2024 Off-Season Thread

[Doc]

Corbin Burnes signs with Arizona for six years, $210 million. What will Paul Skenes sign for five years from now?

That's a good figure to work with. If he's getting that for six years, I bet Skene's would go that for 7 years, and cover his first two years of FA. 15-20-25-30-35-40-45. I think the first 35 million would be the clincher, those are the pre-arb years.

Try and talk BOB into it. To sweeten the pot, tell him Skene's can hang out with me all day at the Vandergrift pool. Of course Livvy is invited.

If your proposed contract were to be offered and accepted, Skenes would be dealt away after the second year. No way Nutting pays $25 million for any player. But you bring up a good point. If Skenes signs, the Pirates also get Livvy. If the Pirates can convince her (pay her) to just walk around the park during the games for photo opportunities with the fans, the team would draw 30,000 a night. I'd be first in line for a season ticket.

[mouse]

I doubt he signs an extension, so what is his likely first year arb number? We might only have him for two more years.

[fjk090852-7]

I doubt he signs an extension, so what is his likely first year arb number? We might only have him for two more years.

You are right the Pirates may have him for only two or possibly three years, and I cannot understand why they have not done more this offseason so far to take advantage of his ability. The Pirates have about 7 weeks until ST and moves can be made before or during ST but players are coming off the boards daily even during this week between Christmas and New Year’s. I know Nutting is a cheap person, but he is also dumb as rocks if doesn’t have the FO put a more competitive team on the field this year.

[3pirates3]

https://x.com/espn/status/1872675561534832761

I would be understating it if I said I were completely shocked with what Torres was able to sign for.

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/ ... 292914007/

[fjk090852-7]

With some of the free agent outfielders already being signed I am guessing the Pirates will fill the corner outfield position by a trade.

[fjk090852-7]

If the Pirates were approached by another team and they wanted Nick Gonzales and a lower level pitcher for an outfielder would you make the trade ? First off I like Nick, but the Pirates have depth at second base so I would probably make that trade. The Pirates cannot think they can compete without acquiring an option for outfield. Palacios or Suwinski cannot be counted on to fill the position.

[Doc]

If the Pirates were approached by another team and they wanted Nick Gonzales and a lower level pitcher for an outfielder would you make the trade ? First off I like Nick, but the Pirates have depth at second base so I would probably make that trade. The Pirates cannot think they can compete without acquiring an option for outfield. Palacios or Suwinski cannot be counted on to fill the position.

I would not be in favor of trading Gonzales. The team lacks hitting. It makes little sense to trade away a guy who showed a lot of improvement after being recalled last season. The other guys who could replace him have yet to show they can duplicate what Gonzales did in ‘24. At the same time, he hasn’t shown enough to another club that he can bring back a better hitter in return. In a trade of Gonzales, we’d potentially fill one hole while creating another.

The Pirates, outside of Skenes and Reynolds, have little to trade. At this point, minor league players need to be better developed and the owner needs to allow for the signing of legitimate free agents. I don’t see either of those things coming to pass.

[JollyRoger8]

Josh Bell just signed a 1 year $6M contract with the Nationals. I thought he might make a good platoon at 1B with Horwitz.
Another affordable player that makes the position an upgrade is off the board

[Doc]

Josh Bell just signed a 1 year $6M contract with the Nationals. I thought he might make a good platoon at 1B with Horwitz.
Another affordable player that makes the position an upgrade is off the board

Not sure I could've gone along with signing Bell. If he's in a platoon with Horwitz, he wouldn't get many at bats because he'd mostly be hitting against lefthanders. His contributions would've been few. In addition, his best days are behind him and he's a defensive liability. Over the years, the Pirates have spent money on guys like him and it's rarely paid off.

[3pirates3]

https://x.com/Feinsand/status/1873816714850558339