Official 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates Thread

[Rocco]

http://scouts.baseballhall.org/scout?s-sabr-id=e197672f

Take a look at some of Dave Littlefield's evaluations from his time as a scout. He may have missed on a few guys.

[pfim]

http://www.piratesprospects.com/2013/05/anthony-rizzos-extension-is-a-good-guide-for-starling-marte.html


Thank heavens this guy isn't the GM. You really want to committ $35M to Marte already? You can make a very similar deal years from now and have much much more certainty about performance.

Well, if you have more certainty about his performance, and his performance remains the same, the price will go up. I'd probably wait just because the Pirates have a finite resource as far as money goes, but it's not completely off the wall.

[Pens Fan Since 1970]

Once again, the Pirates are playing well and along come the Brewers on the schedule. Please sweep or at least, take 3 out of 4 from these pains.

[Troy Loney]

http://www.piratesprospects.com/2013/05/anthony-rizzos-extension-is-a-good-guide-for-starling-marte.html


Thank heavens this guy isn't the GM. You really want to committ $35M to Marte already? You can make a very similar deal years from now and have much much more certainty about performance.

Well, if you have more certainty about his performance, and his performance remains the same, the price will go up. I'd probably wait just because the Pirates have a finite resource as far as money goes, but it's not completely off the wall.

I think the riskiness of committing that money at this point is great compared to the increased salary demands that would come from increased performance security. McCutchen's contract was for $51M, So you aren't looking for more than a $15M increase over a 5 to 6 year contract. Granted that money would all be back loaded, but still, the time window is still pretty large to get a better idea of what this guy is going to bring before you lock him up.

[Troy Loney]

Once again, the Pirates are playing well and along come the Brewers on the schedule. Please sweep or at least, take 3 out of 4 from these pains.

I bet they take 3/4, brewers are a porous road team.

[Dickie Dunn]

http://scouts.baseballhall.org/scout?s-sabr-id=e197672f

Take a look at some of Dave Littlefield's evaluations from his time as a scout. He may have missed on a few guys.

So you're telling me that you disagree with his belief that Jason Giambi was a future AAA journeyman who might see some time in MLB as a bat off the bench?

[KennyTheKangaroo]

Why didn't Ron Villone's scouting report include the line "Future opening day starter?"

[Rocco]

http://scouts.baseballhall.org/scout?s-sabr-id=e197672f

Take a look at some of Dave Littlefield's evaluations from his time as a scout. He may have missed on a few guys.

So you're telling me that you disagree with his belief that Jason Giambi was a future AAA journeyman who might see some time in MLB as a bat off the bench?

In fairness to DL, steroids may have altered Giambi's future. He might have whiffed a little on Jeter's ceiling.

[pfim]

And Jeffrey Hammonds, though to be fair I think most missed on him.

[Rocco]

Neil Walker back from the DL. Jordy Mercer sent back down. John McDonald retains his spot as Hurdle's pet.

[TheGhostofGoulet]

The Pirates "reasoning" for keeping McDonald is because he is the emergency catcher and with Martin's neck issue, he is needed.

I put reasoning in quotes because I still don't find it to be very reasonable.

[Idoit40fans]

I didn't even know there was a position player named McDonald on this team.

[TheGhostofGoulet]

He hits about as well as the pitching McDonald if that helps.

[canaan]

Thats a garbage rationale.

[Rocco]

The Pirates "reasoning" for keeping McDonald is because he is the emergency catcher and with Martin's neck issue, he is needed.

I put reasoning in quotes because I still don't find it to be very reasonable.

I thought Inge was the emergency catcher? And Walker came up as a catcher, so in a true emergency he could go there.

[TheGhostofGoulet]

Rocco, finding the hole in the Pirates reasoning.

[Dickie Dunn]

Sounds more like an emergency answer to explain Hurdle's rationale.

[KennyTheKangaroo]

NEWSFLASH PIRATES FANS

JORDY MERCER WONT GET PLAYING TIME AS LONG AS CLINT BARMES IS HITTING AT LEAST .120 AND NEIL WALKER IS HEALTHY. JORDY MERCER COULD BE THE NEXT HONUS EFFIN WAGNER BUT UNLESS THEY GIVE UP ON BARMES, MERCER WONT PLAY. PERIOD.

[pfim]

The only solace in this is that Hurdle probably wouldn't have used him once Walker was back anyway.

Still, there's a greater chance that Mercer will be a utility-type than a regular. And he's a better player than McDonald.

[Bioshock]

NEWSFLASH PIRATES FANS

JORDY MERCER WONT GET PLAYING TIME AS LONG AS CLINT BARMES IS HITTING AT LEAST .120 AND NEIL WALKER IS HEALTHY. JORDY MERCER COULD BE THE NEXT HONUS EFFIN WAGNER BUT UNLESS THEY GIVE UP ON BARMES, MERCER WONT PLAY. PERIOD.

This. I find it downright amusing that people still think the Pirates are going to make sound roster moves and logical decisions. Guys... it's the Pirates...

[kovyfalcon27]

The only solace in this is that Hurdle probably wouldn't have used him once Walker was back anyway.

Still, there's a greater chance that Mercer will be a utility-type than a regular. And he's a better player than McDonald.

Mercer has more homeruns than McDonald has hits lol. Classic Hurdle "Need the veteran leadership, even if said veteran shouldn't be in the league anymore" BS.

[Rocco]

NEWSFLASH PIRATES FANS

JORDY MERCER WONT GET PLAYING TIME AS LONG AS CLINT BARMES IS HITTING AT LEAST .120 AND NEIL WALKER IS HEALTHY. JORDY MERCER COULD BE THE NEXT HONUS EFFIN WAGNER BUT UNLESS THEY GIVE UP ON BARMES, MERCER WONT PLAY. PERIOD.

Fine, but I would rather he be on the bench that McDonald, who can't hit and isn't that good with the glove.

[Malkamaniac]

I didn't even know there was a position player named McDonald on this team.

Same, I just assumed they were talking about J-Mac. Even if they dropped Macdonald, why not bring up Sanchez if Martin gets hurt to back up McHenry?

[Rocco]

http://www.piratesprospects.com/2013/05/anthony-rizzos-extension-is-a-good-guide-for-starling-marte.html


Thank heavens this guy isn't the GM. You really want to committ $35M to Marte already? You can make a very similar deal years from now and have much much more certainty about performance.

Well, if you have more certainty about his performance, and his performance remains the same, the price will go up. I'd probably wait just because the Pirates have a finite resource as far as money goes, but it's not completely off the wall.

I think the riskiness of committing that money at this point is great compared to the increased salary demands that would come from increased performance security. McCutchen's contract was for $51M, So you aren't looking for more than a $15M increase over a 5 to 6 year contract. Granted that money would all be back loaded, but still, the time window is still pretty large to get a better idea of what this guy is going to bring before you lock him up.

The risk you run is that a team does something dumb that screws up the entire market. If you think Marte's going to sustain this type of performance or get better, then you better lock him up before he gets close to arbitration. I'd wait until after the season before talking about a new deal though.

[PhantomJB93]

I cannot understand keeping John Mcdonald over Mercer either. Keeping Barmes as the everyday SS I can understand, even he's been hitting better lately, and Neil is one of our best players when he's healthy and isn't trying to pretend to be a switch hitter, but Mercer did nothing but produce and I don't think he's somebody who needs a lot more development in the minors.

Anyways, Rickie Weeks and Roids are out of the lineup tonight, but I'm sure we'll find a way to lose just because they're the Brewers.