Pittsburgh Pirates are hitting .119 as a team...

[mjbuchanan80]

How did the front office look at video of J. Sanchez when he played in KC last year, suck beyond suckage, get traded to Colorado, suck there and then decide he's a Guy they need for their rotation?

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[jimfalbo21]

How did the front office look at video of J. Sanchez when he played in KC last year, suck beyond suckage, get traded to Colorado, suck there and then decide he's a Guy they need for their rotation?

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First, He was signed to a minor lg deal as potential depth, and despite his horrid 2012 (he was hurt) he was anywhere from respectable to very good from 2009-2011. Certainly worth a look on a minor lg deal. Second, Sanchez is only in the rotation by way of attrition, he was never a "guy they needed for their rotation." When Jeff Karstens, Francisco Liriano, and Charlie Morton are healthy they will supplant Sanchez.

 

[morgoth]

First, He was signed to a minor lg deal as potential depth, and despite his horrid 2012 (he was hurt) he was anywhere from respectable to very good from 2009-2011. Certainly worth a look on a minor lg deal. Second, Sanchez is only in the rotation by way of attrition, he was never a "guy they needed for their rotation." When Jeff Karstens, Francisco Liriano, and Charlie Morton are healthy they will supplant Sanchez.

Not to mention Cole at some point this season.

Yeah I agree with you too on most points. I try to be objective about the team and try and stay abreast of the real issues not just fan overreactions. The only thing I overreact to is Stetson Allie, one I think the guy is a quitter and whiner and two I own a BC Draft Red Ref Auto LOL.

Big question is, this team on paper and based on most statistical projections is going to be slightly better or slightly worse than last years team, basically we probably won't get to .500 without something happening like Cole winning 7 to 10 games for us. If we don't win, does Neal Hunnington get fired? and if so does he deserve to, same thing for Hurdle?

My opinion is that realistically we are still 2 years away from seriously competing (Taillon up and maybe one of the young hitters will be ready) so are we ok with a 7 to 8 year plan? Also nobody hits 100% on all prospects so if Taillon, Cole, Hansen or Polanco fail at some point I don't think we have enough to make up for it.

Hurdle bunts way too much and doesn't use his platoons enough for my tastes but overall he isn't as bad as some folks make him out but if he wen't I wouldnt shed a tear.

 

[exigussrex]

If it makes you feel any better, the Angels are hitting around the Mendoza line with RISP....

 

[jimfalbo21]

I hear you on Allie, he has started to off this season hitting well, but has k'd on 33% on his ab's. Other than his raw power, there are enough questions as to whether or not he'll hit at the A level, not to mention AA or AAA. He really should have considered giving pitching a longer try. And sorry to here about the Red Ref auto...ouch.

I'm fine with letting Huntington go, I'm just fearful that we wouldn't get a good replacement GM, my inclination is that we'd get a highly regarded "GM prospect" from a successful organization to replace him, this decision would make a huge impact. I agree Hurdle bunts too much, however I am inclined to believe that 90% of managers are fungible...they take too much heat when the team is losing, and get too much credit when the team is playing well. Honestly anyone one of dozens upon dozens of managerial candidates would do the same job, this decision would make a minute impact.

This rotation's performance this year is huge for the future...Morton, McDonald, Liriano, and Cole need to perform because they are expected to be in the rotation for 2014...if Burnett doesn't retire he may be back as a 37 yr old pitcher. Depending on how well Taillon performs in AA and/or AAA he could be in the equation along w guys like Irwin, Kris Johnson, McPherson, and Locke.

 

[morgoth]

Justin Wilson has pitched really well. I think he could outperform Locke and McPherson this year. I have no real hope Morton or Karstens will ever be healthy enough to depend on. I think next year we will have AJ (no retirement), Liriano, Cole, McDonald and Irwin as our SP depending on how he performs this year. Irwin could be replaced with Wilson, Locke or Mcpherson until Taillon is ready.

We will most likely need all of them at some point as AJ will either be gone or start breaking down some. Liriano is a injury risk as well. McDonald has some games where he loses focus and is just plain terrible, if he can't maintain success deeper into games I wouldn't be surprised to see him gone by 2014.

Herrera to me is the wild card in all of this, how fast he moves ups the system will be fun to watch. Josh Bell hit his first HR last night and ahs been mashing. Wish I had his Red Ref Auto instead of Allie.

 

[jimfalbo21]

Buccos are swinging the bats well now! Anyone panicking now? My only concern is the rotation...just 3-4 more weeks for Liriano and Morton!

 

[jimfalbo21]

Just took 3 out of 4 from Atlanta! Gotta get more innings from the rotation though!

 

[morgoth]

Can't believe we survived a Sanchez start unscathed. Travis Snider is on fire right now. Pedro just missed one going oppo

 

[jimfalbo21]

Can't believe we survived a Sanchez start unscathed. Travis Snider is on fire right now. Pedro just missed one going oppo

I'm hearing that Jeanmar Gomez may take his spot in the rotation until Liriano is back (2-3) starts. I hope that Morton supplants Locke in a few more weeks as well. We just need more innings from our rotation or else our bullpen will be burned out!