Bucs need Cutch back and the pen has to get better

[Coach]

Hellllllp!!!! Cole coming back should help out the pitching staff? Maybe a current starter moves to the pen? Volquez has been a good starter but would he really help the pen out even more as a 7th inning guy?

[S Cube]

Morton to the DL.

[Crimson's Ghost]

I mean you play for so long without your best pitcher, and now your 3-4 hitters have barely played for two weeks....it's bound to show. Morton has had a good year up until the past 2-3 starts. Perhaps this injury played a part in his poor pitching.

I guess we don't have to worry about Volquez going to the pen initially. Cole wil be back soon enough.

[Manfred]

84-78 looking pretty good.

[Crimson's Ghost]

So many people complained about the management not going "all in" and making the big move at the break. I think it may have been a matter of them banking on this team having better seasons ahead with this core in the next 3-4 years, and I must say I agree. It's been pretty remarkable this team continues to hang around with so many injuries and disappointing seasons from key players. If you throw Jon Lester on this team, they still aren't a world series team. It's that simple. The Bucs have good team numbers, but it's a team filled with offensive deficiencies, bullpen disasters, and bad defense. Not to mention, a starting pitching staff that can't stay healthy all at once. I mean so many things have worked against them, and still they have managed to stay in the race.

Maybe in a year or two when Cutch, Marte, and Polanco are rolling together, and when Cole is healthy and you possibly have Taillon, Glasnow, and Kingham in the future. Maybe that's a team you add in that big piece. The future is now for this team with young stars brought up internally lead the team, with some smart moves by the front office to piece in good but not giant name free agents like Martin, Liriano, Volquez. But they have an exciting group of next wave players internally like Glasnow, Taillon, and Bell. So this team has set itself up to be highly competitive for the foreseeable future, but there is a year or two window where I think a World Series can happen, and I don't believe this is one of those years.

I don't want to sound like the season is over. Cutch and Cole are coming back, and that's huge. They are in the thick of the wild card race, but they are slowly removing themselves from the Central. The Pirates are in a brutal stretch of games which continues for another few weeks. I think having the best player in the NL will fuel another run at the Brewers, but time is running out. I hope they can take it to Atlanta this week. The Pirates are the best home team in the NL, they need to win all the games they can at PNC.

[Eaglealum]

After the weekend in Washington, I tend to follow Buddy Ryan's outlook on Ernest Jackson, except with Pedro, "trade him for a 6pk, doesn't have to be cold"

[voncap]

The fact that the 25 man roster currently includes, Nix, Martinez, and Morel tells me this team is in trouble. Just one of those guys on the roster is iffy, but all three? Yikes!

Add in that the one regular starting infielder who is healthy (physically) enough to play doesn't have a clue where the ball is going when he throws it and has only hit 2 HR's since July 1st, and you have to wonder how this team is even in the playoff race.

I actually feel some sympathy for Clint Hurdle.

[Eaglealum]

True. The worst part with Pedro, isn't his struggles with K's, or his Knoblochitis.... It's to me the fact it's his third year in pro ball and he routinely is out of position... Not covering the base... Trying to field balls that the shortstop or pitcher should get.... And he went to Vanderbilt !!!! I know as soon as he leaves he'll become a 40/110 guy somewhere. Pittsburghs talent evaluators are shaky..... Their development people suck!!!! And they have for a while. Look at Vogelsong and Bautista.... Horrible here, couple months with good position coach... Stars

[Crimson's Ghost]

I disagree with this, maybe 5 years ago Pittsburgh's development was poor, but it's hard to argue when a good portion of the team is home grown, including a home grown MVP. Ray Searage has made bad pitchers into All Stars, Pittsburgh does alright in the talent development department.

It's pretty apparent if Pittsburgh goes anywhere, it's with their home grown talent because they can't afford bought teams, and the fact they are in contention for a second consecutive playoff berth....I'd have to say the staff has been doing their job.

Pedro does a good job at fielding, he rarely boots a ball, I think of his 25 errors 23 are throwing. I don't have a big problem with his fielding. Once the National League implements the DH, we will all wish we still had Pedro.

[Eaglealum]

Cutch, polanco, and marte are athletic freaks that would be good anywhere for anyone.... No arguement with Searage ... Hes only true coach in organization. Go watch the curve more than a game or two.... These are the guys who are supposed to be on the doorstop.... 80% of them are fundamentally inept to be kind. Most 12 yr olds know betterbaserunning and decision making on what to do with the ball... When I say development I meant in minors.... Problem is, these guys don't get much better at fundamental stuff as they ascend. I'd like to know why.... Other teams have similar issues, but no where near this bad.

My best evidence.... Other than outfielders... Who's the biggest impact on bucs last few years?
Burnett, volquez, liriano, hanrahan,grilli, melancon... All other peoples trash, Searage and Russell Martin worked with... Oh yeah Martin , the biggest difference on team last 2 years- free agent.
When he leaves next year, this team stays healthy, I doubt they win over 85 unless they gets catcher that plays defense and hits with 2 outs.