BleacherCoaches.com

Crimson's Ghost wrote:So if the Pirates offer Russell Martin 4 years 50 million and he rejects and signs with the Cubs for 4 years 80 million, you're still on board?

Yes if they spend something somewhere. Show me something!!!

The heart says keep him , the brain says let him go, get the 1st rd. compensatory pick, and draft the best catcher (or player) available. From what everyone else says, the Pirates system is thin or weak on backstops.

They have a kid going to be in AAA they really like. He hit over .300 in Altoona this year.

I've said from the beginning that I would part way with Russ and only offer the qualifying offer for the pick and move on. One thing we fail to mention is that players aren't performing late in their careers like they did from 1985-2005. Why? Because the sport is cleaner. Steroids were an equalizer for players late in their career. They could go to the needle to stay healthy, stay in shape, get through the grind of the 8 month season and stay competitive with the quicker younger athlete.

Diaz is the real deal folks...he hit .320 at Altoona and was moved midway through the season to Indy where he put up north of .300 numbers. GMs flooded Huntington's inbox in July inquiring about this guy. Before this year he was viewed as a defensive catcher.

In today's baseball I'm all about getting the younger athletes an opportunity and on the field. The Yankees, Dodgers, Angels, Cubs, ect. can live with a few bad deals. The Pirates absolutely can't. In 2018-2019 offseason McCutchen becomes a free agent. They have a whole lot better of a chance when they go to negotiations with him at having a way to get him if they don't have a $15 million a year 35+ year old catcher on the books.

I heard that Martin has officially declined the off so he's out of here. Lariano as well.

They declined the qualifying offer. Totally different.

Everyone declines the QO. That just ensures Bucs 2 more draft picks if they sign elsewhere.

Since the qualifying offer has been implemented 3 year ago 0/34 players have taken it. It's essentially the same deal as a franchise tag in the NFL.

Pirates have dealt LHP Justin Wilson for C Francisco Cervelli. Nice proactive move knowing Martin isn't coming back. Cervelli is no Martin by any means but a nice addition nonetheless.

Should've got more for Wilson