Pirates deal Melancon to Nationals

[Crimson's Ghost]

The Pirates have had 10 rookies make their debut this season one way or another, most of whom are either top prospects or guys that can help the team. The help that's on the way combined with what's in place, I would expect them to be better next season. They got some bad luck this year they weren't prepared for. It happens.


They also are only 2 games back in the loss column for the second wild card, in case anyone wants to still watch the last 2 months of the season.

[223113]

Melancon was a shadow of his former self. People who watched the games, know that he Backed into most of that big Save total. He was no longer the dominant Closer he was last year. I called him the Pirates "Hanger-Onner".
Ninth inning, up by 3, Melancon would promptly put the 1st two batters on, ....tying run at the plate.....now it was "Hang on" mode.....time after time...
Enjoyed the ride Mark, wish you well wherever you go,....there's the door.

Liriano, at times, looked great. But, most of the starts,.....Not.  A #2 man in the rotation demands more consistency. Thanks, wish you well,....there's the door.

Any one of the Rookie Pitchers the Pirates brought up, or may bring up, can match, or better, Liriano's 6-11, and 5.46 ERA.

Caminero/Watson will match or eclipse Watson/Melancon numbers this year.

The Pirates Offense is extremely disappointing this year. When they show the lineup on TV, I think, wow, they gotta be scoring 7-8 runs/game. Their 4.57/game isn't horrible,...but 7 covers a multitude of pitching shortcomings.

Wildcard is still attainable, obviously. But, I haven't given up the ghost yet on Division hopes (getting close though). Better get busy soon,....if my PIT/TEX World Series is going to happen, haha.

[voncap]

I don't think there are many who would disagree that moving Liriano and his salary was a bad thing.  Moving two prospects to do it?   Apparently that was the market value for the move.  Basically the trade is Liriano for 13.6 mill in NH's pocket to hopefully work with for next year, and two prospects for Hutchinson.    

My question to the board is does anyone really think the Pirates will go out and spend upwards of 15 mill for a #2 or #3 starter?  That is assuming that number will get you a starter of that caliber.  The going rate for a starter of that caliber will likely be in the 18 mill range this off season.  As of yet the Pirates ownership has  shown no willness to spend over 15 mill for any one player so to think they will go to 18 mill is a bit of reach in my opinion.

I appreciate the opinions of those who still think this team has a chance to make the playoffs, and do not want to rain on your optimism, but looking at the numbers it is hard for me to see how this team is going to make the playoffs.  

They are not going to win the division.  If the Cubs play just .500 ball the rest of the season, the Pirates will have to go 41-18 in their last 59 games to catch them.  That is not going to happen.  In terms of the wild card game,  history has shown that it takes around 89 wins to make the wild card game.   The Pirates are currently 52-51.   With that current record, the Pirates would have to play .627 baseball to get to the 89 win level.  Currently the best team in all of baseball is playing at .610 rate.   Could it happen?  Sure, but seems highly unlikely.    Even though they are only 2 back in the loss column the second problem is there are three teams ahead of the them in the wild card standings.  To think that all three of those teams would play bad enough in the last third of the season for the Buccos to pass them is a stretch in my opinion.  And lastly even though I don't see there is anyway conceivable their starting pitching can be any worse than it has been so far this season, I am not sure it is any better after yesterday's transactions.  But I'll keeping watching and hope for the best.

Yes eventually when they get healthy the rookies will be getting more regular playing time and that is a good thing for the future, but after yesterday's transactions how did the current 25 man roster get younger?  The Bucco's basically swapped 29 year old Neise for 29 'yo' Nova and swapped 33 'yo' Liriano for 39 'yo' Vogelsong on the 25 man roster.   How is that getting younger?

[konjo78]

I agree the pirates are now a year or two behind the cubs but thats just showing my point. They were seen as world series caliber the past but never went for a final big splash in free agency to solidify themselves. And now they are just behind

[Coach]

I feel they got younger in all the moves. Liriano for Hutch. Melancon for 2 young guys including Rivero.

Hutch and Rivero are MLB ready and are younger than Melancon and Liriano.

Nova is a rental right?

I see the Pirates spending the money on a pitcher because they were going to spend 15 mill on Liriano. I don't see any other needs that they need to throw money at.

They have arbitration guys and a bench to build but the day to day starters are here.

Cervelli, Jaso/Bell, Harrison, Mercer, Kang, Marte, Cutch, Polanco

Cole, Taillon, Glasnow, Kuhl, Hutch, Brault, Bastardo, Watson, Locke, Hughes, Caminero

They need to spend money and Cole will command plenty more but the core is all in place with one very big missing piece. Money has to be spent on a starting pitcher.

[223113]

KDKA just reported that Cutch will ride the pine tonight. He told the media he didn't know why, maybe they figured he needed a day off.
Last time he got a day off,...he came back the next game and hit 3 Homers.
We'll see if it works again.....