BleacherCoaches.com

85-77. Optimistically guessing. Probably a couple less realistically. The only team they should beat consistently is Cincinnati. St. L. & Chi. got better, and they couldn't dominate either of them.

Firmly believe Melancon will be moved now with the signing of Neftali Feliz

I sincerely hope not. Feliz Navidad is another in a long line of wasted reclamation projects.

You mean like Hanrahan, Grilli, and Melancon?

I'm not entirely sure if Melancon will get dealt, but if they can find a good starter for him I'd make the move - otherwise I say keep him.

Catcher - They're set with Cervelli and Stewart. Diaz in AAA
First Base - They have their platoon, plus their top prospe, Josh Bell, in AAA
Second Base - JHay is solid here, Alen Hanson will make an impact.
Third Base - Kang when he's healthy, so maybe adding a bench bat here wouldn't be so bad. But Sean Rodriguez may do that.
Short - Mercer, maybe if you can find some significant upgrade in the Melancon deal, otherwise I'm fine with Jordy.
Outfield - Arguably best in baseball.

Starters - Need work after Cole, Liriano, Niese. Locke and Vogelsong have to hold down the fort until Glasnow and Taillon get here. Could upgrade there.

Bullpen - By trading Melancon, you weaken your bullpen. SO again unless you can bring in a solid #4 starter and a bench bat - might as well keep him.

EXACTLY! And guys like Feliz Navidad aren't the answer. Wishful thinking, maybe.

I really think the FO would like to move Melancon because he is going to be a Free Agent after 2016.  It appears the FO has decided they are not going to pay him what he will get in the free agent market.   Obviously they would like to get something in return before losing him.    There is no doubt the Pirate brass have adopted the philosophy that they can  develop  closers and are not going to pay a high salary to have or keep one.   

The next big move I expect the FO to make is to see them try to sign Cervilli to a multi year deal.

If the starting pitching can hold up, I think the Pirates will be in the playoff hunt in 2016, but does anybody else get the impression that they are positioning themselves  for a final big playoff run in 2017 before the rebuilding begins in 2018?

This is crazy, and may even get the dreaded "thumbs down" lol. But Pedro has gotten zero nibbles according to what I've read and heard through my friend who works with the Pirates (he will remain nameless). Is it crazy to see if we could bring him back at OUR price, not his or Boras'?

Also, Chris Davis is just sitting out there twiddling his thumbs

They won't shell out for Davis.