OnlyBucs

I don't think they're going to have any problem manning the back of the rotation. Between Glasnow, Kuhl, Brault and Williams, they're going to get plenty innings.

Roster-wise, there is certainly potential for 2018. I guess we'll clearly see the priorities of the owner one way or the other.

Yeah, for once, the rotation shouldn't really be an issue next year.  Cole, Taillon, Nova at the top, and another year of experience for Glasnow, Kuhl, Williams, and Brault, plus having Kingham possibly available. I think the rotation will be pretty solid next year.



I'm extremely frustrated with the Pirates this year. But the reality is that they SHOULD be in first place.  Consider the games they have led late and wound up losing.



Boston

Los Angeles

Baltimore (twice)

Milwaukee



That's five games just off the top of my head.  We lost three straight to St. Louis by 2-1 scores. We lost to the Cubs 1-0, with the only run coming on a throwing errror from the second baseman.



We've played most of the entire year without arguably our best player, THE entire year without one of the top third basemen in the NL and arguably our best power threat, our best pitcher missed a month with cancer, the other guy with a serious claim to being our best player was below replacement level for most of the first two months of the year, and we're STILL only six out in the loss column.



If we didn't keep shooting ourselves in the feet, we could be leading the division.

I don't think it will be that easy to sign two starters in the off season. Especially, with Williams, Kuhl, Glasnow and Brault in the mix. Not many teams have three quality starters yet four or five. The starting pitching is no longer a problem. Glasnow can certainly bounce back, he has the stuff.

Okay, I have a nickle I'm willing to wager on the "other." If you are looking at what NH is likely to do, as opposed to what he would or should do, I would say there is no way he adds two pitchers. I seriously doubt also that he extends Cutch (although I can see some appeal to that on the Pirates end - not so much on

Cutch's end). I think he is looking to promote the next wave of pitchers. I also don't see a trade of Cole. He has two years, so that's more likely to be looked at after next season is over.

64667C7A6C090 wrote: Okay, I have a nickle I'm willing to wager on the "other." If you are looking at what NH is likely to do, as opposed to what he would or should do, I would say there is no way he adds two pitchers. I seriously doubt also that he extends Cutch (although I can see some appeal to that on the Pirates end - not so much on

Cutch's end). I think he is looking to promote the next wave of pitchers. I also don't see a trade of Cole. He has two years, so that's more likely to be looked at after next season is over.
I agree they won't sign 1 let alone 2 pitchers for next season. For once I would probably agree with that. Cutch won't be signed to an extension but his option will be picked up for sure. While I'm not the biggest fan of Cole, I think we should keep him through next season.

What kind of return would Cole get? I can't tell if we as Pirates fans over-value him or undervalue him.

7F425C515E545F7D5542535554300 wrote: I don't think they're going to have any problem manning the back of the rotation.  Between Glasnow, Kuhl, Brault and Williams, they're going to get plenty innings.


One of the sacrifices that we are making right now is seeing what we have in Williams and Kuhl. Williams has shown he might be a decent #5. He's been inconsistent, but hardly awful (like Locke for example) and while I've called for Kuhl to be replaced by Brault, he has shown signs of having really good stuff. Then you have Brault who looks like he is ready right now and three other guys at AAA who have all shown signs of getting better (Kingham, Holmes and Hutchison). Each of those guys just needs more consistency. And then of course there is Glasnow.



I'm not sure that SP is our worst problem, although, if we do what we did last year, I would think we might look for the next Nova/Happ here at the deadline. Now the bullpen on the other hand ...

41737F7F6B597A737E7B7473120 wrote: What kind of return would Cole get?  I can't tell if we as Pirates fans over-value him or undervalue him.
I read an article on MLB trade rumors that the discussions would start with 2 top 50 prospects.

Interesting to maybe use Kuhl in the bullpen. Not sure if that move is best for the long run, but he could help the short run. I like Kuhl and think he has underperformed so far even though he has been better lately.



The other guys mentioned could bring in a bat (3B) or a back up OF (Freese or Jaso could be dealt).