Dodint's Thread of Pirates 23-24 Offseason Optimism

[LeopardLetang]

I think they're planning a lot of piggy backing. Cherington said at least 5 starters to start the year. So Priester Falter can be 1 starter and and still fit Jones. Contreras finally looked like something in his 1 inning outing striking out the side so I doubt he's penciled in even as a bulk reliever. Fleming seems to be rostered

I haven't sorted this out with mlodz and Holderman iffy

[willeyeam]

[Troy Loney]

Yikes on the walks

[MrKennethTKangaroo]

His stuff has too movement for his own good. This will be a glasnow situation

[Troy Loney]

His stuff has too movement for his own good. This will be a glasnow situation

Maybe more early charlie morton era.

With glasnow, they just deliberately made him avoid pitching to his strengths

[MrKennethTKangaroo]

Morton would be a very good comp and definitely a better comp than glasnow. Morton had outrageous movement and so does jones

Anyways I liked this quote in the Trib from jones about Henry Davis:

He’s gotten a lot better,” Jones said. “I always liked having him behind the plate catching me because we have the mindset: It’s **** you.’ That’s the type of guy I like catching me. He wants to work for guys. Honestly, I think his catching game has improved over the offseason.”

If that doesn’t get you irrationally excited I don’t know what to say

[willeyeam]

**** yeah

[robbiestoupe]

Davis does come off with a bit of a Jason Kendall vibe. Scrappy old school baseball player

[LeopardLetang]

Anyone watch that game yesterday? It was incredibly encouraging. The Fort was in the booth talking about Davis' new stance when catching which uses his athleticism and keeps him closer to the ground as the pitch comes in. He looks awesome back there. And then they talked about how Jones feels about him and appreciates him riling him up. Right after that commentary Jones walked a guy on 4 pitches and Davis ran out and pow-wowed with him. Jones dispatched the next batter easily.

[Dickie Dunn]

Heard an interview yesterday (I think with Perrotto) where he said Davis worked incredibly hard in the offseason and at the very least is now an average defensive catcher. Thinks he can be trusted at the position.

[LeopardLetang]

Crazy to watch Cruz at short. He looks like he's in slow motion like a giraffe and then snaps like a crocodile. Jack Wilson says he's got really small feet for a tall guy and that's why he can play short.

[DigitalGypsy66]

Looks like Jared Jones and Henry Davis made the roster.

Do we need a season thread now?

[Troy Loney]

Davis wasn’t a question.

Injuries has now made the bullpen terrible. This is going to be a brutal April and may

[willeyeam]

Davis wasn’t a question.

Injuries has now made the bullpen terrible. This is going to be a brutal April and may

Lol the bullpen wasngonna be awesome too. Hopefully Holderman isn't out too long. Sounds like Mlodzinski might be a long term thing

[willeyeam]

If German and Skenes can make their way up soon, the rotation could at least be average I think

[MrKennethTKangaroo]

Should I know who Fleming is?

who starts on the il? Holderman mlodzinski grandal? Anyone else?

[LeopardLetang]

i don't know what they see in Fleming. soft contact i guess. They kept running him out there like he was going to make the team though.

I like Stratton making it. Ryan is in about the same spot as Stratton. Older guy that has progressed in AAA and may be ready to be ok. Surprised they went with him instead of Honeywell who has a lot more experience

Borucki can make a pretty good 7th inning guy though so the bullpen isn't terrible at the back end. But bad starters and bad bulk inning relievers may lead to a reverse of that 20-8 start last year