Hypothetical Pirates Pitching question.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Gerrit Cole will be back soon, Morton has been solid, and Volquez has done enough to hang around. The DL is the best thing for Liriano and the Bucs. Cumpton can usually hold his own, and heck Locke's last outing made him look like first half of 2013 Locke. But beyond that, the Pirates are looking at a shaky Casey Saddler, a shaky Jeanmar Gomez, and AAA Vance Worley who is trying to get back to being a respectable MLB pitcher. Not the greatest depth especially with Taillon out for the year, and if this team stays in the wild card hunt, and even if the Brewers falter a bit, they're right there and they most certainly need an arm.

For what it's worth, Volquez's numbers are very similar to AJ Burnett and he's 10 million cheaper than what the Phillies gave him.

Who is a valuable pitcher on a bad team you would like to see the Pirates make a run for, and at that, what do you give up to get him? The Pirates have a big farm system, and a short window with the current team as constructed. I think they need to take advantage of these next five years and make some runs at a pennant.


My candidate. David Price. Big power lefty from Tampa, former Cy Young winner. He's on a one year contract, so if I'm Tampa I can't ask for too much, but at the same time any prospect I get for him will be worth it on their end.

Obviously Jeff Samardzija from Chicago would be cool
Cliff Lee from Philly is another one, though he's on the DL right now.
Ian Kennedy from the Padres is someone I like also.
Bronson Arroyo from Arizona could be a cheap option.
And we'll see where teams shake up from now 'till the trading deadline, more names can emerge.

[knowitall]

Arroyo is signed to a two year $24 million deal through next season.

Will Cole be back for good or is this merely a sign of more trouble ahead?

Samarzdija worries me for the same reason as Cole. He's had no apparent sign but...

Will Lee pitch again this year?

The answer may be AJ. Or Wandy.

[abpk2903]

Cole Hamels...

[knowitall]

Hamels is in year two of a six year $144 million contract.

[Crimson's Ghost]

They overspent for Hammels and they know it. He isn't feasible, and still young enough they can build around him in the future.

What do you mean by Wandy being the answer?

Price is legitimate, Ian Kennedy is one of my top picks.


Luckily Cole's injury isn't structural and it isn't elbow related. I trust he will be fine from this current issue.

[abpk2903]

Hamels is 30+ years old with mileage left in the tank. He is getting about $25 million a season. At the same time, if the pirates could get the Phillies to eat about half his contract, it is manageable. Liriano has an expiration date (if he does well, his market will be out of the pirates price range. If he struggles and is injury prone then the pirates will need another top of the rotation guy), same with Volquez. The pirates have pieces to be very competitive for 3-5 years and Hamels would help. In 2 or 3 years a rotation of Cole, Tallian, Morton, and Hamels could compete for a World Series with the offense anticipated out of McCutchen, Marte, Polanco, Alverez, and Walker. I have said since before the season that Hamels should be a target for the Pirates. They may have to give up a few top prospects, a top draft pick, and eat some payroll to do it.

I think Jimmy Rollins would be a good rental candidate for the Buccos, as well.

[knowitall]

The Phillies aren't going to eat $50+ million

[abpk2903]

I don't mean to "beat a dead horse" here but why wouldn't the Phillies consider eating a large portion of Hamels contract? They are possibly the worst team in baseball with the oldest roster. If they don't "eat" part of Hamels contract they are going to waste the next 4 years of a $100 Million contract with no return on that investment. Lee, Howard, and Rollins would garner them a minimal return in a trade. Utley may be a piece they could move but the market for an aging and oft injured second basemen is a lot shallower than a former World Series MVP pitcher that still has some mileage left. If they sit back and do nothing at this trade deadline, they will be 10 years rebuilding. Their GM said before the year that they were entertaining offers on both Lee and Hamels. Months later, no one has taken their bait.

The Pirates have four 1st round draft picks that they have taken over the past 2 years. They would probably need to waive a future 1st rounder in front of the Phillies but I don't know who would be more equipped to fit what the Phillies are looking for.

Like I said, no one (outside of the Dodgers, Red Sox, Angels, and Yankees) are going to take Hamels contract off of their hands. I don't know what they have to give as a return. The Pirates could be a real player here.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Yeah. The Phillies have plenty of annoying contracts they will have to deal with for the next few years. And they go out and spend money on guys like Byrd and Burnett. They need youth

[Eaglealum]

Lee started throwing but hasn't even done long toss yet, early July at the soonest for him.... Second, the Phillies will be shopping Burnett and maybe lee, but Hamels is going nowhere... Best option is Kennedy or someone not mentioned. Worley had an ERA under 2 at Indy last I checked and Pimental is back and a starting possibility... We got to remember they ain't spending money.