, but it sure was sad to look at the staring line-up for the Bucs and to see only 3 of 8 position players hitting over .250; Cutch, Marte and Stallings. And, Stallings' BA is based on him going 2 for 7 so far this season.



I'm glad to see folks like Osuna, Bostick, Moroff, Luplow, and Stallings getting a start today, but it also would be nice to see at least one of the above looking like they could be a contributor to the offense. Not watching the game but thought I'd at least check out the starting line-up.

1D31393E3512253323500 wrote: I know the string of losses over the past 2+ weeks seems like a fitting end to this season of lackluster Pirate baseball, but it sure was sad to look at the staring line-up for the Bucs and to see only 3 of 8 position players hitting over .250; Cutch, Marte and Stallings.   And, Stallings' BA is based on him going 2 for 7 so far this season. 



I'm glad to see folks like Osuna, Bostick, Moroff, Luplow, and Stallings getting a start today, but it also would be nice to see at least one of the above looking like they could be a contributor to the offense.   Not watching the game but thought I'd at least check out the starting line-up.   


I did watch some of the game between bumbles by the Stillers and was impressed with one thing Bostick seemed to do well and that is run and I mean Pete Rose hustle down the line even on a ball that looked like a sure out (his first at bat) but went through for a hit. Then his last at bat he ran like the wind down toward first. This guy could teach Marte a bit about hustle.

05242C052E26410 wrote: I know the string of losses over the past 2+ weeks seems like a fitting end to this season of lackluster Pirate baseball, but it sure was sad to look at the staring line-up for the Bucs and to see only 3 of 8 position players hitting over .250; Cutch, Marte and Stallings.   And, Stallings' BA is based on him going 2 for 7 so far this season. 



I'm glad to see folks like Osuna, Bostick, Moroff, Luplow, and Stallings getting a start today, but it also would be nice to see at least one of the above looking like they could be a contributor to the offense.   Not watching the game but thought I'd at least check out the starting line-up.   


I did watch some of the game between bumbles by the Stillers and was impressed with one thing Bostick seemed to do well and that is run and I mean Pete Rose hustle down the line even on a ball that looked like a sure out (his first at bat) but went through for a hit.  Then his last at bat he ran like the wind down toward first.  This guy could teach Marte a bit about hustle.
For what it is worth , Bostick was on the post game show on The Fan and he sounds very intelligent. I am hoping he will succeed,and become one of the bench pieces in 2018.

Pirates finished a respectable 27-30 vs. Cubs, Brewers, Cards.



But their record vs. last-place Reds & Giants (I believe it was 7-18) killed this team.



Just flip that to a 18-7 (which would be reasonable) and Pirates would be 2 games out of the wild card.