Opinion & Analysis – Page 138 – Steel City Pirates

MLB Needs to Take an Honest Look at the Product They’re Selling

This is our game, and we shouldn’t be afraid to tell MLB how they should make it better.

Winter Meetings Primer – Two Guys Talkin’ Trades

The World Series is over and the 2021 baseball season along with it has concluded, but for us Bucco fans, the fun is just getting started as the Winter Meetings are coming

Is The Outfield Depth In The Pirates Organization An Illusion?

11-2-21 By Craig W. Toth (aka @bucsbasement on Twitter) Since taking over as the Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager in November of 2019, Ben Cherington’s Open Day Lineups in the outfield have consisted of Bryan Reynolds in Left, Gregory Polanco/Guillermo Heredia in Right and Jarod Dyson/Anthony Alford in Center. In the last game of the 2020Continue reading “Is The Outfield Depth In The Pirates Organization An Illusion?”

Five Pirates Thoughts at Five

Good afternoon everyone and Happy November! The News is slow, kinda like we’ve been saying it would be, so I certainly won’t sit here and pretend it’s a shock. Still plenty to talk about so let’s get started.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Are Merely Existing At The Moment

10-31-21 By Craig W. Toth (aka @bucsbasement on Twitter) Your Pittsburgh Pirates last took the field a full four weeks ago from today-October 31st, which means Happy Halloween!-after a nightmare (pun intended) of a season. Since that time it has been near radio silence, outside of some Minor League Awards being announced. In a way,Continue reading “The Pittsburgh Pirates Are Merely Existing At The Moment”

Pirates Middle Infield, Many Options, Zero Locks

When I think about all the things the Pirates have to make decisions on this off season, I keep coming back to all the variables they have in the Middle Infield. It’s a different problem than they had last off season, and they purposefully made it this way by acquiring four new options at the trade deadline, all with ticking clocks.

The Pirates Minor Leaguers Hold A Key To The Future

10-28-21 By Craig W. Toth (aka @bucsbasement on Twitter) For almost as long as I can remember, my eyes have always wandered to the Pirates Minor League System, and everything that it entails; even when the team was competitive in 2013-15. From player performance and projections to coaching techniques and evaluation. All while soaking inContinue reading “The Pirates Minor Leaguers Hold A Key To The Future”

Is Oneil Cruz the Next Big Thing?

Cruz is expected to help carry a team on his lanky frame, and how the Pirates handle the next step with him will help write that story.

A Shutdown of MLB is Imminent, That’s Different Than Rooting for One

Without a stoppage, it’s more of the same, if you’re ok with that, we disagree. Doesn’t make you wrong or me right, but I’m not likely to change my mind on what this league needs.

Five Pirates Thoughts at Five

The 2021 MLB season is nearly over, one more major event now as the World Series is set to get underway tomorrow. The off season is where the Pirates will have the most opportunity for change and improvement, so immediately we get started with those topics in little more than a week or so.