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By charliewilmoth | at
Email a copy of 'Offseason Outlook: Pittsburgh Pirates' to a friend
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smrtbusnisman04a
Could Matt Latos make sense for the Pirates? If Ray Searage can bring him back to 2012 form, and the bucs resign Happ, the rotation could be great in 2016.
Also, with his health issues, could the Pirates possibly move Taillon into a setup role? I know we spent a lot to get him, but then it might take less pressure off his arm.
I’d like to see the Pirates win before they have to rebuild in 2018. Several NL teams are still in rebuild ing mode so the Pirates could very well have another great record in 2016.
ronswanson69
I also am a fan of Latos. Why do you think they’ll be rebuilding in 2018? Because Cutch is leaving? By then hopefully Meadows will have fulfilled his top prospect promise and have replaced McCutchen.
smrtbusnisman04a
Other players will get hard to hold onto. Eventually, Gerritt Cole is going to ask for a huge extension following his huge 2015 campaign. Liriano will be 35 and there is no guarantee that Glasnow and Bell will be the next DeGrom and Trout. Other teams like the Reds and Brewers will be rising as well, and the Pirates will have to weigh whether to push forward or reboot.
RedRooster
Latos is a nice buy low candidate. I’d like to see my Padres bring him back. Balsley knew how to get the most out of him back in 2010-11 and he and Searage are definitely the best in the business.
kozy21
What makes you think the Pirates have to rebuild in 2018? They are set up to contend for a lot longer than that especially with the pitching they have in the minors. The only thing the Bucs might need to deal with is trading Cutch. By then they’ll have Austin Meadows, Tyler Glasnow, Jameson Taillon, Josh Bell, Alen Hanson, and Reese McGuire in the fold. Not to mention all the additional depth that reaching the upper depths of the minors right now.
daveinmp
Those are some nice prospects, but the division is full of young talent now at the top and Milwaukee’s system is just as promising as Pittsburgh’s with Arcia, Phillips and a half dozen or so arms plus they have the #5 pick in next year’s draft. Pittsburgh’s current core will start getting expensive sooner rather than later.
smrtbusnisman04a
Other players will get hard to hold onto. Eventually, Gerritt Cole is going to ask for a huge extension following his huge 2015 campaign. Liriano will be 35 and there is no guarantee that Glasnow and Bell will be the next DeGrom and Trout. Other teams like the Reds and Brewers will be rising as well, and the Pirates will have to weigh whether to push forward or reboot.
The Oregonian
Fister seems like he’d be the perfect Pirate.
pex5
i thought NH said it would be unfair to ask Walker to learn a new position in a contract year?
ronnsnow
He did say that, and I don’t like it at all. The goal needs to be to put the best team on the field, not make things fair for Neil Walker. His range has been declining, and the Pirates have 2 options that are better defensively in Harrison and Hanson. NH needs to trade Walker if he’s not going to change positions.
joew
How is Hanson’s defense now after switching from short? I heard it was coming along but how close to MLB ready is it?
charliewilmoth
I just found that interview. I hadn’t previously heard it. I’ll update the piece to reflect that. Thanks.
joew
position wise around the horn..
1b Morse/Bell
2b Walker/Harrison/Hanson
SS Mercer/Kang/Harrison/Hanson
3b Kang/Harrison
LF Marte
CF Cutch
RF Polanco
C Cervelli
Key Bench options: Harrison, Hanson, Snider, Broxton, Bell
make a run at a NOT BAD first basemen. Davis and Morneau for example… but when that fails use Morse and hope Bell pulls through and get a first a third basemen in the draft.
Keep Snider on, he has had success with us in the past and does not cost TOO much. hanson and bell should both see time and Harrison will probably be starting somewhere most days.
I would like to see the pirates offer AJ another 5 million + Large innings pitched incentives to pitch the first half of the year until Glasnow is ready.. and if for some reason he isn’t.. AJ can finish the season and still collect for bonus innings. I doubt that would happen or even if it is allowed.. just wishful thinking.
Rotation:
Cole
Liriano
** Some one they sign in FA **
Morton
Happ or Locke
If Happ or another lefty is signed Locke is gone. Locke gets a ton of flack some undeserved.. he is a 5 starter that cracks under pressure. but still the result of games played is favorable. If he had a better defense behind him he would be an okay 4/5 (that still has pressure issues). That said the team should find upgrades for him. maybe try to get him to another team that might be able to help him. If they cannot and they do not pick up another lefty I wouldn’t’ have a problem keeping him in the rotation.
Signing Soria should be priority. If they’re going to go after one of their dead line pickups he is the one. He could replace Mark and probably save 5 million a year and do about as well.. while possibly picking up a prospect or another team need. Blanton would also be a good short term resign. Watson could take over as closer, he has the stuff and the mentality but we would still be short a setup guy.
Bullpen:
Setup: Hughs/Watson/Soria
Closer: Mark/Soria/Watson
ronnsnow
That is almost the same exact team they had in 2015. There are going to be changes, especially to the bench. Snider won’t be back, and probably not Stewart either. Pirates need to see what Eilas Diaz can do, as Cervelli’s contract expires after 2016.
joew
that’s right it is.. and that line up won 98 games despite their horrible defense (slightly inflated by their high GB%)
Stewart is one of the better backups around and until the last couple months was Cole’s designated catcher. Maybe they made the switch to get Cole used to someone else? IMO keep Stewart. See what Diaz does in the spring and go from there. Reese should be ready ’18 or ’19 assuming he keeps up his progress.
** EDIT ** a quality back up catcher is also valuable trade piece if Diaz is able to make the jump to the MLB.
Snider is gone.. sadly but leaves more room to use Broxton, Bell and Harrison in the OF
jtt11 2
The main issue with dealing Alvarez is that it leaves the buccos with no real long ball threat. The NL central is a tough tough division and every single game will matter. That being said, I can recall at least 8 games last season that one of alverez’s bombs put the team ahead for the win.
Pedro has his negative attributes, that’s undeniable. He strikes out a bunch and mans first base like a drowsy hippopotamus. But those 27 long balls are going to be tuff to replace on the open market. Bell may be the long term solution, but they will hold him in Indy until the super 2 date, and in all likelihood, he could experience some growing pains adjusting to major league play.
This is a difficult question that I do not know the answer to and don’t envy NH.
joew
Shouldn’t be a worry. Adding a full time Kang and Marte’s improving power stroke and hopefully Polanco finding his power.
As long as who ever is manning first isn’t horrible should still be a positive
joew
Just say no to the Platoon.
If Pedro is gone there is no need.. Yes plan for a back up, but unless the match up is extremely lop sided forget platooning.
a .270+ against lefties and righties and a good fielder that we barely pay.. Mike Morse. Yeah he maybe done but should be at least good enough to hold off until Bell’s super 2.