OnlyBucs

7F747C7075746F2A2C5B627A7374743578741B0 wrote: What bothers ME the most is that the Pirates STILL haven't announced the Giancarlo Stanton acquisition.



I mean, what are they waiting for? The sooner they announce it, the sooner he can suit up in the black and gold and get us the numerous championships Coon promised all those years ago.



We have important games against the Cards this weekend. Let's do this!!


Over the worse and older Granderson and his .230 average?  What are you smoking??


This is a good point. I may reconsider my position.

Fellow Bucco Fans, I feel your pain. We have had teams in the past who were marginally talented and teams that were put together out of desperation. But the team on the field has true potential. Such a shame that the trio of "No Deal Neal" and "Bottom Line Bob" are doing zip to improve the club. This offseason, they will let another good player go and say it was due to their being a small market team and not able to compete. Probably scoure the minor for another pitcher to work into the bullpen mix and call it an offseason as they just can't bare to let prospects go or trade any talent...While 3rd base needs attention, our bullpen stinks outside of Rivero, and we desperately need a 4th outfielder...Milwaukee is competing and doing a fine job of it. Our Front Office needs to be recognized for their lack of support. Shameful I tell you! Simply shameful that they can't acquire talent to support the current club. Benoit in the bullpen has been like throwing gasoline on an open flame. I don't have an answer, but it sure sticks to high heaven the way this club is being run...Dave Littlefield was an idiot...But Neal and Bob have Littlefied beat in my opinion. Talk about spinning a politically correct story, Neal and Bob looked destined for politics if their Pirate jobs go down the drain... >:(

1027312114333C3B3C1513520 wrote: Fellow Bucco Fans, I feel your pain. We have had teams in the past who were marginally talented and teams that were put together out of desperation. But the team on the field has true potential. Such a shame that the trio of "No Deal Neal" and "Bottom Line Bob" are doing zip to improve the club. This offseason, they will let another good player go and say it was due to their being a small market team and not able to compete. Probably scoure the minor for another pitcher to work into the bullpen mix and call it an offseason as they just can't bare to let prospects go or trade any talent...While 3rd base needs attention, our bullpen stinks outside of Rivero, and we desperately need a 4th outfielder...Milwaukee is competing and doing a fine job of it. Our Front Office needs to be recognized for their lack of support. Shameful I tell you! Simply shameful that they can't acquire talent to support the current club. Benoit in the bullpen has been like throwing gasoline on an open flame. I don't have an answer, but it sure sticks to high heaven the way this club is being run...Dave Littlefield was an idiot...But Neal and Bob have Littlefied beat in my opinion. Talk about spinning a politically correct story, Neal and Bob looked destined for politics if their Pirate jobs go down the drain... >:(   


Questions:



What player will they let go and say it was due to small market finances?



Is Huntington worse than Littlefield?

2D262E2227263D787E093028212626672A26490 wrote: Fellow Bucco Fans, I feel your pain. We have had teams in the past who were marginally talented and teams that were put together out of desperation. But the team on the field has true potential. Such a shame that the trio of "No Deal Neal" and "Bottom Line Bob" are doing zip to improve the club. This offseason, they will let another good player go and say it was due to their being a small market team and not able to compete. Probably scoure the minor for another pitcher to work into the bullpen mix and call it an offseason as they just can't bare to let prospects go or trade any talent...While 3rd base needs attention, our bullpen stinks outside of Rivero, and we desperately need a 4th outfielder...Milwaukee is competing and doing a fine job of it. Our Front Office needs to be recognized for their lack of support. Shameful I tell you! Simply shameful that they can't acquire talent to support the current club. Benoit in the bullpen has been like throwing gasoline on an open flame. I don't have an answer, but it sure sticks to high heaven the way this club is being run...Dave Littlefield was an idiot...But Neal and Bob have Littlefied beat in my opinion. Talk about spinning a politically correct story, Neal and Bob looked destined for politics if their Pirate jobs go down the drain... >:(   


Questions:



What player will they let go and say it was due to small market finances?



Is Huntington worse than Littlefield?




question 1: Nicasio



question 2: no, he is better than DL. (still time to fire him though).

565D55595C5D460305724B535A5D5D1C515D320 wrote: Fellow Bucco Fans, I feel your pain. We have had teams in the past who were marginally talented and teams that were put together out of desperation. But the team on the field has true potential. Such a shame that the trio of "No Deal Neal" and "Bottom Line Bob" are doing zip to improve the club. This offseason, they will let another good player go and say it was due to their being a small market team and not able to compete. Probably scoure the minor for another pitcher to work into the bullpen mix and call it an offseason as they just can't bare to let prospects go or trade any talent...While 3rd base needs attention, our bullpen stinks outside of Rivero, and we desperately need a 4th outfielder...Milwaukee is competing and doing a fine job of it. Our Front Office needs to be recognized for their lack of support. Shameful I tell you! Simply shameful that they can't acquire talent to support the current club. Benoit in the bullpen has been like throwing gasoline on an open flame. I don't have an answer, but it sure sticks to high heaven the way this club is being run...Dave Littlefield was an idiot...But Neal and Bob have Littlefied beat in my opinion. Talk about spinning a politically correct story, Neal and Bob looked destined for politics if their Pirate jobs go down the drain... >:(   


Questions:



What player will they let go and say it was due to small market finances?



Is Huntington worse than Littlefield?


Cutch is gone.

No Littlefield was worse, I'll give you that.

Nicasio is a free agent.



McCutchen could be right, but I expect them to pick up his option.

Harrison, as well, is questionable as to being back. They must be gathering middle infielders for a reason, and Harrison's salary will be getting up there.

They'll definitely pick up Cutchs option .  I'm not sure that he won't be traded this offseason though. 



Especially if they feel like Kangs visa is going to not be granted.   The offense will be the same players since SRod was traded for in lieu of signing an everyday 3bman.



If Marte returns to form, Harrison has a good year again, Bell gets better and Polanco stops being a bust, Cutch has another year like this one and Kang gets his visa....the offense could be above average next year.



More than likely one or two of the above won't pan out and we will be pretty average at scoring runs. 



NH is going to want to trade Cutch and not let him walk for nothing.   



He has said in the past those are the hard decisions a small market team has to make to stay competitive.  Can't let elite talent walk for nothing.



They also need to draft well and trade well.  Unfortunately both of those haven't been above average.

What bothers me the most is losing, particularly in a season when the division (and not just a wild card) is up for grabs.



Some particular things that bother me:



Team's failure to acquire a AAAA outfielder when Marte was suspended, Polanco was ailing and Cutch was slumping. Really, there was no one better than Ortiz available?



The team's reliance on veteran relievers. Benoit is an arsonist, Hudson often gets hit and hit hard, and the Cards toyed with LeBlanc in the 9th last night. At the same time, the Pirates have a bevy of young starters who are now ripping up the league at Indianapolis. While I don't know if someone among Brault, Glasnow, Kingham and Holmes is the answer, I can't imagine any of them pitching worse than any of the trio noted above.



The lack of offense and the failure to try and generate more offense. Really, Chris Stewart starts when Diaz is available? If others were ripping it up perhaps Stewart gets the veteranoisity call, but few hitters are currently ripping. Also, anyone else willing to bet that Marte will not hit another home run this year. Marte is starting to look more like the Pirates' version of Billy Hamilton.



My hopes for this season tanked quite a while ago but then there appeared to be an opportunity when the team reeled off some wins in July and clearly was in striking distance of 1st. That enthusiasm now appears to be little more than a mirage.



2017 is turning out to be one frustrating season.

507C7473785F687E6E1D0 wrote: What bothers me the most is losing, particularly in a season when the division (and not just a wild card) is up for grabs.



Some particular things that bother me:



Team's failure to acquire a AAAA outfielder when Marte was suspended, Polanco was ailing and Cutch was slumping.   Really, there was no one better than Ortiz available?



The team's reliance on veteran relievers.  Benoit is an arsonist, Hudson often gets hit and hit hard, and the Cards toyed with LeBlanc in the 9th last night.   At the same time, the Pirates have a bevy of young starters who are now ripping up the league at Indianapolis.   While I don't know if someone among Brault, Glasnow, Kingham and Holmes is the answer, I can't imagine any of them pitching worse than any of the trio noted above. 



The lack of offense and the failure to try and generate more offense.  Really, Chris Stewart starts when Diaz is available?  If others were ripping it up perhaps Stewart gets the veteranoisity call, but few hitters are currently ripping.   Also, anyone else willing to bet that Marte will not hit another home run this year.  Marte is starting to look more like the Pirates' version of Billy Hamilton. 



My hopes for this season tanked quite a while ago but then there appeared to be an opportunity when the team reeled off some wins in July and clearly was in striking distance of 1st.  That enthusiasm now appears to be little more than a mirage. 



2017 is turning out to be one frustrating season. 
Valid points Mainer!

Absolutely no reason for Stewart to be starting over Diaz when this offense has been putrid.

Secondly, Benoit, LeBlanc, and Hudson should be dropped off the roster immediately before any more damage can be done. Recall Glasnow, Brault (they have been lights out; no reason to be in AAA with the big club struggling) and a third reliever from Indy.