Official 2012-13 Pirates Off-Season Thread

[FreeCandy44]

If he can actually throw someone out stealing and be sound defensively, ill be happy half happy.

[thehockeyguru]

If he can actually throw someone out stealing and be sound defensively, ill be happy half happy.

I dont think he can. Plus he cant hit. This looks like a case of the Pirates just spending to spend.

People might look at this as a good move because they are spending, but I just cant get excited about a catcher who is on the decline.

[Mr. Colby]

If he can actually throw someone out stealing and be sound defensively, ill be happy half happy.

He's supposedly one of the best at pitch framing, according to people who keep track of things like that.

If we end up with a guy that hits .220 with 18 homers and is good defensively, that's well worth the money

[shafnutz05]

Coming from someone that isn't that knowledgeable about baseball, is this an indictment of the Pirates drafting of Tony Sanchez in 2009?

[Mr. Colby]

If he can actually throw someone out stealing and be sound defensively, ill be happy half happy.

I dont think he can. Plus he cant hit. This looks like a case of the Pirates just spending to spend.

People might look at this as a good move because they are spending, but I just cant get excited about a catcher who is on the decline.

Haha this is just unreal.

Pirates don't spend - Fans' response: "This is ridiculous, they should have spent more!"

Pirates spend - Fans' response: "This is ridiculous, they're just spending to spend!"

What gives?

[Mr. Colby]

Coming from someone that isn't that knowledgeable about baseball, is this an indictment of the Pirates drafting of Tony Sanchez in 2009?

Sanchez had no business being the 4th overall pick - this seemed like a combination of drafting for position as well as a money thing. He was supposed to be 2nd or even 3rd round.

He will never live up to his draft pedigree, and may never even be a starter. At any rate, he definitely hasn't shown he is good enough to be a starter this season, especially with only 206 ABs in AAA.

His 2010 injury problems really set him back pretty much a full year.

But anyway, he can't really be viewed as a marquee prospect. He will end up getting his feet wet this year and hopefully can stick on the big team next season. Signing Martin for only 2 years leaves the spot open for Sanchez to hopefully seize. His defense is getting close, but he's got a long way to go at the plate.

[MWB]

If the Pirates think they can contend for a playoff spot next year, this is a good signing. Martin is solid. If they're just using him as a stopgap for a couple years then it's a bad signing. Think it's probably the former.

[Mr. Colby]

Looks like position players are close to being filled, if not completely filled.

C - Martin, McKenry
1B - Jones, Sanchez
2B - Walker
3B - Alvarez
SS - Barmes, Harrison
OF - Cutch, Marte, Snider, Presley, Tabata

That would be OK, but you'd like to see an upgrade in the outfield, or else pray that 2 of the 4 corner outfielders can figure it out.

[DudeMan2766]

Coming from someone that isn't that knowledgeable about baseball, is this an indictment of the Pirates drafting of Tony Sanchez in 2009?

Yes. They wouldn't be in this postion if the #4 overall pick was even close to ready by now. And on top of that I heard he's woe-is-me'ing it on twitter. Saying like gee I knew it wasnt going to be handed too me, guess I gotta work harder....

Of course, they wouldn't be in this position either if they just drafted Matt Weiters

[LeopardLetang]

Coming from someone that isn't that knowledgeable about baseball, is this an indictment of the Pirates drafting of Tony Sanchez in 2009?

Sanchez had no business being the 4th overall pick - this seemed like a combination of drafting for position as well as a money thing. He was supposed to be 2nd or even 3rd round.

He will never live up to his draft pedigree, and may never even be a starter. At any rate, he definitely hasn't shown he is good enough to be a starter this season, especially with only 206 ABs in AAA.

His 2010 injury problems really set him back pretty much a full year.

But anyway, he can't really be viewed as a marquee prospect. He will end up getting his feet wet this year and hopefully can stick on the big team next season. Signing Martin for only 2 years leaves the spot open for Sanchez to hopefully seize. His defense is getting close, but he's got a long way to go at the plate.

i always thought i heard he was slated for the 20th pick or so, not 2nd or 3rd rounder

[LeopardLetang]

i will be seriously livid if karstens isn't a pirate next year.

[Mr. Colby]

i will be seriously livid if karstens isn't a pirate next year.

Me too. You can't do better for the $.

[Mr. Colby]

Coming from someone that isn't that knowledgeable about baseball, is this an indictment of the Pirates drafting of Tony Sanchez in 2009?

Yes. They wouldn't be in this postion if the #4 overall pick was even close to ready by now. And on top of that I heard he's woe-is-me'ing it on twitter. Saying like gee I knew it wasnt going to be handed too me, guess I gotta work harder....

Of course, they wouldn't be in this position either if they just drafted Matt Weiters

This is hardly "woe is me".

What? You guys thought it was going to be handed to me on a silver platter? Gotta earn it. Haven't so far.

His general attitude for a while has been that he isn't where he wants to be in his career and has no one to blame but himself.

[DudeMan2766]

I was just going by what a heard. Next to the internets, word of mouth is usually lock solid fact.

[LeopardLetang]

karstens was 20th in whip last year based on pitchers with his IP or more (90.2 1.15)

two years ago karstens pitched 162IP with a 3.38 ERA and 1.21 whip

he's vastly underrated. dude is ugly. dude can pitch. and he does it with craft - read: will age well though i understand injury is still the concern. he doesn't put up the same k rate, but he's similar to the bedard signing last year which i was very much in favor of.

[Bioshock]

Call me negative all you want but would much rather the Pirates spend their money on a good pitcher like Karstens. They won't be able to replace that dude.

[Mr. Colby]

He's crafty. But he's going to be non-tendered which is a damn shame

[DudeMan2766]

Call me negative all you want but would much rather the Pirates spend their money on a good pitcher like Karstens. They won't be able to replace that dude.

No matter what people would say its too much for Karstens.

[KennyTheKangaroo]

RE: Tony Sanchez

Lets not act like Sanchez is going to get a chance to contribute next season. At some point or another, the fort or RMart is going to get hurt and sanchez is going to get playing time. Its not fair to call sanchez a bust quite yet. Bummer? Perhaps. But not a bust.

[ulf]

The Pirates are cheap, i heard they're only spending 5-6 mil this off season! Cancel my season tickets!

1 week later..

They're spending just to spend!

[PhantomJB93]

I'm not exactly ecstatic about the Martin signing, but at the same time it seems like he was the best possible upgrade, so I can't really be mad about it. It does worry me that his average has been in a downward spiral while playing in Yankee Stadium.

As for Karstens, we already could really use another SP with him already on the team. I don't like the idea of having AJ, Wandy, and JMac as the only sure options. Don't really care about Poser or Morton - I like Morton, but after his injury who knows what's gonna happen with him, I wouldn't be horribly upset if he were let go but wouldn't mind him being tendered either.

[FreeCandy44]

Anyone else notice the promotions are very weak this year? Also bobbleheads have limits. No longer everyone gets one. And wtf skyblast...with neon trees? Didn't think hipsters dug baseball.

[beerman]

i will be seriously livid if karstens isn't a pirate next year.

[beerman]

Anyone else notice the promotions are very weak this year? Also bobbleheads have limits. No longer everyone gets one. And wtf skyblast...with neon trees? Didn't think hipsters dug baseball.

No difference from the last couple years, shirts on Fridays, fireworks and/or concerts on Saturdays and a kids giveaway on Sunday.. Only real difference is limiting the number of bobbleheads.

[Troy Loney]

Anyone else notice the promotions are very weak this year? Also bobbleheads have limits. No longer everyone gets one. And wtf skyblast...with neon trees? Didn't think hipsters dug baseball.

You think hipsters like Neon Trees? I don't think you know what a hipster is.