Pirates

[Crimson's Ghost]

Personally, I'd rather have Garrett Jones at first the Pena or Overbay.

We don't have to make a deal, for the sake of making a deal. Pena is well a 3 month rent a player that basically is no better than what we have currently. If we are going to make a deal....Make a legit splash. Kemp, Pence, Beltran ect. IF you can't get a top guy, than go for nothing at all.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Also, I'm not on the Chase D'Arnaud band wagon. The guy has 5-6 errors in a short period of time.
His On base percentage is terrible, average is weak. And on top of everything, he has never ever been a good hitter. Even in the minors. Its not like we pulled up our top hitting prospect here...
.272 career minor league hitter, including a .247 average in Altoona last season.


So he can be sent down.
But these are the moves the Pirates need to make.

Cedeno will assume his Shortstop position, and Ciraco will go down. Ronny gets a lot of flack, but he can field pretty well and has pretty good speed, nothing great. He's batting .250, but what can you expect from an 8 hitter. you can't always get a great lineup 1-8, sometimes sacrifices are made for defense.

Alvarez will come back and take Josh Harrison's spot. Harrison is a hustle guy, but shows little potential beyond being a hustle guy. Pedro is key to the future and key to this year. He can come in and go on a tear like he did in the 2nd half of last season. He put on a good show last season, so we know he is capable. Maybe I'm alone in this, but did anybody here expect him to be a .325 hitter? He will max out at about .270, but if he drives in runs and hits bombs he is doing his job.

Jose Tabata. This is the tough move. But Xavier Paul gets DFA'ed. Paul has been a great guy to fill in gaps, but his stats as a pinch hitter are awful, and with Diaz coming to life, Jones heating up, and Tabata coming back, where does he get at bats? I like Paul a lot, but thats how this season is looking.

Any other moves Well it depends because nobody else has a timetable, but when Pearce is ready....it all depends on how D'Arnaud is playing. Chase is more athletic and was regarded as a good defender but he hasn't shown it. Pearce is a much much better bat, and underrated defensively. So it all depends on how D'Arnaud is beign used. Or maybe the ditch Brandon Wood.

Doumit takes Fryer's spot, no questions asked. But does he get to catch again? I dont think. McKenry has been awesome. Not a great hitter, but the best defensive catcher Pittsburgh has had since Kendall. I dont see Snyder coming back anytime soon, but I'd prefer McKenry to Snyder on a personal opinion.

Beimel takes Leroux's spot.
If Meek ever gets healthy, Watson or Moskos will head down.

Ohlendorf is highly doubtful to play this year. He does not have a rotation spot in my opinion.



So does this team need an upgrade? yes, they need to add some bats.

How about a 24 year old Power Hitter, regarded as one of the best prospects in Baseball, that is lefty and has the potential to drive in 100 runs consistently every season?

Or a 22 year old Outfielder with speed that can bat in the leadoff or 2 spot, that was also a top prospect?

Well they will be here for the next homestand more than likely. Those should be the upgrades we need. I just don't see what position needs upgraded besides First. And Overpay is batting .314 in his last 10 games sooo another good problem to have.

[S Cube]

Throw that Carlos Pena talk in the trash. I could care less about a first baseman who could easily come in and hit .150 or so. I would just keep Overbay or Jones at first before I brought in that waste of time.

I would go after Ethier or Pence, preferably Ethier. He is a lefty that hits for a great average and can knock it out of the park, especially at PNC. Both are free agent at the end of the season so we wouldn't be on the hook for much of their contracts. Pence would be awesome too, but sometimes teams are unlikely to deal inside of their division. I think Pence has a little bit of that Pittsburgh attitude that the fans would adore. I think either of these teams would take Starling Marte and an arm for these guys, I say do it.

Try this on for size...

1. Tabata LF
2. Walker 2B
3. McCutchen CF
4. Ethier/Pence RF
5. Jones/Overbay/Pearce 1B
6. Doumit C
7. Alvarez 3B
8. Cedeno SS

[davesandstorm]

I hope if the Pirates do decide to make a move or two, they make it for players who are going to want to stick around and sign an extension with the ballclub. It'd be great to get a marquee player to come in and help put this club over the top for the next few years.

[jack daniel]

S Cube, I doubt the Pirates go after Ethier or Pence they'd have to give up too much.

[S Cube]

What do you think they would have to give up? Marte and an arm? I would give that up for a chance to make a run at the postseason.

[jack daniel]

What do you think they would have to give up? Marte and an arm? I would give that up for a chance to make a run at the postseason.

Marte I'd be very very hesitant to give up, and no way I give him up unless its for someone that will be here for 4+ years. And as for the arms, theres 3 I refuse to part with Taillon, Allie, and Heredia.

[voncap]

What do you think they would have to give up? Marte and an arm? I would give that up for a chance to make a run at the postseason.

Most would disagree because he is easy to like due to his early success, but I would have no problem including Presley and an arm in a deal if it could return Pence. Pence would move into RF and Presley would be odd man out anyway. To get a player of Pence's caliber, it is going to take an top level pitching prospect too.

For a chance at the postseason, it is worth the gamble. The opportunity for the postseason is there now. Why not take a shot?

[Eaglealum]

I know it's only been 12 games..but Presley can't come out of the lineup. Move Tabata to right or use as platoon with diaz..move Jones to 1st and for Gods' sake get rid of Overpay! Did anyone else see the other night when Hurdle made the double switch and took Overpay out immediately after failing to dig that ball from Harrison that cost us a run...1st thing out of Overpays' mouth?...not sorry I didn't get that, or come on guys pick me up....he said what, only 2 at bats towards hurdle and then stormed into the tunnell....sorry not a team guy and a young club doesn't need that crap, especially from a free agent that never hit more than 22 bombs.

[abpk2903]

All of Overbay's 20+ HR seasons came with the Blue Jays and balls fly out at that park about as easy as they do with the wind blowing out at Wrigley. As for Presley, this guy has been successful at every level of baseball and now he is doing it again in the big leagues. This guy gotta stay. Everyone seems to want to force a deal to happen. The team doesn't really need to make a deal that bad.