The Pirates announced this afternoon that they’ve placed second baseman Nick Gonzales on the 10-day injured list due to a left groin strain. Infielder Alika Williams was recalled to replace Gonzales on the club’s active roster. Gonzales is likely to be out for some time; as noted by MLB.com’s Alex Stumpf, Pirates GM Ben Cherington noted on a local radio program today that while the club expects the youngster to play again this year, his absence figures to be a long one that’s “measured in weeks, not days.”
That news is a tough blow for the Pirates, as Gonzales has locked down the keystone in Pittsburgh to this point in the season. The seventh overall pick from the 2020 draft and a former consensus top-50 prospect in the sport, Gonzales has slashed a decent .258/.293/.387 (87 wRC+) in his first taste of action as a big league regular this year, though that line is mostly floated by a hot start to the 2024 campaign. Since the calendar flipped to June, Gonzales has struggled badly at the plate with a .235/.259/.330 (61 wRC+), a far cry from the 150 wRC+ he posted in the month of May.
Even in spite of that lackluster offensive production in recent weeks, however, Gonzales is still a clear improvement over the club’s other second base options. Jared Triolo has gotten reps at second base in recent days since Gonzales went down with injury, but his slash line this year is a brutal .202/.277/.272 (57 wRC+) on the year. Williams, meanwhile, has slashed just .210/.234/.290 with a wRC+ of 43 in 68 trips to the plate in the majors this year. There’s at least some room for optimism that he could put up stronger numbers going forward, however, as he’s delivered a strong .327/.421/.394 slash line (122 wRC+) at the Triple-A level this year.
With Gonzales seemingly out for some time and the club’s internal options all leaving something to be a desired, it’s feasible that the Pirates could look to explore external additions at the position in the days leading up to the trade deadline. After all, the 52-52 Pirates have been very public about their intention to buy this summer, and recent reporting suggested they could look at dealing from their pitching depth to add offense. Adding a second baseman may be easier said than done, however, as there aren’t many infielders expected to be moved this summer—particularly after recent deals sent Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the Bronx and Isaac Paredes to the North Side of Chicago.
Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner, Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres, and Blue Jays infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa are among the players with experience at second base who are rumored to be available, but none of that group appears at all guaranteed to be moved in the coming days. Even if the Pirates don’t end up making an addition at the keystone, however, the loss of Gonzales makes the club’s need for additional offense all the more acute. They’ve been connected to plenty of other hitters this summer, including outfielder Taylor Ward of the Angels, first baseman Yandy Diaz of the Rays, and outfielder Bryan De La Cruz of the Marlins, either of whom could upgrades the Pittsburgh offense in other areas to make up for the loss of Gonzales.
If Alika Williams is the best player you have available to replace Gonzalez, you’re in trouble
Peguero has been hitting better but I guess he wasn’t a better option.
I don’t know why they like Alika better, he’s not shown anything in the majors that makes me believe he’s better than Perguero
Even his defense is suspect
Paul- He is the best shortstop on the team,fundamentally sound.
He has hit much better in AAA this year.Maybe he has turned the corner.
He needs to hit at least 240-250 and walk much more than he has or he,like Bae,may end up getting traded after this year.
Not everybody can be Cal Ripken.
And who else do they really have?
you’re right, Mendoza, Williams did have a good year at Indy, but he has no power and only 6 XBH.
And yes, they have no one else because their player development sucks. Alika isn’t some 19 year old, he’s 25 and should have become a better player by now
We don’t need to see any more of Williams in the majors to know he doesn’t have it. I am so sick of this.
Where’s peguero????
Today’s lineup was atrocious. I understand they have injuries. And that they have to play these scrubs. But the MORON has 29 homerjns leading off, in Dutch and Cruz. Then Joe, palacios and Hayes 5th????
I’ll put it this way. They say put the 2 best hitters who get on base 1 and 2. Problem is,WHOS GONNA DRIVE THEM IN.
Now with trades being made, and the pirates sitting with their thumbs, where the sun doesn’t shine. If it’s nutjob Nutting saying no,then he should be forced to sell the team. If it’s just CHERRYrington doing it on his own,he should be fired. And the MORON with him. Taking keller out after 7 because they didn’t want him to go over 100. Give me a freaking break….the guys a horse. Then he puts in bednar for 1 inning then Chapman for 1 inning. Now it’s Xtra innings. You’re 2 closers are done. This guy is as stupid as small hands.
Whew. Had to unload
Shelton managed a beautiful game. A+
You pitch Bednar because he needs work. If they were down by 5 you probably still use him. Down by 1 worked out perfect. You guys know as well as anyone you use it or lose it.
no mention of Shelton using pinch hitters in today’s game but didn’t in last night’s game ?
Yeah you said that they shouldn’t use their other catcher to pinch hit in last night’s game yet that’s exactly what they did today
Not the same down 1 run game over bart vs Grandpal. I love you but it’s no wonder all these other randoms give you a hard time. Don’t even know if Rowdy could pinch hit last night and no reason to find out, that game was over early.
I thought small hands was the most arrogant person. But you, you have him beat by a country mile.
Oh and egotistical
I absolutely destroy him. And I beat him in knowledge and honesty too. He got me in the hair department though.
you beat something with consistency but it has nothing to do with me and while my hair is all gray, I keep my head shaved
I thought that managers were supposed to do everything in their power to win.
Sunday, Shelton did , Saturday, he gave up
He tried to and did win Saturday. Sunday he managed to win the battle Saturday he managed to win the war.
you have repeatedly accused me of being a liar without offering any evidence, Dream and I have allowed you to get away with it
That’s my fault
You may not like my comments or opinions but don’t attack my ethics or morals, You want respect, show some in return
how did he win Saturday when they lost?
Bucco(née Buuba)-Williams has hit much better than Peguero in AAA and I still a much better fielder.
A+ return for Marte.
Holderman never has and never will be a closer.
Bring him in the 8 Th or not at all.
Bednar could have pitched the Ninth.
And you are right,Chapman is a closer also,and it is a good thing that they have him.
Shelton almost lost this one.
Again.
Tough blow but believe it would be easier to get a MF type as opposed to 1B/DH type. Still need a OF as well. Not a good line up put out there today
The Pirates have the worst front office in all of sports! Bob wants to win on prospects alone. Today’s lineup is just sad and while others improve Ben Cherington is giving speeches about not playing for just one season!
They will waste Paul Skenes like only the Pirates can do.
Even when there aren’t injuries involved, the manager wishes to play the role of “nice uncle” and give a “day off”. You’d never know this team is supposedly in the WC hunt
What a disaster this road trip is shaping up to be
It’s unlikely to get much better when they go into Houston tomorrow, Tired
The offense might be a little better with Reynolds coming back but these guys strike out far too often to make a difference in runs
Palacios should be only used as a pinch hitter, he doesn’t have the talent to be an everyday player
Same with Triolo, who should actually go to Indy because he has really regressed this year
And the list goes on because other than the top 3 players, scoring runs is a major concern
they’ve once again struck out in double digits in this game
Michael A Taylor needs to be dfa as he truly stinks
It wouldn’t be an issue if they managed to get on base or heaven forbid, score a few runs but through 7 innings they have just one run and 3 hits
Yet Andy Haines still has his job
one hit through 5 innings and 7 strikeouts
they will never be compared to the Lumber Company. More like the Slumper Company
This is the 4th season under Cherington that they haven’t played for. As long as they won’t spend money and develop players, it won’t get any better next year
Dud prospects. I told you in the Taylor Ward article. All I had to do was walk by the Bradenton Pirate wall with all major league players (who played in Bradenton) to know your organization has not drafted and/or developed well. Your Pirates have Skenes who’s amazing, and Jones who could be great. Build around that.
you didn’t tell us anything that we didn’t already know, its happening.
so please spare us with your “ I told you so “ nonsense
SMH
Exactly. Complete failure of both scouting and player development departments. Look, when you have high draft picks for years and none become an impact player other than Skenes, it’s pretty obvious
Who did you want to draft?
Tired isn’t talking about drafting other players he’s talking about how horrible player development is and the failures of turning high draft picks into impact players
by the way Dream, Shelton used 2 pinch hitters in the 9th inning including Joey Bart and they managed to score the tying run
What was it that you said about why Shelton shouldn’t do this?
I see you’ve emerged from your 24 hours of watching Mr Baseball. I hope you feel refreshed and energized.
Your question is one of those gotcha-types you learn in law school. You know, never ask questions you don’t already know the answer to. Come now, Dream. You’re not on the Mets thread
The point remains that this franchise has not drafted or developed an impact position player in years. It’s not a matter of who I would have liked to have drafted but rather, why have other teams been much more successful?
As the manager’s daughter says to Jack, “ a : Jack’s way, ‘ME, ME, ME’! Sometimes acceptance and cooperation are strengths also.”
I will say it again, Palacios needs to go
Not about the “I told you so”, but more about the fact that you don’t know what you’re talking about most of the time, and to show your blatant hypocrisy.
Repeat this: the Pirates don’t draft, develop or trade as well as others. 30 years of proof. Then repeat it over and over.
What, Bryan Bullington and something Lincoln didn’t impact? Better tell TheMan.
He didn’t pinch hit Grandpal for Cutch or Jack for Bae. Today he made the right decision. Same as yesterday. A+ management 101
Development is problem. Gonzales was best college bat or maybe best bat to take period. Davis best college power bat. TJ best prep bat seen in a decade. Skenes 2nd or 3rd round pick at a bat. Griffin best bat in the nation for past 2 years. Development is weak. Even bad. I will give you awful. Scouting just find not that it had to be to find those guys.
wow it’s so ironic how you keep telling us something that we already know yet accuse me of hypocrisy
Look in the mirror dude, there’s your hypocrisy
blah blah, blah blah blah blah blah
we already know this!
What a maroon
if yesterday was such a series of good decisions why did they lose?
TheMan, you questioned me about this. Don’t lie to everyone and pretend you know. You freaking questioned it!
The definition of insanity. When you have an actual point to make just let us know. Evidently you haven’t reached that level.
I think you are talking to paul because I trash the Pirates franchise from 1993 to 2011. But for a stretch NH was one of if not the best trader in baseball. BC is one of the best so far. His drafting has been good although it’s been so easy even NH couldn’t mess it up.
Because every team loses and fairly often. At least a third of their games.
Theman just likes to complain. I’m sorry to show you the mirror but replace Cutch your dh and lose your dh for .185 hitting Grandpal. Everyone and I mean everyone here knows if Shelton did that and he struck out you would complain about that. Anyone disagree? And to want a guy with a bad back trying to heal to pinch hit in a game that over? I am all for a Kirk Gibson moment and today he did it and it was worth it but last night come on.
Huntington, yes. Cherington? How?
Look, I get that he has constraints thanks to a tightwad owner who sticks to his financial plan, but please
His drafts have been subpar other than Skenes. His pick ups and signings are bargain basement only. His player development department has been horrible and that starts with his coaching staff on the big team
He’s easily been average at the very best.
Yeah, he stocked the minors with average players instead of studs for the most part
But this “two years away from being two years away” shtick sure has gotten old
Insanity is all of us getting excited in the spring and again at the trade deadline every year just to be reminded that we are following the Pittsburgh Pirates who will probably not win another World Series in any of our lifetimes.
I told you a dozen or 100 times. His draft picks have been automatic. Anyone who took my gm 101 course would have made them. Literally took the best bat in the draft with every pick other than Griffin who was just the best highschool bat and the best hs prospect for the past 2 years. Would have been 3 years but he filed to enter this draft early. Was supposed to be playing highschool baseball again in 2025.
Not need to mention development. It’s not good. I said it was. Improving at snail pace. See how it goes.
Can win one in the next 5 years. Only thing stopping them is not listening to me.
Rowdy still had back issues today but said he’d pinch his if asked
You come across like you know everything but I have news for you, Dream
You don’t
I disagree
I can’t believe they came back to take 4 run lead. This line up was not good aside from Cruz. Literally one producing outfielder in this team. Bases loaded with Jared up and of course he grounds out
#SlumpOver
correction
#slumpoveruntilnextgame
Next game is Skenes so there’s a good chance we’re all filled with false hope again heading in to deadline day.
The victory tonight was as shallow as they come – Dbacks had a young reliever blow up in the 10th and the Bucs still almost blew the lead.
I wish I could disagree.
Ben will mostly likely wait for the waiver wire to emerge and scrape the bottom of the barrel for another outfielder
The better ones have already been traded
And they are desperate for someone who can hit, they’ve struck out already 6 times in 4 innings in today’s game
Old Jack has done it twice once looking and not to feel left out Connor also struck out looking
Suwinski has become an almost automatic strikeout. He’s not a major league hitter.
neither is Taylor but you’re not telling us anything we don’t already know JPR
I’ve never seen a player try to bunt a pitch that bounces 7 feet in front of the plate like Bae did. WTH was that?
this coaching staff can’t teach basic fundamentals including bunting which is probably why they don’t try very often
The Pirates as buyers line up quite well with what the Angels are selling at the moment: Luis Rengifo, Taylor Ward and Kevin Pillar.
Pirates have pitching for days (Harrington, Ashcraft, Barco, Burrows), and that’s what the Angels need. They also have some utility types (McAdoo, Brannigan) that could stopgap the loss of Rengifo for a bit. And since the Angels aren’t going to be in contention for 2-3 years, the Pirates also have some far-off lotto tickets that could intrigue the Halos (Severino, De Los Santos, Blanco) as complementary pieces.
Seems like there’s a mutually beneficial package deal here just waiting to made.
according to Cherington on his weekly radio program, he said that he’s contacted every team and is still trying to make a move that would be beneficial to us
I will believe it when I see it
Hard to believe that claim. Looking at the trades that have been made and the asking prices, it just doesn’t work. Of course, when your exhaustive search filters anyone who makes any money …
the Pirates don’t have any position players in the minors that anyone would want due to very poor player development program
And of the trades made of any significance, top prospect pitchers have not been included in any, only top position player prospects
Let me put it in this context, lots of single guys go out to the Club on Saturday night and all are hoping to get laid, but some are willing to do what it takes more than others.
BC is the single guy who goes home alone type GM.
Would be nice though if he makes a last minute move on the fat girl with a snaggletooth.
It’s 10 to 2, and the 2’s are 10’s.
Angels have all the Bucs need. After they smacked Dave over the head on the uncle Charlie trade they might be done. Will be expecting that from everyone!
While I agree, Turks, those guys don’t move the needle much here
Bleday and Rooker would
palacios needs to go
You’ve said this multiple times Man, we get it.
I was hoping someone would agree
I agree with you. But not until Ben trades for someone better or signs someone next year. Until then he is as good a option as anyone. See I don’t just look for things to disagree about. I call it like it is.
Bleday and Rooker don’t play the infield, which seems to be an area of need which Rengifo can fill.
The As are asking the moon for Rooker (as they should), and Bleday’s success is pretty recent and short-lived – he’s hitting .197 in July. Bleday also can’t hit lefties to save his life, whereas Pillar and Ward destroy LHP. I can see the desire for Rooker, but I think the As will be asking for a daunting package of Davis, Chandler and Temarr for something like Rooker and Bleday.
Turks, they have a Gold Glove 3rd baseman
They’ve invested too much to move off of Cruz at SS yet
Gonzales is on the 10-day but he appears to be their 2nd baseman at least until Termarr gets here
Rowdy has been pretty decent at 1st
They need a couple outfielders, really, who drive in runs. Maybe one can be a 1st baseman too
I’m sure DreamGM would disagree, but Davis, Termarr and another pitcher would be a fair trade in my book
We are more worried about RHP not LHP.
Cruz has been not just passable at ss but good. Just about everyone told me he had to move to rf or 1b but he is still there and looking good.
Fair for who?
Cruz has been barely passable,if that.
My eye test says that he has a fielding % of 954,only above de la Cruz of the Reds of ten qualified shortstops in the NL.
The Pirates will never win a pennant with him at shortstop.
It’s pathetic if this series keeps the pirates from adding to their roster at the deadline. They already needed help, coming off a fantastic homestand which packed the park, and the lame zero urgency Ben doesn’t do a damn thing when Tellez and now Gonzalez injured. At this point, at least get Josh Bell. If they do nothing, it’s a slap in the face to the fans and especially Paul Skenes who’s giving everything for this team.
Bell would be good. Wouldn’t help much winning games but the casuals will be excited. Hey we know that name.
They wasted Keller today. They’ll likely waste Skenes in Houston. You could see this coming and I predicted as much. Now you’re playing hungry teams fighting to make the playoffs.
This franchise won’t trade for guys like the two in Oakland. They’d rather stockpile farmhands
They won’t sign big guns in free agency this winter
The slap in the face has been an ongoing thing since Nutting allowed Huntington to add talent to the roster when Cutch and Walker came of age and he got nothing to show for it
Since then, it’s been a steady refusal to add here, save for the Archer debacle
The decision was made to emulate the TB model and build the farm, develop players, watch them blossom and have the team compete while continually bringing in young talent on the farm to continue the cycle while those they developed would be traded or allowed to sign elsewhere when they became too expensive
Nice idea
Problem is, as stated above, they drafted poorly and developed even worse. So now you have pieces—an amalgamation of guys ranging from stellar (starting pitchers) to good (Reynolds) to potentially good (Cruz) to average, at best
The natural follow up is to admit that it didn’t progress as planned and bring in some big timers or at the very least, guys showing great potential at this level
Nutting just won’t. And. Cherington thinks the name of the game is to jam up the farm with kids
No idea what Bell does for this team. In my mind, nothing
The slap you write of is supposed to be overlooked in favor of exit velocities on both fair and foul balls and pierogi races at the nicest ballpark in MLB
and the problem with stocking farmhands is again poor player development
What good is stocking the minors with players who have no chance of becoming major league impact players?
Oakland has said that they aren’t likely to trade those two players
Like Dream said, I’d call them again. And again. And I’d load the boat with farmhands other than Bubba
Can’t afford big guns. Not about being cheap. They probably wouldn’t if they could but they can’t. Drafting is great. You just used Davis and TJ in a trade proposal. If they weren’t good draft picks why would anyone want them for whatever trade you want to send them in.
They actually can afford big guns. Easily
Not the Soto type but next tier down
Why defend this billionaire corporation?
Its profits first here.
I don’t defend them. Just telling it how it is.
I agree with pretty much all of that but I am still hopeful and won’t stop in that regard. I said Bell because I don’t know how long Rowdy is out for but I think contingent on Cutch being able to play the outfield twice a week, it’s worth it to bring him in for almost nothing. He and Tellez in the lineup together ideally vs rhp ore one of them off the bench late game helps.
F!!! NO! NOW FOR SURE NEED 2 BATS!
@Dice, how would you feel about a Torres and/or Verdugo swap for Bednar, with my Yanks?
Same as you would fell about Andujar and Frazier for Judge and Cole. Lol haha lmao Yank fans.
Maybe they grab Torres and/or Verdugo from my Yanks? We could use Bednar.
Hey, can we interest you in your old friend Chapman instead?
Or Holderman?
We do need a LHP in the pen, but after the way things ended with him the last time, highly unlikely
Sorry. We have plenty of lousy hitter already.
Gonzales wrc+ 87
Torres wrc+ 95
Suwinski wrc+ 64
Verdugo wrc+ 88.
Although both Torres and Verdugo are slightly below average, they’re both upgrades. In Verdugos case, he’s a massive upgrade.
The highest batting average in the lineup today was in the .250’s. A number of guys below .200
You’re not going to win any points with stats like these when the kid working the cash register over at Walmart has better numbers
I’ll do my Yankees fan counter. Alika and Palacios for Holmes.
So the counter is a way worse deal that makes no sense for anybody? Gotcha.
Your trade didn’t make cents. If the Pirates trade their closer why would they need 2 rental scrubs? They would be looking for 3 prospects heading towards top 100.
I watched the Yankees and Red Sox tonight
First time in a while. Like Rodón. Judge is Judge but that Rice kid has a nice swing.
Put him in the package and I say it’s a deal
Their closer with an ERA just under 5 and FIP well past 4 commanding 3 near top 100’s? That’s funny, YDGM.
Obviously the Yanks throw prospects in the deal. Not half as much value as your imagination tells you the Pirates should recieve though.
The framework makes sense to the non-oblivious, because the Pirates get 2 rental offensive upgrades they desperately need. They ditch struggling Bednar as his arb prices increase to a team that can afford him and his struggles. Especially with the way they’ve been churning out BP arms in Pittsburgh. The Yankees hypothetically pay down both salaries going to Pitt, give up lower level + high upside prospects for doing so and both teams feel like they got better.
Heck, maybe Pitt trades the same type of prospects, uses the few million $ saved, and upgrades from Bednar after the deal.
You following NightmareGM?
Rice does have a nice swing. But so did Greg Bird. Hope Rice shows enough to replace Rizzo and save some $ next year. If he flames out at that point, just play DJL there. His salary will keep him around for a few more years regardless,unfortunately.
Era? Really era? Get your paws off me you dirty Yankee fan. Go take your era and watch Matlock. Magnum has a amazing way you can get tax free cash now!
GMs don’t even look at era or fip. But. Here you go though Barney. Just for a dinosaur like you. Bednar era since May 2nd 1.85 dino power era. Missed spring training was rusty in April.
He would bring back just what I said he would. Just like Winker. Love NY fans. It’s just so so easy.
@guild Nothing personal with Bednar discussion. No hard feelings I’m a really nice person. Just showing off my skills to my friends.
Although they probably feel insulted as well. They are just like you. Huge era and Matlock fans.
Naw. Not at all. No fan of Matlock. I’m a Hogan’s Heroes kind of guy
Guildere2000 raises some points, none of which I like as a Pirates fan. I’d be surprised if any team could pry away hometown guy Bednar at this point but it’s a fickle business
Have to take issue with the idea of rentals
Such a scenario would be laughable here. Rentals? For what? Someone having a big party? This team is going nowhere. NO WHERE. There is absolutely no reason to bring in rent-a-players at this stage
As stated previously, the kids from Oakland—-yes, Dream, the apparently unavailable kids from Oakland—are the kinds of players the Pirates should be targeting. Already somewhat established as run producers who’ll help now and in seasons ahead
Not Josh Bell. Or Jessie Winker
Did I mention this team is going nowhere?
No thanks!
How did they win that game? What a circus
Sheltie out managed them.
Kinda feel like some of you guys are the ones sitting in Pirates war room arguing about why we don’t want to trade for Bleday, Rooker, Ward, Rengifo, and so on. I’d take any of them right now. I’m currently on the Mike Yastrzemski train. And Yandy Diaz. Argue about them for a minute. Anything is better than the lineup they put out there today. Miracle that they won that game.
Yeah, agree.
Me? I would love the two A’s kids. They fit in all regards. I like Yaz, too
The crux of the debate here often comes down to the immediate versus the bigger picture
With everyone healthy, it wouldn’t take much to make this team a true contender for an extended time and not just one WC run
Two big time run producers. Two big guns
Josh Bell, Jessie Winker….they were never going to move the needle here
But Cherington will keep telling people what they want to hear and read. There’s no reason to cling to your farmhands at this point.
I’m partially with you olddude and A’s need pitching prospects. Pirates have plenty of those and they are pretty much blocked the rest of this year and next year. But I think the window is short. For me it’s win now mode.
If they are blocked then Oakland doesn’t want them.
Tom wants another 3 year window and 10 year rebuild. Bucco too. Probably more of you. Yuck
How so? Their players are young. Why jam up each position in the minors? Because you can? Like saving for a rainy day that never comes. Sheesh. Talk about exaggerating, Dream!
And you’re content with mediocrity. Just like Nutting
I think Dream enjoys the devils advocate shtick. Occasionally, his frustration about the Pirates, video games and flat beer shine through. He’s a good guy. He just is part of the GM fraternity. Hard to find his objectivity.
I am the only one who wanted to win. Go read the articles of the last month. I wanted to trade. I’m going to win a million dollars if the Pirates win the world series.
Was told not time yet. Next year. Innings limits. Don’t destroy the farm.
Someone even told me 30 times Pirates don’t have the system to make trades. Now he wants the most expensive bats rumored to be available. They aren’t available. If they are traded it will be to Philly or SD. They got mad men running things. They are like you guys and got the deadline fever. If they want someone they will out bid you.
You have deadline fever. Teams are taking huge chunks out of their farm system.
And remember still 2 entire days left. Lots of players available. Put down the pitch forks and put out the torches. Give Ben a chance.
My friend, I don’t get you
This team as constructed is like the race car that’s missing a couple spark plugs. They can’t win it. They won’t win it. The three stud pitchers can’t do it themselves
But surround this core with a couple sticks and they’re dangerous.
Not sure why you’re still locked into the 10 year plan.
They simply don’t need farm depth through AAA and AA, not when it can yield players that augment your young players now
Your logic escapes me. And uchiyama, I’m sure
I want them to trade. Unfortunately Oakland doesn’t want to trade either of those 2 players. Everyone is over paying right now. Are you returning to usa before Tuesday? Fly to Oakland and make them trade. Over paying and even massively over paying isn’t going to work or they would have been traded. Over paying is a awful move though. Like I said I want to contend until 2030. 2024 is the worst year to go heavy in.
Not on that side of the globe but if Seth and Lebron can arrange it, I’ll stop by
Yeah, I get it. It takes two to tango and I guess the idea of overpay is up for debate. Where Oakland is concerned, doubt we’ll ever know
Look at what the Cubs did today. By all accounts, they’re looking beyond this season and making bold moves
Granted, Morel is not a glove guy
Granted, Paredes was a known entity as he started with them
But it was a bold move
Imagine the outcry here if Hayes was packaged. The kid is a good glove but unless he finds a solid instructor will always be what he is at the plate
The Pirates are full of these types of players.
I’m wondering what Dombrowski would have done with this roster.
Doesn’t seem like fans care much about Hayes. I say trade him. If anyone wants him.
DD wouldn’t take a small market job. He wants to win. Made a weak trade yesterday for a reliever that projects to regress. Not a big deal. Pitching prospects probably don’t work out and he can just extended Wheeler Nola etc with 250m payroll.
BC problem at this trade deadline is his system. He has elite prospects. Has low level high upside prospects. Has pitching at all levels. He has everything that other teams aren’t looking for this year. Power and speed. Usually Pitching gets you everything. It’s what you want. Not so far this year. And the pitchers traded are right in the middle of the Pirates pitching. Pirates pitching prospects are simply too good! Or if you want to be positive glass full other teams have been unwilling to part with their best pitching and the Pirates are going to be active next 2 days.
Nice reporting there, Dream
Any chance they decide they’re toast and deal relievers, which appears to be what everyone wants?
I have to believe that if they dealt a guy like Hayes, it would signal they were blowing up the rebuild. I mean, how do you call a guy “the cornerstone” and two years later trade him. Disappointed greatly in his development and often plays like he’d rather be elsewhere
My AL team the Rays traded Meadows for a failed prospect Paredes who turned out much better than Meadows. Just traded him today for a less but quality mlb player who I imagine have a plan to coach up and 2 reliever prospects I believe. I think I have graded every trade so if I get mistaken. Some hours after they are old news but I got to them.
If they traded Hayes and traded for Rengifo I wouldn’t even miss Hayes. If Hayes got abducted by aliens you don’t blow up the team. Just a average to above hopefully player. Lose Reynolds or Skenes it doesn’t mean anything. Braves lost a MVP and a CY Young and now another top starter and not only aren’t they blowing it up they are probably going to be active and still try to contend this year. Lost Freeman Swanson going to lose Fried. Pirates blow it up whenever they have a down year or a year before Reynolds Keller Skenes Jones Cruz are to be free agents. Or go Royals and one last ride and be awful for a decade. Rays had a down year (similar record to our pirates) and are trading everything not nailed down. Now have an elite farm system and should contend again for a long time.
Tigers KC have been rebuilding since like 2017. Same or worse than the Pirates with weaker farm and pirates didn’t start until 2021.
Dunno about the relievers. If they sell some they might by some lesser ones. Hard to sell after how the battled today.
Can still get 20k world series winner. Game responsible.
I believe the Pirates will add.
Because Bednar Chapman Holderman haven’t been traded. Wow are relievers in demand. Not a decade ago demand but the most demand this decade by far. It’s crazy out there.
Should have said attempt to add. We worked hard but felt there wasn’t a match and preferred our in house options who can still improve. Have to balance the short term war and long term war.
Bright eyes what’s the insider news in your front office?
I figure he’s over on the Mets thread, glad handing fellow analytics lovers and laughing about his batting averages mean nothing. At last, he’s found utopia
How about the mets fan who made fun of me for overvaluing Winker and the return was a pitcher ranked right next to the pitcher I said. Lol mets. Gone never to be seen again.
“113 comments are hidden because you muted the comment authors”
I would have brought up Mcadoo and Lamb and dfa’d Taylor to fill in for Gonzalez and Tellez respectively.
What does Lamb have to do to get called up, anyway?
Lol As if a human is intelligent enough to hit a mute button lol only bright eyes
I’m guessing he muted me. Oh well
Pirates don’t need to make a trade to make a trade. They have to look at 2025 and beyond. Right now, they are on the outside looking in, and have an extremely tough August schedule. Don’t gamble on a longshot chance. They need LF and CF most (move Reynolds to RF), but they need to be good defenders. It doesn’t appear that there are good options out there right now.
We should not be calling pitching a strength when we are trotting out Marco Gonzales and Martin Perez in the starting rotation (neither of which will be back in 2025).
Trading prospects that are close to MLB seems foolish at this point in time.
Agreed. I’m thinking the asking price for the kinds of guys they need is way too high.
I’ve said before that they should focus on spending a bit more on a couple of power bars this off season. Will be interesting to see if they commit to winning or go for more Grandals and Taylors
They’re never going to sign a free agent power bat. There’s not very many, they cost too much and free agents must WANT to come here. With very few position players in the pipeline, the only way to get power hitters is by trade. We have plenty of pitching. Use it to get some hitters.
Perez and Gonzales were brought in to eat innings until Skenes and Ortiz was ready. Only reason they are pitching now is because Falter Jones aren’t available. They will be. I wouldn’t be surprised and even expect for 1 or 2 of them to be traded. Priester can pitch a few starts or pen game. Or trade Priester or Falter and keep Gonzales. Depends what is available.
There isn’t anything to gamble. They need a cf rf for next year so if you can get one now for a price you like good. Ben hates rentals when not a sure thing so he won’t trade anything good for 1. Won’t trade at all unless something falls in his lap pretty much.
Heard somewhere Angels think Rengifo Ward will both be moved. See what they go for.
Ben Cherington said Sunday he has not found a deal “that we feel makes sense.”
“Nothing fell through,” he said on his weekly radio show on 93.7 FM. “We have had opportunities the past several days where we could have done something.
“We had offers and a price we could have said yes to, and we chose not to. There have also been things that we pursued and made offers, and we’ve gotten a no from another team. We’re just in the middle of that negotiation. We haven’t found the match or matches yet that we feel make sense. We’ll stay at it.
“My experience has been if you keep at, keep working at it, at some point you will find (the proper deal). We trust ourselves to do that.”
Cherington said the talks with other teams have been going on “for several weeks and over the past few days, getting prices.”
“If a deal happens and we’re not involved in it — for whatever reason and it can be more than one reason — it didn’t line up in a way where we felt it made sense for the Pirates.”
“We believe in the group we have. We believe in the guys we have and the ability they have to step up and fill in. Our job is to keep looking externally between now and the end of Tuesday and see if there are ways to get better.
“We’ll always keep an open mind. Our approach going into this deadline has and will continue to be until Tuesday to try to find ways to improve the Pirates. That’s not specific to 2024 or beyond 2024. It’s both.
“You have to pursue targets you believe in, and we’re absolutely doing that. You do have to be willing to say if the ask or the price is beyond what you think makes sense for the team.”
All that sounds fair and truthful. I promise you not many people want them to win more than me. I have been posting betting odds all year. I guarantee you no one wanted Winker more than I did.
Out of all the trades 90 percent of them or such I wouldn’t match. INSANITY prices. And you don’t just match but may have to beat. Most didn’t line up with what Pirates have available.
1 trade I would match. The Winker trade. Can’t though. Don’t have a similar pitcher. Would have to beat it and by a lot.
1 trade I feel the Pirates could have matched. Carson Kelly. But maybe Detroit fell in love with a prospect. I didn’t see anything special there. And catcher isn’t a needle mover. Bart ain’t being replaced so it’s Grandpal. Replace Skenes personal catcher during the most critical 2 months of the season? Have a new catcher have to learn and build trust in the staff? I don’t think so. Don’t want to mess with those relationships.
Nothing Ben could have done that made cents as far as reported trades. Still 2 days left.
Grandpal is so good a pirates fan of 92 years wanted to replace Cutch with him! Definitely didn’t need that catcher.
Man I amuse myself.
“ we believe in the group we have here “ is double speak for he’s not really interested in making a trade to improve this team
That man animal flesh bag can mute me. All you can mute me. I am having a great time hanging out by myself.
we’re not going to let you hang out alone
Amusement elsewhere. Someone said that most people thought the rays lost the meadows trade and I replied…
Not this random person who’s comment I randomly selected for a random example.
“Good trade for both teams. Especially the Rays because draft picks are valuable for a smart team. Rays value outfield defense and view Meadows as a dh and they don’t need him. For Detroit they get 30 hr potential for a draft pick. They couldn’t develop the player so he only has value to a team that thinks they can improve him.”
I’m foaming at the mouth like a rapid dog tonight.
This is what happens when you mix planet of the apes, tequila, and mr baseball.
According to source both #Pirates and #Royals were in on Jazz Chisolm trade talks with catching prospects the headliner in each offer. #Pirates finished close 2nd
Guess the Marlins weren’t interested in Jason Delay.
That Tom Selleck is a handsome devil.
I always suspected that you had a thing for 79 year old actors, Dream. Was it from buying a reverse mortgage?
Wow did I destroy that NY fan. I can just picture the light bulb going off in that lil brain of his thinking he got me. Only for me to humiliate him. I would have to change my username after a verbal beat down like that. Be like Yoda and go off to some swamp planet to hide.
After reading this stream of consciousness from Dream, I’m taking it that it was done so “Human Being” will see many more notes about “muted” posters when he returns to brighten our days from the 10th floor ledge
I’m glad you got around to a refresher on Mr Baseball, Dream, and I hope you had pen and paper nearby
Clearly, Uchiyama is the Mister Miyagi of the show. His manner, his happy go lucky style and his wonderful approach to both managing and fatherhood should be a lesson to us all. So much deeper than “wax on, wax off “
And Nakamura, the owner? The Steinbrenner of his era. I even thought Hiroki’s grandfather is a barrel of laughs
I need to watch it. I tried a long time ago and was bored out of my find. Don’t think I finished it. Don’t think it’s free anywhere. Searched for planet of the apes couldn’t find it free anywhere. Disney+ ain’t paying for that. Can find anything if you look though if you are what our favorite teams name is.
I remember it always used to be on mlb network and they always showed the same clip Japan! I can’t go to Japan!
Planet of the Apes was on Flix yesterday afternoon. It’s indeed a classic
As Dream keeps telling us…. Jack (Suwinski) is back!
At AAA Indy where he belongs.
Haha. I can’t wait for him to get called up again Jack is back!!! I would have shipped him down too. He looked so much better for most the month even end of June then just awful. That is who he has been his career. That guy with the curve Saturday could have thrown Jack 1000 in a row and he wouldn’t have hit 1. Brutal. I think the entire league knows don’t throw Jack a fastball. He’s got work to do. Or he is involved in trade talks….. Could some team think they could improve him? I dunno.
Now if only they could demote Taylor to the unemployment line
Jeez this team has some pretty horrible players
speaking of trades, not one peep about Cherington trying to cut a deal for an outfielder unless he’s waiting for the dumpster dive release to take effect towards the end of the deadline
He was awful last night.
I STILL say MAT is a quality 5th OF with speed and D…. really good to see him launch that ball in Houston for the go-ahead runs.
Rinse and repeat!
Among professionals, Deeds is the most incompetent writer I’ve ever read. “Meanwhile” has to START the sentence; it can’t come in the middle between commas. Either learn this or move out of the way for a better writer to take your job, Mr. Deeds.
merriam-webster.com/sentences/meanwhile
Notice how all the least desired come last.