Bucco offseason

[Eaglealum]

Low and behold , bucs wait on AJ, lose out on numerous guys they could've had and now weeks away from camp Burnett says he's gonna pitch but open to other teams..... From me he gets a great big FU!!!!!

[voncap]

I am not sure we can pin all this one on AJ. Since he was not tendered, the FO has made it perfectly clear in this situation that they don't feel AJ is worth 14 mill a year. You can argue that you agree or disagree with this but that is a whole other discussion. The Buccos have made that decision.

To the fact that he stated he would pitch for the Pirates or retire, I bet he made that statement assuming the Pirates would offer him what he thought was a fair market contract, and at this point he feels they have not. So he changed his mind. When it is all about the money that is what happens.

Keep in mind he has not said the Pirates are out of picture. The Pirate FO isn't going to do it, but if they would offer him a two year $ 26 mill contract, he likely would sign with the Pirates in a heart beat. Unfortunately someone will offer him that contract and possibly more.

[Eaglealum]

Believe me, I understand that. Personally I think they should've tendered an offer. It's going to cost them more actually. They offer 1/14 they may overpay a lil based on the market, but only on the hook for a year. It may take 2 years at 24-27 to get him, what if the arm goes in May( hes37)? They'll be on the hook for another 20 mil over a year and a half. Dumb on huntingtons part. But at same time, AJ really irks me here too, by publicly saying its Bucs or retire, he's telling fans "it's not about the money with him"..... Then he turns around and says he's open to other teams... After the FO and fans took him at his word and passed on younger cheaper arms that could've helped beyond 2014....very upsetting to me

[Lefteyelouie]

Wish there was a "like" button eagle.

I agree with you. He had started to irk me a little anyway as time went on with the Pirates. I don't know why exactly he pitched solid and was a good 2 or 3 starter in the league. He had some big games but would come up with some stinkers when I thought they really needed him. I hope he comes back as I think he is the best option, but he is not a guy I want to rely on when you need him most.

[Eaglealum]

Great minds Lefteye, great minds

[abpk2903]

I think it is time to part ways with AJ. If the pirates kept $14 million in their pocket for AJ, here is what I would do if I was Huntington:

Call the Phillies and find out how serious they are at dumping Hamels or Lee. But first ask them if Howard is on the market. All 3 of these players are receiving roughly $20 million a year on their current deals.

I would first see if they would be moved for this type of a deal.
-Pirates take on 50% of his contract
-include a top level prospect, possibly Polanco
-include a top draft pick


I think the Phillies would bite on this offer for any of these 3 players...Jimmy Rollens may be dreaming a little bit but he would be a nice upgrade at SS too.

[Eaglealum]

Great idea. But no way part with Polanco! He'll be the right fielder by the end of this year. Plus , with lee or Hamels you'd need to include a prospect, I don't think would be the case with Howard. His numbers(when healthy) haven't been good since the injury. You could get him cheap. Personally I'd rather give Lambo a shot with a lot of at bats. Numerous mlb people have been quoted saying marte cutch and polanco will be the best outfield in baseball.. Doesn't leave room for Lambo, give the power a shot at first.. And I mean 3 months at least. Remember Cutch stunk until June and still won MVP... Hate to see him get 75 abs and traded then end up hitting 28 bombs like Brandon Moss(who played a lil 1st for A's too)

[S Cube]

I would want no part of Rollins or Howard. I honestly can't sit here and say either of them would do better than Mercer and Lambo at this point of their careers. Lee or Hamels would be great, but not if Polanco or Taillon is included. Polanco has had a great off-season and has more power potential than anyone in the organization not named Pedro. Gotta keep that guy in the system at all costs.

[voncap]

Good idea abpk, but I have to agree that Rollins and Howard are not worth the investment. At this point in time, I don't see Polanco and/or Taillon going anywhere except to PNC Park. Not only are they highly rated prospects in the Pirates' system, but both are highly rated prospects in all of baseball. You just don't move those type of players (low cost/high potential) when you are an organization that is as profit minded as the Buc's.

I still would like to see a LH hitting 1st base with some experience brought in, but IMO unless it is a pitcher, I don't see the FO bringing in any more players before spring training.

[abpk2903]

Assuming the Pirates have $10+ Million in their budget and Burnett doesn't return, here is my thought process behind working with the Phillies.

The FA market is basically gone. So the Pirates have 3 options with any money they have left on the table. Option 1, hold on to it (as fans this is not the option we want). Option 2, table it for deadline moves. Option 3, see if there are any teams in rebuilding mode trying to dump some salary. IMO, the best option is the latter and the team that fits that bill the most is the phillies. I really think the Phillies are looking to go in a new direction. They have a huge payroll and no realistic chance of competing with the Braves or Nationals for the East.

Looking at their roster he are some options for the buccos.

Pitchers: I'm not sure the Pirates really need another starting pitcher. They enter camp (even without AJ) with a rotation that looks like this: Liriano, Cole, Morton, Volquez, Wandy, Locke. Plus waiting in the wings is Taillon. That's 7 deep on quality starters and Mazzaro and Gomez are great spot starting options. I don't really see where another pitcher fits in.

Here are 2 options though if they do feel the need for one more:

Cole Hamels: he is only 30 and should have some tread left on his arm. This guy has been a great big game pitcher and is a World Series MVP. The problem with this guy is he has a contract through 2018 at $22.5 Million a year. The phillies would probably not swallow half his salary for that many years and the pirates probably won't tie up their money long term like this.

Cliff Lee: 35 years old. Had great numbers last year and is owed $25 million the next 2 season and has a $12.5 million buyout the year following. I think this would be the better pitching option. I'm sure the buccos could get the Phillies to eat part of his salary the next 2 year. He is a little younger than AJ. He would come at the expense of 2 high quality prospects (I don't think it would take Polanco or Taillon to make this happen).

First Base: IMO, the pirates have to figure something out here because Gaby at first pretty much guarantees the pirates will not make the playoffs. Some in house options are moving Lambo to 1st or even getting Russell Martin out from behind the plate and play some 1st. Outside of that, I don't see many.

The phillies also present 2 intriguing options here:

Ryan Howard: This 34 year old has really fallen off since his achellis injury a few years ago. I think he could use a new scene and could maybe rejuvenate his career. He's owed $25 million a year for 3 years and a club buyout option of $10 million the following. I think the phillies would dump him very quickly and maybe eat up to half his salary. He is a lefty so he could platoon well with a right handed Gabby and the short porch in right field could help him poke a few more HRs. But it fans weren't happy with the amount of swings and misses last year with Jones the Fans will rip any remaining hair in the their head out with this guy.

Chase Utley: He could bring multiple options to the buccos. He is rumored to have worked on a potential move to 1st base to save wear and tear on his bum knee. The only reason why this 35 yr old fits into the conversation is that he is very expendable with the phillies due to the play of Galvis and his contract is more manageable to move. He is guaranteed $15 million this year but after this each year left on his contract has vesting options and time spend on DL incentives.

The final "weakness" the pirates could address is the middle infield play. The pirates will not go any further with Walker hitting .170 against lefties. Moving Mercer over to 2nd worked last year but that gives an aging Barmes even more starts at short. This is why I think a play for Rollins could make sense.

Jimmy Rollins: the 35 year old hit .252 last year. He is owed $11 million this year with performance requirements (600 abs) to be owed $11 million again next year. IMO, he will be moved by the deadline by the Phil's. With him he could platoon at 2nd (or mercer) with walker, maybe start 5 games a week (allowing rest and getting Barmes on the field) and be just a solid depth addition.

I'm not saying the Pirates should or should not do any of these moves but I think they all present some upside and bring World Series experience to the roster. Thoughts?