The race for the final two Wild Card spots in the National League is quickly becoming a dogfight, and the Pirates are one of a whopping eight teams all within two games of each other in the standings currently vying for those final two spots in the postseason picture alongside the division-leading Phillies, Dodgers, and Brewers as well as the Braves, who have a firm grasp on the top Wild Card spot with a 5.5 game lead. That positioning in the thick of the playoff hunt comes in spite of Pittsburgh’s lackluster 36-39 record to this point in the season, but club owner Bob Nutting nonetheless recently indicated to reporters (including Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) that he believes the club can contend for the playoffs this year.
“I think we’ve shown it’s attainable,” Nutting told reporters (as relayed by Gorman) when discussing the possibility of postseason berth this year, before going on to acknowledge that the club needs more production from its offense, which ranks fourth from the bottom in the majors with an 85 wRC+. Nutting went on to suggests that the club is currently working to determine how much the offense can improve internally and how much of the improvement will need to come from external acquisitions.
Nutting went on to suggest that those external acquisitions won’t necessarily have to wait until the July 30 trade deadline is imminent, even as the league has generally gravitated towards making the bulk of its major summer transactions in the days and hours leading up to the deadline in recent years. As noted by Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the club’s owner suggested that the Pirates could “have opportunities well in advance of the deadline” this year.
“I think we should be prepared to move early,” Nutting told reporters (as relayed by Hiles). “I think we should be prepared to take advantage of opportunities when they arise. I know [club GM Ben Cherington] has that flexibility to look across a broader range of alternatives, options but also a timeline of when it makes sense to strike.”
Hiles goes on to note that Nutting reaffirmed his past remarks that more funds would be made available to the baseball operations department now that the club is, in his view, in a position to contend for a spot in the postseason. That’s good news for Pirates fans, as the club’s current payroll of just over $86MM is already the highest payroll they’ve posted since 2017 according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts. The following offseason saw the departures of key players like Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole that served as a clear sign the club was entering the rebuild they’ve only just now begun to fully come out of.
The club has a strong starting pitching apparatus with Paul Skenes and Jared Jones offering top-of-the-line stuff at the front of the rotation while Mitch Keller and Bailey Falter serve as solid mid-rotation arms behind them. Between that strong pitching staff and the club’s aforementioned difficulties on offense, it’s hardly a surprise that Robert Murray of FanSided recently reported that the Pirates are expected to making buying offense a “high priority” this summer. As things stand, the only clubs that are currently clear sellers are the White Sox, Rockies, Marlins, Angels, and A’s. Those clubs certainly have some interesting potential targets available, ranging from Chicago’s star center fielder Luis Robert Jr. to late-blooming A’s slugger Brent Rooker.
Either of those targets make sense on a speculative level for a Pirates club that has clear room for improvement in the outfield, and it’s also certainly possible to imagine the club having interest in adding at first base, where Rowdy Tellez has a 71 wRC+ in 61 games this year. Star first basemen Pete Alonso and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have both found their names in the rumor mill fairly frequently this winter, although even a smaller acquisition such as long-time Pirate (and currently Marlin) Josh Bell or recently DFA’d A’s corner bat J.D. Davis could potentially constitute an upgrade for the club over Tellez.
Pirates payroll is $85 million. Dodgers are paying Ohtani $70 million.
And Nutting said my signing bonus was $500,000… just need another $14.5MM to make up the diff! Y’all don’t see me say this often, but GO BUCS (except against my Pads!)
Not even close to being accurate.
Downvote
The Dodgers have a lucrative television contract while the Pirates don’t. Outside of the metropolitan area of Pittsburgh, the population doesn’t equal to that of the Dodgers
So because Los Angeles is a bigger city they should have a competitive advantage in the sports they play?
Maybe all the other teams should just fold and let New York and Los Angeles play every year for the championship.
you obviously don’t understand how the television contracts are structured in sports, Blackponk
Stick to what you know…, not much
Yes. Agreed
I understand it just fine. The system is broken. I grew up playing sports and sports are supposed to be about fair competition. When it’s not it’s lame.
If anything, I think TheMan3 was agreeing with you
Agree with your points 100%. It’s an uneven playing field and since there is little to no pushback from owners, I take it that it’s all one nice, cozy club
The Pirates were right to emulate the Rays methodology and procedures when Cherington took over. It’s their only hope—
Stock up on young prospects and develop them while the big team takes its lumps
Kids arrive, improve excel while continually loading up on young talent
When the players but stardom, trade or let go and repeat the process
Unfortunately, between the drafting/scouting and development departments, identifying future impact players and/or developing talent has fallen flat here
Can’t burn it all down. Nothing coming from the minors in terms of offensive help. Nutting says such nice things but with almost ALL MLB teams still in the hunt, I’m wondering where he thinks these players will come from
That’s not how there structured “in sports” just in baseball you should stick to what you know…. Not much
Look at the nfl you moron tv rights are split shows what you know….. not much
Dang. Heatwave burns.
Nor do you
national television rights are completely different than local rights maroon
ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC, ABC and other media outlets are national paid television rights
Local television rights are not the same
You arrogantly claim to have this great knowledge of sports and in reality, you don’t know squat
I’m not denying that I’m just stating his claim of “all sports” is completely wrong…. Like I stated mlb is different if you don’t understand that then you don’t know squat….. dont make yourself look this dumb…. I said mlb is different I just stated its not “all sports” as he stated
Your proving my point without me having to even try
I’m stating the nfl shares rights where am I wrong???? They don’t have huge tv contracts per team….. it’s split if that’s over your head I’m sorry it’s just a fact
want to give it another shot at explaining yourself because you are coming across as an incoherent idiot
* $46 million
Is this a comment to shame Nutting or those who continue to perpetuate MLB’s Economic system?
no it’s not about shaming Nutting, it’s about the fact that small market teams don’t have the local television contracts that large cities do
Sounds like bob is going to acquire one mediocre underperforming bat like Josh bell and call it the playoff push
Nutting to see here!
Will Crowe and Yean get it done?
Eddie is hanging in there.
Yes he is. And yes he is certainly available for trade this July.
It’s not a Pirates thing, it’s a BB thing
And it’s
700 million not 70 million
puke
you mad bro?
Says the dodgers or Yankees fan
I think they can use a center fielder badly as well. Not sure what the deal is with Suwinski, I hate giving up on him, I defended him so hard in the offseason and believed in his approach and skills, but something needs to be done. I don’t care how good Taylor’s defense is when he’s a near automatic out as well.
I’d be talking to the Marlins for sure in regards to relief pitching, OF, and maybe Josh Bell if he’s cheap.
Oakland has a lot of interesting pieces. JJ Bleday looks like an everyday starter at CF but is still pretty young, so not sure what they’d ask for. Rooker is the same, though he can’t play D.
White Sox, I feel like Vaughn or Sheets at 1B or corner OF are more of the same, fringe youhg starters who you hope break out (a la Davis and Suwinski).
The only reason I wouldn’t want Rooker is because that means either him or McCutchen will have to play some corner outfield, though maybe they can try Rooker at 1B? He has some experience there in the minor leagues. Sheets would complement Connor Joe very well. I would very much like to see the Pirates go after him. Bleday would be my top target: more realistic than LRJ, gives you a controllable outfielder for the next handful of seasons, and is a good hitter with an average glove in center.
Connor Joe should be included in any trade. He’s not consistent enough to even play in a platoon role and is mired in a 3 for 36 slump
Joe is and always has been a nice versatile player. He gets exposed by too many ABs. OF, 1B, PHer.
Part of the reason he is slumping is becaues the Pirates have asked him to be a regular when he’s a part-timer/platoon player. He still has a .279 BA and .827 OPS vs LHP. If you pair him with a decent right-handed hitter, he’ll perform better.
But why does any team want what the Pirates will put forth in trade discussions? Seriously. Chapman becomes a trade piece but will pitching or middle infield prospects really bring back the big gun(s) everyone wants
They have to look at teams that are out of it—very few at present—to look for dumps. The Marlins have said that they’ll likely have to dump a great deal of Bell’s salary
Problem is, there are other teams with much more attractive trade pieces than the Pirates
Sorry…Miami has said they’ll likely have to eat a great deal of Bell’s salary
not his entire current slump is against right handed pitching
Maybe but he is still a useful piece. Oakland, Chicago, Miami, hard sellers, would have literally no interest in him.
Maybe they can buy and sell a few things as well, but their “sell” pieces, one year deal guys, suck. No one would want Taylor, Tellez, either injured starting pitcher, maybe Chapman but can’t get rid of him without getting another pen arm.
What you have to offer is largely irrelevant in terms of trading for good but not the elite players. Teams that are locked in sellers want prospects and teams are no longer emptying out their prospect pools in big trades. You can get maybe a top 3 prospect, along with a top 10 and something else. I’ve said a million times, Padres make trades non stop yet still have top prospects. Braves seem to never give up their top guys. Same with the Yankees. It’s not fair to think teams should rake them over the coals just because they’re the Pirates and not an elite team.
holecamels, I understand, but you’re using tunnel vision here. How does a team look at what the Pirates offer in terms of prospects and think they’re getting a better deal than what, say, the Cubs or Reds, or Padres….et al….are offering?
Former 1st round picks? Davis? Termarr?
Your point about teams like the Yankees and Braves is well taken. They just seem to have a helluva lot more top prospects than the Pirates have
Pair him with a decent right handed hitter and he’s a all star!!!!!!
Oakland Chicago Miami are trying to rebuild. You think they are interested in building around a 30 some year old bench bat! Shows how much you know. NOT MUCH.
Pirates have the prospects to get anyone who is available. Teams will want them. They won’t want Chapman. Any team wanting Chapman will be giving prospects for him. Any player the Pirates want will cost prospects and or young players. Maybe there is a magical team out there that needs a reliever and just happens to have a extra 30 hr 1b outfielder laying around? Sometimes it happens. Like SD could trade for Roberts and then Profar might be available and they need Chapman? They probably like Profar but just using that as and example. Or Yankees get Roberts and Verdugo could be available. Not that they would want Chapman just an example. Likely if the Pirates are trading Chapman they are sellers and won’t be buying anything. If they are buying they will want Chapman in their pen otherwise they would have to trade for an additional reliever.
The caveat is, they don’t want Chapman at this moment. A month from now, that certainly may change for teams in the heat of a race and in need of a closer
In fact, I’ll predict he goes at the deadline for whatever he brings back. He was a luxury signing that defied logic then and it hasn’t changed
If Pirates trade Chapman it’s probably because they are out of playoff picture. I am a huge fan of buying and selling but it depends how teammates feel about Chapman and teams for the most part don’t do it. They either buy or sell. If a playoff wants Chapman then why wouldn’t the Pirates want him for their playoff run? Unless he isn’t well liked liked he is probably staying. Or unless Nutting truly is Mr Burns and doesn’t want to pay those final 2 months. It’s like this is Chapman is so good a playoff team wants him then why don’t you want him?
Depends on whether he brings back something you value. And why? Because you have a closer. You even have a strong setup man. Chapman is a luxury
You need 5 or 6 setup men in the playoffs. Don’t trade for any bats if you go into to playoffs with 1 closer 1 setup man while the competition has 2 or 3 closers 3 or 4 for setup guys.
Tired- Pirates have attractive minor leaguers.Where is Termarr going to play,although they would be selling low on him.
They have several pitchers that they could trade.
Chapman is their 1A closer as shown today.
I hate to say it but Rowdy has been looking pretty good lately although he definitely still falls into the casual class.
Bell is hot and cold and still has $8M left on his contract this year.
Preller may not be a great GM but he is the best young talent evaluator that there is.
Tired- Except today he was no luxury.
He has been a full time closer for a number of years and knows how to close.
He is not as good as he once was but none of us are either.
Well, I am
And Mendoza, that’s the point. Today they showcased the fact that he. An still close
Dream talks about what they need IN the playoffs. They’ve got to get there first
Disagree with you about their minor league system and that’s especially in comparison to other teams that have a deeper prospect pool and could do much better in a trade
Who’s talking about sending Joe to any of those teams you mentioned , Dream?
You certainly think too much of yourself
3 for his last 41 plate appearances says you’re wrong including an 0 for 2 today
Serious question. Do you have Alzheimer’s? Because the who said it was you. “Connor Joe should be included in any trade. He’s not consistent enough to even play in a platoon role and is mired in a 3 for 36 slump” ANY TRADE. People commenting above you mentioned those teams. Read the room.
This Bob Nuttings account? You are worried about Joe’s tiny salary and want to offload it? Obviously no one wants him. Not with this slump. Not even a platoon role.
Stick to what you know…, not much
I’m not wrong. I said they don’t want Joe in a trade. YOU are the one who said he should be included in any trade. ANY TRADE Stick to what you know…, not much
Bleday is the guy to go after. Along with Reynolds, another Vandy player. He shouldn’t cost much in salary or prospects.
Bleday will not be available. He’s seen as a building block in Oakland since he’s only 26 and has years of cheap team control yet.
Anyone is available in Oakland. They aren’t worried about Oakland Sacramento, only Las Vegas. They aren’t desperate to trade Bleday. Not even trying to. But of they get surplus value he is gone. They listened on Miller earlier this year. Even harder to get him but they listened. Bleday isn’t likely to be traded as if he was a rental or only 2 years left. But certainly available if the market demands teams to pay for him.
Ignorant- You May very well be right but if they get two or three young players that they like they will trade anyone.
They need players.
Jack still has options and should be sent back to Indy when Bae is activated from the IL, probably later next week
Bae began his rehab yesterday
But signing Davis would be considered a dumpster dive and isn’t much of an upgrade over what they already have
And for the record, Nutting isn’t known for speaking out during the season so he might just be serious about making significant improvements to the team
I read that the Marlins are willing to eat most of Bell’s contract if the right deal is reached
I would rather the Pirates take on the salary,and give them a longshot fringe prospect.
All for Josh Bell. Casual fans who actually attend games will love it. He we know this guy. He won’t be as cheap as some of you believe. They don’t need to give away. .311 average in May. .281 in June. The .181 March April makes his stats look weaker. No gm is looking at his March April stats. Still as a average dh who can play 1b will be cheap to aquire. Negative value contract. But there will be multiple bidders increasing his cost.
Ovbiously I’d love to have Luis Robert Jr., though that’s probably unrealistic. JJ Bleday is an underrated bat and maybe the second best hitting CF this year behind Aaron Judge, and ranks top 3 in OPS, wRC+, wOBA, isolated slugging among primary CFs. I think that Taylor Ward would be a somewhat realistic option. He’s not going to cost nearly as much as LRJ or Bleday, but he’s still a good hitter and solid corner outfielder. Maybe workout a trade for Ward plus Carlos Estevez; adds another solid reliever and a decent bat.
Pittsburgh is not ready to step up and make the type of offer it will take to get an absolute stud like Luis Robert to go with the pitching staff. This is what a deal will need to look like.
Pirates get: Luis Robert, Andrew Benintendi, Mike Soroka
White Sox get: Termarr Johnson, Bubba Chandler, Anthony Solmeto, Thomas Harrington, Braxton Ashcraft, Hunter Barco
Benintendi is not negotiable. If Robert goes, Benintendi and the fattest contract in White Sox history go with him. Must take his $15 million per. If you want to compete with the “big boys” you got to make big boy moves.
since when did the White Sox hire you as GM?
thanks for the laugh
Very Barry? Surely your joking? Hayes maybe and young pitcher? Harrington also, plus top A pitcher.
Sox wouldn’t want Hayes. Unless they know how to heal his back and get him to hit the ball in the air. Better off just keeping Roberts.
1) pirates aren’t trading away their top 5 prospects in a single deal
2) they aren’t taking back $15M/year on a bad contract. Their highest AAV on the team is $15.4M.
And they certainly aren’t doing both in the same deal. Just laughable
Yeah, no. The Pirates, let alone any team, aren’t taking an underwater contract while giving up their best position player prospect and five of their best pitching prospects unless you are paying off part of, if not all, what remains of LRJ and Benintendi’s contracts. If making bad trades and financial decisions is what it takes to play with the big boys, then I’ll stay at the kids’ table.
Nice idea but the trade is loaded for the ChiSox, no? You’re going to trade Bubba and Ashcroft who could very well be starts 4-5 here very shortly?
Reminiscent of the Archer trade. Jeez. Hard no
That is absolutelyhundred percent not happening. Benny and Soroka have negative value which weakens the return, only to get their entire farm. Have you seen what guys get traded for? Padres pick up guys for nothing every few months.
Lol fantasy land trade. Pirates could get Roberts for half of that and not have to take Beni.
Very- Do you really think that that is a realistic trade for the Pirates?
They would be trading their whole minor league system for who,for what!
Someone’s been snorting the 1B line.
MITCH KELLER IS NOT A MID ROTATION STARTER…HES ONE OF THE BEST IN THE NL AND IN ALL OF BASEBALL. AS GOOD AS SKENES AND JONES ARE, KELLER IS STILL THE ACE…..THIS WRITER AND I OTHERS IN THE MEDIA NEED TO REALUZE THIS
Keller was one of the worst in the league in hard hit % in April pitching once every 5 days. Seems like the 6-man rotation has really helped Keller
Or it was just 1 month.
You mean the starter by bullpen failure. And again another guy who doesn’t think keller is a number 1 starter. If the MORON wasn’t managing the pirates, keller would have 11 wins and the pirates would be 5 or more games over 500. The MORONS game decisions are so destructive to this teams maturation. This guy has no clue how to manage. AND I BET HE PUTS HIS PANTS ON BACKWARDS AND HAS HIS SHOES ON THE WRONG FEET.
bucsfan you really made yourself look like smallhands big behind, with this post
6-man rotation? I watch every game, and I can assure you there’s not been a 6-man rotation ever this season. Injuries to Marco, Perez, and QP, yes. Bullpen games, yes. Extra day of rest for Skenes and Jones, yes. 6-man rotation, nope.
Extra days of rest, Mlod starting games, Fleming starting games…. its been 5 days rest since May 11th instead of the traditional 4, and Keller’s numbers have really improved, and i believe the extra rest has something to do with it
I don’t think the Pirates should be buyers, at least not to any significant level. Their competitive window is going to be shorter than most teams because the team refuses to spend legit money. Why mess the future up on a season where you aren’t even a 500 squad and your 2 best pitchers are going to be on an innings limit?
well, thank you for your professional opinion, Blackpink, I’m sure Bob Nutting appreciates it
Agree 100%. Beyond Chapman, they have nothing that’s gonna bring back the guns they need. We’ve already seen what happens when you mortgage the future.
Heck standing pat would be a sign of progress. Skenes is for real the future is exciting kinda like back when they had Cole but it’s just not time yet.
it’s always next year with this team except next year becomes the year after and soon they are rebuilding again
Who knows what the future holds though if one of both of their prized starters get injured? I’m not saying to totally gut the system, but don’t be afraid to trade a few prospects to fill some MLB needs and try to get the wildcard this year and the next few. Reynolds is also in his prime.
If they use Skenes and Jones in a playoff run it could damage their long term futures. And the Pirates need their prospects so they can avoid having to spend money that they won’t spend regardless. The Pirates competitive window is always going to be smaller than most teams they gotta do it right or they have no shot.
I think you have too much pink in your black…quit while you are ahead with your mindless posts. By the way are you related to sliderwithfumungacheese????
Disagree completely and again, you’re offering an Archer example. You’re essentially saying that mortgaging the future for a wild card run—and that’s all it is—is worth it.
I’d counter that your “what if” scenario applies 100 times more greatly in regards to whomever comes back in such a trade. What if the guy fails miserably at the plate? What if the team fails miserably in its pursuit of a wild card?
Reynolds can’t carry this team alone. I’d submit that adding one big hitter can’t do it, either. I just think trading from a small prospect pool is the wrong way to go unless they’re prospects from deeper areas, like middle infield
I appreciate your love of sports but give em a chance you don’t know there inning limit I’m not even a pirates fan…. I just hate that some people think they know it all…. You don’t know sports as I posted above…. I think you like sports but you know nothing fan is short for fanatic… I just hate fans like you that know it all… usually you know nothing I think your opinion is in that category
arrogant much mustache101?
I value the opinion of others here including Mendoza, Dream and Tired just to name a few
You?
Not all all
Who is he going after? I thought it was @BlackPink. Sounds like a personal thing. He’s here, on a FAN site, to complain about a FAN providing FAN opinions
Dear God. Where do they come from?
I think he was responding to you, Tired and for that reason I had to put him in his place
Paul-Mustache May be arrogant but I think dumb describes him at this point too.
By the way,I wish I could give you 10 thumbs up for your post.
And this reference to me is included in the total for other Line references.
The quarters are adding up!
Maybe he’ll be more specific. I’m always honored to make a new admirer here. But I think he’s responding to BlackPink
1.They don’t have a window. They think they can be Tampa Cleveland Milwaukee and always contend. They aren’t off to a great start but that’s what they think.
2. Skenes had his inning limit earlier so they can still manage him the rest of the way. Jones is in real trouble innings wise but they can shut him down or replace him.
3. What future? I will give you Bubba, high ceiling and doing well. They don’t have to trade him. Ashcraft has some reliever risk but great arm near ready they can keep him. TJ has struggled but has that potential in him so you probably don’t want to get rid of him so fine keep him. They can still get anyone available without trading those guys. They have lots of potential good position players that they failed to develop they might be ready to part with for a sure thing. They have all these pitching prospects that ranking sites and fans like to rave about that are backend starters. They have trade pieces they will not miss. They don’t have to go after the biggest targets. But lets say they do go after a Roberts or Bleday. Back to their always contend theory. They will either extend them or trade them before they are free agents. So they lose prospects now but if those guys stay healthy they will get back some of that lost value down the road.
They aren’t winning squat if they have to “manage” Skenes and “replace” Jones.
They aren’t the Rays. They have a small window.
Nope. Not true. Managing Skenes wouldn’t make a significant difference. Jones likely wouldn’t either and there are too many variables. One of Gonzales Perez Ashcraft could be almost, as good, or better than Jones. They could trade for a starter and just the same.
Black pink- Who knows what the window is?Is small a year or two?
Is it ten?
I look back and say it would be three or four like the last decade was.
Mendoza, my friend, you’re using the logic that got them Archer. Say it isn’t so
No logic.
They got Archer in 2018 when they deliriously thought that they could contend after sweeping the Brewers in. a five game series.
They should have never included Baz in it and NH knew it was a stretch.They were trying to recreate the 2013-2015 period.They were overcompensating.
What I am saying now is what Dream is saying.Trade from your surplus of young players,but do not give up any of the best ones.And get ML ready or ML players in return.
Aww, the wait till next year crowd has arrived. Some donkeys just love chasing after that carrot that’s always just out of reach.
Who besides a die hard Pirates fan thinks Pittsburgh has a legit chance to contend this year?
They are contending.The NL is not filled with good teams.
no offense Mendoza but only managing 3 hits ( so far today), 5 yesterday and 4 on Friday, they won’t even be contending for long
Shelton penciled in almost every bench player in the lineup for today’s game, obviously with the belief that players like Taylor, Triolo and Jack could make an offensive contribution
If you’re trying to win, don’t use players who don’t contribute offensively
There is pretty much no chance the Pirates can compete with the Phillies or Dodgers in a playoff series. Almost none.
Or Braves. Or Brewers
Yes agreed. I like the Pirates future but the team is cheap. Whatever assets they are going to use in the coming years they need to hold onto them now in a year where they simply aren’t good enough. Next year they could make the playoffs sure but this isn’t the year. This is the year to finish 500 next year make playoffs and then they are ready to be legit contenders if everything goes well. That’s how a rebuild works.
Gee, Scott. I’m trying to figure out where you stand in all of this. Are you part of the “this is a good team that just needs to find another hitter” crowd, or someone who believes that somehow, they can make a trade that brings back a power hitter virtually for peanuts
They had 13 hits over the past series. Total
They have 3 strong starters, a very iffy middle relief corp and and box of chocolates closer group
But hey, they’re in an NL logjam of teams that are in the hunt for a wild card berth. So your idea is to “go for it”. Trade the prospects away and spin your wheels a few more years
All to say you competed for a wild card
Sheesh. And you used the word “donkey” in your post?
The Pirates play in an extreme pitchers park, so their offense is never as bad as it seems, and their pitching is never as good as it seems.
I’ll take a rotation of Keller, Skenes and Jones as the front three in any ballpark, Gaupo. And really, their hitting is abysmal even if they were playing on Legion fields
Would you say they have a plethora of PNC issues?
yeah, their pitching is never as good as it seems except for the fact that combined, Keller, Jones and Skenes have struck out more batters from 3 pitchers than any other 3 pitchers on the same team also combined
Keller himself has now pitched 6 innings in 19 consecutive starts and 5 innings in 47 consecutive starts, the most since AJ Burnett accomplished this earlier in his career with Pittsburgh
And not every game was played at PNC Park
PNC is pretty pitcher/hitter neutral by Baseball Savant’s measures.
Trading for Rooker, Alonso, or Guerrero is a sure way for the Pirates to completely blow their rebuild and be forced to start again in 2-3 years.
No that would be their awful development. Trading for those guys wouldn’t be a significant factor unless they massively overpaid.
They wouldnt need to give up their best prospects to get any of them, just one good one, so it wouldnt derail the rebuild.
Don’t have to even give 1 good one. Could give them absolute trash.
Bleday would be a great addition. Chisholm may be a target as well. If I’m Harrington I’m also calling Colorado and seeing if I can get both Brenton Doyle and Michael Toglia. Toglia would be a hope to hope his bat will continue to advance and provide more than they are getting at first base, while Doyle would just crush in Pittsburgh and provide great D in CF.
Those two aren’t going to help any team compete. Toglia is a joke. Doyle has had his defense slip this year. I assume it’s due to focusing on being a better offensive player. Suwinski is a high K good defense guy. No need for another one.
Bleday would be great but the price is probably sky high with how he’s been playing and his pre arb control
That joke has a .761 OPS this month.
Colorado would say who’s Harrington and hang up.
Mr. Nutting remains delusional.
No, Samuel, he just says the things that he believes people want to here
He has a real problem here. He has a weak hitting team and nothing coming up from the minors.
He’s averse to spending money on big time players in the off season and I’m sure would balk at taking on a big salary dump now
So what are his options? And why are they better than any of the other 10-12 teams also looking for help ?
I’m hoping Cherington doesn’t fall for trading away pitching prospects that will be here shortly
* hear
Yea Nutting tells the pirate fans what small hands tells his cult…LIES
What lies did he tell. All those quotes in article sound true to me. Playoffs obtainable, yep it’s that way for everyone but Miami Colorado. There will be opportunities, yep there will be. We should be prepared to take advantage of them, yep they should be. All sound like things that could be and should be true.
You guys are delusional hearing things that were never said.
Get ready for more “lies” from pirates. Like we expect to contend for playoffs, they do. We expect to be buyers at deadline, they do. TWe plan to make additions before deadline, they do. We plan to be buyers this year, they do. All true statements at time said
Dream- He May be spouting a company line but I take him at his word.I think that he hopes that they can compete and people complain about him all the time but maybe at this point he does see some light at the end of the tunnel.
Nutting added during his glory years and with Skenes and Jones and the increased attendance he actually may be getting excited enough about this team to add player or players of value.
I really think that they need to trade Johnson if teams feel he is is as good as advertised.He is still a pot shot at being a good MLB player.
If they fall flat I really hope that Nutting makes major management changes.
You should take Nutting at his word. I can’t recall finding him to be a liar.
He doesn’t care what people think of him. He might not even know. Doesn’t even care to know. Fact is 1.5 million people show up not matter what. The fans will watch on tv no matter what. They knew even if they didn’t admit it that 2020 2021 2022 was going to be awful years. Heck many of them thought 2023 was going to be awful. Those years you didn’t see much of Nutting. Now the rebuild is over and he sees the winning coming he comes out of his hole. The NL being so average helped that.
Even though he said Nutting about payroll increasing I believe it will. With 60 70 win teams he makes more money with a 50 60 million payroll. He would if not lose $ at the very least not make much with a 100 million payroll and 60 wins. He could have spent 120 million those years and only won 70 some instead of 60 some games. Attendance wouldn’t have changed much. Only way he makes more $ is by having a 80 win team and 2 million people showing up or a 90 win team and 2.3 2.4 hopefully 2.5 showing up. Obviously more people will watch on tv, more season tickets will be purchased. So he absolutely will spend 90 100 maybe get crazy and push towards 110 million if that’s what it takes to keep being a playoff contending team. Because he will make more $. And payroll will mostly go up because of players reaching arbitration and extension price going up. This current team will have a 100 million dollars payroll because the players making 700 grand now will be making 3 to 10 million or hopefully some of them 12 15 18 20.
none of it becomes factual until the additions are made to help the team be competitive
Right now it’s just talk
Nutting has seen a significant increase in attendance and increased attendance means money
He is a businessman first and foremost so for his insights it’s all about profits
When Skenes pitches at home the seats are rarely empty and Nutting sees the writing on the wall
It’s spelled with dollar signs
In the event that the Pirates consider trading prospects, it is essential to verify that these prospects are eligible for Rule V. Historically, the Pirates have faced challenges in adequately protecting their players in this regard. Should a trade be negotiated with the Marlins, I recommend prioritizing Tanner Scott and Josh Bell, both of whom offer the flexibility to be traded in July, should the need arise. Additionally, it is important to note Rowdy Tellez’s impressive performance, batting nearly .400 throughout June. Josh Bell, having previously excelled as an outfielder in the minor leagues, could effectively assume the right field position. While Jazz Chisholm and Starling Marte present viable alternatives, the team should consider moving away from Michael Taylor to strategically enhance its roster.
Well stated, but I haven’t seen Bell play outfield in some time. Certainly during his time here, he looked like a guy who was a bit too slow afoot to play RF. And if 1B is the idea, you’re saying he plays against left handers and bats right, or is the DH. And this takes away from Cutch AB’s. Just don’t know that he offers the Pirates what they need and while Chisholm and Marte are nice ideas, again, what do the Pirates have to offer unless the Sox and Mets just wish to dump salary
Yep. Pirates have historically had so much talent they couldn’t keep it all. Teams will continue to pick them apart in rule 5 draft snatching up all the Pirates incredible prospects. It’s been so many guys I can’t even remember all the names, can you help a brother out and remind me of all the names? Some of them must be really historical because I can’t remember.
I like the creative thinking. The big uncoordinated oaf couldn’t play the outfield as a decade younger more agile minor leaguer and had to be moved to 1b and can’t really play there so teams prefer him at dh but sure let’s put him back in the outfield. Stick with what you know. Not much.
Ps I only use that on theman3 since he uses it or people who have me muted like human being.
I don’t have you muted Dream though the thought has crossed my mind
s/
Dream- A+ post
Actually Bell did tie the all time NL rookie record for home runs by switch hitters in 2017 but laid an egg the next year.Of course he became Babe Ruth in 2019.
He was looked upon as a Pirates savior.
Then they traded him for Wil Crowe and Eddy Yean a couple of years later.
I was really surprised that he s making $18 M this year.
Needless to say he did not end up being a savior.
I go out of my way to find something someone who has me muted is wrong about and I trash them. Theman had me muted and I was really attacking him one day and it was the day he decided to unmute me and he was like I decided to unmute you but now I am thinking of changing my mind. I actually prefer to be muted so I don’t have to play nice.
Theman3 though, you have been very aggressive dare I say angry of late. A handful of comments on this article and you are all Stick to what you know…, not much
I never back down and I do myself sometimes poke the bear a bit. But it seems almost every day you are getting into it with multiple people. And if you get the slightest suspension someone is a Yankee fan they become a moron Yankees fan. Sometimes you gotta take a look in the mirror. It doesn’t bother me if you attack me but you are the only one. You got pinkblack mustache all after you. I can be a real smart as but just saying. I got no problem with you but you have seemed more intense of late.
Awful contract. And from Cleveland. They are leading their division so they still know what they are doing but that contract was a head scratcher. And why the pirates refuse to do player options. Nutting actually makes whoever his gm is much better by being so thrifty. Player options are awful.
I won’t lose any sleep over your thoughts of me Dream, so please keep it up
Are you suffering from early stages of dementia by chance? I have never suggested any suspicion of someone being a Yankees fan.
And if I wasn’t intense, you’d find something else to rag on me about
Copying me is all you got? Come on now you can do better.
Bell was a terrible outfielder and could barely throw the ball from first to second base for force outs.
Davis for Torkelson.
i kinda like this the more I think about it.
Pirates need to up their game for my prediction that they will be representing the NL in the Fall classic.
Go ‘rates!
You seriously had the Mariners vs. Pirates for your World Series pick ?? I hope you didn’t put any money down on that.
Hopefully he did. Math said that was a good bet. I got that match up. Royals Pirates was even better. Have those 3 to just win world series. Just taking the over on Royals Pirates would have paid for any additional bets with lots of $ to spare.
@Ignorant Son-of-a-b
Why are you surprised? I sent you the link to my prediction already.
mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/the-opener-opening-day-…
Mariners-Pirates or Mariners-Padres world series.
Yeah Mariners – Padres is more like it!!! (Nothing against Pittsburgh, I just don’t believe it’s their time.)
Their time may never come.
Bob needs to put his money where his mouth is in the off season
I believe he absolutely will. Nutting is a very honest person when it comes to his press statements.
Although putting his $ where mouth is well is irrelevant in these statements like most his statements. If you are in the 1 percent like me then read no further. But if you fall into the 98 99 percent allow me to offer you the red pill. Did you take his statement as he would increase payroll? Are you expecting 130 million payroll going forward? A more modest 100 million? If he raised payroll to 90 million that would be a increase. 87 million is a increase. Knowing Nutting he means 86 million and one dollar. He wasn’t lying it increased!
But even making a statement that I will increase payroll even if it’s only 1 dollar would be to hard of a statement for Mr Nutting to make. That’s why he didn’t say anything about increasing payroll.
“more funds would be made available to the baseball operations department” Nothing about payroll increasing. Hey the funds were available as I said they would be but Cherington really likes…. time to insert generic talk here, Cherington really likes our “in house options” “options on the trade market” “our young talent” “coming up through the system” “don’t want to block our””young talent” “really liked what Jack and Henry done this off season” “we like to leave open some position battles in spring camp”
Shall I go on? I can do this all day.
Like so many rich and or powerful people. Mr Nutting has mastered the art of having people hear and believe something he never even said.
Trading Cutch Cole wasn’t a rebuild. They haven’t been rebuilding since 2017 2018. Reynolds and reliever were near mlb ready. They brought in Dickerson to replace Cutch. Musgrove mlb ready to replace Cole. Remember Cole wasn’t sure what he he was elsewhere. Reload. But ok lets say it was a rebuild. Well rebuild only lasted a few months because trading 3 of your best prospects for Archer isn’t a move I would call rebuilding.
You’ve described Nutting’s angle and the TB model quite well over the past couple years. I think they went down this path but misfired with personnel
So after Nutting’s comments—which largely seems like PR—and knowing the situation they’re in, what does DreamGM do?
Nuttings comments were likely 100 percent truthful. Read my reply just about this comment to wvsteve to see for yourself. Don’t feel bad. Most people almost everyone hears what they want to hear. Hopefully my comment above hear informs you on what Nutting actually said. I have confidence in you but some people you can’t jam the red pill down their throat. If you never seen the Matrix I explain what that means.
As Cherington or Harrington I add whoever I can that will help this season, hopefully sooner rather than later and hopefully not just a rental. My goal is to find the best value and a partner who matches up well. If my people are telling me Bubba is the next Skenes he is untouchable. But lets my people tell me Solometo is a backend starter and in trade talks I find one team that is hotter on Solometo than I am and they value him as a mid rotation arm. Perfect trade partner easy trade. Now if I can’t find a difference on player evaluation I look for value in the market. No one is outbidding the Padres. Yankees Dodgers, Rangers etc will run the bidding up sky high. So who aren’t those teams interested in? That’s my guy. Sounds bad? Well no one wanted Bryd Morneau Happ Burnet Liriano Martin Cerveli lets go more recent no one want Vogey as a free agent, no one wanted Gonzales Perez Anderson Quintana. No one wanted Clay Holmes Yankees got him cheap!!!!! Phillies just gave us Falter. Here’s one for theman3 no one wanted Santana, not a single other team thought he was worth even 6 million. Thats how it’s done. I am also firing Haines and or Shelton if the 2nd half is worse. Someone has to take the fall instead of me.
If I’m Nutting I sit back and wait. I give a list of players prospects who are pretty much untouchable and see what Cherington does. Drafting and trading are things he has demonstrated he can do. End of season I will evaluate things. Can’t be thrilled with player development but I probably give him 1 more year if he puts the blame on someone else. If he is 500 or better I give him another year. Might mention are you sure Shelton Haines are up to the challenge of getting is in the playoffs.
what do you call bringing in Josh Van Meter?
In hindsight, dumpster diving
With Diaz back in form and the way the Mets are playing, I doubt they’ll be trading Alonso in the stretch run.
Mr. Cohen has the money, and David Stearns is one of the best FO heads in MLB.
Short of a few of their premier players going down with injuries
for the season, I see the Mets as a shoo-in for one of the silly WC spots.
Bob Nutting doesn’t sound like he knows what he’s talking about. He should probably defer to the baseball operations folks when discussing potential baseball related matters. This guy must have bought a MLB team just to keep up with the other multi-billionaires. Status symbol, who cares if you know nothing about the game.
Sounds like he knows exactly what he is talking about to me. All sounded accurate and truthful.
I was referring to the part where he basically said it would be simple to go get somebody now, weeks before the deadline. Not sure things are that simple, unless they are prepared to overpay dramatically. Not sure they have the blue chip prospects it’s going to take to play with the big boys.
I missed that part and I even read the newspaper article mentioned above. Didn’t see the word simple. Didn’t see anything that even implied it would be simple. I could have missed something and if that’s the case please copy his quote what paragraph it was in or if it’s in a different article let me know which one.
My bad…he did not use the word ‘simple’; he just makes the process sound very simple, and I don’t think it will be:
“…club’s owner suggested that the Pirates could “have opportunities well in advance of the deadline” this year.
“I think we should be prepared to move early,”…
I missed the 2nd article link so just read it. Seen nothing from Nutting suggesting it would be simple. It’s in a different article or you have a way more active imagination than I do. I didn’t see him say anything at all other than they are prepared. Didn’t say they were actually going to do anything but they are prepared.
My favorite quote is this… *I’m not at all sure” There’s an entire paragraph after that but does anything he says after that really matter? I might start using that one myself. Hey dream you were wrong about that player. No I wasn’t, I told you right there first sentence “I’m not at all sure”
It’s not your bad. We are just processing what he said differently. Most pirates fans read heard in their head that Nutting said he is going to increase payroll. That’s really processing it differently because he never said that but you can see how they read it that way.
“have opportunities well in advance of the deadline” There could be. And for some teams there will be. I didn’t take from it that it would be simple. I didn’t take from it that there would even be a move. I took it as just a sales pitch that oh we are trying and looking to improve this team. Travis Ben everyone. Didn’t read into it that it would be a major move, that it would be simple or even do anything at all. If its a minor trade or claim that is simple but Nuttings statement didn’t cause me to expect anything. Just there could be something and they are prepared for that something.
I personally think it could be simple. I see a lot of prospects that other teams would want that are tradable. Quantity of prospects. Not quality. Guys who have struggled. Guys who throw lows 90s. You want to to keep but you don’t have answers to improving them or don’t see them as all stars. Just my opinion. Nutting just said he can see some early trades and they are prepared for them. So are the other 29 teams, well 28 the Rockies probably aren’t prepared.
You know what. I can see how you see it that way. Instead of simple I would say casual maybe. I dunno. I know the Pirates. I heard all this bs for years. But I can see a new fan *( not saying you are a new fan or even a pirate fan) getting excited Nutting wants to contend, isn’t waiting for deadline, pirates are gonna strike now.
He thinks there will be some earlier trades and their should could be. SD made some much earlier already. Pirates are prepared. Good to know. My mind didn’t go to simple but I can see how it could. Maybe after reading the comments multiple times you view it differently. That happens. If not that’s completely fine. I just seen Nuttings lips flapping without saying a darn thing.
Oh and I don’t get the impression he watches many games or even likes baseball. Just a business to get revenue from.
Nutting paid $97 million for the franchise in 1997, today it’s worth $1.3 billion dollars
I think he knows what he’s doing
Whopping.
Nutting has said this before. Just WORDS. Watch what he actually does. After they blow the deadline, they’ll go back to dumpster-diving and they will once again claim that they were “in on” several big names but couldn’t outbid the big market teams. They will say that they made the effort and failed but fell back to plan B or C, which of course cost much less in players, prospects or cash. They have depth in the minors. Use it now to get the pieces you need. How about all of those years when they said they had money left over that they would use for the next year and the next year and the next year.. That money went into Nutting’s pockets and didn’t help the team at all. Stop listening to what he says and watch what he actually does.
He didn’t say he would increase payroll. Didn’t say they would make big trades or even attempt to do so. He isn’t lying to you. You are just hearing what you want him to say.
If the Pirates are buyers, they should be buying to build their 2025 team.
IMO, only the left side is manned with full time players in SS Oneil Cruz, 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes and LF Brian Reynolds. Everyone else are reservists.
They have a solid pitching core. They need to address their Catching then improve the rest of the offense without sacrificing defense that will diminish the effectiveness of the pitching. Don’t go after aging veterans.
Nothing wrong with trading for rentals. It’s worked out well for many teams. They are the cheapest to aquire. Not that they should ignore 2025. They can easily do both.
it’s always building for next year until a major injury to a starter or position player happens then it’s building again for the following season
Next year never arrives, it’s a perpetual cycle of injuries and rebuilding
I think the Pirates should stand pat primarily for two reasons.
First, given the number of teams that are in contention for a playoff spot, teams will have to overpay for any additions at the deadline. Currently, I would argue only five teams are really out of contention. The expanded playoffs have increased the cost of deadline trades.
Second, given Shelton and Haines, probably include their bench coach, I doubt any additions would be used effectively and the Pirates would still be out of the playoffs. I have more faith in the players on their current roster than I do in their management.
Andrew Vaughn would be a nice fit
.240 average yes he would.
Just a joke for my old friends.
Oh boy. I amuse myself.
if he is prone to striking out often he’d be a perfect fit
Not really. He is a average to above bat. Good contact.
“Should be ready and prepared to move early” – I am not a Pirates fan but to I’d love to know what that actually means. Once again they have a a strong mix of young talent in the lineup and in the pitching staff. They’ve been stacking draft picks and prospects for years. So I’d love to know when is the right time to make a move for this franchise that is clearly ready for the big acquisitions to get them over the hill. Guys like Rowdy Tellez, JD Davis and Josh Bell aren’t going to do it. This front office should be ashamed of themselves if they waste another group of young talent. This is the time to go big. Give yourself a chance and make the splashes. McCutchen and the city of Pittsburgh deserve this. As a MLB fan I hope this front office doesn’t waste away another season or more.
Thumbs up. Great work. Pirates fans read this article with the belief Nutting is saying they are going to be active buyers and early and big and payroll is going to increase and he sad nothing of the sort.
What does it mean?
Short version. Nutting I mean nothing.
Longer version broken down more than it should be. They Should be ready and prepared like every other team to make a move if it is available and enticing. If a trade doesn’t emerge and I am sure something will but might to be a major move, we will hear things like “we have to balance the short term battle with the long term battle” Same as we can’t go all in on the battle and end up losing the war etc etc that’s Cheringtons genius spin on it to be different. “We didn’t think the available options were significantly better than what we already have in house” other teams would simply say the trade market prices were to high but that invites Nutting is cheap comments so they put out that line of bs.
Samuel, not playing fundamental baseball isn’t the fault solely on the players, the coaches need to be better teachers and Shelton needs to stop using analytics.
This team isn’t talented enough for analytics
There are far more things wrong with the Pirates than getting 2 or 3 so-so veterans for a stretch run in 2024 are going to cure.
Start with they don’t play fundamental ML baseball very well.
Grandel cannot even throw the ball back to the pitcher.
Our favorite shortstop waits forever so he can gun someone out at first.But everyone oohs and aahs when he hits a 450 foot home run that counts as much as a 325 foot one.
Tellez refuses to run out balls that he thinks are home runs.
And yet no one has to pay for this crap.
speaking of not having to pay for this crap, Holderman threw 18 pitches in yesterday’s game. Why not use Nichols or even Fleming, both with fresh arms?
Shelton’s best attribute is how he mismanages his players and pitchers. Starting your bench hitters when you’re supposed to be contending for a wild card spot is yet another example of how he mismanages this team
3 hits from a lineup of mostly bench players and 2 are from your best hitter is a pathetic excuse for a major league team
If Cruz doesn’t take his time he will throw it into the netting. Pirates solution to fixing his throwing problem. Another team might be able to fix him. Pirates need to move him to 1b if they every find a ss.
He was using Holderman because that is where he usually uses him.
He probably sat these guys because of the heat and the fact that they are traveling to Cincinnati to play tomorrow.
Hopefully Shelton is not stupid enough to rest these guys if he had an off day tomorrow,
He won’t want to move to first base so they will need to trade him.
He is never going to be fundamentally sound because he is getting so much positive feedback on how hard and how long he can hit the ball.
I say good riddance because the old baseball axiom of strength up the middle is alive and well.
for each tape measure shot he hits into the Allegheny, Cruz adds 10 strikeouts to his season total
He’s quickly approaching the triple digit mark of 100
He can play 1b or not play. Enough coddling these players. I would destroy his career before I would trade him. He would go over to 1b with a smile after I shown him what his other options are. Speaking of options does he still have some insert evil laugh here.
I agree but he has been coddled for so long that it would be tough to change.
I really think that some of the lesser GM’s would love to have him.
I do think that he has at least one option left.
Thumbs up. Great work. Pirates fans read this article with the belief Nutting is saying they are going to be active buyers and early and big and payroll is going to increase and he sad nothing of the sort.
What does it mean?
Short version. Nutting I mean nothing.
Longer version broken down more than it should be. They Should be ready and prepared like every other team to make a move if it is available and enticing. If a trade doesn’t emerge and I am sure something will but might not be a major move, we will hear things like “we have to balance the short term battle with the long term battle” Same as we can’t go all in on the battle and end up losing the war etc etc that’s Cheringtons genius spin on it to be different. “We didn’t think the available options were significantly better than what we already have in house” other teams would simply say the trade market prices were to high but that invites Nutting is cheap comments so they put out that line of bs.
What you’ve provided tonight is a contradiction to your previous commentary about news, facts and research. So where government is concerned, you take everything with a grain of salt but somehow with Nutting, you find truth in every word
Look, I don’t know who “you guys” are and don’t know who called Nutting a liar. I couldn’t care less. You’ve called him a hall of fame caliber businessman in the past, so why should a good PR and marketing press conference be a revelation to you?
I gave ownership and the GM a pass for their signings this past off season which was wonderful of me. After all, real visionary GMs would have foreseen a time when the starting staff was going to be exemplary. It would have seen some real problems with the offense. You may remember me asking in February, where are the runs going to come from?
But all we have here is a lot of hype, and in the end I’m sure this “playoff run” will be no different.
Here is a team unwilling to take on a big contract and with nothing to offer other teams.
You seem to enjoy these devil’s advocate slants.
I’m sure Nutting is a wonderful human being. Sings in the church choir. Takes his dog for ice cream
But he’s a frugal businessman first, and a smart one. What else did you expect him to say?
I don’t see Nutting, government, anyone else saying or doing something any differently. All equals. No favoritism. I call things as I see them. Go back and read what I said again and again. I didn’t say take everything Nutting says as the truth. If I did it was by mistake and I will correct it. Just that I believed he was telling the truth this time and that he usually does. My point is it’s like someone watching their favorite political person or news anchor and they hear what they want to hear and ignore what they don’t want to hear. Most people aren’t open minded. Aren’t Neutral. It’s gotten worse this century. Worse last decade. Worst last 5 years. Worst last year. It’s gotten to the point with many people they can’t be friends with someone of the opposite party. Maybe you can but you have seen this or at least heard about this or can imagine it. I seen it with my friends, neighbors, there families even my own family. As a 1 percenter who is truly independent open minded critical thinker I can be friends with 99 percent of people vs only 50 percent right? Not true. Unfortunately it’s gotten to the point where it’s either you are with me or against even if you are way better than someone of the other party you still aren’t with my party. Not all are that way but many more than in previous years. I used to be the person the 99 percent would go to, to settle debates as a trusted neutral party. Most my friends are like me or some minority party that gets a fraction of votes.
Anyways there is nothing I could say to get most people to change party or if they hate Nutting to not hate him. Not that I would want to do so. Couldn’t if I did with most people. Just saying minds are made up so much that people hear what they want and don’t hear what they don’t want to hear. Nutting I can do about it. Huge problem but I don’t have any answers to it.
Nutting didn’t say anything about making early trades, big trades, nothing. Didn’t say he was going to increase payroll. Positive people are getting excited about trades and higher payroll next year. Could happen but Nutting didn’t say anything about it. He didn’t say anything really. Nothing I found to be useful. Negative people are like yeah right. Actions speak louder than words. Put his money where mouth is. What mouth? He didn’t say anything! He’s usually truthful but if he lies I am capable of seeing it and will most certainly call him out on it like I would anyone else. I didn’t need the red pill or sunglasses. I’ve been able to see things for what they are as long as I can remember. And I do think Nutting is a good business person. I wouldn’t want him owning the team I root for though.
Ok, agreed. Yes, he said nothing. Now you’re on to it.
I don’t get the hate for most people let alone the owner of a sports team. I don’t get the “liar” comment either. But being the owner of any multi million dollar enterprise that does business publicly necessitates being public relations savvy
And Nutting is
I get the sense no one is keeping track of what he says. This sound bite was much like the interviews he was giving as spring training kicked off. Here, he entertained questions because of a new corporate sponsorship that will show up on uniforms. The funny thing is, the answers were generally the same
Samuel mentioned the GMs of the Orioles and Phillies recently. They wrap rings around the guy we have here. You see, my feeling is that Nutting is Nutting. Where a true difference could be made is via the GM. No, I don’t “hate” the guy but here he is in this morning’s paper, echoing what the owner just said
To me, Cherington is the guy who’s failed miserably and it’s hard to place any faith in these recent comments. It’s a joke of a franchise
“ as a 1 percenter “
no one cares if you’re wealthy and bragging about it just makes you sound arrogant
I agree no one cares about my wealth but I never mentioned that I was wealthy let alone bragged about it.
The 1 percent is as in the 1 percent of the population who are critical thinker’s. Not bragging about that either. I didn’t do anything that I know of to become one. Just born that way. Nothing to do with wealth.
No faith to be placed in these comments. Nutting said nothing. This is a small pond but if you venture on Twitter or other places fans either don’t believe Nutting will make trades and increase payroll or excited that he is going to. He didn’t say he was or wasn’t going to do either so both sides are wrong. They heard what they wanted to hear out of absolutely nothing. Their minds just went there. People will believe the most untrue things simply because they want to. The mind is a strange crazy thing.
Cherington is perfectly fine other than the most important area player development. That’s a big one and it’s not good enough. He could be given more time. If he makes good trades the Pirates could make playoffs this year and the next 4 or 5 years even without good hitting development. He’s probably the 10th or 12th best gm in baseball 14th at worst. Pirates really need someone pushing the top 5. So do you trust Nutting to find someone better or do you stick with the sure thing you already have? When Nutting hired him he went with the safe option. Sky high floor but limited ceiling. I think it’s a difficult decision and best to play it safe and give him some more leash. Because if you go for someone better you are basically hiring someone from the rays front office and flipping a coin. Are you going to get the guy or woman or gender neutral who is responsible for their success or the one just came along for the ride. Who do you really determine who is doing what for what organization? That’s why you hire a large chunk of people you have ties to. Like they need to hire good hitting coaches. Where do you find them at? If they are good aren’t they already working somewhere? Well steal them away. If they are good won’t they already be making top dollar? Well pay them more. If there current employer thinks they are so good won’t they match your offer? Nutting going to over spend and make a offer so crazy other owners won’t match it. It’s more likely the Pirates find their hitting coaches the same way they find their players. By dumpster diving. Cherington has Nutting as his owner and the 2nd lowest payroll in baseball and has a similar or better record than all these other teams with 200 250 300 million payrolls. That’s not bad. Nice to have more but not bad.
I stand corrected Dream
I would add scouting too, Dream
You can’t tell me the kinds of players the O’s, Brewers, Braves, Phils are the same types of players the Pirates target
I get the development part
But how does this franchise have no one at the farm level with any promise where hitting for power is concerned? How have they developed no impactful players under Cherington?
Where do you get the scouts? Maz son. How long was he a scout? Why did he work for the Pirates? Unless you pay scouts drastically more they work for who they have connections with. You work for your child hood team, team you have connections to. Scouts get attached to the team. It’s their family. They aren’t mercenaries. They really take pride in the team winning. They feel like they were a huge part of it. Cherington hires who he can but he still has a lot of the same scouting Huntington had.
Scouting is fine. Malone was a better talent than most the overrated pitching prospects they have now. Peguero way better prospect than Alika Triolo Bae Tucker Newman Kramer Park Castillo etc etc etc. He was basically Cruz when we aquired him with less power but better odds to srick at ss. Peguero has power, Martin Nunez have as much power as about anyone. Gorski has power. Jack has power. CSN has power, if rhey could ever and they won’t teach him to elevate the ball and cut down on k’s he’s a all star. No one can but he has power. Hayes the same thing. Elevate ball, heal back, 30 hrs. Won’t happen. TJ has 30 hr power. Davis had 30 hr power. Don’t know where it went. He hit hrs in college. Will Craig had power lol.
Look at farm system rankings. Since Cherington took over they been top 15 top 10 top 5. Scouting is doing alright. Development is problem. Gonzales couldn’t hit, 1 off season he figures it out on his own. Davis can’t catch, 1 off season drive line teaches him.
Who are these players these other teams are targeting that impress you so much?
You’ve said this before about scouts and yeah, I get it. The Pirates advertise for scouts in Indeed. Maybe that should be my retirement. But a ‘72 VW microbus and hit all the small towns from here to Paducah
We’ve both pointed to the development problem here
But rankings mean nothing when they stagnate on the farm or can’t cut it when called up. I’m sure this has occurred to front office geniuses
I should have realized it comes down to pay.
It always comes down to pay
Never mind my earlier stream of consciousness. The Pirates can’t afford me
Tired-Nutting does not have a dog and if he did he would be too cheap to buy the dog ice cream.
The dog would however get any excess pierogis from pierogi night.
and a collection of bobble heads from the sponsored giveaways
Highly unlikely Pirates add the type of difference makers that they would if they really had designs on winning WS. Ownership is just fat n happy w/all the cheap excellent starting pitching they’re getting. Hopefully, theyll do enough too appease the fans @deadline but probably not. Getting a Lance Lynn vibe.
Orioles, like everyone else, need SP help now. That said, any mindful FO looks ahead as well.
Ryan Mountcastle is cheap and not an FA until 2027. There’s your 1st basemen thumper. In exchange, Os get a Chandler or a Harrington plus a lower level minor league arm like a Kennedy.
Os make O’Hearn their everyday 1b spelling him occasionally with Urias and Santander
I doubt the O’s make that deal—I’d send Harrington and Kennedy tomorrow—and would think they’d look to other teams with better alternatives first
Bubba and Harrington hopefully are their 2 favorite pitching prospects and wont be traded and certainly not for a non difference maker like Mountcastle. Would take a all star cf to get them and even then they could pass. Pirates if they do anything significant will likely be trading quantity not quality. Any high upside prospects moved would be low level raw kids.
I still haven’t seen Harrington but I’m think Solometo isn’t even a modern day Jeff Locke anymore.
Keller has 8 wins and leads the team in innings. He has pitched a couple of gems this year. Why no respect? Referring to him as a middle rotation arm is an understatement.
He’s done very well recently. He is also known to go into 5 or 6 start funks where he gets touched up pretty hard. Maybe he’s refined himself to the point where that’s either out of the picture or will be a rarity.
But Pirates fans who watch closely know this. On this staff, he’s still the stopper until the young guys can prove their mettle over the long haul
Because the so called writer of this article is s hack. You see today’s “journalists”,print the facts, they print their opinions. I don’t pay attention to the opinions of people who know crap. It’s like the movie critics. I have yet yo read some goofs review of a movie. I watch it myself. I don’t take anyone’s word on anything.
AND YES KELLER, AS Its BEEN STATED, SOMETIMES GETS IN FUNKS. THAT WAS LAST YEAR. SO FAR HES BEEN LIGHTS OUT. SO DONT LIVE IN THE PAST. KELLER HAS TURNED IT ON AND HES THE ACE.
NOW MLB TRADE RUMORS WANTS US TO DONATE MONEY TO SUPPORT THE WRITERS
WELL WHEN YOU FINE REAL WRITERS AND NOT OPINIONATED NUTJOBS, THEN I WILL SUPPORT
Remember the hope of adding players especially starting pitching this off season and who they actually did sign. Nutting and Cherrington are expert words men and always have a way out of their perceived statements. The Pirates will make moves but for the players who could make a difference the market will be too rich for them. They will still be able to say that we tried.
They added 2 of the best starting pitchers available. Hard almost impossible to predict injuries. Especially those injuries.
Complain about 1b or outfield. But starting pitching is the one thing they nailed.
I’ll let them off the hook for this past off season
3 pitchers recovering from surgery
No timetable for Skenes or Jones
Why spend big time money?
But again, they have a real decision to make this off season. Complete paradigm shift where spending is concerned or a series of Groundhog Day seasons for awhile.
Dreamer: You have used up all the complainants about 1st base and outfield leaving none for the rest of us.
Keller is more than just a solid middle of the rotation arm. He’s probably going back to the all star game this year
Ohtani is getting paid $2 million this year. Most of his contract is deferred. Bonilla is still collecting $1 million a year for at least the next 6 years.
Nutting says the same thing every year. Water off a duck’s back.
it should be a strike out extravaganza today between the numbers that Skenes racks to and the numbers that the Pirates players rack up
Taylor strike out machine
Suwinski strike out machine
Grandal
Triolo
And Cruz who is close to the century mark in ks
Cutch and Joe aren’t in the lineup
nothing mentioned on this site that Bednar was placed on the 10 day IL retroactive to this past Thursday
Biehl was promoted to take his place
Tellez has been playing at an MVP level in June. Its hard to see that they would ‘upgrade’ at that position right now.. As much as I would like to see Josh Bell back in Pittsburgh it just doesn’t make a lot of sense. However having Bell in the franchise would be nice giving them another 1b option. All depends on the price tag.
Both Rooker and Roberts make a lot of sense. Jack has been down right horrible. Taylor has been down right horrible at the plate but a great defender. with the Pirates offense they cannot afford to carry him.
A Rental Mid-Rotation Starter might be a good idea depending on Marco’s injury. Getting a long term arm would also give more options for other trades though.
A bull pen arm is definitely needed. A stable and consistent not bad. Doesn’t have to be an all star just stable average+
Hays has been worry some of offense. he has been getting better in recent weeks but still not good.
The rotating catchers is also a problem but having Grandall has been nice even when not hitting. If they make a move here getting Stallings back would be nice. Grandall and Stallings should provide quality performance. Giving Davis some time in AAA to work a bit more. Will get them through 2024 and Stallings another year of control if the need is still there with Endy returning and hopefully performing.
But you know, Just like my opinion man.
Shelton obviously didn’t really want to win the rubber match of this series using basically bench players in the lineup
Suwinski batting .173
Taylor batting .195
Grandal batting .174
Triolo batting .216
And dropping the foul ball off his catchers mitt could have been a major mistake had the Ray’s batter not hit into a double play
Otherwise, not playing Gonzalez and Cutch might come back to haunt worthless Shelton’s strategy
If they can’t afford to carry Taylor and Jack, why does Shelton keep penciling their names on the lineup ?
I always believed that the manager writes the lineup based on the determination of winning the game but this manager follows a different philosophy and more often than not, his philosophy falls
Stallings is playing very well this year but he will not be needed when Bart gets back although I would release Grandel and Keep DeLay.
Next year Endy and Bart.
Davis needs to be sent to AAA and then the instructional league to learn how to play right field.
Most your wants are already taken care of. If a team traded for Perez Gonzales Borucki Ashcraft Bart news outlets would be saying things like A+ they won the trade deadline.
Mid rotation starters are extremely expensive and not a need. Probably not happening. A center fielder would be a huge upgrade. The best upgrade they could buy. Going from awful worst in baseball to all star. Extremely expensive.A left handed corner outfielder would be next up, if not a all around player then a strong platoon to go with Joe Olivares. Normally average expensive but this year with so many teams contending and so many with this need it’s expensive. 1b the most affordable maybe. They could go cheap and get weak platoon to go with Rowdy.
They could also play Cutch in RF and trade for a DH.
Bullpen isn’t a dire need but can always use more arms. Playoffs lol you will have a starter move to pen. Jones might be there. Everyone is looking for relievers though.
Perez has been bad maybe a backend/6th starter. Hes only had a couple the only seasons where he looked like he might be better were shortened.
Marco – as i said getting a starter would depend on his time table. If he is back by the deadline then no urgency there. But if a rental becomes available…
Borucki has also been out. If I understand right, if no set backs he shouldn’t be too far out.. But it doesn’t make up for Bednar, Chapman being bad
Maybe if they’re whole pen and whole rotation were healthy there would be less of an issue.
Bart hasn’t played much with us but his history does not show much confidence. Assuming people get healthy behind the plate then they have a surplus that could go to an arm or offensive player. If I were choosing a catcher to move Grandal would probably be the guy
They do need offense no matter which way you look at it. Catcher OF and 1B over the course of the season are the week spots but Rowdy has been having a great June. It won’t stick like that the rest of the season but still looks promising.
The Yankees acquired J D Davis today so as usual with this franchise, a day late and a dollar short
And Michael A Taylor needs to be either traded, given away or dfa. I don’t care what people say about his defense, this is a team that needs runs and he doesn’t contribute any, period
This was one of Cherington’s major free agent flops this past spring
.236 average I thought you hated that? Dumpster diving I thought you hated that?
Davis wasn’t going to be the guy who turns this team around
Get real
Did you watch today’s game?
Yeah, Grandal dropped a pop foul but he looked equally sick at bat
As did Tellez. And Triolo. And Cruz. And Suwinski
Yeah, the rebuild is over. Can’t burn it all down now. But come this off season, they can substantially upgrade.
And you know it
But the names being bandied about here for trades and the like—people can’t be serious to think this will turn things around at the plate
Most sickening today was watching Cruz take strike 3 on a pitch we all knew was coming. Or Hayes jog to 1st on a soft ground ball. Or Tellez not take the bat off his shoulders on strike 3, as well
There is so much wrong here that a good manager actually *can* correct that it’s mind numbing
Note to MLBTR : your app isn’t working
Theman watches every game or just about. I didn’t watch. I did watch yesterdays since it only took little over a hour. Don’t plan on watching much unless they make some interesting impactful trades. Offense is awful and boring. Although yesterdays game was top of scale entertaining for a baseball game. Jack Taylor Catcher Triolo just awful. Joe is in slump. Hayes is meh. Cruz k’s too much. Too many weak spots right now to watch.
At the end of the day and everything is said and done, THE BUCCOS CAN MAKE THE TRADES, BRING IN PLAYERS THAT CAN PUT THEM OVER THE TOP…….BUT…..AS LONG AS THE POS KNOWN AS THE MORON MANAGES THIS TEAM….THEY AINT GOIN NOWHERE. TELLEZ BATTING CLEANUP, TRILIO BATTING 6TH. TAYLOR AND SUWINSKI AND THE OLD MAN CATCHER, IM SO PISSED I CANT REMEMBER HIS NAME. THE MORON HAS THEM PENCILED IN TODAYS LINEUP. THUS WASTING ANOTHER GEM BY SKENES. 7TH INNING TIE
HEY NUTTING YOU WANT A WINNER, GROW SOME NUTS AND FIRE THIS TRADGEDY OF A HUMAN BEING
I KNOW WHY THEY KEEP EMPLOYING THIS BRAIN DAMAGED IDIOT MORON….NUTJOB NUTTING IS TOO CHEAP TO PAY A SUCCESSFUL BIG LEAGUE MANAGER.
MORON BRINGS NOTHING TO THE TABLE AS A MANAGER. PITTSBURGH HAS 3 MORONS COACHING/MANAGING THEIR TEAMS…..2 HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL EARLY ON, BUT NOW STUCK IN MEDIOCRITY. AND THERE’S THE MORON…WHO DESERVES YO BE BURIED IN A DUNG PILE
The morons murderer’s row lineup managed 3 hits…..NUTJOB NUTTING DO WHATS RIGHT AND FIRE THIS PUTRID POS
At the end of the day, it bears repeating: the Pirates are one of countless teams still in the hunt. And unfortunately, unless a team like Oakland, the ChiSox, Miami or the Rocks just want to dump salary, the Pirates cannot offer teams viable prospects in comparison to what other teams can provide
And Nutting is averse to taking on big salaries
It’ll be a shock if they get a real bat for the outfield. Instead, we can expect their typical moves.
They have a real decision to make this off season. Open the wallet and get a couple big time run producers to go with your stellar pitching and guys like Reynolds, Cruz (I guess) and even Cutch, or just be happy to be in this situation next season and beyond
There’s no help coming from the minors and it doesn’t appear any of these guys will become 25 homer/100 rbi guys
Pirates have tons of prospects. Every team has enough prospects to do whatever they want to do. Pirates are better off than most. No idea why you think they have no one to trade but it isn’t true. They can keep their 3 4 5 best prospects and get anyone available they want and then get another 2 or 3 guys.
Open the wallet? Come on now.
But again, Dream, teams aren’t just going to approach the Pirates. There are many teams going for the WC this season and many with deeper talent pools than the Pirates
That’s the point
And the thing is, prospects aren’t going to get them what they really need, are they?
I’ve said before that I’m ok with a team that competes, hangs around .500 and hustles.
With Shelton allowing guys to dog it because he’s Mister Nice Guy, I don’t know when I’ll truly be uh, ok
Prospects are the best currency. Yankees are dumpster diving for Hill Shreve Davis. These teams don’t have talented mlb players to trade. Selling teams especially those rebuilding want prospects. Next best thing is failed prospects. We want TJ. Ok you won’t trade TJ then how about Davis and your 8th best pitching prospect. Brings up another thing. Teams want pitching. Pirates pitching prospects are one of the strongest pitching systems numbers wise. Pirates farm system is ranked what it is more because of depth than elite talent. Pirates are one of the teams that get 1 extra draft pick each year. Get extra international signing bonus pool. Draft high. Traded everything not nailed down the last 4 years. They should be one of the deepest systems. Quantity wise they are. Quality should be better. But plenty good enough to win the trade deadline. I don’t think the will or should but they could if they wanted to. I am not worried at all about the Pirates not having enough to get trades done.
There’s a reason the Yankees are dumpster diving and it comes down to who’s dealing players at this time of year. There’s a reason Oakland, the White Sox, Miami, the Rocks are out of it when almost everyone else is “in the hunt” That they’re dealing guys from their lackluster rosters should say it all
I’m with BlackPink
I’d rather they do nothing than get some marginal player or a guy whose contract is way out of whack compared to his output
But I like Fantasy Island. Tattoo is not only yelling, “Da plane! Da plane!,” but he’s also yelling, imploring, “Spend! Spend!”
If they’re not going to bring in a couple legitimate bats for outfield and 1st, don’t bother
Then show all of us what you’re really all about this off season