2024 Off-Season Thread

[Bobster]

https://www.mlb.com/news/garrett-croche ... -white-sox

The Pirates sign 2B/OF Nick Solak to a minor league contract. - https://www.baseball-reference.com/play ... ni01.shtml

The annual cavalcade of utility players.

[Doc]

https://www.mlb.com/news/garrett-croche ... -white-sox

The Pirates sign 2B/OF Nick Solak to a minor league contract. - https://www.baseball-reference.com/play ... ni01.shtml

If Major League Baseball changes the rules in the next few weeks to only allow teams to use second basemen at all nine positions, we just might have a chance to reach the playoffs.

[fjk090852-7]

https://www.mlb.com/news/garrett-croche ... -white-sox

The Pirates sign 2B/OF Nick Solak to a minor league contract. - https://www.baseball-reference.com/play ... ni01.shtml

If Major League Baseball changes the rules in the next few weeks to only allow teams to use second basemen at all nine positions, we just might have a chance to reach the playoffs.

I am amazed as to the amount of middle infielders the Pirates have in their upper levels. It is too bad they can’t move a Bae, or even Peguero to obtain a middle level minor league pitcher or outfielder. Sooner or later some of these players are going to use up all their options, and they will have to be designated for assignment.

[Doc]

https://www.mlb.com/news/garrett-croche ... -white-sox

The Pirates sign 2B/OF Nick Solak to a minor league contract. - https://www.baseball-reference.com/play ... ni01.shtml

If Major League Baseball changes the rules in the next few weeks to only allow teams to use second basemen at all nine positions, we just might have a chance to reach the playoffs.

I am amazed as to the amount of middle infielders the Pirates have in their upper levels. It is too bad they can’t move a Bae, or even Peguero to obtain a middle level minor league pitcher or outfielder. Sooner or later some of these players are going to use up all their options, and they will have to be designated for assignment.

Another amazing aspect of this is that none of those middle infielders have emerged as an above average player. With the possible exception of Nick Gonzales, they all seem to be rather ordinary at this point. Why can’t we ever draft a Bobby Witt or a Gunnar Henderson? Instead, we had Oneil Cruz playing there and he played the position like he’d have rather been home in bed.

[fjk090852-7]

It is almost two months since the regular season ended, and with December approaching, baseball is about ready to enter the real Hot Stove Season. I have been thinking about some players the Pirates could consider to upgrade their offense. Here is a list of 11 players the Pirates should at least kick the tires to see if there is a free agent signing possibility or trade opportunity.

M. Conforto
Austin Hayes
Tyler O’Neill
J. Profar
A. Verdogo
Max Kepler
Joc Peterson

Trade candidates

Yandy Diaz
Lamont Wade
Taylor Ward
Ryan Mountcastle


The Pirates don’t need a player who is on their decline, they need to sign or acquire players that would complement the players currently in their starting lineup. Let’s hope during the Winter Meetings beginning in about two weeks the Pirates add some offense players who can get them to the next level.

A couple weeks ago I wrote this post listing some players the Pirates should check on obtaining. The Winter Meetings have ended, and the Pirates did acquire Spencer Horwitz to play first base. Since the July 31 st trading deadline the Pirates have traded a few pitchers, but they still have most of their projected talented pitchers. Rather than trading any additional pitchers they should check on signing one of the five remaining free agents which I listed in my original post. Pitching is very important, and since the Pirates traded Ortiz they should not entertain offers to move any additional pitching. Another important offensive bat is a priority if they want to compete for the Division.

[3pirates3]

https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/ ... de/1515521

[Javy]

https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/ ... de/1515521

Read this article on another site. I would hope that the return is someone who would anchor the middle of the batting order. After acquiring Horwitz, who appears ticketed for 1B, that would mean an outfielder. what OF'er would either bring in return? Hearing that Adolis Garcia from Texas might be available, as well as Jarred Duran from Boston. Would love Duran, but is Jones or Keller enough to get him? Plus, he's a CF'er, so do you move Cruz to RF? I think it would take Jones plus someone else, given Kellers contract. Boston is also talking Tristan Casas for one of Seattle's starters. Had the Bucs not acquired Horwitz, I would have loved to see Casas in Pittsburgh even for Jones. Maybe Horwitz could play RF?

[3pirates3]

Did Jones defile Cherington's Cheerios or are they just afraid of his future salary already? Why not trade Skenes too if that's the case?

[Doc]

https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/ ... de/1515521

I find it not at all surprising that Keller would come up in this conversation for two reasons: he seems to be unable to be consistent throughout an entire season and because of the money he's due. I'm a bit surprised that Jones is mentioned, though, what with him being young and controllable. I wonder if the Pirates think he's an injury risk going forward because of how hard he throws?

[fjk090852-7]

https://www.rotoballer.com/player-news/ ... de/1515521

I find it not at all surprising that Keller would come up in this conversation for two reasons: he seems to be unable to be consistent throughout an entire season and because of the money he's due. I'm a bit surprised that Jones is mentioned, though, what with him being young and controllable. I wonder if the Pirates think he's an injury risk going forward because of how hard he throws?

I cannot understand why the Pirates would even think about trading their #2 or #3 starting pitchers. Pitching is so expensive and they know what Keller is due for several years, and Jones is not yet arbitration eligible. Who knows if Chandler or Harrington are going to be good MLB pitchers? Yes they have had success in the minors, but will that translate into the Majors? In my opinion now is the time to sign a free agent outfielder, and some bullpen help, and get prepared for ST. Don’t think the team has enough starting pitchers, and begin moving them for a position player when several position players are still available at salaries not exceeding Pirates parameters through free agency.