I was reading an article on the bat failure and it appears like there is some sort of film that would really reduce the maple spears, but it's not mandated to be implemented. Maybe they'll do netting all the way to the dugouts, which would be a reasonable solution I suppose.
2015 Pirates thread
- Thread starter Buster
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They changed the composition a couple years ago, but when college ball used aluminum bats the ball would come off a lot faster, leading to higher batting averages, more HR's, and injured pitchers.
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If the Bucs lose out on a playoff spot all together, or lose out on first place by a game or 2, they can look back at the losses against the freakin' Brewers.
Mercer getting taken of the field on a cart..
It's a knee,,,,its always the knee...
It's a knee,,,,its always the knee...
Back and forth game tonight but Bucs find a way to hang on.
Will be interesting to see how Kang does fielding every day and batting. He's been an amazing signing thus far with the market price of the WAR he's provided already exceeding the total value of his 4 year contract.
He already has been and is doing fine.
Play Travis at first and trade Pedro for a bucket of bubble gum, if we can even get that for him.
I'm sorry, I meant fielding at SS. I'm hoping he won't be a major downgrade over Mercer in the field, but it certainly looks like it might happen(according to the nerd stats)
Since it's his normal position (pre-bucs) he should adjust easily. Biggest issue is his fielding not hitting. Stat Nerds will find a flaw anywhere they want to.
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What about Polanco? Too early to call him a bust? Just seems to be lost at the plate many times - overmatched completely - just flailing away.
I'd say it's way too early for that, but I wouldn't be shocked if they push him to the bench when they make a trade for a rental. Offense is so bad around the league that one hot stretch would make him an average hitter.
Definitely not what I was expecting, though. I figured he would acclimate to major league pitching by now.
Definitely not what I was expecting, though. I figured he would acclimate to major league pitching by now.
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After such an exciting finish before the All-Star break, the Pirates gave it all back right after.
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What an awful trade that was when we traded him originally. As far as the current deal, he isn't a guy who will put them over the top, but was very cheap and upgrades the infield with all of the injuries. Report from Ken Rosenthal says are that they are working on a deal for a reliever.
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I like the trade. He's a major league bat, and the cost was low. He was a perfect example of why you don't rush players to the big leagues. He spent 31/2 years learning how to hit at the big league level, when he should have been in the minors. By the time he put it all together, he was approaching free agency, and was making too much money for broke *** McClatchey to pay.
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The 2003 trade of Ramirez was the worst within the time I've been old enough to follow Pirates' baseball (about the late 1980s or so). If was an obvious salary dump, which was amplified in its stupidity by the fact Ramirez was not making, or set to make, THAT much by MLB standards of the period.
The Pirates had Ramirez under control for, I believe, three more years at the time. The trade, especially given what they got in return, made absolute zero sense at the time.
Part of me believes MLB "persuaded" the Pirates to make the trade, as one of its darlings in the Cubs were a contending team who had a glaring need at 3B, but that's the "tinfoil hat" side of me talking.
I'm glad to see we are making deals early rather than waiting for leftovers.
Good game tonight. I think they will be okay with Rameriz until everyone gets healthy. Then Jhay can play RF
We still need a first baseman that can hit more than .225
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Ramirez only had one more year before becoming a free agent. He was in his fifth year when he was traded. The Bucs brought him up too early, and he burned his cheap years producing below the line.
same stuff was said about Marte last year... and Polonco his last six games he has 5 doubles... calling a guy a bust in his first full year up is silly. players come up, the league adapts to them, then the player adapts back... its why there are so many "sophomore slumps". Polonco is still raw. he may yet end up being the best of that outfield bunch.
Nah, the Pirates were up against their self imposed cap that year... the Lofton/Ramirez salary dump was the breaking point for me as a Pirates fan for many years... in was something like 200k they would have been over their budget and they did that... it was one of the many moves that caused MLB to step in and neuter Nutting a bit... If I ever find the guy or gal who leaked the Pirates financials to the press and got that stuff stopped by MLB I will buy them many drinks....
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I still do not trust Nutting to do the absolute most he can to get to the Pirates to the World Series.
I believe when push comes to shove, he'll revert back to his penny-pinching ways in certain situations.
In particular, we'll see what happens when Cole hits arbitration and starts earning 25-30 mil per season.
I think seeing the money winning makes has had an impact... and I think Coonley has more direct ties to MLB so the pure money grabs are gone... I doubt they break the bank on anyone though... cole will be gone asap... maybe one of the outfielders too if they wont take undermarket deals
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