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wvkeeper
What are the chances we might see the Pirates trade Neil Walker this off-season?
charliewilmoth
Remote, I think. They’re trying to contend next year, and they’d not only be dealing an effective player, they’d be opening an infield position (either second or third) for which they don’t have an obvious starter (assuming we think Alvarez isn’t really a third baseman at this point).
Melvin Mendoza, Jr.
Harrison?
charliewilmoth
That’s why I said “second or third.” If they move Harrison to second, they have an opening at third. I highly doubt they really see Alvarez as the answer there.
Smrtbusnisman04
Not to mention that he grew up in Pittsburgh and is regarded as a local favorite.
charliewilmoth
Honestly, I doubt Neal Huntington cares much about that.
Smrtbusnisman04
I’m just saying it would be unpopular, especially if you’re the Pirates trying to establish brand loyalty.
M.Kit
none?
joew
I would say that the chances should be greater than they actually are. Mercer and Walker both. They are by far gold glovers up the middle but they make most plays they should make and are solid at it. they can be effective in the line up. You also got to look at what other options available for the price.
my opinion, don’t rule it out but might be hard to find an option that will do just as well.
Christopher A. Otto
I think that losing both Liriano and Volquez would be a bigger loss than losing Martin. …. That’s a LOT of quality starts to replace. And I’m not sure they can count on Worley for 30 QS next year.
oldoak33
The best in the game can’t be counted on for 30 QS.
Christopher A. Otto
I misspoke. Didn’t really intend to cite the statistic. I guess what I’d say is that I don’t think you can just assume that Worley’s success will continue and that you can count on him to be in the rotation from April through September. He’s had an up and down career.
Smrtbusnisman04
I expect the Pirates will have Taillion spend the first two months in the minors so they should prioritize bringing back Liriano or Volquez (if not both) in addition to another pitcher. Nick Kingham could be another option by the midseason point.
I would also like to see them add another bullpen arm as Watson and Melancon have both had high inning totals the past few years.
oh Hal
I think its pretty unlikely they resign Martin. He’s in the proverbial catbird seat. I also don’t see an MVP level season from Harrison again. Worley was also a big contributor. Maybe that’s Searage and he can repeat.
I think teams will be wary of Liriano and Volquez. It would be a big plus if they get one of those guys back. The loss of their contributions is large. Maybe Searage can Dave Duncan a couple more guys, but even Duncan didn’t always succeed.
Is an .800 OPS LF with plus defense a “star”? I guess that’s fair. Despite prospect evaluators loving Polanco’s tools, I think becoming a “superstar” is unlikely.
They had a lot of things go great last season, balanced by some critical injuries. They still seem like fringey contenders to me.
pitnick
He did say “emerging star.” And OPS can be deceptive given how the offensive environment has changed. His wRC+ (which adjusts for park, league and era) was 132 this year, good for 17th in the NL (among qualified batters), essentially tied with Matt Holliday and Carlos Gomez.
Bob Bunker
When I look at the Pirates I see them absolutely stacked at OF with McCutchen, Marte, Polanco, Josh Bell, Austin Meadows, Travis Snider, and Harold Ramirez. They also have two great infielders in Harrison and Walker. Lastly, they have enviable pitching depth long term with Cole, Glasnow, Kingham, and Taillion.
However, assuming they lose Martin, Liriano, Volquez, and Ike/Gabby they have big short term holes at SP, 1B, and C.
If I’m the Pirates I would resign one of the two SP to a short term deal (3 years max), pick up a reclamation projection like Masterson on a 1 year deal, move Snider to 1B and find him a cheap platoon partner, trade Alvarez for prospects. and then try to deal Bell or Meadows for a cheap young catcher.
GrilledCheese39
I wouldn’t get a long term catcher, Pirates have Reese McGuire for long term, but there is a need for short term which Martin fits perfect. They need to resign him.
pitnick
There’s no way Martin signs a short-term deal though.
GrilledCheese39
Didn’t exactly mean short term, McGuire will be ready around 2018, and a 4 year deal for Martin would line up almost perfectly.
Bob Bunker
McGuire can’t start this year though and if they could get a young player that could start this year then McGuire could easily move to the OF/1B don’t you think. Don’t see Martin coming back on less then a 4 year deal so he would block McGuire just as much and with their limited payroll it doesn’t seem like its in the cards.
S Brooks
If Snider’s 2014 is for real, he wouldn’t need a platoon partner.
Smrtbusnisman04
The 1B position really depends on Pedro Alvarez. I don’t see the Pirates trading him now with his value being so low. His power numbers dipped last year, but he was on pace for a career high in walks. Hopefully, he can relax knowing he no longer has to play 3B.
Bob Bunker
Yeah playing Alvarez at 1B isn’t a bad plan either though that is 5 million of payroll plus the fact they probably won’t keep him past 2015 so it’s trade him now with the extra year of control, trade him in a year with limited leverage and he’d have less value, or non-tender him next year.
joew
Pedro also had less at bats than the year before because he couldn’t get the ball reliably to first and Harrison NEEDED to be on the field. It felt like Pedro saw many more pitches though i cannot back that up with stats. He is becoming more patient and evolving and chases less, but still strikes out a lot. I bet if his was able to get 600 AB again he would’ve had 30+HR and another 170+ strike outs
Rick Eger
We need to keep either Liriano or Voquez, I’d pefer Edison, trading Alverez at this point wouldn’t bring much in return, I think J-Hay will be productive maybe not a superstar but who knows( Jose Bautista anyone? ). It would be great to keep Martin but it ain’t gonna happen. Sooooo we fill in the gap until Diaz arrives.
oldoak33
Liriano has more upside and has pitched well when healthy in 13 and 14. Volquez has made most of his starts in the past three or four years, but doesn’t have the upside that Liriano has. I’d personally try for Liriano, but I think they both walk for stronger offers elsewhere.
Rick Eger
They almost have to re sign one of them.
joew
don’t forget there are other options available in free agency, but I would love to have Liriano back.
Rick Eger
I agree Joe, we need him.
Chris Vinnit
I understand the spending doesn’t = winning issue but my great fear is the Pirates will end up like the Rays. For years people raved about Tampa’s approach and farm and so forth but now it looks like they had a window and that window has slammed shut. I think this is the Pirates “window” and while I agree with why they didn’t want to trade Marte for Price, they really need to make a splash move sooner rather than later. The Lirianos and Volquez’s are nice – and Cole is a really good talent – but they badly need that ace type starter that can push them over the top. And I hope they do what they have to do – be it a trade, be it letting guys like Martin leave so they can spend elsewhere – before Cutch is playing for Detroit and Huntington is GM of the Yankees and all we’re left with is “remember back in the mid-2010s?”
derekbellstutu
Is there a James Shields-like deal that the Bucs can pull off this offseason? I would love to see the Buccos acquire Chris Sale, but I think it would cost too much in terms of prospects. What would it cost to acquire Brett Anderson or Dallas Keuchel? I think those could be some solid adds to the Pirates rotation.
Bob Bunker
Why would the White Sox trade Chris Sale? He is one one of the best value deals in the game, is a perennial Cy Young candidate, and is very young and the team is looking to contend next year and beyond. Makes no sense.
derekbellstutu
I was thinking only about the Pirates in regards to trading for Sale. I know that the White Sox would require most of the Pirates top 5 prospects in exchange for Sale, and rightfully so. That’s too high a price for the Pirates.
With the likelihood of Martin and Liriano leaving and Wandy’s contract coming off the books, the Buccos will have money to spend this offseason. It will be interesting to see how they spend that available cash.
Rick Eger
I agree 100% but this is Pittsburgh we’re talking about…..remember?