2014-2015 Pirates Offseason Thread

[Mr. Colby]

I'll think about it maybe tomorrow

[Troy Loney]

http://espn.go.com/blog/spring-training ... e&rand=ref~" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;{%22ref%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2F3jFDM8EuxR%22}

Looks like we'll see more off days for McCutchen, the Pirates will be looking at playing time alternatives to enhance production and limit injury.

This was probably out of the question last year, but the depth and versatility from the position players, this is definitely an option for them. Keeping Cervelli and Walker healthy won't be easy, but if they develop a rotation that will keep Marte and McCutchen healthy and productive all season, that would be extremely valuable. I'm thinking that Hart is going to have a pretty big role on the team, especially in the outfield with the Snider trade.

[FreeCandy44]

http://m.pirates.mlb.com/news/article/1 ... o-pnc-park" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Meh

[Rocco]

I saw Leftfield Terraces and thought it said "Littlefield Terraces" at first and was about to go into a blind rage.

[columbia]

Rob Manfred: 154 games possible
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12370 ... s-interest" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yes, please.

[ulf]

Rob Manfred: 154 games possible
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12370 ... s-interest" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yes, please.

Do it every 4 years and put the WBC over the all star break

[KennyTheKangaroo]

http://espn.go.com/blog/spring-training ... DM8EuxR%22}

Looks like we'll see more off days for McCutchen, the Pirates will be looking at playing time alternatives to enhance production and limit injury.

This was probably out of the question last year, but the depth and versatility from the position players, this is definitely an option for them. Keeping Cervelli and Walker healthy won't be easy, but if they develop a rotation that will keep Marte and McCutchen healthy and productive all season, that would be extremely valuable. I'm thinking that Hart is going to have a pretty big role on the team, especially in the outfield with the Snider trade.

theres always one new quirky strategy that seems like a gr8 idea in spring training that lasts about 5 weeks into the season. does anyone else remember the whole russel martin is going to play 3rd base thing?

sitting mccutchen more frequently sounds great in practice but in real life, its just not going to happen. if they try to map out days to rest, what happens when the pirates are in a bad 10 game slump, are starting to lose ground to the cards, and need to salvage a series win against a divisional opponent? They are going to sit the league effing mvp? Child, please.

[Rocco]

http://www.bucsdugout.com/2015/2/25/811 ... -extension" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Someone's going to have to explain to me why we're freaking out about something that's 4 baseball seasons away.

[44windmill]

http://www.bucsdugout.com/2015/2/25/811 ... -extension

Someone's going to have to explain to me why we're freaking out about something that's 4 baseball seasons away.

I don't get it either. I'm all for signing Cutch to a Godfather contract, but not at the expense of the team. They need to follow the Tampa model of getting the best out of trading superstars when they may be on the decline. If Austin Meadows turns out to be the real deal, somebody out of he, Cutch, Marte and Polanco will need to be traded. Either one of those guys should bring in a really good return to restock the system and perhaps fill a glaring need at the major league level.

[Troy Loney]

theres always one new quirky strategy that seems like a gr8 idea in spring training that lasts about 5 weeks into the season. does anyone else remember the whole russel martin is going to play 3rd base thing?

sitting mccutchen more frequently sounds great in practice but in real life, its just not going to happen. if they try to map out days to rest, what happens when the pirates are in a bad 10 game slump, are starting to lose ground to the cards, and need to salvage a series win against a divisional opponent? They are going to sit the league effing mvp? Child, please.

I think there's an advantage to be had here by challenging some conventional thinking. IE, getting your best guys as many at bats as possible.

I think you can look at Martin's production last year as an example. In 110 games he had an 832 OPS, when he was playing 125+ games, he was at a 700 OPS.

I think with injuries, it's impossible for them to layout a strict plan for any player. But I think there a balances to be reached and maybe the everyday players can see an increase in their efficiency with a lighter workload, and the bench players can provide more efficiency with more consistent playing time.

So, my essential line of thinking would be that McCutchen per at bat production would be higher with 550 at bats as opposed to 650, and someone like Corey Hart's production would be more efficient with 250 at bats as opposed to 150.

[Troy Loney]

http://www.bucsdugout.com/2015/2/25/811 ... -extension

Someone's going to have to explain to me why we're freaking out about something that's 4 baseball seasons away.

There isn't much value to begot by having McCutchen at $25M per year as opposed to having McCutchen at $29M per year. There's an impetus to get these stars locked up early into their career so that they can have them locked in through arbitration, they have to be reached out to early in those cases.

The risk is higher because they have to pay more to get them locked in after the first contract, as we've seen from guys like Braun, Howard, and also I think to a less extent with Verlander and Cabrera. Rushing to lock up these guys for their post prime years is a mistake. McCutchen is under contract through his age 31 season, if he'd sign an extension to add two or three years to the end of his current contract at $25M....then I'm sure that NH would do that, and i'm thinking that's what he was meaning. I'm sure there's no intention to sign him at a high price into his late 30's. Especially four years out from free agency.

It doesn't make sense to talk about it because the only deal that would be amenable to the Pirates is not going to interest McCutchen, and any deal amenable to McCutchen won't interest the Pirates.

[Rocco]

http://www.piratesprospects.com/2015/02 ... -byrd.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tabata is in the best shape of his life, you guys.

[FreeCandy44]

Why is Neck Lips even on the roster?.

[Rocco]

Why is Neck Lips even on the roster?.

Because no one else wants his contract.

[ulf]

Except he's not on the roster?

[FreeCandy44]

Im sorry...I dont pretend to know the 40 man roster like yinz.

[ulf]

Lol its all good

[FreeCandy44]

;) i know the contract is awful, but you figure someone would be interested in him.

[KennyTheKangaroo]

Yes who wouldn't want a right handed outfielder with no arm no power and no speed

[Rocco]

It's okay though, he worked with Marlon Byrd in the offseason and looks good in spring training. He's turned the corner.

[DudeMan2766]

A clubhouse divided.
The rest of the Pirates roster hates Kang because they didn't bother to become fluent in Korean over the winter and Cutch wasn't paying attention the other day when Kang hit a BP homerun off a coach. Rob Rossi with his finger on the pulse of this team. Strap yourselves in, it's going to be a wild ride this season.

[columbia]

I made the mistake of looking at that article.
That's my fault and I deserve to be shamed.

[Sam's Drunk Dog]

Ugh, looks like the Rossi virus is spreading to the other teams in town now.

[ulf]

That article was brutal.

[slappybrown]

That article was brutal.