2016 Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Club Season Thread and Stuff

[Faubert5]

https://twitter.com/stephenjnesbitt/sta ... 1851666437

If I could choose a Cub to be responsible for keeping them out of the World Series this year it would be Arrieta. Coghlan is a close second.

[columbia]

Lastings Milledge hasn't been in the majors since 2011 (when played in two games). Seems like yesterday that the PIrates tried to make something of him.

[Faubert5]

Lastings Milledge hasn't been in the majors since 2011 (when played in two games). Seems like yesterday that the PIrates tried to make something of him.

Lastings Milledge sounds more like the name of a British naval officer than a Pirate.

[Freddy Rumsen]

https://twitter.com/BiertempfelTrib/sta ... 8720137216

[shafnutz05]

lol, unreal. Great things happen once the pressure is off, I guess.

[Blue Canary]

It's depressing to think that the team you root for will probably never compete for a championship. But that's where I am with the Pirates.

The 20 years of losing was bad, obviously, but to get to October baseball three years running but are unable to make the financial leap to secure players that will bring a championship team...is a bit much.

I still refute that they are "unable." More like unwilling. Like I said before, that 98 win season plus the two before it was enough for die-hard fans to justify everything that's happening and now if they slide, we'll get called ungrateful because they "know what they're doing" and winning 98 games.

You guys have read my mind. I'm really "ungrateful" right now.

[LITT]

adrian beltre has hit for the cycle 3 times (tied mlb record)

[Beveridge]

I love watching Adrian Beltre freak out if someone tries to touch his head.

[MrKennethTKangaroo]

https://twitter.com/stephenjnesbitt/sta ... 1851666437

If I could choose a Cub to keep them out of the World Series this year it would be Arrieta. Coghlan is a close second.

That is the third time this gentleman has seen arrieta start a game this season (plus a fourth if you count the wild card last year). There is something wrong with that guy. There is always one inning where he looks totally lost-no command, wild pitches, hard it balls, etc. Even when he goes seven strong, he always has one inning of multiple walks or something. Obviously he has found ways to get out of his own jams, but something must snap in his dome once a start. Last night, the pirates were able to make something of his crappy innings, but for the most part, teams haven't been able to take advantage of it.

[beerman]

https://twitter.com/stephenjnesbitt/sta ... 1851666437

If I could choose a Cub to keep them out of the World Series this year it would be Arrieta. Coghlan is a close second.

That is the third time this gentleman has seen arrieta start a game this season (plus a fourth if you count the wild card last year). There is something wrong with that guy. There is always one inning where he looks totally lost-no command, wild pitches, hard it balls, etc. Even when he goes seven strong, he always has one inning of multiple walks or something. Obviously he has found ways to get out of his own jams, but something must snap in his dome once a start. Last night, the pirates were able to make something of his crappy innings, but for the most part, teams haven't been able to take advantage of it.

I still can't get over that bases loaded double play Marte hit into in the WC game. He absolutely smoked that ball, one of the hardest hit (exit velocity) balls Arrieta gave up all season if I remember correctly. If that ball gets a little air under it, who knows what happens.

Agree though, every time I've seen them against Arrieta he has one inning where you think he's coming apart. If you don't get to him then he gets right back on a roll.

Last three times the Pirates have faced Arrieta 6 runs, 6 runs, 7 runs... What I'd give to transplant one of those to last October.

[willeyeam]

I honestly think no team was beating the Pirates in a series last fall

[beerman]

Agree, a one game situation was the worst case scenario for them. They didn't have the ace to match up in that situation but depth wise they had an advantage over anyone else.

[Freddy Rumsen]

http://www.bucsdugout.com/2016/9/28/130 ... ter-issues

Good read on the Pirates roster off-season.

[MrKennethTKangaroo]

http://www.bucsdugout.com/2016/9/28/130 ... ter-issues

Good read on the Pirates roster off-season.

Lots of good topics in that article. Semi quick thoughts:

Ditch
Joyce
Coke
Fryer
Stallings
Rodgers
Hanson
locke
gift

Keep:
Osuna
Doyvadas
Holmes
Jin-De Jhang

Guys like S-rod, feliz, and P-Flo and sad song may get dispatched, but you always have to have someone to play shortstop (pflo), some cheap veteran (vogelsong) and some bench bat. so even though those guys might not be on the 40 man, someone will take their spot. their should actually be a 39 man roster + the pedro ciriaco memorial roster spot (which would be designated for no hit shortstops)

[willeyeam]

I really wish Hanson could have gotten some more time to see what he can do

[MrKennethTKangaroo]

he can't do anything

[Freddy Rumsen]

There is an interesting discussion in the comments thread about Clay Buckholz being available in the off-season. With the Pirates/NH success in pillaging Boston and New York I would be happy with him being the "competent Veteran starter" to put in the rotation.

As it is now you can put Cole, Tallion, and Kuhl in pen. I doubt, outside of NH's normal bag grab of reclamations, he signs a real FA starter, especially since none are available.

[Beveridge]

If they waste money on Hurdle's swiss army knife instead of pitching, I might never watch another game.

[Viva la Ben]

Jaso still has a year on his contract...he'll be on the roster as a replacement to Joyce and/or SRod

[Freddy Rumsen]

In that article they note that the grumblings in the background is that people are talking about SeanRod as a starting 2B for someone. He'd pick that over superutility every day of the week.

[MrKennethTKangaroo]

In that article they note that the grumblings in the background is that people are talking about SeanRod as a starting 2B for someone. He'd pick that over superutility every day of the week.

makes perfect sense to slot a 32 year old that is coming off a season where he his 200 points higher than his career OPS into a starting 2nd base role.

[beerman]

There is an interesting discussion in the comments thread about Clay Buckholz being available in the off-season. With the Pirates/NH success in pillaging Boston and New York I would be happy with him being the "competent Veteran starter" to put in the rotation.

Clay Buchholz terrifies me. If I had more confidence in the rest of the rotation I'd be more comfortable taking the chance on him. I just don't consider him a competent veteran starter though.

In that article they note that the grumblings in the background is that people are talking about SeanRod as a starting 2B for someone. He'd pick that over superutility every day of the week.

Wouldn't shock me if someone gives him a starting spot, I really hope that isn't the Pirates though. Career year at age 31 and his K% is in Pedro territory (33.9%), please stay away.

[Dickie Dunn]

You guys made it past the discussion in the comments about brining Charlie Morton back? Stronger people than I am.

My three favorite lines in the article:

- I doubt the Pirates can fit Nova into their every-contract-must-be-a-bargain philosophy, but we'll see.
- Jaso could be useful as a bench player and as insurance for Bell (which essentially means Clint Hurdle will start him over Bell a lot).
- (About Matt LeBlanc) There is the risk that the Pirates will see him as a long relief/starting depth guy, as he's alarmingly similar to Kyle Lobstein.

Some subtle shade throwing.

[Freddy Rumsen]

https://twitter.com/PantherLair/status/ ... 4117907456

[Dickie Dunn]

https://twitter.com/PantherLair/status/ ... 4117907456

Seems like good news for the Pirates.