Official 2012-13 Pirates Off-Season Thread

[FreeCandy44]

Seems pretty clear that a McDonald rebound is the consensus on LGP.

Im loving it?

[Mr. Colby]

ulf and troy, i agree. i think JMac will be alright. He put on that "King James" crown and thought he was going to win the Cy Young. He was a great pitcher the 1st half, and tried becoming a great thrower again in August. He'll be fine. In fact, I'd look for him to be the ace.

in all seriousness, i thought i was the only one with a lot of confidence in mcdonald putting up a good year.

I agree too, so that makes atleast 4 of us.

Troy Loney, Ulf, Ulf, and LL

[Troy Loney]

What's this about the Pirates giving $14M to Liriano? Did NH only watch the game when he blanked the inept Pirate offense?

[columbia]

Let's hope the Mets sign Carl Pavano before NH thinks about the idea.

[Idoit40fans]

What's this about the Pirates giving $14M to Liriano? Did NH only watch the game when he blanked the inept Pirate offense?

He'll pe pitching in the nl central. Good chance to be pirates ace.

[Kraftster]

Rolling the dice on Liriano is an interesting idea at the right price. $14M doesn't seem to be that.

[Kraftster]

Oh, this is a done deal? (2/$14) Hmm, interesting. I think I like it.

[Mr. Colby]

Liriano should benefit from pitching in the NL Central and in PNC Park... nasty sinker with a GB rate at nearly 50% and a K/9 around 9.0

If he can make any meaningful improvement in his walk rate, he's going to do very well for us.

Either way, slots into our rotation nicely, even though 2/14 might be a bit higher than I'd want

[viva la ben]

Unless it was a one year 14 million dollar deal idk how you can criticize this signing.

[Kraftster]

Basically a little bit below the McCarthy deal, right? That seems to be about market value then.

[Alejandro Rojas]

Not a Pirates fan, but Pittsburgh fans complain about everything. I bet folks will start saying Nutting made this signing to cover the dropping of $7 Million of Hanrahan's salary.

[Mr. Colby]

Unless it was a one year 14 million dollar deal idk how you can criticize this signing.

I'm sure Dejan will find a way...

[Rocco]

If this were 2006 the Pirates rotation would lead the team to 95 wins easily.

[MRandall25]

Liriano will get hurt. Bank on it.

[DudeMan2766]

Not a Pirates fan, but Pittsburgh fans complain about everything.

This organization gets zero benefit of doubt or leeway. People complaining doesnt bother me even if it is irrational. Not when it comes to this gong show thats been going on for 2 decades.

[Rocco]

Unless it was a one year 14 million dollar deal idk how you can criticize this signing.

I'm sure Dejan will find a way...

If they'd have kept PGK they wouldn't need any other starters.

[Letang Is The Truth]

Liriano will get hurt. Bank on it.

Way to go out on a limb there...

[Tim Thomasen]

Not a Pirates fan, but Pittsburgh fans complain about everything.

This organization gets zero benefit of doubt or leeway. People complaining doesnt bother me even if it is irrational. Not when it comes to this gong show thats been going on for 2 decades.

With some of the things this organization has done, you really can't blame them.

That being said, although I don't like they got rid of Karstens, they signed Russell Martin and looks like there getting Liriano for a fair deal.

Believe me i'm not a believer in this club, but I can't complain too much about those transactions.

[MRandall25]

Liriano will get hurt. Bank on it.

Way to go out on a limb there...

:)

[PhantomJB93]

Wasn't expecting Liriano, but I'm pleased with the signing. I don't care what they paid, it's always gonna cost more to get someone to come to the Pirates in FA, and it's better to complain about overpaying than not spending at all. It was getting to the point where I didn't expect any half decent SPs to be brought in, and Liriano at least has the upside to be good. Still would have liked to see Karstens tendered but I'm more confident now with Burnett, Wandy, Liriano, JMac, and possibly Cole by midseason.

[pfim]

It's a bit of a gamble, not sure it makes a ton of sense to get rid of Karstens regardless of the signing. But the risk is mitigated by the price, it's a decent deal for a guy who is 29 and strikes out a ton of guys.

[Idoit40fans]

Liriano still has more upside than anyone that spent time in the rotation last year. Its well worth the risk, especially over 2 years.

[ulf]

Sounds like the bucs are close to sending Hanrahan to Boston. Yesterday I read that they were interested in Jose Iglesias. Not a bad return, he was rushed up pretty quickly, and had a better year in AAA the second time around. Still has no power, and only stole 13 bags last year.

[JS©]

The Boston Red Sox are moving toward acquiring closer Joel Hanrahan from the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to multiple sources. However, one official cautioned that there was "still work to be done."

More On The Red Sox

Hanrahan saved a total of 76 games over the last two seasons for the Pirates and is a year away from free agency. With incumbent closer Andrew Bailey still a question mark after a season in which he was injured for most of the year, then pitched ineffectively, it makes sense that the Sox would explore bullpen upgrades.

It is unclear what the Pirates would be getting back in return. Pittsburgh has been looking for pitching, primarily starters, but just came to terms with Francisco Liriano.

One major league source said Pittsburgh is seeking a "significant return" for Hanrahan, an All-Star in each of the last two seasons. He earned $4.1 million in 2012 and can expect a significant bump in salary arbitration, to close to $7 million.

http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/i ... f14c5d6d5c

[Bioshock]

The Boston Red Sox are moving toward acquiring closer Joel Hanrahan from the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to multiple sources. However, one official cautioned that there was "still work to be done."

More On The Red Sox

Hanrahan saved a total of 76 games over the last two seasons for the Pirates and is a year away from free agency. With incumbent closer Andrew Bailey still a question mark after a season in which he was injured for most of the year, then pitched ineffectively, it makes sense that the Sox would explore bullpen upgrades.

It is unclear what the Pirates would be getting back in return. Pittsburgh has been looking for pitching, primarily starters, but just came to terms with Francisco Liriano.

One major league source said Pittsburgh is seeking a "significant return" for Hanrahan, an All-Star in each of the last two seasons. He earned $4.1 million in 2012 and can expect a significant bump in salary arbitration, to close to $7 million.

http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/i ... f14c5d6d5c

What's wrong with this move? Why the facepalm? If they get good return then it's just a good trade for both sides.