6-28-23 – By Gary Morgan – @garymo2007 on Twitter

The Pirates finally won a game, and won it with the bats at that. One game is exactly that, until they do this sort of thing for a few games, a week, it’s just an anomaly. We’ve got some great questions this week so I won’t delay jumping right in.

Question 1

With Reynolds and Choi coming back soon, who do you think gets sent to AAA or DFA’d? – John @JGor492 on Twitter

Currently John, the Pirates have technically speaking, 47 players on their 40-man counting all those who are on the 60-day IL.

As you note, Choi is one poised to come off of it. I think we should also add in Colin Holderman, he’ll be back sooner than later too as he’s already begun his throwing program.

The best way to answer this in my mind is to first talk about who on that 40-man is vulnerable because to reinstate Choi, they’ll need one opened up as they have 7 players currently on the 60-day IL.

Mike Burrows – He’s out after undergoing TJ, clearly out all season, not yet on the 60-day IL, a simple move could be to transfer him to that list.

Rob Zastryzny – He’s on the 15 day IL, and honestly I have no idea how severe it is, but potentially they could transfer him to the 60-day or DFA him.

Ryan Borucki – I could see him being shipped, and DFA’d in one swoop.

Now, that’s who I think would be first in line for getting the 40-man spot opened for Choi.

On the 26-man, I think the vulnerable for demotion are in this order, Ji Hwan Bae, Rodolfo Castro, Tucupita Marcano, Borucki as mentioned.

Reynolds will probably cause them to feel they need to lose an OF, as Davis has entrenched himself already. That makes me feel Bae who could probably use a fine tuning.

If Gonzales can continue playing SS, Tucupita or Castro each could be vulnerable, but not both. If Ke’Bryan Hayes back is going to remain a problem, Castro will be safe because of his ability to play 3B.

Reality is though, a whole lot could happen before we get there. Choi for instance, the team wants him to play 1B when he returns so they think they’ll need a longer rehab to get him ready. That could be a couple weeks yet, who knows what will happen in that time.

Question 2

Who would get to the major leagues quicker? Skenes, Crews or Langford? – James Carr @JTCarr76 on Twitter

Anyone who answers this definitively is a liar. That’s the most important place to start, no matter how sure you are, you aren’t. All I’m saying is the Pirates number 2 pick in 1987 Mark Merchant (right after Ken Griffey Jr.), who never played in the league, was seen as “can’t miss” too. “Tool-wise, he’s got everything you’re looking for as a complete ballplayer,” Buzzy Keller, the Pirates’ director of player development, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in August 1987. “You might find some players who run faster and throw harder, but his combination (of tools) and makeup make him a complete player.” – From a piece in the Sporting News

He was seen as “The best prospect to come out of Florida in 30 years”. Eric Davis comps.

Point being, you can’t account for injury, or even just flat being wrong.

It really depends on how you’d deploy a guy like Skenes. the other two are going to take at least a season I’d wager, if only because transitioning to a wooden bat isn’t a snap of the fingers. Bryce Harper played 130 MiLB games before making his debut, but he came from high school, so I suppose that’s not a great comp either, regardless, If people really think they could have the draft and then that Friday be in an MLB lineup, I’d say they probably haven’t watched the game of baseball long, and I tend to lean toward the conservative when it comes to ETA’s.

Skenes, well, he probably has MLB bullpen stuff right this second. My guess is that’s not how you want to use him though, so I’d imagine he starts either in High A or AA and he could move quickly. Best case 2nd half of 2024, but again, if you held a gun to my head for an ETA where my correctness mattered, I’d tell you 2025 every time.

Question 3

Wouldn’t a Chad Kuhl reunion for a bullpen arm in place of Borucki be an idea worth exploring? I’ve always thought he’d make a great RP. – Shannon Gregory, @tnbuccofan on Twitter

I suggested largely the same thing the other day on Twitter, so yeah, I can dig it. Chad has a bunch of pitches but as a starter, he spends too much time trying to make some of the lesser offerings work, and they simply won’t. He also doesn’t reach his peak velocity because he’s trying to last.

In a RP role, I love his chances to be effective.

Not much more to say there.

Question 4

Why is Ji Hwan Bae playing so much. Defensively he’s the worst of the 4 options at both MI spots, and isn’t exactly carrying a big stick. – Taylor, @Taylor_Bauer11 on Twitter

I think he’s good enough to play 2B, but his best position is CF. With Davis playing out there, I’m not sure how much more opportunity there is to be had in the outfield at the moment.

They like his ability to use his speed, but they don’t coach him up to use it effectively.

They like his ability to slap the ball around, yet they teach him launch angle and expect pop.

Explain why they expect one thing and coach another, maybe it’ll make sense of why they sit some and work others when it makes very little sense.

He’s their best bet at game changing speed, and that’s probably the best answer, even if it simply doesn’t answer the question adequately.

I’d also say, answering an earlier question I think I illustrated why he might be in trouble.

Question 5

Pirates keeping Endy down longer so once brought up will replace Hedges or Delay this season? If so, Endy behind the plate and Davis staying in OF for 2024? – Rough Seas, @Rough_Seas412 on Twitter

They’re keeping Endy down longer because frankly, he hasn’t hit his way up here.

Starting this season Endy was seen as the more advanced catcher, and as we sit here, he’s seen as the more advanced catcher.

In 2024 I expect both will get time back there, and honestly, I’m not sure how it’ll shake out. I can say the team has repeatedly said Davis will still work on catching in the background this season, and I wouldn’t be shocked if they wound up letting him have a crack before the season is out.

Make no mistake though, Endy isn’t here because he didn’t perform, not manipulation. They may have kept him down until a week or so ago regardless, but that doesn’t discount that right now, with no restrictions and nothing to gain, they simply don’t see him as ready.

What he needs is a hot 2 week stretch, then we’ll start seeing how they approach it.

Question 6

What is Ben Cherington’s aversion to having a true SS on the roster, and with Peguero (who just happens to be in Pgh) performing well, do you see that changing soon? – JW, @silkychubs on Twitter

An aversion? Cruz got hurt, all the guys who could maybe play SS, showed they probably shouldn’t. Peguero could earn a call up soon, but he’s been an error machine too. Everyone is keeping a spot warm for Cruz.

This question to me would be like asking why Ben Cherington doesn’t care about the 3B position with Hayes being hurt.

Sorry, I’m not someone who’s going to pretend everything comes down to someone being dumb.

Question 7

I’m hearing rumors now that Dylan Crews won’t sign if the Pirates pick him. Not sure if that’s true but I think we should pick him anyway. He can only be offered so much no matter who picks him. If we do pick him and he doesn’t sign doesn’t he have to wait a year and we would get the 2nd pick in the 2024 draft plus our regular pick. I really hope we can sign him and what I’m hearing isn’t true. – Don Jacobsen

Don, let’s start by understanding the draft rules.

If a player selected in the first 10 rounds doesn’t sign, his pick’s value is subtracted from his club’s pool. If a team exceeds its allotment, it faces a penalty.

A team that outspends its pool by 0-5 percent pays a 75 percent tax on the overage. At higher thresholds, clubs lose future picks: a first-rounder and a 75 percent tax for surpassing their pool by more than 5 and up to 10 percent; a first- and a second-rounder and a 100 percent tax for more than 10 and up to 15 percent; and two first-rounders and a 100 percent tax for more than 15 percent.

That last part is super important. Essentially, a player like Crews really doesn’t have much choice. He signs for close to the suggested allotment or sits for a year only to be drafted again, probably lower for less money.

No agent in this set up is going to change the fact that players have very little room for alternate paths in the MLB draft.

A high school kid, well he could choose to just go to school. Crews, not so much.

The report was that Crews likely wasn’t’ going to sign for the Pirates first proposed number.

This was taken by idiots who pretend to be reporters and turned into “Crews doesn’t want to sign with the Pirates”.

The draft allotment goes down with each successive pick. Any team could give him their entire allotment and not pick another player, but exactly zero teams would do that.

Bottom line, if the Pirates want Crews, they’ll take and sign Crews.

Now, if say Crews has Boras as an agent (he has him as an advisor currently because we’re still pretending collegiate athletics aren’t pro sports), you can bet right now he will go to free agency after team control is exercised.

Will the Pirates care if he delivers 6 or 7 years of dominance, probably not.

Context is everything but this whole issue became an issue so a few people who think very highly of themselves could get clicks.

6-27-23 – By Justin Verno – @JV_PITT on Twitter

Inching closer to the ASB, this means we should be on the look out for more promotions. Possibly even changes to the list. Anyways, let’s get to it.

1–Endy Rodriguez-

2-Henry Davis-

3-Termarr Johnson–

4-Quinn Priester-

5-Liover Peguero–

6-Mike Burrow-(season over)

7-Bubba Chandler–

8-Jared Triolo–

9-Jared Jones–

10-Yordany De Los Santos–

11-Thomas Harrington–

12-Kyle Nicolas–

13-Colin Selby–

14-Carlos Jimenz-(NO STATS)

15-Tony Blanco jr

MY FIVE

16-Anthony Solometo

17-Nick Gonzales

18-Jun-Seok Shim-No Stats

19-Tsung-Che Cheng

20-Enmanuel Terrero

A Few quick thoughts-

A few more congrats-

Mid week promotions aren’t the norm (unless forced by injury), but we had a few this past week.

Tsung-Che Cheng! I’ve been throwing his name up there for a few weeks. Talk about a kid that deserved it! Congrats TS!

Nick Gonzales joined the show, where he promptly greeted with a swift kick to the head, so to speak. Welcome to the show NickyG! Good luck and congrats.

Here’s my pitch…

Pitching through the system continues to be strong.

Quinn Priester had his best start of the year. It looked like they dialed the velo back and the FB had a little movement, but what made it most effective was how good the off-speed stuff was. Hopefully this is an indicator that Quinn is about to go on a run. If he does, I imagine he finds himself at PNC soon enough.

HanSolo was just awesome in his second AA start. MLBPipeline added him to their Top 100 list and it will not be too long before the others get in line. The added velo, the crazy control he gets from his funky cool delivery will blow your mind!

While Harrington and Nicolas didn’t exactly tear it up, both kept excellent K rates. 35% for Kyle and 25.7% for Harrington, giving both guys something to grow on.

Colin Selby is back (as someone pointed out to me, he returned last week and I missed it) and is picking up right where he left off, striking out 41% of the hitters he faced over 3 innings. That will certainly get you noticed by the front office.

I get Jared Jones ERA doesn’t look sparkling, but the kid had a good 1st week in AAA. His first start he was flat out dominant until the 6th inning. After loading the bases with two outs, he was pulled in favor of LHRP. That LHRP, who shall remain nameless, did him no favors, but make no mistake-Jared shoved until that point. His change up looked like his best pitch and if that pitch develops? Look out.

In his second game he lost the plate, but pitchers have to be able to get outs even when they are off, and he did just that. He fought and scratched for every inch and got thru the 5th. It wasn’t pretty, but it’s a step in the right direction for sure!

Her come the Bats-man!

I pointed this out last week and it’s good to see the momentum carry on. Henry Davis looked right at home in the MLB, giving up three runs over five innings. He scratched and Liover Pegeuro is getting right and that should have us all very excited. Since May 15, the switch dun switched.

.293/.360/.531 .890 wRC+ or 138

In this stretch he has 12 doubles, a triple, and 7 HR. With the Bucs struggles at SS I would think they have to be discussing Peggy going directly to Pittsburgh. Do not pass go do not collect $200.

Jared Triolo: Jared is as good a fielder as anyone in the system. In his time in the Bucs system he’s played, SS, 3B, 2B, CF and he just added 1B this week. With the bat now working are the Bucs prepping Triolo for his future role at PNC Park? Maybe a .293/.403/.436 utility hitter is exactly what this team needs, call him the new Josh Harison?

I’ve talked about Emanuel Tererro before, and I am not sure what the team needs to see before they move him to A+ ball, but it’s gotta be close, right?

I think we can give Termarr Johnson a seat on the same bus to Greensboro. TJ has missed a good deal of games since joining the Bucs, both last year and this year. Despite missing so much time he made quick adjustments and has shown an excellent eye and control of the plate beyond his years. The power is starting to join the party. Here’s that slash line since May 9th-

.263/.427/.474 OPS .901 wRC+ 151

A .474 OBP is ridiculous at 19 and in A ball.

Endy time?

Prospects don’t learn linearly. If we learn anything while getting through these, it’s that. Endy got off to a sluggish start. He got hurt. He’s doing a lot of glove work behind the dish. And I think he’s finally getting healthy and he’s getting back to being Endy.

Since May the 29th Endy has it going and is now starting his push to Pittsburgh:

.298/.362/.415 OPS .777

The wRC+ is 97 over this time frame. I’m not worried about that, now that his bat is working the power will come. It’s played at every level for Endy. What makes me so confident, you ask? That’s a fair question. His approach is still intact(10.8% walk rate and a 16.2% K rate). Though he did expand here and there, pushing for that ticket to Pittsburgh he never lost sight of who he was and it’s starting to pay off.

Will you join me in saying-#FreeEndy?

#FreeEndy

6-22-23 – By Justin Verno & Corey Shrader – @JV_PITT and @CoreyShrader on Twitter

Justin Verno- It’s about that time of year, Corey! June is here, and we’ve already heard some trade rumors floated into the ether. Granted, there haven’t been a lot but there are some, such as the Royals being ‘open for business’. 

Before we get too deep into all of this I have an official announcement: Corey and I WILL NOT be writing up a trade package for Bryan Reynolds! 

Corey Shrader- That’s right, Justin. No Bryan Reynolds talk. Just knowing that is really liberating. Also, I must say, this trip around the sun is a lot different than the last one with regards to the team, isn’t it?

JV- This year is unique from the last few Trade Deadlines as we truly have no idea how the FO will proceed. Nobody, including Ben Cherington, had this team in the play off picture. Yet here we are. As of writing this the Bucs are in 1st place in the Central (although it switches every two days) and just as importantly, they are in the Wild Card race. The second one matters almost as much as the first as it means the Bucs are solidly in the Play Off race. 

Corey, I believe this forces the front office’s hand here. They simply cannot sit on those hands. They cannot use Neal Hintington’s line from the 2014 Deadline. (Yes, I still capitalize the Trade Deadline as it should be a National Holiday.)

 “We looked at various points at which we could add to this club, and worked hard to add to the club, but in the final decision process, we felt that our best move was to stay as we were at this point.” 

 -Neal Huntington July 31st, 2014

BC will need to do better. He will need to do more. I guess it comes down to how big he’s willing to go?

CS- I expect to see the Pirates make a move or two as the deadline approaches, yes. In saying that though, it is my feeling that the big additions will be internal call-ups. Of course this is just my gut feeling. The front office has farm system pieces sufficient to probably pull a bigger move, if they decide it is time. As much as I do not believe the team will take the big swing – it is probably something we should explore the idea of.

JV- I think that’s the question: to swing or not to swing? To borrow from an all time great. Kinda. Whether or not they take a big swing or play small ball; they will make moves. 

They have glaring needs. They have some small pieces they can move from the 25 man roster. They have a deep system to dig into. And Corey, this is absolutely why teams build deep systems, is it not? 

CS- There are some different schools of thought on this. One camp will say you build up your farm system as deep as possible for the express purpose to spend those assets to add to the roster. The other most often repeated idea being you build a deep farm system so that “waves” of talent hit the majors at varying times. This method being the justification for prospects graduating to the pros being the lifeblood that sustains your organization. While I believe the Bucs veer much more toward the second camp for a multitude of reasons we don’t need to go in to here, there is an argument for a hybrid use of the farm. 

JV- My hopes over the last few years has been to get to where the Rays are, systematically. Build that system; develop, deploy, use the spill over to address holes. At one point you should have quality MLB players with control to trade, restock. Rinse and repeat. 

But I digress. Corey and I aren’t here to build the long term philosophy of the Bucs front office. This team is in the hunt, Corey. Let’s take a look at suggesting how they could fill some of those immediate holes! 

CS- I think beginning by taking a look at the starting pitching market is nearly an essential task at the current moment. With the Bucs currently shorthanded in the healthy starter pitching department due to both injury and rocky performance it only makes sense as an option. Of course Quinn Priester is currently at AAA and pitching pretty solid baseball, so that option is on the table too. The team has 3 vacant 40-man roster spots currently, so adding Priester would not be terribly difficult, procedurally speaking. But, pitching is definitely something that teams cannot really ever have enough of. 

JV- I  agree kicking this off with adding a starter is definitely the way we should  go. Traditionally, we start with trades that we feel are unlikely to happen but the rumors were going to be there so we felt it should be covered (i.e. all those Bryan Reynolds deals we wrote up). But this year it makes sense to start with the obvious needs (and I do mean needs) then finish with a few names I think we are going to  hear thrown around even if we hate hearing them.

If they were to get that aggressive and promote one Quinn Priester(and they shouldn’t do that just yet) I think they will still add a starter to boot. Corey, let’s dig into the idea of adding a starting pitcher!

Oh, one last thought: since we have literally no idea how Mr. Ben Cherington will precede here, I say we cover all the tracks. Lets cover a “small” buy, an “in the middle of the road” buy, and of course, the ever popular way more fun to think about, “yes I’d like to biggie size that” buy. Sound like a plan, man?

Small Ball Buy

CS- For my “small ball buy” I’m going to head out West to Chavez Ravine.

Pirates get: Landon Knack, P 

Dodgers get: Lonnie White Jr., OF

Look, it stings to move on from a young piece like White Jr., but, if you want to try to compete in the near term this sort of move would be something to target. White has been off to a slow start due in large part to injuries, but he is still a total lottery ticket. Perhaps the Dodgers, arguably the premier player dev organization in baseball, would take the tradeoff of proximity of Knack for the development potential of White Jr.

All in all, Knack is not quite as flashy as the rest of the LA pitching prospects, but his season at AA thus far has only been slightly less impressive (9.58 k/9, 1.88 bb/9, 2.20 ERA/2.94 FIP, in 57.1IP). He has only made one appearance in AAA and it hasn’t gone great yet, but the sample is too small to be very representative of much. Knack is 25 and will be Rule 5 eligible in December of 2023. Knack would be a near plug & play piece that could  be worth pursuing. 

JV-  I’ve struggled with how BC will approach any of this. As I look at small buys he could go with a low cost rental, a bigger rental, a reclamation or even the rare prospect for a prospect trade.

All of that is easy to say. But finding the fit? Not so much. It’s just early to know who’s selling and who’s buying. Lucky for Corey and myself we’ve heard 2 solid rumors so far! The first is the Royals are open for business. The second? That the White Sox will have some guys to move, namely the rentals. Rentals you say?

The Team-Chicago White Sox

The year is 2016, it’s been a busy Winter Meetings for the Bucs. It seemed they were moments away from sending Andrew McCutchen to the Nationals in a deal centered around Lucas Giolito (so the rumors would go). When the smoke cleared Gio would be a White Sox. Let’s remedy that and get him to the ‘Burgh.

Pirates Get-

Lucas Giolito-MLB–SP- SV $9M

Giolito isn’t having his best year, but he’s a solid starter, a vet and someone I think the FO could get a deal done with and keep him longer term. One of the best change ups in the game and has looked better as of late. No doubt he’ll be a popular name over the next few weeks, but he still won’t break the back(prospect wise).

White Sox get-

Nick Gonzales–2B/SS/3B–ETA:2023 FV 40 ($2M)

Po Yu-Chen-SP–ETA:2025 FV 40($1M)

This may seem lite and from an SV standpoint it is. But Gonzo feels like 45 FV right now. Getting on base in any way he can and the positional flexibility is attractive. He’s been cutting down on the strikes, the OPS is on the raise as the season moves forward. He is starting to feel like a change of scenery guy.  Best part is he’s close and the White Sox can easily sell some of the rentals and still have a nice core.

Put him together with a nice upside starter in Chen and this could be close. If the Bucs need to dig a little deeper I’m hopeful Cherington will do it, but don’t get crazy. For instance, with Tim Anderson possibly on the move could the CWS insist on Liover Pegeuro?

Middle of the Road

CS- Pirates get: Lance Lynn, P

       Bryan Ramos, 2B/3B or

      Oscar Colas, OF

White Sox get: Alika Williams, MI

                          Canaan Smith-Njigba, OF

This one may technically be cheating on my part, but I think trying to buy a large contract vet with a somewhat recent history of being good in order to return a solid prospect could be worth exploring. For that look no further than old buddy Lance Lynn of the Chicago White Sox. 

Lynn makes a lot of money, but his contract does expire (club option exists for 24), so perhaps the ask on Ramos as the 2nd piece is a bit too extravagant. Subbing in another near MLB ready player such as Oscar Colas could do the trick just fine. Ramos brings a more complete profile of both hit & power and can play multiple positions on the infield. Colas is basically a power only corner OF. But to take on Lynn’s contract (and the hope that he re-finds his groove the rest of the way), I’d surely move some upper level depth types like Williams, CSN, or someone of that tier.

JV- I know using the same team in the same article should be against our rules, Corey. But who cares? The White Sox are a team that should be looking to make some moves, I say lets run with it. 

The Team- Chicago White Sox

Pirates get-

Micheal Kopech–SP–MLB- SV 16$M

Kopech never really became what scouts thought he could become. But he’s a solid starter with 2+ years of control. The best part is he seems to have turned it up a notch. Since May 2nd, 9 starts, he’s been good. With a 2.41 ERA and a WHIP of just 1.05 he seems to be humming. The FIP and xFIP are higher(4.30 and 4.41) but I like the WHIP. Accompanied by a 29% K rate and a BAA of .173 I’d say this is a guy we could feel good about adding. 

Chicago gets-

Liver Pegueuro–SS/2B–ETA-2023-FV 45+($6M)

Man, I hate giving up Peggy here. Really do. I’ve been a Liover truther since they traded for him and moving him right when he seems to be kicking the door down hurts. But Anderson seems to be a guy on the way out and the White Sox will need a SS so this makes sense. If I’m Ben I am trying to offer Triolo and/or Gonzo over Peggy but in the end you have to give to get and I imagine the CWS will hold the line with Peggy. 

Thomas Harrington–SP-ETA-2026-FV 45($4M)

The hype is real with Harrington, and he’s likely to be a top 100 guy soon. I know it’s hard to see these kids moved, but this is it folks. We’ve built deals for a few years with guys like this coming back to the Bucs. Sorry, but if we want pitching with control? This is what it takes.

I’d also love to see a three team deal here? Bucs take Yasmani Grandal(basically a break even SV guy). Would the CSW like to see that contract go bye-byes? Then flip Grandal to the Miami Marlins, a team looking for a C that can hit.

Yes, I’d like to biggie size that

CS- I have to admit, all of these have been somewhat challenging but this one takes the cake. It is very tricky to find a “splash” starting pitcher that is clearly available or not outrageously priced.

For my proposal I went to the desert.

Pirates get: Brandon Pfaadt, P

Diamondbacks get: David Bednar, RP

This scenario would require the most imagination. The market for a large acquisition on the pitching front is very unclear at the moment. Where it gets tricky is that Arizona needs some help with starting pitching AND in the bullpen. While I don’t really want to see the Bucs move Bednar, this is the only kind of move where doing so could be feasible. Landing a controlled, high ceiling, MLB ready young starter would be quite nice. LIke I said up top, this one requires a bit more imagination. How badly does Arizona need a bullpen ace like Bednar? How badly does Pittsburgh need a young arm like Pfaadt?

JV-Looking at the possible SP market I just don’t see a Luis Castillo type. I’m not sure there is a big time starter with control to “go all in on”. So I had to think outside the box. Side note, we learned as I wrote this that Henry Davis is PGH bound. We also learned that the Bucs have no plans of sending Hedges or Delay to the minors. So I imagine that means Davis will play a healthy amount of games at RF. With this in mind there is a cross section of fans that will not want to read this. Anyways, here goes my “big buy”.

The team-Texas Rangers

Texas gets- Jack Suwinski–OF-MLB–SV Hard to calculate

Jack is loved by the fan base. Why? He has excellent power. I don’t see the Bucs dealing him but for this exercise it will work. With 5+ years of control his value is really hard to gauge. He’s pacing a 3 WAR campaign and ZiPS has him at 1.7 and 1.9 over the next 2 seasons. If we  used 2 or higher WAR it would be a solid surplus. Can we sell that for a guy that likely looks like a platoon player? Well his positive split is vs right handed pitching and that works for this exercise. I get that Davis isn’t playing CF and that is ok. Suwinski is not and should not be playing CF. The Bucs can fill that  with Bryan Reynolds, Andrew McCutchen and Ji-Hwan Bae until a better option comes along. (Enter one Dylan Crews)

Pirates get- Owen White-SP-ETA-2023-FV 55($34M)

Not the return you were  looking for? Me neither if I’m being honest. There just isn’t a Chris Sale in this market. Maybe Shane Bieber is close? But his numbers have fallen off a little and that isn’t ideal. 

So here we are taking a different approach.

Owen had already debuted, perhaps too soon. But his FB/SL combo is legit and well, we know the Bucs like that combo.

Dustin Harris–1B/LF–ETA-2023-FV 45($6M)

1B is a big need, right? Now imagine adding a 1B that can play OF. Why could that be important? When Endy Rodriguez is at 1B and Henry is at C who’s playing OF? Moving pieces? I dig it. 

OR

Justin Foscue-2B/1B/3B–ETA-2023-FV 45($6M)

I actually like Foscue more and wonder if the Bucs should shoot for both even if adding to the pot to get it done. His power plays better and I’ve seen it said he could play OF if needed. 

With Henry on the way and OF being something he’s worked on I really do wonder if the Bucs should listen on Suwinski. At the same time his power is something that could be special if he can cut down on the swing and miss(in general not just his K rate) and learn to hit LH at a passable level.  But please don’t take this suggestion at heart. I just could not find a Chris Sale on the market.

Wrap it up

CS- Well the pitching market in 2023 is kind of weird, isn’t it? There are some easier to identify sellers *cough cough* White Sox *cough cough*. But beyond them, it seems like an extra murky proposition to find something. We also need to reckon with the idea that buying or more specifically, renting, will not be something that occurs in 2023 for Pittsburgh.

JV- Grabbing a starting pitcher leading up to the trade deadline isn’t going to be cheap this year. At the moment it doesn’t look deep. If you want any kind of control it escalates. The Pirates could use a starter, just how far will they go to get it? Let’s find out!

6-22-23 – By Justin Verno – @JV_PITT on Twitter

1–Endy Rodriguez-

2-Henry Davis-

3-Termarr Johnson–

4-Quinn Priester-

5-Liover Peguero–

6-Mike Burrow-(season over)

7-Bubba Chandler–

8-Jared Triolo–

9-Jared Jones–

10-Yordany De Los Santos–

11-Thomas Harrington–

12-Kyle Nicolas–

13-Colin Selby–IL

14-Carlos Jimenz-(NO STATS)

15-Tony Blanco jr

MY FIVE

16-Anthony Solometo

17-Nick Gonzales

18-Jun-Seok Shim

19-Tsung -Che Cheng

20-Enmanuel Terrero

A Few quick thoughts-

Congrats!

OK, so promotions are happening! Congratulations-

Anthony Solometo. HanSolo is now in AA and had a decent fist outing. I have to think he will be joining Jared Jones on top lists soon enough(pending results, of course)

Thomas Harrington made his first goe in A+.

Kyle Nicolas had his first look in AAA. Congrats Kyle!

My, dude Jared Jones is headed to Indy. Congrats Mr. Jones!

The big news? Buccos have called Henry Davis to the bigs. This bat should excite Bucco fans. Congrats and welcome to Pittsburgh, Henry.

Here come the bats!

For most of the season the pitchers have dished and the bats, minus a few guys, were bringing up the rear. But things are heating up in that department.

Jared Triolo has found his stroke.

Termarr is hitting the ball like he’s mad at it. It’s easy to see why the Bucs nabbed him, a .418 OBP shows the kid has an eye. 19 and in A ball? I think we could see A+ real soon.

Peggy has been one of the better bats this season, he’s really bucking for a promotion. (could he skip AAA

Let’s play guess that slashline. Since 5/1 this player has slashed…

.261/.371/.448 OPS .819 ISO .187 wRC 106 25.8% K

If you guessed Nick Gonzales take a bow. I’ll take an OPS of .819 from 2B all day. The K rate is bellow 30% and the wRC+ is finally over 100. Does this make him a stud or a slam dunk? No, not at all. But it does say he’s close enough for a call to the bigs.

Movin on up?

The front office has finally started to move some kids along so I don’t want to sound to negative here, BUT…

How on earth are Enmanuel Terrero and Tsung-Che Cheng still at their respective levels? This just makes no sense to me. If there’s something left on their check lists, I’m not sure what they could possibly be?

6-21-23 – By Gary Morgan – @garymo2007 on Twitter

Couple things here, first I thought since the Pirates played in the afternoon, and it’s the end of another sweep to a division foe, I’d just wait and do this one in the evening. You know, in case it spawned some extra questions.

I’ll also apologize in advance, there were very many Andy Haines questions. I’ll have a few in here that I feel represent them all, no hard feelings if you’re isn’t one, I hope I catch you in the answer.

Question 1

With the call up of Henry wondering what their first day consists of. I’m not meaning hitting/fielding practice. I’m sure they may have meetings with coaches and such. Also, does the team put them in a hotel? Bunk with a teammate? If call up is on the road they obviously go to the team hotel, but what about when at home park? – Drew Caryll

Hi Drew, interesting question, and one I won’t be able to definitively answer. First, it’s obviously different for a 1:1 or an MLB Top 100 type, just from the requirements aspect. Press conferences don’t happen for everyone for instance. Might not even take a picture of the locker for some.

As to the hotel, I know that’s an option because Liover Peguero stayed in one last season. Truthfully I just don’t know, maybe a teammate takes him in, maybe it’s a corporate loft situation they have set up, I’ve never even thought to ask players about this so I’ll make it a point next time.

Good stuff, this was fun.

Question 2

What do you think our record would’ve been so far if we stayed healthy the whole season? – O’Neil Cruz Simp on Twitter

I suppose I could just say better, but that’s too easy.

I guess I could do the WAR game and add up the Zips projected numbers for each player and then try to figure out all the guys who played but wouldn’t have if not for the injuries, but man, that just feels exhausting.

Instead, I’ll just focus on what I feel hurt the most, Cruz (of course I know) and Brubaker. I highlight those two for the collateral damage their losses created. Short stop is still a mess honestly, Marcano has steadied it, but as his bat slowed so did the interest in his average SS play. Castro had to play a stretch at a position he can’t play, and it certainly wasn’t pleasant to watch. Bae there, yeah, don’t get me started. None of that even discusses the plate, where the offense had no answer for what was to be such a huge piece.

The rotation needed the not too high, not too low steadiness that JT Brubaker can bring. He ate innings, could sprinkle in a great effort often enough and would have stretched this whole thing out.

On the other hand, Oviedo probably would have waited for a shot. I actually think it’s good we’ve gotten to see this much of these three middle infielders, because before too long we’re probably going to add in a few more and we’ll have that playing time to compare it to.

Same with Youngsters like Ortiz, Bido, Oviedo, Bolton, Mlodzinski, Yerry, in many ways, without the injuries, I’m not sure how much of this we see, and I really do place value in that.

Would they have a few more wins, maybe, but a whole lot of what’s here still might be sniffing around anyway. I’ll say 5 games better just to give you some kind of guess.

Question 3

Will Bednar be traded before the deadline? Zero reason to have an elite closer on a team that is going nowhere. – Patrick Ferrell

I sincerely doubt it. I understand why you ask it, and honestly, it might be smart to do, but I don’t think so, not with this much control and so few real lynch pins they’ve discovered.

The PR shouldn’t play in on this but it kinda has to at this stage of the build. The idea being next year they’re more in it, and he’s just got so much team control left, yeah, I can’t see it right now.

Thing is Patrick, personally, I might be tempted. He’s got a ton of value, and since the alternatives are probably to either extend him a couple years beyond arb, which is always risky with a reliever, ride his arb which could get costly and end right in the middle of things heating up is on the table I guess. I’d hate to see them move him in 25 or something. Really might need another top line pitching prospect and or even a steady MLB ready made contributor and he’s the only currency getting it.

Still, I don’t think that’s in their plans.

Question 4

Did the early good start unfairly raise expectations for a team that is still in the middle of a build? – James Littleton

Who we talking here James? Fans or the Players?

Cause if it’s the players, I think its fair to say they’re pretty good at knowing what they are and what they’re capable of.

For fans, hell yes it did, and it raised the expectations for what in the actual hell could be done too. It erased almost every signing the Pirates made this offseason, even the ones that seemed to be one too many in spots. All flipped on it’s head so it looks instead like he was morbidly unprepared for the season.

At the end of the day James, when the Pirates were 20-8 and I kept getting asked if I would change my prediction from 74, I always declined. The start (even still) gives them a chance to outperform that, but it’s slipping fast.

Question 5

What value could be brought back from the middle infield log jam with the exception of Cruz? Could Castro, Bae, Marcano, and some pieces at triple and double A teams being back controllable arms? – wvsteve on Twitter

I suppose I’d look at them like Sosa who was traded from the Cards to the Nats last year. He was kinda the toss in MLB “help” part of their deal. So you kinda have to find a team looking for guys who’ve shown an MLB floor and hopefully some upside, like the Pirates did when trading Gerrit Cole to the Astros.

If you’re looking for this year help, a reliever, maybe a reliever they’d be interested in flipping to the rotation? A bad contract with one as a throw in to get them to eat more of it.

I don’t see anyone straight up coming for them if you know what I mean.

That said, are you comfortable you know what Castro is? How about Bae? Marcano we’ve seen for parts of a couple seasons, so maybe he’s more clear. I’d hate to just toss a guy who could pop 25 at this level, even if he is a platoon guy.

I honestly think you’d get more help this year with some control by moving a Peguero or Gonzales, but if you do that, it better be for 3 or 4 years of a guy.

Question 6

Who replaces Andy Haines as Hitting Coach if/when he is dismissed? Short term and long term. – Voice from the Graves on Twitter

A big part of me doesn’t care. If in fact he’s in charge of the plan, and the plan is indeed implemented all through the system, I’d figure most any of the MiLB hitting coaches from AA or AAA like Jon Nunnally “should” already be preaching from the same Bible and at this point, I’ll settle for someone new in MLB for guys to turn to. Clearly Christian Marrero and Haines at the very least aren’t helping guys execute what their plan is supposed to look like.

At least on an interim basis I’d move on from Haines, bring up Nunnally and see if just changing the speaker fixes something. If not, go get someone who knows a better method, cause this ain’t it.

In fact, some of this speaks to another question from JW – If Haines runs the hitting philosophy throughout the system, why does it seem the approach of hitters is different in MLB, than MiLB? Or is it the same approach just the pitching is way too good in MLB vs. MiLB for this particular approach to work?

For one thing in the minors if you sit on a zone and a pitch type, you just might get it, and more than once on a given night. So there’s that.

That said, the broad strokes of this plan aren’t horrible, the implementation is.

Broad strokes: Be patient, swing at your pitch, swing with purpose.

What it’s turned into is: Walk or strike out.

I think your last point there is brilliant, but I think as I was saying to Graves there is something to be said for being able to help a guy come out of a struggle and stick to it for a while. At least some guys hit in the minors right?

Long story short, I’m just not sure you can point to anyone you’d say is thriving. In a season and a half. I think it’s time to admit a mistake and move on. Poach one next year.

Question 7

Will it be harder to call up Endy to the majors given that it doesnt seem like they are willing to move on from Hedges? Seems a bit more complicated with Henry Davis up here now. – John on Twitter

I feel like they’d have to move on from one of the catchers. Let’s start there.

If only to ensure they both get the at bats they need, room needs made. This issue for Endy gets muddier with Choi rehabbing.

He could come back on 7-1 and I think they need an opening at first base too to make this work.

If I had to guess, unless he gets torrid, we’re talking after a trade or two is made. I’d also be expecting “Team Player Hedges” to have an IL trip if and when they kinda sorta want to see a kid back there.

I believe they truly do value the catching position, but at some point they will do what must be done.

Question 8

How much of the blame for the current state of the team lies with the organization’s player development program? – Kenny

As a franchise? Lots of it.

For this management group, hard to say, probably too early to hand them much of it quite yet. That said, the clock just started ticking harder with the callups of Davis and Mlodzinski. Toss in the other kids they had here young like Bae, Castro, Suwinski, Keller, Cruz, and I guess you could say it’s mixed.

Probably have to be a bit more patient to really know with this group.

Question 9

If you could make 3 changes on the team (roster, coaching, etc.) what would they be? – Schappy

Well Schapp,

1. Fire Andy Haines and promote Nunnally
2. Purposefully, small ball runs across the plate. Get on Bunt, move em over, remember how to score, then add to it.
3. Get Santana down in the order in any way possible.
4. And one more, if Cutch or Reynolds are even kinda hurt, IL and get it over with before it turns into a problem.

Question 10

At what point will Cherington be on the hot seat? – SPorts Corner

Not anytime soon. That’s just the truth. He’s had 2 draft picks make the league, and there’s just absolutely no way he has any heat on his position yet. Trust me, he told Bob and Travis the plan, and despite the start in 2023, this is very much so the plan.

Question 11

Thoughts on Moreta – Caitlin

He’s kinda got a history of being wild, so I’m not shocked to see him struggle with it a bit now. Overall, I think he’s been a terrific find, and I think they’ll get him through it. We saw them just about bench him earlier in the season to work on some things, could see that again soon.

Has a very unique pitch though, those kind of guys either get consistent and stick or flame out like Kyle Crick. We’ll see.