2-18-24 – By Gary Morgan – @garymo2007 on Twitter
I wasn’t sure I was going to do one of these this week.
My mom’s birthday is a week after mine so we had kind of a cross over birthday thing this weekend, and social media lately, especially the Pirates stuff has been insane recently. Most of you who submit regular questions here, well, you know I try to give you as serious an attempt as I can to answer your question, but the current climate had me wondering if I might be fishing in a sewer with a hot dog hoping for a clean smelling trout by asking or questions this week.
Even so, a bit shorter than normal, a bit busier than normal, so….
Lets Go.
Question 1
Some people were not happy about the signing of Rowdy Tellez, if there’s any positive in the signing of Rowdy Tellez what would it be? – Neal Kokito
The negativity comes from being tired of the Pirates signing one year deals at a position with little obvious coming to hold back. Additionally, he wasn’t the best available player at the position, so of course the initial reaction to the very early in the off season move was of course, overwhelmingly not bright and shiny.
There seems to be this ongoing effort to positive things up a bit in the fan base, and I get it, so long as people want to keep honesty as part of the equation. I’d also say, have a little patience for Pirates fans, wanting better isn’t wrong.
Now, what’s positive about the Tellez signing? He had a hell of a season in 2022, lots of homeruns, lots of production. He wants to be here. The most reasonable positive spin on Rowdy is that his bat, provided he’s healthy will probably rebound.
Further, if the Pirates are smart with his usage, he won’t face as many lefty’s which could really help his strikeout and probably his OPS.
I can’t say I’m excited to watch him field first base, it’s never looked great, but they took Santana, an average fielder and he was a finalist for the Gold Glove. Maybe they can take Rowdy’s below average glove and make it average.
They could have done worse, and he isn’t without hope of bouncing back offensively.
I’m just not going to glow here my friend.
Question 2
Would love to see 1 more arm, preferably a trade for a guy who will be around for a few years making the reliance in Brubaker and Burrows being back before mid season less important and or not needing to rush Oviedo thru his off season program for next year.
All of that said, We know there are talks for someone from the Marlins and we also know it won’t be Bauer which I can’t understand but whatever. So who do you want it to be? Who do you think it will be and lastly, is it reasonable to believe Brubaker and Burrows will be mid season reinforcements? – J.w. Sanders
OK J.w., that’s a lot. Let’s take it in steps.
First, not team is rushing any player back from UCL surgery. None. Take that Oviedo concert off your plate.
Next. Strike Burrows from your back to help in the form of cavalry. He looked very promising to be sure, absolutely one of my favorite pitching prospects when he went down. Next in line to get a call up even, but that was a different time. An unproven kid isn’t getting healthy and jumping right back to where he was. I wouldn’t count on him this year, not in a meaningful way anyway. He will heal, he will throw and he’ll work his way back into the picture, or he won’t, but I honestly think if his services are needed in 2024, they probably aren’t in very good shape.
Brubaker, well, he has a track record, but even he’ll need some time to get where he needs to be. He isn’t a pitcher that had a ton of room to spare as it is, so he has to do well and he has to be right.
As to who I want it to be, well, it doesn’t matter much what I want. I’d sign Michael Lorenzen, but if they have a chance to get Cabrera, he’s good enough that they should within reason go get it. I wouldn’t do anything that could hurt this year’s team, but they have prospect room, and as long as it’s not insane, It has a chance to help for a few years.
Question 3
Are the players signed to non-roster invites mostly just for minor league depth? – James Littleton
Mostly James, but some other reasons are eating Spring Innings, injury insurance, and legitimate belief that a guy could have something fixable that if solved could bring someone back to their former prominence or achieve their original prospect expectations.
I honestly don’t think there always is a plan for what these guys will do, or if they’ll even be here come April. 50% of these guys will have an opt out when not making a roster and in that case, the incentive for them is often the Pirates giving them a shot to lay down some fresh tape.
I personally think one of the best reasons to bring in guys like that, is because they remind all the top prospects, look, you could very easily be me, and some of them are kind enough to tell them where they went wrong along the way too.
But yes, the survivors are usually just depth. Pirates have a lot more starters looking to head to AA than AAA, at least as far as touted prospects go.
Question 4
Are pirates done with getting – Shawn Wheeler
This made me laugh. Reminded me of Kevin from the Office when he decided to stop using unnecessary words.
I’m pretty sure they’re getting more pitching if that’s what you mean Shawn.
Question 5
Out of all the NRI’s, who do you think has the best chance to get called up sometime this season? My money is on Honeywell and Heller for the bullpen, in case of injury – Brenden Zielinski
Do you think any of the NRI free agents (SP or RP) have a chance to make the team out of ST – SadPiratesFan
Without a doubt, Ben Heller to me is the most likely. He’s got a crazy sweeper and if it’s going, he should probably earn a shot this year.
Wily Peralta and Honeywell have good shots too, but Heller is my favorite. I don’t see any that will get a start though, unless it’s an emergency fill in role, and if that happens it’ll likely be their entire story here.
Question 6
What could the high end of our offense be these year? Say, team average and total HRs? – Douglas Smith
On homeruns, I think 210-225 isn’t insane. Last year they hit 159 with no Cruz and I expect a jump from a few guys like Peguero, Reynolds and Jack. As much as fans have rightly been underwhelmed by Tellez, he will hit homeruns if he’s healthy.
I think we could be looking a quite a few more from the catching position as a whole. So all in all, I think a jump in power is going to be hard to avoid. That would probably put them in the middle of the league and it feels plausible to me.
As to average, I personally don’t hold much hope. Until I see an Andy Haines offense look like they have that ability, I’m just not going to believe it. I’ll say the overall improvement in talent bumps them up a bit to .245 or .250.
Question 7
Reports say the Marlins are talking to Pittsburgh about Edward Cabrera. Personally, I would trade anyone not named Skenes or Chandler. Why not just give them what they need to get this done before full squad? – ClementeWall21
The simplest answer is, because that would be stupid. He’s not a give anything they want type of talent. Just isn’t.
I think he’ll help, I think he has a chance to be a really good pitcher in this league, but only a fool would pay gold prices for copper. Also, it’s not as though Cabrera isn’t pitching or practicing, it won’t be seen as a deadline, especially as the Marlins have other suitors.
Every team has a price they’re willing to go, raising that price happens all the time, but you don’t raise it just to get something done, because that’s how you wind up paying WAY more than the product you’re getting.
Question 8
Are you hearing anything about Ortiz? -krid
He threw today, but no, I’m not hearing much either. Honestly, having options he probably has the most to show to grab up a spot. Hard to say from the very very small bit we’ve seen anything worth dissecting and I haven’t heard anyone talk about him in any meaningful way either.
Question 9
Do you think the Edward Cabrera deal happens by tmr – Trex
I’d never even try. If you want someone to pretend, best hunt down one of the plethora of pretend insiders on Twitter and see if they’re doing a BS Q&A.
Question 10
Looking into 2025’s possible SP potentials, as it is today, I see Keller, Oviedo, Bru, Skenes, Jones, Solo, Ortiz, Roansy, Wolf, Burrows, and others I can’t remember that could be considered.. IF we trade for Cabrera, who could you see rounding out the top five? – Shannon Gregory
If they trade for Cabrera, I’d say we can’t be sure he’ll be a starter or reliever as he evolves. I’d like to say if they acquire him, they certainly think he’s a starter, so I’ll toss him in the mix.
If the Pirates don’t extend Keller or Brubaker, I for one can’t sit here and assume either or both will be here in 2025 as it would be both of their last season’s here. Oviedo might be ready by Spring, but he might be ready just a little later too. Let’s chill on the straight prospects.
If everything went exactly as I’m sure the Pirates hope, Keller, Skenes, Jones, Roansy, Priester, Ortiz, Solo, all in that mix. Hey, maybe Gonzales looks like he’s worth that 15 mil, could happen?
I’ve said this before, I just want to entre 2025 with 4 I’m sure can start. We’re just gonna have to watch it play out.
Question 11
Here’s a fun one Gary, if you could add one former pirate to this team who would it be? Stipulations: they have to still be playing in the league right now and you take them as they are. So if you choose Marte, you don’t get 2016 Marte, you get 2024 Marte. – STATZ N’@
I love the question but all day every day it’s Gerrit Cole. He’s the best pure starter in the league and in his prime. Yup, it won’t get better than that.
If I had to choose another, Joe Musgrove has to be the honorable mention, and maybe Clay Holmes third.
Question 12
Are there streaming services available to watch the games? – Rhino71
I don’t believe there is anything official. I say official, because a resourceful person might just be able to find something that allows you to see every game. A person might even be able to find all of this for free.
Some of these ways might not be the most legal of methods, but hey, what people don’t know, won’t hurt them.
SportsNet Pittsburgh is supposedly working on something, and MLB will eventually do it themselves. For now though, legally, no.
Question 13
I am reading Contreras is looking good so far this month. Do you agree? – Mark Graham
I’ve read the same, more importantly, I’ve read that he feels he’s better. We’re going to have to wait to really know, trust me, they thought they had some things licked last year and it didn’t translate.
Question 14
This would be very unpirates-like, but could the reason they haven’t been more aggressive in the SP market be because they’re giving Skenes a real shot to make the opening day roster? Jeremy Ransom
This would be un-any team like. Crochet did it in 2020, but that year was crap. 2009 Mike Leake did it, but that’s about it really. I don’t believe he’ll make it on opening day, and I think that’s completely appropriate. If they are making plans based on him making it, they really should be fired.
Steel City Pirates 