Before the Cubs signed Shota Imanaga to a four-year, $53MM deal, the other finalists for Imanaga’s services were the Red Sox, Pirates, and Brewers, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. Boston’s interest in Imanaga was well-known, and Pittsburgh had also been linked to Imanaga’s market, even if the Bucs’ traditional lack of spending makes it somewhat surprising to learn that they apparently came relatively close to landing the southpaw. Of course, “finalist” is a bit of a nebulous term, and it isn’t known just how close the Pirates might’ve come to Chicago in the bidding. For instance, the Red Sox offered Imanaga two years and $26MM in guaranteed money according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, with two more vesting years covering the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
The Brewers are also a surprise entry, as it wasn’t publicly known that they were in on Imanaga at all, let alone one of the last four suitors in the running for his services. Milwaukee also often operates with a limited payroll (albeit not as limited as the Pirates’ budget), and it’s interesting to speculate on what the team might’ve offered Imanaga, or whether signing the Japanese star might’ve kept from the Crew from any of their other winter business. For instance, if the Brewers had signed Imanaga, would they have still had enough spending capacity to bring back Brandon Woodruff and/or Wade Miley, or would any further pitching additions would’ve been strictly of the lower-cost or minor league variety if Imanaga had been the team’s big offseason strike. As Nightengale observes, any of Imanaga’s other suitors might have some regrets given how the left-hander has gotten his MLB career off to such a great start.
Some other notes from around the NL Central…
- Matt Carpenter recently received a cortisone shot to deal with the oblique strain that has kept him on the injured list for almost four weeks, MLB.com’s John Denton writes (X link). The shot led to a shutdown, and it isn’t clear when Carpenter will be ready to begin a minor league rehab assignment, though he has been able to take batting practice. Carpenter reunited with the Cardinals on a one-year deal this past winter, but played in just three games before suffering his oblique problem.
- X-rays were negative on both Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Tyler Stephenson after the Reds duo were each hit on the hand by pitches in Saturday’s game. Encarnacion-Strand might be the slightly more serious situation of the two, as Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that the infielder’s X-ray revealed a small previous fracture in the same spot that CES was hit on Saturday. Encarnacion-Strand said he had “no clue” about the origin of the older injury, and he hadn’t felt any discomfort prior to this most recent HBP. It isn’t yet clear if Encarnacion-Strand will get an MRI to further explore the injury, but he hoped to return to the lineup within a day or two.
I know a fairly recent Cy Young winner who just got done pitching 7 and a third scoreless in Mexico that they could sign right now for the league minimum…
Did he just pitch or did he pitch while also doing the running commentary of his start for his YouTube channel thing ?
Irrespective of the numbers, if he did the latter, I’m not too sure too many owners will be watching and thinking “I should sign this guy”.
He could throw back-to-back-to-back No-Hitters and you still wouldn’t get an owner or GM to take the bait
Yep. Pitching is not the problem. What he does in the bedroom is not the problem. Visibility and profile and how he prioritises and uses that is the problem. It blows my mind that he doesn’t recognise that. Just refuses to disappear for a while.
If you were innocent how would you carry yourself under the same set of circumstances? Every piece of evidence that we are aware of increasingly shows he is innocent. Like him or not I’m not sure why he needs to disappear if he is fighting for his professional life. Would you?
I agree on the innocence. Who knows what id do in that situation. However, I’d like to think I’d be aware that going dark and just pitching would be the best course of action. You know, give employers an opportunity to forget, show them all my energy is dedicated to pitching. Dude needed to make an obvious
sacrifice imo. Easy to say though. Carrying that abusive towards women label would be very very ordinary. I take your point.
The legal system does not decide if a person is innocent. It only decides whether one is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt or not. Being found “not guilty” is not the same as being found innocent. “Not guilty” means that the state (county, federal, etc.) did not prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The charged individual may truly be innocent or not but that is not determined by the court.
Also, not being charged does not necessarily mean an individual did not commit a crime.. It can mean that the prosecutor does not believe they have enough evidence to win the case.
@Skeptical The same is true for literally every other player who was accused but not convicted.
This! Well put
Maybe after the first 2 personal protection orders in Ohio, he could ve been a bit more vigilant as far as his recreational activities.
Trying to justify this dudes actions are laughable. There have been 4 accusers. After the first anyone with common sense would be more proactive not putting themselves in such a situation. Yet he did so again and again and again and again….
4 accusers means nothing when none of them are credible.
2 courts in Ohio issued personal protection orders against him. They found it credible enough to do so. So this narrative that he is unequivocally innocent is laughable.
At the very least he put himself in questionable situations time and time again.
While I agree he shouldn’t have put himself in some of the situations he’s been involved in, one does have to wonder about why everyone wants him basically dead and gone when he should always be presumed innocent until proven guilty, something that has not happened. Out of court settlements, in court protection orders, what have you, are not a premise of guilt. I personally think until he’s found guilty he should be given a chance back in MLB, but at the same time that is not my decision, my opinion doesn’t matter, and it is what it is. Meanwhile we have aroldis Chapman, even the braves marcell Ozuna, and multiple other players who have been involved in crappy things from cheating (ped’s) to domestic violence, some worse than others, one guy gets the longest suspension ever, and shunned from baseball for something he may or may not have been guilty of. There is definitely something broken with the system, mainly the fact that he has a big mouth and will criticize MLB itself as well as the commissioner while also getting involved in crappy things to the point to where it is a huge pr problem where it wouldn’t be a good look for teams to sign him, while others keep their mouth’s shut and are able to play and get decent contracts even though Bauer may have better talent than some of them. Like I said it is what it is, there is nothing any of us can do about it, but there is a huge double standard in this sport and how fans with different opinions view the situations when it should be as simple as this, innocent until proven guilty.
What isn’t credible is a player who has been accused repeatedly by women for indecent acts
The chances of all of these women lying is slim to none. In the age of the Me-Too movement, no longer are women fearful of coming out against men who use their power to harm women
“he should always be presumed innocent until proven guilty, something that has not happened”
I dont know how you missed this, but he was in fact found guilty. Twice in fact! First MLB found him guilty of violating the domestic violence policy. And then an independent third party also found him guilty. And get this: they both thought he was so guilty that he deserved the longest suspension in league history for violation of the domestic violence policy. I really don’t know you missed this
Lol. “In the age of me-too movement, no longer are many women fearful of throwing false allegations against a powerful man to make some money”
I agree
Neither, a MLB suspension or a restraining is proof of anything.
The commissioner can suspend any player for any amount of time under the domestic violence act and a restraining order only needs some to file a report with supporting “evidence” which may or may not be true, ie medical reports and pictures.
The whole “an arbitrator upheld the suspension” isn’t accurate at all, after Bauer won the legal process, he asked for reinstatement, which he got. The arbitrator immediately ended Bauer’s suspension and reinstated him. That’s a far cry from being “up held”
Ever hear of Harvey Weinstein or Bill Cosby?
Both were convicted of exactly what the Me Too Movement is about
Keeping your head in the sand doesn’t mean these allegations aren’t true
Nope! They are indeed proof that he is guilty – guilty of violating MLB’s domestic abuse policy. And the arbitrator agreed with MLB that not only was Bauer guilty but he was deserving of the longest suspension in league history for violating the domestic abuse policy. They easily couldve awarded back pay. But guess what: they didnt! Because they found him guilty! What is with yall trying to deny facts?
How about this for proof: Bauer’s attorney’s conceded that he committed violence against his victim while she was unconscious. It is impossible to give consent while unconscious. You must be able to revoke consent at anytime, which means that nothing done while someone is unconscious could be considered done under consent.
From MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy:
“Sexual assault refers to a range of behaviors, including a completed nonconsensual
sex act, an attempted nonconsensual sex act, and/or nonconsensual sexual contact.
Lack of consent is inferred when a person uses force, harassment, threat of force,
threat of adverse personnel or disciplinary action, or other coercion, or when the
victim is asleep, incapacitated, unconscious or legally incapable of consent.”
See those last two lines? Bauer does not deny that this occurred. The courts consider it to be factual that he hit and sodomized his victim while she was unconscious? Do you realize what it takes for courts to consider something as background facts? It means it is not disputed.
And all magically have the same ambulance chasing lawyer.
And let’s not forget one of the accusers is charged with felony fraud for making the entire thing up.
very well said, Eighty Raw!
“And all magically have the same ambulance chasing lawyer.”
All but one of Deshaun Watson’s alleged victims had the same lawyer. What’s your point? Why are yall so adamant to defend someone who punched and sodomized an unconscious woman? Regardless of all other accusations, this much is undisputed.
Why would you admit that you r*pe your wife? R*pe is never funny
Tell me you’re a misogynist without telling me you’re a misogynist.
Both of their convictions were overturned. Obviously I cannot speak for a woman, but based on the justice system, I’d say some DO still fear coming forward or are convinced there isn’t a point. That’s just sad reality.
@Tigers3232 He didn’t put himself in any situations because women like Lindsey Hill and Adanna Esemonu shouldn’t be falsely accusing him and trying to extort him in the first place.
@TheMan 3 My momory’s a little bad. How many different people accused Laci Green of r*pe back in 2016?
@Eighty Raw MLB doesn’t find people “guilty” of anything.
@TheMan 3 Different is Cosby and Weinstein actually were guilty. Bauer isn’t.
Were you present when Bauer allegedly assaulted these women?
If you weren’t, you can’t defend him
@TheMan 3 Were you?
Oh so you want to be pedantic about MLB and the word “guilty” but feel fine saying Cosby was guilty? Weird how words only have specific definitions when you need to defend a man who punched and sodomized an unconscious woman
@Eighty Raw Bauer simply didn’t do it. Cosby and Weinstein did. Happy?
Raw – In one short post you’ve proven that you’ll never be the life of the party at a Mensa event.
“Ever hear of Harvey Weinstein or Bill Cosby?”
Why stop there? Im sure he puts his pants on just like Adolf or Genghis Khan.
Ah, the internet. Dragging in names of people who did much, much worse and making him guilty by association.
Cosby’s convictions were thrown out. You feel confident in saying he did it though? Weird.
And again, Bauer did sodomize and punch an unconscious woman. He did not deny that this occurred. It is fact.
Thank you for acknowledging that I am too smart to give money to MENSA. Didnt realize your “I r*pe my wife!” jokes were such a hit with the MENSA crowd though
Obviously not, but I’m also not a misogynist and openly support women who claim with much certainty that they have been sexually assaulted harassed or abused
For years women were too afraid to speak out about what they’ve endured because of the public scrutiny and stigma surrounding their experiences, because people like you believe the accused
Neither Adolph or Genghis were accused of being assaulted
“[Bauer] didn’t put himself in any situations”
Well other than the ones where he choked a woman until she lost consciousness and then punched and sodomized her. A thing you, but not Trevor Bauer, denies happen. A thing that court of law considers “factual” but you say didnt happen.
“Bauer did sodomize and punch an unconscious woman. He did not deny that this occurred. It is fact.”
Not denying something doesnt make it a “fact”. I would assume his lawyers said “dont make any comments”.
Are you his mom? Jeesh.
If you only suspend someone for a criminal act, you could have a star player shoot someone from the shortstop position, bury the gun behind second base, plead “not guilty” and be released on $10m bail, and be fielding grounders the next day. Since trials can take months or years to happen, the player might finish the season on the field. How would THAT be good for baseball?
@Eighty Raw Cosby’s convictions were thrown out on a technicality. Bauer wasn’t charged because he didn’t do it. One of his accusers was just charged with felony fraud and extortion. They are not the same.
@TheMan 3 Women like Wanetta Gibson, Crystal Mangum and Nikki Yovino?
“A thing that court of law considers “factual” but you say didnt happen.”
Can you give me the statute or law where a court of law considers allegations by accusers “fact”, even if youre never arrested or charged, just because you dont deny them?
Youre just making up stuff as you go.
@KyleT Thank you.
Being listed as “factual background” makes it fact.
You said Cosby was guilty tho
Was he not found guilty?
Literally not making anything up. You can go read the judge’s ruling for yourself. Under the heading “factual background” it says that Bauer choked his victim until she lost consciousness and then the sodomized her (first meeting) and then punched her (second meeting). It also says “Bauer did not dispute engaging in these activities”
So, yes, it was recorded as fact in a court of law. I accept your apology
“Can you give me the statute or law where a court of law considers allegations by accusers ‘fact’, even if youre never arrested or charged, just because you dont deny them?”
If something is not in dispute, it is fact. Bauer’s sodomizing and punching of an unconscious woman is not in dispute. He could have disputed it. But guess what: he didnt! Therefore it is fact that it occured.
And he wasn’t charged
“Factual Background” are the facts, as believed by the prosecution, for bringing his or her case. It DOES NOT mean they are facts.
Wow, just wow.
My god, you accused me of making stuff up and actually typed that?? Nothing you said is correct, much less sensical. Just baffling how dumb it is.
Go read the judge’s statement. Or continue to be wrong and ignorant.
Bauer’s attorneys conceded in argument (before the previous judge) that he choked his victim until unconscious and then sodomized and punched her. His attorneys agreed that it occurred! In a hearing before a judge! How are you arguing otherwise?
When the next judge was making his ruling, the choking, punching, and sodomizing was presented as background facts.
Aroldis Chapman was never charged. What does being charged have to do with Bauer (via his attorneys) acknowledging that he choked a woman until she lost consciousness and then sodomized and punched her?
“Go read the judges statement”
This is all I could find on the judge’s statement And it sounds pretty clear he’s not guilty:
“After a thorough review of all the available evidence, including the civil restraining order proceedings, witness statements and the physical evidence, the People are unable to prove the relevant charges beyond a reasonable doubt”
Dont know where you’re seeing the full statement, but it isnt easy to find using Google. But, its clear your comparisons to Harvey Weinstein and Bill Crosby are complete garbage.
“Bauer engaged in acts while Hill was unconscious, when she was physically and legally unable to give consent.”
“Bauer did not dispute in engaging in these activities”
And since you are somehow incapable of finding it yourself, here you go: web.archive.org/web/20240223042837/https://storage…
(I did not compare him to Weinstein nor Cosby)
I do not care about “guilty” in the court of law! He unequivocally violated the MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Abuse, and Child Abuse policy. Just like Aroldis Chapman did (charges never pressed). Bauer choking someone until they lost consciousness before punching and sodomizing them is not up for debate any more than the his date of birth is
But you can defend the women with out any pretex? It’s America bud I can defend who the hell I want too.
You just proved my point. Aroldis Chapman choked his girlfriend, and shot a gun inside a garage, but he wasn’t charge. He’s still playing, why can’t Bauer have that luxury? Like I clearly said there are multiple players still under contract, playing MLB, after doing crappy things, yet the crappy things Bauer did means his life and career should be over? Sad how you can defend one crappy person but the other one is so so bad he should be dead and gone.
People who admit to committing sexual acts to which the law does not recognize the other person’s ability to consent typically get charged.
I never defended Chapman and it’s gross that you would accuse me of that.
You said ” it should be as simple as this, innocent until proven guilty” so I’m not sure how I proved your point.
Bauer isn’t in MLB in part because he is still saying he doesnt know why he was suspended. I also never made any mention about wishing him death. I am glad he is gone though
Every state is different but those issued in Ohio are civil in nature, not criminal. (CPO vs TPO) They only require a preponderance of the evidence and they are even granted on a ex parte basis just for good cause. They don’t even show up on background checks.
Ok. Well Bauer acknowledged that he did punch and sodomize a woman after he choked her unconscious and therefore unable to consent. And he was not charged. What’s your point?
“he should always be presumed innocent until proven guilty”
“Aroldis Chapman choked his girlfriend, and shot a gun inside a garage, but he wasn’t charge (sic)”
Wait…which one is it?
Straight out of the document you provided:
“Judge Gould-Saltman briefly discussed the allegations that Bauer engaged in nonconsensual activities while Hill was unconscious, noting that “the only evidence of anything which happened while [Hill] was unconscious was having been hit on the butt in the parties’ first encounter.”
——————
Its not a “FACT”. I’ll await your apology.
Lie!
From the Document you provided:
“Judge Gould-Saltman briefly discussed the allegations that Bauer engaged in nonconsensual activities while Hill was unconscious, noting that “the only evidence of anything which happened while [Hill] was unconscious was having been hit on the butt in the parties’ first encounter.”
You do realize what “evidence” means right? Words have very specific definitions in this context. I did not lie. And you have to ignore a whole lot to say that something literally listed as a fact is not a fact. But hey, you are trying! For what reason? Why do you so badly want this to be true despite Bauer’s own lawyers conceding it happened?
“the court acknowledged that Bauer engaged in sexual acts while Hill was unconscious, to
which she could not legally consent”
“Notwithstanding Hill’s consent to some form of rough sex, Bauer engaged in acts while Hill was unconscious, when she was physically and legally unable to give consent”
[Following the description of sexual violence upon an unconscious victim]
“Bauer did not dispute engaging in these activities”
You are out here saying background facts arent facts and then calling me a liar. Truly remarkable how stupid you are. And all this to defend Trevor Bauer!
@Salami So on two separate occasions two separate judges found it more likely than not(preponderance of evidence). Thanks for verifying that two judges found it more than likely he committed sexual assault.
Mind you the two incidents in Ohio were prior to the one that initially went verypublic. They also were both pertaining to unconsensual sex.
It blows my mind so many stick up for this guy.
“The court acknowledged that Bauer engaged in sexual acts while Hill was unconscious, towhich she could not legally consen.t”
“Notwithstanding Hill’s consent to some form of rough sex, Bauer engaged in acts while Hill was unconscious, when she was physically and legally unable to give consent.”
Why wasn’t he charged then?
Same reason Chapman wasnt charged despite admitting to using a gun: because the DA didnt think they could get a conviction. Duh. Is this your new defense? Pathetic
And why do you think the DA didn’t think they could get a conviction if they had a willing complainant and Bauer admitting to acts that the law does not recognize Lindsey Hill’s ability to consent to? It should have been pretty open and shut if everything you’re saying is true.
I am not the DA; you’ll have to read their report. But no that is absolutely not an open and shut case
Everything I’m saying is true, you Bauer-simping incel. I have even provided the source of the quotes.
Harambe
“Why wasn’t he charged then?”
———————————
Because she had consented, or at least it was a very gray area, which wouldve made a tough prosecution.
She made these claims after their second date, after rough stuff had already happened. In between the two dates, there were several texts where she consented:
“The judge noted that Hill said to Bauer over text that “she wanted all the pain,” and that she “wanted to be choked out.”
Bauer is a creep, no doubt, but the case is not as black and white as ‘Eighty Raw’ wants to pretend it is. I also don’t feel anyone should lose their livelyhood, without at least going to court and probably even a conviction.
“but the case is not as black and white as ‘Eighty Raw’ wants to pretend it is”
TWO! 2 people who cant comprehend what facts are. I am not pretending. I’m not making up quotes. I am passing along a judge’s ruling where the facts stated include Bauer choking a woman unconscious and then sodomizing and punching her.
If the defendant confessed to exactly what he or she is being accused of then yeah it is an open and shut case.
“Everything I’m saying is true…”
Who you trying to convince?
If he admitted to stuff that the law does not recognize Hill’s ability to consent to then yeah it is black and white.
Not necessarily. If the were only ex parte they were basically granted bc she asked. The question is whether they went to full hearing and stood. I don’t know the details of each.
As someone who works in the domestic relations field, a CPO should NEVER be a disqualification to
Employment – they are not designed to be a scarlet letter – and they aren’t particularly indicative of veracity.
Eighty – Wow you are one sick puppy. You posted under that Ubaldo handle before, didn’t you.
Even if I wasn’t joking you clueless virtue signaling drama queen, pre-consent is consent. Not that you’d ever know because I seriously doubt you’ve ever been in a relationship with a woman of the opposite sex.
Oh and say hello to Tawana Brawley and Crystal Mangum when you have dinner with them tonight ;O)
Legally speaking, pre-consent is not consent. Although it will probably be enough to secure a not-guilty verdict in a he-said-she-said case.
Being stupid isn’t a reason to not get another chance. I’m sure you didn’t want miggy to be kicked out of the league after his second DUI. Owned
One of his accusers has already been charged w fraud. The dude has been proven innocent, get off the high horse.
I know of an incel who refuses to acknowledge that Trevor Bauer did not deny that he committed acts of violence and sexual abuse upon an unconscious person…
@Eighty Raw “Incel” because apparently you know *ANYTHING* about my sex life lol.
Incel because you feel the need to constantly defend Trevor Bauer on the internet, going so far as denying that Trevor Bauer didnt do things that Trevor Bauer does not even deny he did. Massive incel energy on display.
Eight Raw won this argument 7 posts ago. Now, he is just running up the score. Good job Sir.
@Eighty Raw Again. That’s not what “incel” means. In fact, actual incels hate guys like Bauer.
@Bobcastelliniscat You are his burner.
Incel is a state of being that you personify, you Bauer-simping incel
@Eighty Raw Have plenty of proof of that not being the case but sure.
And we have you commenting “I know of…” under every post as proof that you are a Bauer-simping incel.
@Eighty Raw You keep using that word. I don’t think you know what it means.
The incel eighty raw thinks that MLB suspension proves his guilt
Do you know what the definition of “ Incel” is Hotdog2?
It’s a member of an online group that views women as objects because they can’t attract women to themselves
Doesn’t sound much like Eighty Raw
@TheMan 3 “Incel” is a portmanteau of “involuntary celibate.” “Celibate” means you aren’t getting any. “Involuntary” means it isn’t your choice that you aren’t getting any. Has absolutely nothing to do with what you just said. And it sounds exactly like Eighty Raw.
TheMan – Here’s the real background behind the word:
politico.com/magazine/story/2018/05/08/intel-invol…
“How ‘Incel’ Got Hijacked”
“What started as an empathetic term became a rallying point for violent men.”
@FPG Nah people are just oblivious as to the meaning of the word. Has nothing to do with self-identifying as one or with hating women.
Odd, I wasn’t aware that Politico was a dictionary, I thought they were a political media outlet and Webster was the dictionary
The – Did you even read the article? Seems like you didn’t.
I said nothing about the definition of the word, because as is often the case most newly invented words have evolving and different meanings depending on who is using them and why they are being used. It’s very first definition had nothing to do with hate. Here, this is what you missed because you refused to educate yourself:
“It has roots in online use going back more than 20 years, and, as is often the case with hateful words, began its life in a harmless fashion. It was coined in the late 1990s by a Canadian woman named Alana (she asked that her last name not be used in this story) when she was volunteering for a not-for-profit internet provider based in Ottawa after she graduated from Carleton University. In May 1997, she posted in a local Usenet newsgroup: “If you have had life-long difficulty starting dating or forming relationships, you might like to check out my new web page.” She provided a link to a personal site that she titled, “Alana’s Involuntary Celibacy Project.”
harambe – These days any word can be invented, or an existing word can be hijacked. Quite often out of hatred.
That’s why the word for “a bundle of sticks or twigs bound together as fuel” is never used these days to describe “a bundle of sticks or twigs bound together as fuel”.
And there are hundreds, if not thousands, of similar examples I could provide.
Zack Grienke did not pitch in Mexico!
He’d make a great rotation add for somebody
Harambe- Congrats on being the first person I’ve ever muted on this site. You are boring and stupid. Pick one of your other 20 ID’s. They’re not hard to spot.
Only one ID. This one. It is more than enough. Bragging about muting people is far more stupid than anything I could ever do.
Not true! Youve done countless things more stupid just today on this very same page
Sure, Jan.
Is anyone other than me sick of Trevor Bauer discussions?
I’m sick of them reporting the accusations but not the exonerations.
Watching Imanga pitch against the Sox the other night had to leave the fans and the Red Sox organization wondering what could have been…
Of course..the red sox have had the best starting pitching performance of any team in baseball to this point in the season .so there is that
Rsox – The worst part about the Red Sox not signing a guy with a strong track record at an extremely affordable price is they had injury concerns and thought they were experts on predicting future health. It absolutely cracks me up.
They wouldn’t go $53M/4 years on Shota, but they rushed to throw away $38.5M over 2 years on Giolito despite his obvious injury concerns based on performance and peripherals.
They threw away millions for 2 years of an often-injured Paxton and got very little in return.
They threw away $140M for 6 years of an often-injured Story despite a known existing injury.
They gave the often-injured Whitlock a premature 4-year $19M contract.
They gave Bello a premature 6-year $55M contract and he’s now on the IL for the second year in a row.
Hopefully they will show some patience and intelligence before locking up Houck and Crawford on longterm extensions.
It is a little early to conclude Imanaga’s 4 year deal is a good one.
suit – It’s not too early to conclude so far it’s looking like a much better one than Gio’s.
It’s never too early to reach a conclusion if your goal is to bash the Red Sox.
suit – Just to remove the ambiguity that you always intentionally insert in your comments, who exactly is bashing the Red Sox?
All of Red Sox Nation has repeatedly acknowledged the Red Sox cheapskate approach this past season was amplified by the foolish manner in which they did spend some money, like signing Gio instead of Shota. The staff here has all acknowledged it. The media such as Nightengale and Speier has all acknowledged it. So what exactly are you saying, that everyone who chooses to acknowledge reality is “bashing” the franchise?
I’m holding back until you clarify.
Imanaga’s deal seems better so far as he is pitching very well. Will the league adapt? Who knows. But it’s obvious from listening to him that the guy knows how to pitch and how to adapt himself. He’s got more than enough pitches to change on a game by game basis and the knowledge to get it done. Throw in a deceptive delivery and so far so good. Nice signing by Hoyer. Wow by muting that idiot Harambe 104 comments went down to 20 interesting ones. I recommend it to everybody.
Uncle – Great post! Yes $13M a year is an absolute steal, that’s the kind of risk worth taking by a large market team.
As for the Bauer stuff, I really wish there were mods who can remove it. Set up one designated comments thread for it and contain it to just that one. Nearly all of it isn’t about baseball anyway.
It looks like you repeatedly bash the Red Sox. The $220.2M CBT payroll of the Red Sox is certainly not cheap. They are $17M away for the luxury tax threshold. It is smart to save some cap space for trade deadline acquisitions. Anything over $200M is not cheap and, if spent well, it should lead to a very competitive team. The Yankees have spent about $90M more than the Red Sox this year. Let’s see what happens. Last year the Yankees spent $75M more than the Red Sox and only got 4 more wins.
FPG- It’s amazing to me that I had a post removed by saying I didn’t want to become a J***ie by taking too many pain pills yet they let this moron rattle on about the same thing on every post about Bauer. I’ve never muted anyone before but it’s cool. It not only takes him out but all the lame replies he gets also. Cleans up a lot of dumb. It’s really not about baseball anyway but about his moronic take on why nobody wants to sign the biggest PR nightmare going right this side of Wander Franco.
“Will the league adapt? Who knows.”
===========================
That’s how I look at it.
Uncle – There’s certain words that will auto-flag a post, chances are no actual person flagged yours. It would happen to me when I wrote Kike’s name (they eventually stopped flagging it) and when I wrote the HOF’er G-Lord Perry’s full name and when I wrote David Wells’ nickname (that one made me laugh).
But yeah, muting is a great thing. I try to avoid the Bauer debate, but once in a while I get sucked in.
You also get auto-flagged for saying the surnames of either of the two dudes that will be running for president in November.
suit – So once again you are singling me out just because I echo the exact same sentiments that most others do.
Here’s what you will never admit: Stating facts is not “bashing”. When everyone calls the Red Sox cheapskates, it’s in relation to how much they’ve spent recently …. particularly the past two offseasons. You keep bringing in this year’s total CBT payroll, even though you KNOW a huge portion of it is related to contracts that were given years ago. Nearly $40M wasted this year is on two guys that are no longer playing for the Red Sox this season, Story and Sale, both contracts given prior to the 2022 season (Sale’s was 2019).
So once and for all, prove they are not cheapskates by providing how much they spent this past offseason on 2024 CBT payroll. And compare it to how much other teams spent this past offseason.
Here’s one final fact: You have never and will never disagree with or criticize ANYTHING the Red Sox do. You are the biggest homer suckup here, which says a lot. And we know why you are. It’s the same reason why Sam Kennedy is the exact same way. Corporate suits always trying to promote the team..
Heck even Tom Caron and the Sox announcers criticize the Sox on occasion.
Padres – Yes and I approve that. LOL!
FPG – I push back on other people besides you. I dislike inaccuracy and see you stating things as facts that I don’t see a basis for concluding they are facts. What you think is a fact about being cheap is simply an opinion and you are in no position to speak for all of Red Sox Nation as you claim to be doing here. You are also in no position to speak about what I will never admit or never do. I am very positive about the Red Sox. I will never waste my time bashing them or anything else. I will find something better to do. I didn’t like the Story signing and wasn’t crazy about the Devers signing, but I am not going to dwell on that now. A fan actually likes the team and says positive things about the team.
FPG – I think I see what is going on. It looks like you think your opinions are actually fact. You have an opinion about how to determine if a team is cheap and you think that is a fact when it is your opinion and other people such as me have a different opinion. I look at the CBT since that will limit spending due to luxury tax. I also do not subtract older contracts like you do. Everyone has a different opinion. You also think you know facts about me that you couldn’t possibly know. I believe that things asserted to be fact are open to challenge to be sure they are true.
No not really, Peoples opinions are their opinions. I think Hoyer has done a great job but doesn’t mean I agree with everything they do. People constantly call the Cubs cheap for not throwing out a 300 million dollar payroll. I’ve been asking for them to bring up more young talent for awhile as I saw something that Callis and his friends didn’t see. Now they finally recognize that the Cubs have the #2 farm system in the Majors. Doesn’t make me right, Them wrong, It just means the Cubs have decided to run their organization by not going crazy and having a Dodger or Cohen moment. It’s OK by me as I don’t think that’s very smart anyway, But it’s just my opinion. Not Right or Wrong.
Unclemike: I agree with all you are saying there. I was referring to FPG’s post above where he states “Stating facts is not “bashing”” and then goes on to state his opinion. Then he states: “Here’s one final fact:” and goes on to say something about me that is not true and he could never know anyway. He seems to think he has facts when he just has an opinion .
suit – No, yet again you made it personal by attacking me instead of sticking to baseball or the Red Sox. My response to your attack was pushback. My patience is just about gone, don’t mistake my kindness for weakness.
What you dislike is people proving you wrong or having a different opinion than yours.
I asked you for once to provide proof the Red Sox weren’t cheap this past offseason despite almost literally everyone else pointing out how cheap they were. Stop being lazy, provide the numbers.
Here’s a tiny sample of the proof that the Red Sox are greedy cheapskates. And you accuse me of not representing Red Sox Nation and the media? When the hell did you EVER call out others here that have the same opinion as I with that same bullcrap accusation of yours. You’re a liar..
si.com/mlb/red-sox/news/red-sox-ownership-blames-c…
thebiglead.com/posts/red-sox-payroll-john-henry-fr…
bosoxinjection.com/posts/here-s-why-red-sox-loweri…
boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2024/02/27/boston…
si.com/mlb/red-sox/news/red-sox-star-open-about-fr…
mainecampus.com/category/sports/2024/02/2024-full-…
bosoxinjection.com/posts/fenway-sports-group-s-lat…
boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2023/12/31/boston…
sportskeeda.com/baseball/news-this-f-g-pathetic-ab…
audacy.com/weei/sports/thinking-out-loud-why-arent…
masslive.com/redsox/2024/01/red-soxs-sam-kennedy-2…
overthemonster.com/2024/1/23/24047774/all-break-no…
criernewsroom.com/sports/2023/12/05/henry-is-to-bl…
theforkball.com/the-shocking-truth-about-the-red-s…
suit – Challenge me all you want, you’re the one who looks like a damn fool denying everything that everyone has posted here for the past 6 months and all the other Red Sox forums and all the media outlets.
But stop trying to “win” by attempting to discredit me with personal insults. That’s the oldest trick in the book that people like you always resort to when they have been resoundingly proven to be wrong.
Fever: Those are all opinions. Everyone has a different opinion. It is my opinion that the Red Sox are not cheap. There are millions of people in Red Sox Nation and you have posted about 15 opiniins. An opinion does not need to be backed up with proof, but a fact does.
opinion: a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge
fact: a thing that is known or proved to be true
I call out things that people say are facts that I don’t think have proof behind them.
“Challenge me all you want”
==========================
I probably will. Glad you are ok with that. How have I insulted you? I have thought you unfairly bash the Red Sox and said that. You have said I ridiculously defend the Red Sox. Not much difference. As far as winning goes, I do try to win a debate that is going on, but if someone says it better than me, I give them credit as I did with stymeedone the other day. I said he had the best game and yet to said I wanted to win.
*I said he had the best take and yet you said I wanted to win
FPG – You call me a liar and say I have never called out anyone about their Red Sox being cheap opinion. You are wrong and wrong to call me a liar. I have called out quite few people besides you. Here is one example off then top of my head where I called out darkside830:
mlbtraderumors.com/2024/03/red-sox-to-acquire-naoy…
I am definitely not a liar. Lying is a waste of time. I said the same thing to darkside that I say to you which is my opinion that spending $200+M should be enough to field a very competitive team if spent well.
So, you call me liar and complain about me insulting you? Really?
“What you dislike is people proving you wrong or having a different opinion than yours.”
==============================================
Why is it wrong for me to tell someone I disagree with their opinion? By the way, you brought up the cheapness thing to me today. I was only talking about Imanaga.
suit – You just said my opinion of the Red Sox being cheap is not representative of Red Sox Nation. I easily proved you wrong with one simple search, and provided numerous examples with links. Not enough you say, it would require “millions” of links to be proof as you say. That’s all you do, keep moving the goalpost with your narcissistic games because of the elaborate fantasy in your mind that you can never be proven wrong.
You just said you were against the Story signing. Because I always confirm what I say whenever possible, I looked back at the comments below the Story signing article. Despite your many comments there, I didn’t see even one in which you wrote it was a bad signing. In fact you supported it by declaring your confidence that Bloom had a “plan”, much like you always did when defending him.
I also just looked back at the comments below the Devers extension article. Again, same thing …. not one comment from you about it being a bad move. In fact you boasted “They already won a championship with Devers at third base, they can win another with him there”.
So two more examples where you lied, claiming to be against two signings despite not expressing that position at the time of the signings. We all know you always support and promote whatever the CURRENT regime is at the time, and you turn on prior regimes like Dombrowski and now Bloom.
It’s pointless to continue engaging with someone who is here for one reason only, to promote and suck up to the current Red Sox front office. And you clearly believe by insulting and trying to discredit me that it will help you accomplish that desire. Once again you fired the first shot by arrogantly calling me a basher, which BTW is unbelievably dumb considering I”m here almost every day strongly supporting many current Red Sox players that others can’t stand and providing information about the team that proves how closely I follow the team, watch the games, attend the games, and how much of their history I know. I’ve also been far more optimistic than many here.
So you trying to discredit me and accuse me of being a “basher” is not only unjustified but incredibly comical. And seeing how you read so many of my posts, you should know I won’t tolerate it.
suit – I did not see your comment in that link, but that’s likely because I have darkside muted. When someone is muted, you can’t see direct responses to their posts, or any responses to those responses.
He’s not a Red Sox fan and I don’t think I need to say what he really is. You know damn well I was referring to Red Sox fans who post regularly under Red Sox articles.
suit – You started all this again just like you always do. You didn’t like my FACTUAL response so you resorted to namecalling. I have zero respect for people like you. If you disagree with someone, respond to what they said …. not with personal insults and namecalling.
Here it is again since you are too lazy to scroll up. I even gave you the benefit of the doubt by asking you to clarify who you meant that had a “goal of bashing” and you admitted you meant just me.
Fever Pitch Guy
“suit – It’s not too early to conclude so far it’s looking like a much better one than Gio’s.”
all in the suit that you wear
“It’s never too early to reach a conclusion if your goal is to bash the Red Sox.”
FPG: You said above “All of Red Sox Nation has repeatedly acknowledged the Red Sox cheapskate approach”. You have not spoken to everyone in Red Sox Nation have you? That is a ridiculous claim to make.
FPG: You are telling me not to insult you and then you call me lazy. Do you see how ridiculous that is? I was not lazy. I acknowledged that whole thing when I said above: “I have thought you unfairly bash the Red Sox and said that. You have said I ridiculously defend the Red Sox. Not much difference.” There is not really a difference to me expressing my opinion that you have an agenda to bash the Red Sox and you expressing your opinion I have an agenda to defend the Red Sox. They are both opinions that we can’t prove as fact actually.
FPG: So, you missed the part where I said about the Story signing: “He will be blocking Mayer and Yorke unless he moves to the outfield or becomes a very expensive utility guy. He shouldn’t block those two for two to three seasons. So, maybe not that big of a deal.” That is why I didn’t like the signing, but as I said, it was not the end of the world. I will look into Devers comments.
“You know damn well….”
===================
No, you actually don’t know what is in my mind or in the minds of all of Red Sox Nation which is millions of people. Do you really think you know this?
FPG: I said above that I “wasn’t crazy about the Devers signing”. I look in the article about the Devers signing and the first thing I see is me saying to Pwndroia: “Pedey: I’m cautiously optimistic like you.” So, my recollection is correct and I was not lying here. The only thing I have done is call you a basher and you called me a suckup. However, you wrongly called me a liar and lazy. Do I look lazy typing all this? Good Lord.
Actually I think you guys need to:
A. Agreee that you’ll never agree on anything or
B. Get a room.
LOL
If this injury persists carp prob retire ..he should coach
Next year the Pirates will run out of excuses with fans in regards not signing a free agent who can help the team win.
unfortunately, there will always be gullible Pirates fans who will believe everything they hear including signing both Taylor and Rowdy will provide power to the lineup
Or that Jack is the second coming of Willie Stargell
@TheMan wait, Jack Stargell isn’t happening?
Jack had a good at bat in the 1st tonight. I’m personally thinking they need to move him before his value is zero
150 articles since the last Pirates-related piece. Thanks for acknowledging we’re still here, MLBTR, even if it’s via a blurb that details the team dipping their toe in the bonafide free agent market
Form follows function. Figure it out.
When Grandal comes off the IL and Davis is deservingly demoted to Indy, there will be an article here, and also deservingly stated, another Bucs first round draft pick is a failure
It’s still too arly to call
It’s still to early to call Davis a bust. He’s played all of 84 games and doesn’t even have 300 at bats yet in the major leagues. But right now, he can’t catch up to 96 mph up in the zone. He needs to work on some stuff at Triple-A, but it’s definitely way too early to say he’s a failure.
Davis hasn’t thrown out a base runner trying to steal any base, has struck out 27 times in 65 plate appearances and only has 2 XBH this season
From my perspective, he’s a failure but then again, so am most of the overrated players on this team
Because every player ever who has struggled through their first 80 or so games was a bust. I’m not saying you’re not justified in being concerned, but acting like he’s a bust at this stage is still too early.
Just checked Hank’s stats—he has 4 CS this season. I knew he had one yesterday and knew he had more so I checked. I agree with @mlb1225, not a failure yet by any means.
I get people are impatient because well one, it’s the Pirates and fans are upset and frustrated all the time, but two, because we see guys all the time hit the ground running in their first taste of big league action. Pirates have even seen that with Jared Jones.
That’s not to say that I’m not frustrated with Davis and concerned, I am, he looks lost against any pitch 96+ MPH at the top of the zone. But we’re talking about a half season’s worth of play. He needs to build off his good eye at the plate. He is in the 89th percentile of chase rate (aka, outside zone swing rate). But he swings at high heat like I do in MLB The Show: too late and when contact is made, it’s jammed contact.
I am a long time Bucs fan starting in the late 60s. so while I can understand the frustration. The only reason why he has not been sent down is most likely the injuries to Delay and Grandal. It actiually was good thqt they both were hurt cause that allowed for Bart. As soon as Grandal is ready in about a week to 10 days Hank will be in AAA getting the lions share of catching and getting his confidence at the plate back. He has hit at every level so far. Just needs the mojo back. Heck the #1 prospect himself, Jackson Holliday, just got shipped back as to the3 minors as for the first time in his career. He was 2-34 with 18Ks. If the Pirates would have not had 3 viable catchers on the IL right now, Hank w0uld have been sent down weeks ago.
Unless I’m wrong. mlb1225 was one of the people claiming Suwinski was an all star caliber player last year. He’s been mighty quiet on that front
The Pirates have a whole host of guys who are much ballyhooed by true believer type fans, arrive here, and quickly do nothing. Why is it that players coming up from the farm systems of similar franchises like Baltimore or Cincinnati seem to be much more polished and quite simply, better players?
That’s a rhetorical question
Davis might not be a bust but is certainly a disappointment. Then again, he’s got plenty of company here, doesn’t he? Poor scouting department, poorer player personnel department
Would you feel better if I mentioned Suwinski on every article here, Pirates or Suwinski related or not? What reason would I have to comment about Suwinski when the last article pertaining to him was April 2023? When Suwinski is swinging the bat good, I think he is an all-star caliber player. Last year, he ended the season with an OPS higher than four All-Star starters, as well as seven players who were selected as reserves. At the end of June last year, he ranked top ten in OPS, wOBA, wRC+, isolated slugging, home runs, and fWAR among National League outfielders.
Ovbiously he’s not playing like that right now, but if he gets it going, I could totally see him still being an all-star caliber outfielder, at least in the future. He has his flaws, sure, but so does every player. Jack was still a top 15 OF in the NL by the end of last year.
@Robertowannabe1 Yeah, catching depth took a major hit early in the year. If Delay or Grandal were healthy, Henry would already be at Triple-A. Right now he and Bart are the only two healthy options on the 40-man roster. If they send him down, that means calling on Grant Koch or Carter Bins. You might as well wait the extra week or two for Grandal at that point.
I often wonder if you actually watch games, or have some ticker tape spewing out numbers at you to justify your thinking
Suwinski hasn’t gone backwards. He is who we thought he was. No adjustments. No refinement. The only difference that’s clear is he’s not wowing the super fan crowd with more home runs.
He benefits by being in a franchise where there is no one pushing him, no one coming up through the minors
Ten years from now, you’ll remember him as part of a trivia game
Davis isn’t so fortunate. He indeed does have competition. Like Suwinski, it’s mechanical issues that doom him—Suwinski offensively (sorry that statistics can’t be turned into mechanical depiction) and Davis, defensively.
Like most fans, I do a lot of both. My literal job is to watch baseball games right now (I am a baseball video scout) and work on my own schedule. Now that I am out of college and have a decent job where I can work whenever I want/can, this is easily the most time I’ve had to watch Pirates games in my life over the last two seasons. I went to 10 games last year, the most I’ve ever been able to go to in one season because now I have time and disposable income to do so. I also write for a Pittsburgh Pirates blog, so that means keeping a very close eye on the team and watching as much as I can, as well as keeping up with the team’s/player’s stats, and stats from around the league.
Yes, Suwinski has gone backwards. He’s swinging outside the strikezone more often. His chase rate has gone from 18.2% to 24.2%. While he’s making more contact, and his overall contact rate has gone from 72% to 84.5%. But typically, it’s harder to make good contact outside the strikezone than inside the strikezone. Most of the time, quality of contact and quantity of contact are ivnersley related. Only the best can do both, and Suwinski isn’t ‘one of the best’, even if he can be an all-star caliber OF. His exit velocity and barrel rate have gone from 90.5 MPH and 15.7%, both of which were above the 70th percentile, to 88 MPH and 6.9%, both of which are below the 50th percentile.
Again, this is mostly because he’s swinging outside the strikezone more and making more contact. His K% has gone from 32.2% to 18%. But he’s sacrificed quality of contact for quantity of contact and it’s clear it’s not working.
You’re right, Jack is who he is, but what he’s doing right now isn’t who he is. He’s a three-true-outcomes kind of hitter. He’s always going to hit .220-.230. He’ll always strikeout 30%-33% of the time. But he’ll also always draw walks about 12%-14% of the time and he’ll always hit 20-30 home runs if he goes back to what he was doing.
I’ve watched nearly every single one of his plate appearances so far, and I totally see what he’s doing. He’s being aggressive and trying to make contact with every pitch. But that’s not who he is. He isn’t a contact hitter. He’s a three-true-outcomes hitter. Idk who is telling him this, whether that be Haines, Shelton, or another coach, but he needs to return to his three-true-outcomes ways.
The whole hitting philosophy right now is to be aggressive and passive at the same time. Right now, they have the 7th highest chase rate, but the second highest walk rate. They have the 8th highest chase contact rate too, but that also means they have the lowest exit velocity and have just the 16th best barrel rate.
This approach is working for one player in particular, and that’s Alika Williams. Williams should be taking an aggressive, quantity over quality of contact approach at the plate. His swing is built for that kind of approach, as well as his frame. He’s a wiry right-handed hitting middle infielder who’s skillset should be to make contact, swing a lot, and try and spray line drives everywhere.
Suwinski on the other hand is the opposite. Bulkier left-handed outfielder who’s swing is designed to get under pitches. Even though he’s been trying to hit for more contact, he’s still got a very high 16.8 degree launch angle. That’s just always going to be a natrual part of his game unless he drastically changes his swing.
Very well stated and I salute you on having a great job. And I salute that you’ve paid a great deal of attention to Suwinski at the plate and have an understanding of his mechanical issues
Here’s something you can’t see and represents the success or failure in many young hitters: what’s going on in his head. The mental approach is just as important as his physical, mechanical approach. In your position, I’m sure you’re aware of this in watching Cruz alone. Often times, he looks defeated before he’s even seen a pitch. Get two strikes on him and it’s over
Suwinski is a different animal and keeping within that vein, you get the feeling that in a mental sense he is flailing wildly. Oh, if Tony Gwynn was only still alive
Having worked with many players over decades, this is my problem with numbers, mlb1225. I’d rather use the eye test in attempting to work with Cruz or Suwinski because truly, numbers aren’t telling the story
It begins with approach. It continues with plate discipline. With understanding of situations and what a hitter needs to do. Of pitchers, their strengths and where they are working on this given day. Of umpires and their zones.
I suspect you know all of this given your position. I don’t know that Jack or Cruz worked with private instructors this past off season, or Davis for that matter. But it’s difficult to see any of these three young guys ever reaching the heights that were hoped unless someone is breaking them down, including getting into their heads
No amount of numbers are going to sugar-coat what we see game in and game out
In the last era, the debate was teaching linear versus rotational hitting. To me, you taught both to see which style was better suited to an athlete’s physique and comfort level
But the athlete has to have this desire to improve and/or change. I’m wondering how many players at this level are amenable to different voices while the season is in progress
It is a mental game, but eyes still play tricks on us, and our biases will always influence an eye test. Chase rate and exit velocity aren’t ever going to be biased. But for Suwinski, he just needs to go back to what he was doing last year. He’s trying to be something he’s not. He was clicking last year when he fully embraced being a three true outcomes hitter. If he does that again, he’ll give the Pirates 20 homers and a .800 OPS.
The broadcasters always hype Jack’s raw power and his ability to hit the ball into the river
He might be hitting the ball harder this year but unless those hard hit balls result in runs scored, he really hasn’t improved much this year
Only a few of the current lineup has contributed to scoring runs consistently or close to it, unfortunately neither Jack or Henry are part of that group
He’s not hitting the ball harder and that’s the problem. His exit velocity has dropped by about 2.5 MPH. They’re trying to make him more of a contact hitter less focused on power when he’s a three-true-outcomes hitter.
This is where part ways, mlb1225. Look, I root for the Pirates. I want the kids to succeed. I want the guys you hear about coming up through the pipeline to live up to the hype
But let’s be reasonable, none really have. I’d put an asterisk next to Hayes of course, as his glove work is stellar, but we see flashes of the line drive hitter he was said to be. Out of them all, I do give him the most chance of improving at the plate
However, I see few signs from everyone else
Suwinski didn’t come up with the hype others have, but where you see a drop off from last season, I see the same hitter and similar approach. You say he’s not hitting the ball as hard and that’s evident in his homer numbers. But his K rates are similar
That he is able to put the bat on the ball against left handers heartens some here, but apparently no one has ever taught Jack what’s needed with runners in scoring position and less than two outs. He has no understanding of making contact to push runners ahead and most notably, often doesnt know where the strike zone is
Davis is worse where the latter is concerned
You may be correct in asserting that he sees making contact as mixed messages from what he “is good at”.
Again, there is no Tony Gwynn around a probably few who can teach his hitting philosophies. If there was, maybe they could find the three true outcomes you write of.
As is however, and again as a fan who wants to see the kid excel, he’s the same hitter he was last year and one who is trying to slap the ball around rather than work with his strengths
I have to take issue with one comment here: biases. I’m no longer involved in the game at any level but will speak for any coach, instructor or manager: you don’t have time for biases.
And again, I’m sure you know this
You have a “student” and your job is to improve upon his deficiencies or refine his positives.
Whether you have a team capable of winning a championship or one full of average or below players, you play with the hand you’re dealt.
On that note, if what you’re saying here is true, that they’ve messed with his approach, then their decision to take 27 homers out of the equation in favor of bettering his average is pure insanity
The time to tinker like that is the off season.
Jeez, what a poor decision
Here waiting to learn about how this is Krall’s fault
“Finalist ” is called -1st loser
hoof – If you ain’t first, you’re last.
Just about every team has promoted at least one player to the major league roster and the one team who needs a fresh shot in the offensive arm, hasn’t or won’t
There’s your 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates baseball fans
Many teams have also returned those who were promoted. Jackson Holliday was just demoted over the weekend for one.
The problem here, Robert, is that other than pitchers, the Pirates might as well as run the Indy Shuttle all season for many position players. There is no help in the outfield unless .222 batting averages are your thing, no answer at 1st and the middle infield dance they did last year yielded no answer. That is, guys tear it up at Indy, come here, can’t show consistent ability, get back on the shuttle. Were it not that Cruz is somehow one of the faces of the franchise of change, perhaps he should be on the shuttle, too
Ah, but rejoice. Termarr is coming. Just hit his first homer and batting .171
Let’s not compare Orioles young talent to the Pirates, unless comedy is your thing
Henderson and Rauchman (spelling) struggled when they came up. Both had a lot more AB than Hank too. They stayed in the lineup even th0ugh they bounced just over and under .200 for a while than took off. Holliday was completely over matched but should return later in the year and most likely will be like Henderson and Rauchman and kind of struggle and take off sometime next season. Looking for Hank to do much the same as he has hit at every level too. Cruz is still working back after being out a year. I am disappointed in Suwinski as I thought after the finish of last season he would have started stronger this year. Better talent level it looks like but will be interesting how the Pirates youngsters turn out over the rest of the season.
I’ve been rooting for Davis since the start. And to me, the Pirates messed with the kid’s head with their approach to playing him last season
I mean, how to kill a young player’s self confidence.
I hold out hope he’ll be ok
I don’t have such hope for many of the kids coming up. For the most part they look like average players
The excuse that Cruz missed last season and he’s still trying to work through things is a pathetic attempt at defending him
This isn’t his first season in the majors, just like it’s not Jack’s or Taylors or even Rowdy’s
Either these players aren’t major league caliber or the hitting coach and staff can’t handle teaching them how to put the ball in play
Because they are bad at it
I don’t care what many other teams do, but this team needs offensive help and management won’t do anything to improve the situation
There’s no excuse an opposing starting pitcher with an ERA of over 6 to hold the Bucs to one hit over 6 innings
of course someone will make an excuse regardless, it just won’t be me
Yep. A 2-hitter tonight from the A’s
The A’s
But only 7 strikeouts.
They lost to not only the worst team in baseball but also the worst pitching staff in baseball
Both Cherington and Shelton should be ashamed but losing is what this team excels at, so it’s expected
If you go onto their team website, the headline says basically that Falter didn’t have his stuff, instead of the headline stating that the team offense continues to struggle to the worst team in baseball
The starting pitchers simply can’t go out and allow somewhere between no runs or one or two every time out. They were responsible for their 20-8 start last year and really, the only reason they hover around .500 so far this season. To everyone who sees this team contending this season or in the next couple, the question is still the same: where are the runs going to come from?
I don’t have the answers and while Haines gets a lot of proper blame, again, you can’t get blood from a stone
But the Pirates PR people are savvy enough to provide blurbs like this. Fireworks, pierogi races and cheap t-shirt give aways seem to be the continued idea of a remedy
Yes, their starting pitchers were much better earlier in the season but if an offense can’t overcome a 3-4 run deficit, then it’s not just the pitching that is at fault
And while I agree with the premise of not getting blood from a stone, these batters have major league experiences along with the fact they have been playing baseball for most of their adolescent and adult lives
It’s long overdue for a change, and management needs to to be reminded of this
Point being it is indeed the fault of the instructional and player development system
images.app.goo.gl/uZGNy1k8ZQvs9D13A
Good one, Fish Monger. Bob Nutting bids $1 on Price is Right is classic
a few times a day I come onto this site and have come to the conclusion that most teams are either DFAing players who aren’t producing or promoting players so production can improve
What exactly are the second coming of the 1962 Mets doing to improve their production?
S Q U A T
Management is satisfied with the status quo of a team in a perpetual offensive slump