The Pirates are designating first baseman John Nogowski for assignment, manager Derek Shelton told reporters (including Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review). Pittsburgh has also finalized their signing of first baseman/corner outfielder Yoshi Tsutsugo to a major league contract. He’ll be active for tonight’s game against the Dodgers.
Pittsburgh picked up Nogowski from the division rival Cardinals for cash considerations last month. He hit well in his first couple weeks with the Bucs but has seen his bat crater recently. Altogether, Nogowski has compiled just a .233/.301/.310 line over 143 plate appearances split between St. Louis and Pittsburgh this year.
Nogowski will find himself on waivers in the next few days. The 28-year-old has had a tough season but he’s an accomplished minor league hitter. Nogowksi owns a .270/.386/.431 line in parts of two Triple-A seasons and has a .295/.380/.424 mark in three years at Double-A. That high minors track record could pique the interest of another club. Nogowski still has another minor league option year remaining, so any claiming team could move him between the majors and Triple-A through the end of the 2022 season if they keep him on the 40-man roster.
why does Tsutsugo provide more future value than the controllable Nogowski?
Both are controllable and Nogowski provides no power.
does Tsutsugo’s contract make him arb eligible? im pretty sure his Rays one opted him out of it.
They both provide no future value. But in the past i’ve seen Yoshi play different positions so there’s that.
That’s such I dumb move, he is perfect for a ball club like this. I honestly don’t understand that, I think Nogowski will get more time in the Bigs
I agree. I don’t get this.
You dont get much… Do you???
I’m not saying he’s an all star, but really Yoshi Tsutsugo doesn’t look spectacular. At least Nogowski can hit to some degree. I figured he’d get a chance to play out the season for a team not in a playoff race.
Uh have you seen him since his hot start? He has a total of 7 hits since July 21. His average plummeted from .345 to .233 with a total of 1 HR for the Pirates. Why is this dumb? He’s 28.
Because what do the Pirates gain by DFAing him? Nogowski has an interesting minor league track record and is a swing change from a Max Muncy like breakout. I bet someone picks him up and makes it work.
They gain the chance to see another player. They’ve seen all they need to see with Nogowski. He’s a No Go.
Pirates are rebuilding. Nogowski stunk. See what tstsugo can do. Not much to lose
Sure, he fits right in with a team of castoffs and retreads. Problem is that they need to use the rest of the season to work towards the future. Morans not great but he’s a much better player than Nokowski is and that says it all.
It is disrespectful to use the r word like that. It is insensitive to intellectually challenged people.
“It is disrespectful to use the r word like that. It is insensitive to gently used tires.”
FTFY
Maybe spend less time influencing on TikTok and more time trying to learn how to read
Nogowski will always be remembered for causing that child Marcus Stroman to puke on the field out of fear for his life
True, Nogowski is his father
Was hoping to see more of Nogowski.
The only thing of value he had to the Pirates was he had a true Pittsburgher last name.
So pirates think they can out coach the Dodgers and Rays? We will see. So far these projects have been failures. Tom Alford Fowler. Nogowski was most successful. He was a 400 or 500 hitter for a week or so. Still looks good now. He has faced tuff pitching and had some awful calls. He knows the strike zone and had a nice swing. Plays a solid 1b as well. He wouldn’t have made 40 man next year and odds are the new guy won’t so guess it doesn’t matter. Position versatility hurts him more so than lack of power. He was fun for a few weeks though.
He had a little Billy Butler in him, then it completely derailed.
Good luck John, Will miss seeing you pitch as well.
Maybe the Mets will pick him up. He seems to enjoy hitting at Citi Field, having gone 7-16 there a month ago. He’s also pitched three times in relief with better results than Brandon Drury and Luis Guillorme. Given their upcoming schedule, the Mets can use him as their lefty throwing position-player-as-a-pitcher during blowouts.
It was a blast but he’ll have to ask the Genie for one more wish because sorry to say, his 15 minutes are up.
Saw him a couple of times and thought he would make it. Definitely think he will be picked up.
Who do YOU think needs a singles hitting 1b/DH? No one.
The Yankees like collecting 1B / DH types.
Man, I love the Big Nogowski, but I understand the DFA. Aside from 2 really fun weeks, he hasn’t been that good.
If things don’t work out for Nogowski with the Pirates he would probably make a decent Defenseman for the Penguins
Nogowski would definitely improve the Mets.
Nogowski…..Tsugsugo…. The Pirates’ uniform guy is begging for them to acquire some guy named Smith.
Zane may be available
Nice name drop! Well done
Best fielding first baseman Pirates have had in a looong time. Shame he went into such a hitting slump.
So glad they got a guy who is batting .155 this year and had a whopping .197 BA last year. The Pirates get rid of a fan favorite for a guy who is older and worse at the plate.
And this is why you should always take Spring Training stats with a heap of salt.
Some time off might do Nogowski some good. He’s been looking like he’s one called strike away from having an aneurysm with his level of frustration.
Hopefully his nickname in the ‘Burg isn’t Sug Sug.
This is a good opportunity for the Pirates to go “All-in” on their chase for back to back #1 draft picks.
As a brewers fan, I have seen a lot of him. He plays very hard and does not dog it! Good Luck SKI. I think you are a Major League player.
I’m a Nog fan believe me. But come on now. If either of these guys are on the team next season, expect another year like this year. I too thought Moran and Nog were an ok, lefty/righty platoon at 1B. But nothing special. And Moran should be traded this offseason or at next seasons trade deadline.
When you’re upset about swapping out one below average hitter for another terrible hitter, you know your team isn’t in the best situation.
Man I wish my poor Pirates can just let a little luck on a waiver wire pickup or prospect breakout like so many of these other teams do.
I heard Cherington say Polanco is in the lineup still because he has power. 11 home runs, under .700 ops. Pirates have to scratch and claw to get a 10 HR hitter, so sad.
Did you pull that out your hole???
What the Pirates are looking for is someone to man 1B with or instead of Moran until Mason Martin is ready probably in 2023. If they find someone better than Martin in the mean time then that player will be the 1b by 2023. Yoshi is just the next player that the Bucs (the Rays and Dodgers before them in the case of Tsutsugo) that is thrown against the wall to see if they stick. Not a big deal here
An NPB/KBO target
Does it really matter? When the Pirates begin to reach the level of wild card consideration these dumpster diving players will be on to their life’s work. Until then, keep losing and secure that great draft position for 2022.
Pirates releasing garbage then signing garbage. Way to go front office!