Let's Go Bucs 2024!

[MJG75]

I'm calling it here. Not WS necessarily, but competitive until the last week with a wild card or division in the balance? Definitely. 2024 is the year we get back to respectability and eke out a winning record. No more kicking the can down the road for this current rebuild. Now is the time.

I thought this could be a thread where we can post our thoughts, notes, reflections and just generally shoot the shit during the off-season and leading into the 2024 season.

Starting pitching, as always, is key. I believe we have the depth going into the season, with guys bouncing back who regressed this past season, and other guys getting healthy.

Oneill Cruz being back is cause enough for optimism, but there are other reasons to think 2024 is the year we start to compete again. We had a winning record down the stretch, and while that isn't always a predictor, in this case I believe it can be, because we transformed into nearly an entirely different team after the trade deadline: much younger, bullpen arms starting games, etc.

Need to figure out RF and Henry Davis. With his arm, I take the chance to see if he can master the position in the off-season and spring training. Can't give up on him, that is sure.

Hayes and Reynolds had decent, if not All-Star level seasons. I expect more from Hayes next season, as he has shown that he can hit better than he has most of the past 2. I also expect an All-Star return to form from Reynolds.

I love Endy at C. I think he's going to be a really good one, and his bat will likely come back to form next season as well.

Need to figure out the logjam in the OF and at 2B, and figure out whose on first. Triolo at 1B? If his power that he showed near the end of the season is real, maybe.

Your thoughts are most welcome.

[Pabst]

I'm calling it here. Not WS necessarily, but competitive until the last week with a wild card or division in the balance? Definitely. 2024 is the year we get back to respectability and eke out a winning record. No more kicking the can down the road for this current rebuild. Now is the time.

I thought this could be a thread where we can post our thoughts, notes, reflections and just generally shoot the shit during the off-season and leading into the 2024 season.

Starting pitching, as always, is key. I believe we have the depth going into the season, with guys bouncing back who regressed this past season, and other guys getting healthy.

Oneill Cruz being back is cause enough for optimism, but there are other reasons to think 2024 is the year we start to compete again. We had a winning record down the stretch, and while that isn't always a predictor, in this case I believe it can be, because we transformed into nearly an entirely different team after the trade deadline: much younger, bullpen arms starting games, etc.

Need to figure out RF and Henry Davis. With his arm, I take the chance to see if he can master the position in the off-season and spring training. Can't give up on him, that is sure.

Hayes and Reynolds had decent, if not All-Star level seasons. I expect more from Hayes next season, as he has shown that he can hit better than he has most of the past 2. I also expect an All-Star return to form from Reynolds.

I love Endy at C. I think he's going to be a really good one, and his bat will likely come back to form next season as well.

Need to figure out the logjam in the OF and at 2B, and figure out whose on first. Triolo at 1B? If his power that he showed near the end of the season is real, maybe.

Your thoughts are most welcome.

The guys highlighted above are all 25 (Happy Birthday, O'Neil Cruz!) or younger. Hayes is 26, and Reynolds 28. 2/3 of the lineup is still young an on the upswing.

Regarding pitching, a piece you didn't mention is that 3 of the MLB's top 100 prospects are Skenes, Jones, and Solometo - all starters in the Pirates system. Skenes and Jones are expected to crack the lineup sometime next year. I haven't mentioned Quinn Priester, either.

There are definitely some pieces they still need, but lots to be excited about.

[MJG75]

Right you are about the pitching looking up, at least potentially. With Skenes and Solemeto and Jones on deck, and Priester is going to figure it out, I believe. We'll see about Contreras and Ortiz, but I also think they can figure it out and get back on track.

Agree also about the age of the club being a positive at this point. Very exciting.

How about the coaching staff? It looks like they let everyone go at AAA and AA. I wonder about Haines and the major league staff. I also am still on the fence re: Shelty. I pretty much knew I liked Murtaugh, Hurdle, Leyland, and Tanner right away. Still unsure about Shelty, but let's see what he can do with some real talent on the club, which I believe we do have now and will have even more so next season.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

Unfortunately occasional Livvy Dunne attendance will boost gate receipts, keeping pig owners happy in slop.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

We are all Rangers fans now. I guess AZ winning wouldn't be so bad either but the other two teams are unlikeable.

[MJG75]

Well, we just lost Endy for 2024. Elbow injury playing winter ball, has to have surgery. Things not looking so good already. Ugh. And we wasted catcher development for Davis by sticking him in RF all last season. Better get him lots of reps this spring.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

I fail to see how they compete with the Dodgers, who are going after Glasnow BTW

[MJG75]

Yeah, well, I fail to see that also, but thankfully they are in another division.

I'm not at all pleased with the way the off season has been going, however. It's far from over, but....They aren't acting like they're ready to compete in 2024, by my account. Dammit.

[MJG75]

Finally some off season signings I like. Martin Perez from the Rangers could be a great pickup, hopeful at least.

Also happy that they finally resigned Cutch, the inevitable, I realize, but still nice to see as a Christmas present. At 37, Cutch isn't moving the needle the way he used to, but he can still get on base, walks a lot, still has a little pop, and the intangibles in clubhouse presence are invaluable. Also, he happens to be the most popular Bucco around these parts in a long time. Fans will still come out to see him play.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

Of course the Dodgers sign Yamamoto.

It's over for small market teams.

The league needs a hard no bullshit cap.

[jeemie]

Pirates to sign Aroldis Chapman.

I’d love to be a fly on the wall when he and Cutch meet for the first time.

Pirates actually will have the makings of a decent bullpen.

Too bad it won’t be given many leads to protect.

[MJG75]

Pirates to sign Aroldis Chapman.

I’d love to be a fly on the wall when he and Cutch meet for the first time.

Pirates actually will have the makings of a decent bullpen.

Too bad it won’t be given many leads to protect.

Kind of an odd signing, but I'll take it. Really fortifies the pen, but also may suggest a Bednar trade in the offing. As constructed, I think the Bucs may score some runs. The main issue will be keeping the other team from scoring more.

[ironzabo]

First Division Title in far too long might just be on the horizon now boys

Wait till yinz get a load of young Mr Skenes

[MJG75]

I definitely believe more moves will be made before the off-season is over. The Chapman signing feels like it might be part of something else they have brewing. Seems an overpay for essentially a setup man at this point in his career. Let's see if they can sign at least one more quality starting pitcher.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

From Madden re Trevor Bauer:

"Signing Bauer would give the Pirates’ sales pitch a rare taste of legitimacy.

What if the Pirates had Bauer and Mitch Keller at the top of their rotation with Paul Skenes on the way? Tack on a bullpen that features David Bednar and Aroldis Chapman as a righty-lefty combination for closer and setup man.

If the Pirates have that, and hit even adequately, there would be the legit possibility of finishing above .500. Doing that is all it takes to stay in the race for a wild card.

If that doesn’t happen, trade Bauer to a contender at the deadline. If he’s pitching decent, the Pirates would get good return after absorbing the PR hit of signing Bauer. (That shouldn’t happen, but it will.)

Bauer says he would pitch for the MLB minimum of $740,000.

Bauer also said his agent contacted the Pirates and was turned down.

Why on earth would the Pirates do that?

The Pirates are paying J.T. Brubaker $2.275 million but won’t pay Bauer $740k."

[MJG75]

I kind of doubt if the Bucs will pick up Bauer. The price is right that is for sure. Not sure what's up with that, sort of seems like collusion among the owners. My only concern would be his rep as a bad teammate, a young team doesn't want to have that, but maybe he's turned a corner. No way to know unless you give him a shot.

The off season has been mostly underwhelming and once again we are left with hopes and wishes for things to work out for a variety of reclamation projects and still unproven youngsters. I'm not surprised, but I'm still going to pull for an improvement over last season. If they can improve by 7 or 8 games, they have a shot at the post-season. Right now, hard to say that will happen, a lot of stuff has to go right and injuries have to not happen (they already had 2 that seem to be making them consider punting until they're back, which is ridiculous in Year 5).

[Pabst]

I kind of doubt if the Bucs will pick up Bauer. The price is right that is for sure. Not sure what's up with that, sort of seems like collusion among the owners. My only concern would be his rep as a bad teammate, a young team doesn't want to have that, but maybe he's turned a corner. No way to know unless you give him a shot.

The off season has been mostly underwhelming and once again we are left with hopes and wishes for things to work out for a variety of reclamation projects and still unproven youngsters. I'm not surprised, but I'm still going to pull for an improvement over last season. If they can improve by 7 or 8 games, they have a shot at the post-season. Right now, hard to say that will happen, a lot of stuff has to go right and injuries have to not happen (they already had 2 that seem to be making them consider punting until they're back, which is ridiculous in Year 5).

Bauer is 33, hasn't pitched in the MLB in 3 years, and even setting aside the assault allegations has a reputation for being a pain in the ass in the clubhouse. Add to that the fact that Bauer has been pretty inconsistent in his career and I'm not shocked that the Pirates don't want to assume the risk.

Meanwhile....Keller extended for 5 years!

[ol skool]

Very good news...

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/02/ ... years.html

The Pirates and right-hander Mitch Keller are in agreement on a five-year contract extension, Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN report. It’s a $77MM guarantee for the 27-year-old righty, per Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the new contract includes the 2024 campaign and runs through 2028. Keller had previously been slated to reach free agency following the 2025 campaign.

Each of Keller, Reynolds and Hayes are now signed through at least the 2028 season — the same year that the team’s control windows over shortstop Oneil Cruz and outfielder Jack Suwinski extend. That quintet, paired with Skenes and catchers Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez, could form the nucleus of the Pirates’ next contending club. Reynolds’ seven-year, $100MM extension and Hayes’ eight-year, $70MM pact are both generally affordable, even by the Pirates’ modest standards, which should give the Bucs flexibility to supplement that core in other ways.

[MJG75]

Great news, re: Keller! I hadn't been online much today and when I finally did, I found this here. I like how the team is starting to sign our best players to extensions. These are players who want to be here! Fuck the FA class! Great stuff! Let's GO, Bucs!

[Pabst]

Great news, re: Keller! I hadn't been online much today and when I finally did, I found this here. I like how the team is starting to sign our best players to extensions. These are players who want to be here! Fuck the FA class! Great stuff! Let's GO, Bucs!

Just as a recap:
- Hayes, Reynolds, and now Keller are signed long term.
- Bednar has 2 more years of arbitration, so he'll be (relatively) affordable
- Cruz, Endy, Davis, and Priester are all under team control for at least 2 more seasons
- Skenes, Temarr Johnson, Jared Jones, and Bubba Chandler are all elite prospects hitting the majors sooner rather than later


IF (and that's a big if) the young guys develop this season, then 2025 is the time to strike.

[ol skool]

Great news, re: Keller! I hadn't been online much today and when I finally did, I found this here. I like how the team is starting to sign our best players to extensions. These are players who want to be here! Fuck the FA class! Great stuff! Let's GO, Bucs!

Just as a recap:
- Hayes, Reynolds, and now Keller are signed long term.
- Bednar has 2 more years of arbitration, so he'll be (relatively) affordable
- Cruz, Endy, Davis, and Priester are all under team control for at least 2 more seasons
- Skenes, Temarr Johnson, Jared Jones, and Bubba Chandler are all elite prospects hitting the majors sooner rather than later


IF (and that's a big if) the young guys develop this season, then 2025 is the time to strike.

Bednar is an interesting one. Could sign an extension for less than you think. Local boy. And I'll add, he'd still be a prized trade target even with a bigger salary if he continues to perform as he has if the rebuild-to-competing window closes. Playoff teams WILL pony-up for highly paid back-end bullpen guys like him.

The bolded are not controllable for only 2 more seasons. Cruz is controlled through 2028; the rest through 2029.

Very excited to see Skenes, TJ, JJ and Bubba make their way to Pittsburgh.

Bonus: Jack Suwinski is controlled through 2028! Love the leap he made from 2022 to 2023 in terms of OBP in particular. More of that, Jack!

[ironzabo]

Buckle Up Boys and Girls

[Obviously]

Love the enthusiasm. Maybe they'll break .500.

[MJG75]

I don't know what all the organizational BS was about Hank Davis not being ready to catch. Not only does he look very ready to catch, he also seems to possess leadership qualities that can be essential for a quality backstop, plus he's raking it in ST so far. Looks like our starter, if you ask me.

[MJG75]

Here is our opening day roster for 2024 (per Jason Mackey):

Regulars (9): Cruz, Reynolds, Hayes, Jack, Tellez, Cutch, Davis, Triolo, Taylor
Bench (4): Delay, Olivares, Williams, Joe
Rotation (5): Keller, Gonzales, Perez, Jones, Ortiz
'Pen (8): Bednar, Chapman, Borucki, Contreras, Fleming, Falter, Stratton, Ryan

So happy to see Jones get the nod. Gonzalez looked much better in his final start of spring. I'm freaking ready. Let's GO Bucs!

[ironzabo]

I will be in the house

LFG

[SteelPro]

I’m bullish on the Bucs this year. I think we may see some October baseball this season.

[MJG75]

Good to see you here, Pro, and I agree with you. Nice start to the season with a tough fought 12 inning victory! Nice work up and down the lineup, though there were some gaffes, as well.

[ironzabo]

2-0 BABY

JJ on the bump tomorrow night vs the old turd Weathers


LFG

[SteelPro]

Bullpen looks legit. MLB network ranked it 3rd best in baseball, so that isn’t just blind homerism. Lineup is much improved over years past. 1 thru 9 no easy outs. If Davis and Cruz become true mashers like they look like they can be this will be a really good lineup. Only question is starting pitching. I think it’s good enough to be competitive over the regular season. If Skenes is who I think he is this team can be special. He won’t be in the minors for long. I just hope they manage innings appropriately now. I don’t want Skenes and Jones being shut down in September/October. That would make me puke.