The Pirates Chase .500 Thread!

[Burdman2321]

Originally Posted by zdye724

Yes, there is a certain swagger about him that harkens back to a certain Pirates outfielder in the early nineties.

I sincerely hope he continues his production rate, but I fear he is due to regress (albeit slightly) in the second half. Regardless, he should end up around .900 OPS which is baller enough for me.

yea even if his numbers fall off slightly he still has a amazing shot at NL MVP which would just be unreal amazing, playoffs and NL MVP would be a good way to finish the season haha

[Pghfan987]

Originally Posted by zdye724

Wouldn't doubt this at all. IMO it's going to come down to Appel drawing the line at some amount of money that he feels he deserves, and nothing more than that. The Buccos can offer somewhere between 2.9 and 3.8 I think, so we'll find out if he's willing to take anything in that range in a few days.

Yep, that's exactly how it's going to play out. The Bucs will agree to pay a little overslot and they will pay the taxes associated with going slightly over their overall budget, but they will never consider giving up next year's first round draft pick to sign Appel. Boras knows this, so he basically has zero leverage to get any more than ~$3.8 M out of the Bucs. Appel would be risking a lot if he goes back to Stanford, and he'd have even less leverage next season when he is drafted.

The one variable I am concerned about here is Boras. I suspect (again, still speculation) that Boras advised Appel to turn down a $5 M offer from the Astros, figuring that Houston would still pick him, or at least one of the top 3 teams would. Now Appel is in a situation where he is getting a max offer of $3.8 M from the Bucs. If he signs that deal, then Boras' tactics cost Appel $1.2 M. Do we really see Boras conceding to Appel that he ****ed up and advising him to sign for the $3.8 M? Advising him to go back to Stanford at least helps him save face for a year.

Regarding Victorino, I like him because he figures to be cheap - probably not much in terms of prospects since he's a buy-low candidate making $9 M this season. The Flyin Hawaiian seems like he would be the floor for the type of bat the Bucs will acquire. I think Carlos Quentin makes a lot of sense. My dream guy is Carlos Gonzalez, but I don't think the Rockies are putting him on the block ... yet. I'm aware of CarGo's home/road splits, but I think they are overblown because he plays in the NL West, where three of his four division rivals play in pitcher's parks, including the two most pitcher-friendly parks in baseball.

[Richard Tanner]

Originally Posted by zdye724

Yes, there is a certain swagger about him that harkens back to a certain Pirates outfielder in the early nineties.

I sincerely hope he continues his production rate, but I fear he is due to regress (albeit slightly) in the second half. Regardless, he should end up around .900 OPS which is baller enough for me.

Cutch has to regress. No one carries around a .407 BABIP all year. That said, his power and speed aren't "regressable" things really, and if the Bucs make the playoffs, he's got to be top 3 for NL MVP.

Originally Posted by Pghfan987

Regarding Victorino, I like him because he figures to be cheap - probably not much in terms of prospects since he's a buy-low candidate making $9 M this season. The Flyin Hawaiian seems like he would be the floor for the type of bat the Bucs will acquire. I think Carlos Quentin makes a lot of sense. My dream guy is Carlos Gonzalez, but I don't think the Rockies are putting him on the block ... yet. I'm aware of CarGo's home/road splits, but I think they are overblown because he plays in the NL West, where three of his four division rivals play in pitcher's parks, including the two most pitcher-friendly parks in baseball.

CarGo isn't going anywhere, and even if he was, that cost is way too high. Upton's cost is lower because there are signs he may not be as good as advertised (...yet, he's only 25 after all) but Cargo has a 1.200 OPS at home...and his GM has already said he's not being moved.

Quenton is the best bet I'd think.

[gary locksmith]

i gotta bet on bucs 25-1 to win central rungood men!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pghfan987]

Originally Posted by gary locksmith

i gotta bet on bucs 25-1 to win central rungood men!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When did you get those odds? GL to us.

[Richard Tanner]

Damn that's a license to print money.

[Burdman2321]

Yea i mean just thinking about it of the top of my head only Braun and Votto are threats to Cutch's MVP bid, even if pirates are liek 85 wins he should be the MVP a high % of the time unless Pedro and Neil step up big, and god forbid they make the playoffs jesus he should be a damn near lock because we aren't making it to the playoffs without him killing it.

The Upton rumors are interesting since if you woulda told me 6-8 months ago we could get him i'd never believe you, he would be a steal if we somehow got him imo.

[Pghfan987]

Pirates failed to sign Appel, he's going back to Stanford. Meh.

[Jimmy Proffett]

Originally Posted by Pghfan987

Pirates failed to sign Appel, he's going back to Stanford. Meh.

So how did this benefit the Pirates again?

[Pghfan987]

I don't think it benefitted the Pirates at all. But we get the 9th pick in next year's draft, which is supposed to be a little stronger than this year's. Boras was demanding a price that was simply too high for the Pirates to pay. It's a loss, I think, but doesn't appear to be a huge one.

[Jimmy Proffett]

T Watson relieved B Lincoln.
M McKenry catching.
C Gomez hit for N Morgan.
C Gomez popped out to third.
R Braun reached on infield single to shortstop.
A Ramirez singled to left, R Braun to second.
C Hart struck out swinging, R Braun stole third, A Ramirez stole second.
R Weeks intentionally walked.
C Ransom homered to left center (403 feet), R Braun, A Ramirez and R Weeks scored.

Nothing like leaving in a lefty to face all of those right-handed hitters. Terrible managing plus sloppy fundamentals tonight.

[Burdman2321]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Proffett

Nothing like leaving in a lefty to face all of those right-handed hitters. Terrible managing plus sloppy fundamentals tonight.

it was funny when it was 3-0 i almost felt like they were destined to win ya know haha, maybe im just weird like that.

But jesus Cutch just never gives haha

[Richard Tanner]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Proffett

So how did this benefit the Pirates again?

Quotin' KyleB in this bitch:

Originally Posted by kyleb

i was sure he wouldn't sign from the get go

he is by all accounts a dickwad who doesn't listen to people, and furthermore, he is not all that good

Yeah, I'll take the #9 next year thanks.

[Pghfan987]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Proffett

Nothing like leaving in a lefty to face all of those right-handed hitters. Terrible managing plus sloppy fundamentals tonight.

Basically Hurdle refuses to put his two best relievers in high leverage situations (Grilli and Hammer) unless the team has a lead. So maddening. Grilli should have pitched at some point.

[Richard Tanner]

Another game, another Cutch HR, another win