Pirates done in by ex-players now wearing Brewers uniforms
MILWAUKEE — Three former Pirates — Neil Walker, Jared Hughes and Keon Broxton — were reunited last weekend when Walker was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers.
On Tuesday, the trio helped to produce a key victory against their former team in the heat of the NL Central race.
Score it ex-Pirates 3, current Pirates 1.
Walker, who was dealt from the New York Mets on Saturday, provided a steady glove and reached base three times. He was walked intentionally in the sixth inning, which set up Manny Pina’s unlikely, decisive RBI single.
Hughes tossed one-third of an inning, getting Josh Harrison to ground out with the potential tying run on second base in the seventh.
Broxton gave the Brewers some breathing room with a solo homer off A.J. Schugel. It was Broxton’s 17th home run this season — that would rank him third on the team if he was still with the Pirates — and his third career pinch-hit homer.
It’s not a good time for the Pirates to absorb such setbacks. Of their next 37 games, 33 will be against NL Central foes.
Right-hander Ivan Nova (10-10) pitched well enough to keep the Pirates in it. Over six innings, Nova gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits, walked three and struck out four.
Brewers right-hander Zach Davies was coming off one of the worst outings of his career. Last Thursday, he set a career high for hits allowed (11) and matched his career worst for runs allowed (seven) against the Minnesota Twins.
Davies (14-6) held the Pirates to one run on six hits in 62⁄3 innings.
The Brewers took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Travis Shaw singled. Domingo Santana walked.
First baseman Josh Bell snagged Walker’s grounder, spun and threw wildly toward second base. Everyone was safe, which loaded the bases with none out.
Shaw scored when Manny Pina grounded into a force play.
The Pirates lost their replay challenge in the fourth. It would haunt them two innings later.
With two outs and Bell at first base, Adam Frazier looped a single to right field. As Bell sped to third, Santana’s throw bounced toward the Pirates’ dugout.
Bell tried to score, but third baseman Shaw recovered in time and made a strong throw to the plate. The Pirates asked for a review, which upheld the out call.
The Pirates tied it in the sixth. With two outs and Bell at first base, Frazier rifled a 1-2 curveball into the right-field corner for a triple.
In the bottom of the inning, Shaw walked with one out and went to second on a passed ball. A ground out moved Shaw to third. Walker was walked intentionally.
Pina hit a sharp grounder to the left side. Statcast gave the play a 7-percent chance of resulting in a hit.
The Brewers beat the odds.
Third baseman David Freese tried to make a diving stop but only deflected the ball. Shortstop Jordy Mercer hit his brakes and adjusted in time to make a snow-cone catch. Mercer got off a strong throw, but Pina was ruled safe for a run-scoring infield single.
A replay appeared to show Pina was a half-step behind Mercer’s throw but also indicated Bell’s foot might have come off the bag.
Either way, it didn’t matter. The Pirates already used up their challenge, and crew chief Joe West didn’t ask the folks in the video room at MLB headquarters to take a second look.
Rob Biertempfel is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at rbiertempfel@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BiertempfelTrib.
FOB Sports (Friends of Bob) 
You stake a supposed top of the rotation pitcher with a 4 run lead in a “must win” type game, you expect a win.
Gerrit Cole. Leader in underachieving two years in a row.
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Gut punch game.
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Right there with the two Baltimore blown games. You expect better from Cole.
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Absolutely disheartening … 5 HRs given up by Pirate pitching today ..
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And the ace, Gerrit Cole, can’t hold a 4-0 lead.
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Broxton and Walker are at it again. Both have gone yard off of Cole.
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Broxton has as many HRs the past two days as Rogers had hits for the Pirates.
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Matt Cullen signs with the Minnesota Wild for one year. So much for “I’ll only play here or not at all”.
He must have gone to the Neal Huntington/Frank Coonelly school of truth-telling.
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2017/08/16/matt-cullen-wild-contract-pittsburgh-penguins/stories/201708160142
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I’m okay with this. Cullen is 40 years old and has played a ton of hockey the last two years. I’m honestly shocked he’s not retiring as what better way to go out than with back to back championships. But obviously that’s his call.
He was a fantastic depth player the last two years and his performance in game 6 against Nashville was epic. He’s also a respected veteran leader and the Pens have definitely had some losses on the leadership end. But at his age and mileage, time to move on. I wish him the best.
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I’m also good with it. I had a bad feeling that if he’d signed here that he might not make it through the season and then the Pens would have been forced to make a move they might not have anticipated. A good guy though. I wonder if the Pens didn’t make him an offer? His last interview made it clear he wanted to stay.
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2017/06/16/matt-cullen-retirement-penguins-free-agency-stanley-cup-repeat/stories/201706160189
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They cut bait with Kunitz who signed a fairly reasonable one year deal in Tampa. It’s possible GMJR has just made a decision to move on from older players. Sometimes what they say publicly (players and team) is just for PR purposes.
He will be missed but again, it might have been inevitable at his age. The Pens need to find a strong 3rd line center and the money to Cullen would have just made that more difficult.
I’m still shocked they gave up Sundqvist unless they truly believe he’s not an NHL player. Which would be far different than what they were selling the last year or two.
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I agree on Sundqvist. It made no sense to me at the time and continues to not make sense. Reeves will add very little to the lineup and won’t deter anyone from running around after Sid and Geno.
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He got 1million plus up to $700K in bonus potential. No way the Pens were going to pay him that much IMO.
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Does the Pirates’ team OPS increase with 7 singles?
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Hey, Pat, I’m looking for tonight’s Powerball numbers. Can you send them my way? (Marte)
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If only
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Marte is 2 for 2 today as well.
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That was the genesis of the comment I made…….
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Ben Kingsley to Michael Imperioli on the Sopranos when introduced to “Murmers” “what the genesis of that name ? “—“he had a heart murmer as a kid “
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Top 5 episode, Dennis.
Rob Lauren Bacall of the gift bag and Tony shrugs off the gifts. A dog purse? Trip to Australia?
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Hey Bob, one of my postal customers is Steven Daniels. He says hi. He used to play for you at Stanton Heights. He says he was first black player there and that his home runs went 400 ft.
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Unless he has changed his name from Chuck Harris, I have no recollection of this young slugger.
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Or Ian Snell?
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I have been trying to gauge Granderson’s worth the last few days. Perhaps we can start with this.
Would the get for Granderson be more or less than Walker. Since we don’t know how all the cash would come to play, lets assume that Walker’s salary is being picked up by the Brewers and the receiving team for Granderson would pay his salary. I know that the Mets received a PTBNL, but that certainly would not be somebody on the 40 man, or they would’ve need to clear waivers.
Is the cost more for Grandy or Neil?
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costs for Walker, Grandy and Bruce about the same, whithout splitting hairs
$4M and a single A scrub pitcher
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Is Jose Osuna incapable of hitting right handed pitching. I’ve been meaning to ask this for weeks, but always forget.
I mean lefty vs lefty, I can understand, but for a century and half a majority of hitting match ups have been righty vs righty, simply because of the preponderance of right handed human beings.
Is he that bad with the splits?
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https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=osunajo01&year=Career&t=b
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Thanks. I suppose I could’ve done that myself.
A .697 OPS is not hideous. Has he started any games against a RHP this year? I know, I know. I’ll look it up myself.
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No idea and a 697 OPS is not terrible for a rookie. Polanco’s OPS for the year is just 718. Perhaps they should platoon Osuna and Polanco next year.
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I don’t know where I stand with Osuna, but he seems to be blackballed against RHP.
I’m still holding out hope that a fully healed Polanco can be a force next year.
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Well, like I said, it might be a good idea to platoon him and Polanco. Osuna’s 825 OPS sure looks better than Polanco’s 648 OPS against LHP.
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You may be on to something. His career OPS vs LHP is barely above .600 (.604).
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I think Polanco will break out next year. The only thing that held him back this year was injuries.
Osuna looks like a solid bat against lefties
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Hate to say this, but the “I think Polanco will break out next year” was most likely brought up in March. He is what he is, an average hitter with below average defense. If Osuna is on the team next year, it might be worthwhile platooning them. I think the offensive numbers back that up.
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Agree Scott
Apologies to Mike for piling on but I have heard this before
March 2017 perhaps???
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He just needs to stay healthy. He may not ever stay healthy, some guys don’t.
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Agree Mike
but when a guy cant stay healthy, you need to compensate with a platoon or someone as good off the bench
Unless you get lucky, that is expensive.
And next year at this time, we might be singing the same Polanco tune…
sigh…
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True, that’s why they may want to look at a platoon. I generally hate them but he’s not good against LHP.
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I also think that Osuna plays better outfield defense than Polanco. He doesn’t often misjudge the ball’s trajectory or misplay the carom. They both have great arms, but all things being equal, there’s no reason not to platoon them just to get more offense in the line-up.
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Agree Scott. I think what we see with Polanco is what we get.
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Well that pretty much answers that question. He sucks generally against right-handed pitching, and ever more so against right handed starters. So he is basically only a platoon option apparently against left-handed pitchers. He crushes them.
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825 ops vs left
697 ops vs right.
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His OPS against right handed starting pitchers is under .600. He must do better against right handed relievers which elevates his overall number.
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If those are his 2017 MLB splits, they don’t mean much because of a small sample size. His minor league splits are not bad at all.
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His splits are not bad at all. Nothing to indicate he should be shielded from RHP.
If your request is official, in your role as Chief of the Lineup Police, I can only suggest that Hurdle likes Marte and McCutchen today vs. Nelson and on most other days.
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Thanks, Bob. It really wasn’t so much today. I have been meaning to ask for a couple weeks or so.
My lineup citizens arrest for today is Stewart, who is catching on a day game, after a night game on a getaway day.
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I believe the thinking there is that Stewart uses so little energy offensively that he can catch a day game after a night game.
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I see what you did there, Bob. Well played.
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Might be time to move Marte out of the #1 spot. I’d flip with Frazier or move Harrison to 1st, Frazier 2nd and Marte down in the lineup. Maybe that will jump start both he and Harrison.
But I’m guessing Hurdle would rather beat his head against a brick wall than make a lineup change.
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Jhay isn’t hitting either
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I know. Just thinking that maybe a move in the lineup will help. Not sure what the answer is. I’d probably run Srod out there instead.
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That poor Adam Frazier. How in the hell does he get used to seeing the ball off the bat. Has he played the same position two days in a row this year?
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I wonder if Cervelli, if healthy, would be starting a day game, after a night game on a getaway day?
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I doubt it
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I see lots of comments below about the comparison between Chris Stewart and Elias Diaz and which is the better option at catcher. There isn’t that great a difference between the two. Which ever side you stand on I think in the end it makes little difference in terms of wins/losses over the course of the season.
What would really matter is for the Pirates to get more production from players like Marte and Polanco.
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You are correct. You need to add Harrison to that. He’s a sub 600 OPS hitter this month.
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Diaz is hitting 80 points higher
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Ian Kinsler ripped Angel Hernandez pretty good last night after getting tossed. Hernandez who, IMO, is one of worst umpires in MLB. Now, what kind of discipline if any will Kinsler get?
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How does the average fan have the capacity to determine which umpires are amongst the worst in the league? I can only name a very small handful of umpires.
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I guess I’ve watched enough games and seen him make a lot of bad calls. That’s how. Umpires should be invisible. He sticks out because he’s not very good.
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exactly Scott,and CB Buckner is awful too
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There seems to be a question of why Stewart is starting over Elias Diaz.
It seems rather simple and obvious that Hurdle values defense over offense in this case. He’s consistently chosen the former over the latter when presented a choice.
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Yeah, Stewart is certainly a very good defensive catcher. Are you kidding me? And it was on full display last night.
Earlier in the season when Cervelli was out, which is becoming quite often by the way, Diaz started over Stewart.
I’m guessing he’s starting due to more familiarity with the pitchers at this point in the season and it has nothing to do with defense.
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He is, by virtually every measuring stick, the best defensive catcher on the roster.
I can’t opine on what I observe as I don’t see them play so I’m dependent on the numbers, which don’t lie, and the pitchers who have no reason to.
It is what it is, Scott.
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The measure I saw last night was him not catching a pitch that eventually led to the 2nd Milwaukee run.
i don’t think it has anything to do with offense or defense. I think it is based on the fact he knows the pitchers and these are must win games. I look forward to him and his 470 OPS on another team or retired next year.
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I think knowing pitchers is part of good defense for a catcher, Scott. It’s about calling the game, arguably the most critical part of a catcher’s defensive makeup.
I certainly wouldn’t judge any player on one pitch any more than I would judge Bell’s defense on the two misplays last night.
None of them will be perfect.
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The team as a whole is not good defensively and hasn’t been for years. Even the announcers will say that which is refreshing.
In any event, no excuse getting just 1 run last night. In fact, if not for Toronto’s errors on Friday, last night could have been their 4th straight loss.
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“The team as a whole is not good defensively and hasn’t been for years.”
Correct-a-mundo Scott
That one play to which you refer aside for a moment,
A strategy that a small revenue team should pick up as a top 3 strategy has been tossed aside by the Pirates — for years now.
One major reason they are a slightly below average team — and not surprising
Beat ’em Bucs!
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Whatever the reason, Hurdle believes Stewart is his best option at catcher. Considering his offensive skills, that fact Stewart has spent the past seven seasons on an MLB roster speaks clearly to his defensive ability.
As for Diaz, the fact the notoriously cheap Pirates signed Cervelli to a three-year contract when Diaz was 26 speaks just as clearly to what they think of him.
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If you recall Diaz hadn’t played in the MLB when the contract was signed and was having injury issues. The Pirates were smart to sign Cervelli. He was staying healthy and coming off a 295 ave and 771 OPS and started out very well in April 2016 hitting 321 in April.
It made sense. Unfortunately, things have taken a bit of a downward trajectory. I still think Cervelli is the best of the 3 and the only reason Stewart is up is so Diaz can play in AAA. It’s no different than what the Penguins are doing with Jarry next season.
Diaz will be the backup next season.
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Of course, Diaz will be the backup next year. Stewart’s contract expires and Diaz is cheaper.
Actually, Diaz had played on the MLB level (very sparingly) when the Pirates extended Cervelli. But that is not the point. You seem to be suggesting they were unaware of Diaz’s ability when they extended Cervelli. Diaz had been in the Pirates organization since 2009. They were very aware of his ability and his potential and knowing that they chose to extend Cervelli until Diaz was 29.
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Not suggesting that at all. I’m saying they signing Cervelli was the right call. You know what you have. You don’t know if a AAA player is going to be better, worse or the same but they knew what they had in #29. At that time he was looking like a great pickup and a bargain.
He’s not been the same hitter since breaking his hand and he continues to have trouble staying healthy.
As I’ve stated almost 100 times now on here, Cervelli should and will be the starter next year, unless they try and unload his contract. And I believe they need to manage his games somewhat due to his fragility.
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Scott, there’s just 43 more instances of these quizzical moves left to deal with. Not that long in the scheme of things. No more shower talk, sleep it off talk, unplug, unwind, disconnect, barreling of the ball and the other crap that spews from his mouth.
He’ll forever be remembered for helping resurrect this franchise. I’ll give him a round of applause during the last home game and then anxiously await next year.
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I agree. Time for a change!!
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But the next guy might be Foge Fazio, so let’s stand pat.
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The question isn’t why Diaz isn’t starting it is why a talent such as his, seeing how it is blocked at the major league level, hasn’t been traded to a contender with catching woes for a haul of prospects.
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Because Stewart is a free agent at the end of this season. Diaz will be the back-up to Cervelli, and when Cervelli is hurt, the #1 catcher for periods. Certainly Stallings is not ever going to be a major league catcher. He hits worse than Stewart if that’s possible. I suspect Diaz will be the #1 guy in the Burgh for a couple of seasons after Cervelli’s contract expires, but he will be 29 when that occurs, so his window of being a #1 starter is probably 5 years at best. About the same time that team control would end.
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He’s consistently chosen the former over the latter when presented a choice.
———————————–
I agree with you about his thought process. That may explain his penchant for sub .500 seasons. Strange behavior from a man who has spent much of his career on the offensive side of the fence.
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I’m not sure it’s hurt them at any point, Fish.
The insistence at playing Barmes seems to be the most memorable for me but they obviously won in 2013.
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One guy they should definitely look at sitting, IMO, is Harrison. As Bob pointed out he’s not been good since June and has a 561 OPS this month.
Maybe give SROD a few starts there and Jhay a break.
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He’s had 5 “breaks” in the last 20 days. I don’t think its working. I’m not saying your wrong, but the part time playing thing isn’t working.
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I think we discussed the other day. Maybe he needs a long break. I don’t know but they need some production out of that sport. Of course LF and CF are not off the hook either.
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Perhaps, but their infield is thin, with them all playing outfield spots and all.
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Impossible to measure Don, as we can’t live in a world to see what the alternative would have been. He insists on playing Stewart because of his defense, but they will trot any swinging dick to play the outfield.
What are the outfield UZR’s of Jaso, Frazier, Osuna, Harrison and Rodriguez? You wanna have one guy be a fourth outfielder, given the Marte situation, fine, but not every guy who isn’t nailed down to the in field. What’s next, Cole shagging flies?
Now I know Smizik will jump all over this, but Brown was in near disbelief that Hurdle continues to play Stewart every day, even with Diaz being a better offensive option. I agree with Brown, but those are his words, not mine, before Bob starts throwing around AAA numbers for Diaz. Brown said it on last nights telecast.
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But is it not a matter of not having better options for the outfield?
What better defensive options were available to him out there?
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Pick one and stay with it. Far as I’m concerned any of them.
The whole Harrison play anywhere thing, was cute and helpful a few years back, but I don’t think it works for every player.
Frazier was a notorious minus defender coming up through the system, and now he’s playing 5 different positions. John Jaso was a friggin catcher 2 years ago. Now he’s imitating Bobby Clemente in right for 50 games a year.
The point is why does an anemic offensive team find it OK to give in on defense by playing anybody in the outfield to get a fRazier more atbats, but they insist on going with the “defensive stalwart” in Stewart, even though, as Scott said, Diaz has been very good defensively through the minors, even winning awards.
Maybe one guy likes to have a few beers and the other one is a born again Christian for all I know, cause it makes no sense. Hell, even our esteemed pro on here, Bob, stated when Cervelli went down a couple months ago, that he expected Diaz to get the lion’s share of the work.
Is there even the slightest possibility that Hurdle is wrong? Even once?
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Of course Hurdle can be wrong. He’s made mistakes and has admitted as much on several occasions.
So have Maddon, Scioscia, Roberts, Brenly, etc.
“Defensive stalwart” is hyperbole. I’ve not seen anyone characterize anyone as such.
Again, I think they simply believe Stewart is a better option behind the plate.
I know you’re down on Hurdle. That’s obviously your prerogative. When a team loses everything gets magnified, often times unfairly.
I think that’s the case with Hurdle’s lineups, in game decisions and roster management. But it goes with the territory and he has broad shoulders.
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I’ve always loved your wording, Don, and it’s probably the journalist in you.
You have over and over again stated “THEY think he is a better option behind the plate” Well, yes, that’s plain to see.
What is your opinion on who should be catching and why? Please consider the time of year and the shape of the team too, if you formulate an answer.
If you have already stated I apologize to have missed it.
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I can honestly say, Fish, that I don’t have an opinion on who should be playing because I know unequivocally that “they” have far more information with which to make that determination.
I’m looking at highlights and stat sheets. That works in fantasy leagues I suppose but not in real life.
That’s why I use the verbiage I do rather than any reflexive journalistic training. They’re just smarter than me. That’s also why I try not to criticize but to comprehend.
That said, I think they need to play Jaso more. 😉
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Don, that’s hard for me to believe AND for you to be a fan of the team. I think I may have misunderstood your level to which you follow the team. I just assumed you were catching most of these games on a subscription platform.
I have no problem with your level of following, mind you. I just thought you were a little closer to it than I may have originally thought. Your commentary over the years, in general and the columns on here, specifically, seemed to be of someone as close to the team as a Pittsburgh resident and that may be harder to accomplish given your distance from the team, geographically.
I still not sure I understand why an astute baseball man is hesitant to state his opinion, but I can respect the decision.
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I don’t think I’ve watched a single game all season, Fish.
I follow via twitter most often.
I certainly offer my opinion on issues for which I feel educated enough to do so. The Monday column is often times opinion based.
The Walker column was certainly my opinion.
The truth is, which will probably surprise many, is that I follow the Pirates with pretty much the same “intensity” with which I do the Steelers and Penguins. I want them all to win but I rarely watch the games.
My emotional investment is greater with the Pirates but that’s probably the only difference.
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I had no idea, Don. Truly. You write with someone with a better grasp of the team than you appear to be.
Also probably explains your extreme level -headed approach to the team and your comments.
I will never apologize for my fervor. I certainly understand it can be overboard, but it’s an outlet from daily life for me. At the end of the day, win or lose, daily life is a much higher priority.
Fan is short for fanatic, right?
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The fervor is what makes this place work. It’s appreciated.
I do feel like my role here is different than when Bob was the blogmaster. More monitor than muckraker.
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Regarding Diaz, I did come across the fact he won the award for best defensive catcher in the minors in 2015. So there is that.
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I think he’s a good defensive catcher and will continue to improve. It would appear his future will be that of a decent backup which, as we’ve seen, should provide him a long ML career.
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We’ll see. I expect he’ll play a decent amount next year and then will be the starting catcher in 2019 as I don’t see Cervelli being there the entire contract.
In any event, they need cheaper players to step up since I don’t think any of us expect them to start spending more.
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Depends on whether or not he’s healthy. If he’s healthy in the last year of his contract they might try and trade him, but if he continues to be injured off and on the next two years, who would want him? They won’t DFA him with the money they’ve committed to him.
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Yep. Some back-up catchers, with much less wear and tear on the legs catch well into their mid to upper 30’s.
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I might be wrong about this, but I believe I read that Diaz was selected as the best defensive catcher in the IL.
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You’re not wrong but correct. In 2015 he was voted best defensive catcher in minor league baseball and in 2017 Baseball America ranked him the 3rd best defensive catcher in the minors.
So he’s either very good defensively or there are no good defensive catchers in the minors.
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On the positive side, an outstanding start for Nova last night. Looked like what we saw in April and May.
The team has seen Davies a few time already this year so it confused me that they just couldn’t catch up with his 90MPH fastball at times. Wondering if he is hard to pick up.
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I think these Pirates are not quite contenders. Win today ,lost today, in the long run it’s probably not going to matter. The Cubs and Cards both lost yesterday as well, and only the Brewers benefited from their win last night.
This Bucs team is downright anemic offensively, this despite not jettisoning any power hitters since their remarkable 2015 run. The question it begs, to my mind, is whether the 2015 team was collectively a group of overachievers, and if so, are the Pirates miscalculating by believing that they still have a core that can win in 2018 and beyond.
As I’ve posted a couple times since the All-Star break, Marte has never been a big power bat. Of course zero home runs is not normal, even for him. Clearly they miss Kang’s bat, but even taking that into consideration, given how many games he missed to injury at the end of 2015 and into 2016, and his clear funk following the Chicago incident, I don’t believe that what ails the Pirates is just missing Kang.
I think they have an excellent pitching core heading into 2018, and perhaps more help on the way from Brault and Glasnow, but I’m not convinced about the position players to any great degree. Polanco is sub-par at the plate, Cutch will be another year older, Jaso will be gone, Harrison will continue to be an enigma, and Cervelli will be oft-injured, as he is every year. If you believe Bob Smizik’s take on Diaz, (and one I happen to agree with), do the Pirates need to address catching, third base and the outfield this coming winter? If they do, they will have to move significant assets to address that many needs in a single off-season. While Jay-Hay can, and has ably manned third base in the past, he is not a power hitting corner infielder. Although he runs hot and cold at the plate, he is a plus defender at second base. I think they should address third base straight up. The bat they bring in to replace Jaso should be preferably left-handed or a switch hitter with power from the left side, and also capable of playing third base.
I believe that Hurdle will not be back next year. Does that affect their approach to personnel issues? The bullpen will need some additions as some guys are gone due to expired contracts that won’t be extended or renewed. Will a new manager have a slavish adherence to Hurdle’s clear preference for defined roles of a 7th, 8th and 9th inning guys? Or will the new manager be more like Terry Francona and be happy with five inning starts and a committee to get from the 5th to the 9th inning?
Even though the end of this season appears as though it will once again end in disappointment, it should be an interesting hot stove season to throw around keep us warm through the long winter to come.
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They’ve been under .500 almost the entire season. I said back in July they weren’t going anywhere but held out some hope. The only reason the word “contender” was being thrown around was because of the weak division they are in.
There is still hope, but nobody should be surprised as this is the team they’ve been for 100+ games, below average.
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Bob, I know this is not all Hurdle’s fault but he may well be let go as you stated above, i actually think NH should be let go. Yes he has financial strains from Nutting, but he does not trade or draft well, and with a small market team he MUST draft well.
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There are pros and cons to whether or not N.H. has been a good G.M. I believe his player acquisition decisions have more often than not been very strategic. His drafting record is not stellar. Particularly those picks after the first couple of rounds. He has been, in my opinion, above average overall, but I would not shed a tear if he moved on as well.
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I think you need to review Huntington’s trade record. You might want to start with Melancon for Rivero.
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Bob, you raise a lot of great points. I’ve always wondered if that 2015 season was an outlier for the Pirates’ offense. Granted, that team was better constructed than this one and they’ve run into bad luck with injuries and Marte/Kang, but as I’ve said on here before, I don’t see the optimism for next year unless the pitching is lights out. Front office may add a few pieces in the off season, but nothing of substance IMO that will take the Pirates to the next level. Plus, if they move McCutchen mideason, well, that’s a big hole offensively to fill.
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So we should have picked up Neil Walker after all?
That’s the “shoulda du jour”
LOL
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I think the time to make a move for this team was back in May when they knew Marte was going to be out and Kang wouldn’t be coming. Difficult to make move then sure, costly sure, but they probably needed to be more active.
Then add in the fact they’ve gotten virtually nothing from Harrison since June, Freese is not an everyday player anymore and Polanco has been the picture of inconsistent you have what you have.
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The Pirates’ bats have, at least temporarily, died. Even McCutchen has cooled in August. After an excellent first three months, Harrison has a .603 OPS since the end of June. There is no offense from the catching position. Mercer is batting .206 since the ASG. After batting .250 in July, Marte is batting .245 in August. The Pirates are last this month by a wide margin in OPS and slugging in the NL.
Management can be viewed as wise for not propping up an unworthy team or frugal and ill-advised for not bolstering a team within range of winning the division. I’m not sure which is more correct.
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“I’m not sure which is more correct.”
I guess it all depends on your philosophy or mission statement or whatever it is that drives “the organization” from the top levels.
If it was me — and I am just talking me — If I am within 5 games or less of the division at the trade deadline, I am looking at my greatest need — and in this particular case it was and still is slugging — and I am looking to improve it. And there were – and still are — cheap options available that don’t mortgage the future — multiple options.
But that’s me
I’m funny like that…….
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Your last paragraph is the post of the month, Bob. Spot on and I can’t answer it either. That statement could be a subject for an entire day.
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I think they are wise. They’ve been an inconsistent team all season that’s been generally under .500 and only still discussed because of the weak division they are in. A move or two at this point isn’t going to change that IMO.
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The Pirates have been within three games of the division leader. A move or two could certainly change that. What does it matter if the Pirates win a weak division or a strong division?
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Yes
A topic for another day/week/month
However as you and Bob say: it is THE $64,000 question
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Perhaps a bigger question would be who would or should they go after and would one or two additions really make a difference?
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I think that a couple of the Mets’ waiver trade castoffs would have helped this offense. For my money (which it clearly isn’t), I would have been making moves for Neil Walker and Curtis Granderson, who could have both been acquired for minimal prospects and only a short-term cash outlay.
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“who would or should they go after and would one or two additions really make a difference?”
If you mean like today I have no idea
might be too late
My question was more strategic than “who should we get now to make a difference”
Like “board room” strategic — more of a philosophy or mission statement level
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Nova looked pretty good last night and almost threw a shut out (and probably should have). Of course, he would have needed a shut out to win, thanks to the anemia that’s infected the Pirates bats.
I wish Josh Bell would have gone all Dave Parker on that play at the plate. If he had crumpled the catcher, other catchers would be sure to give him a lane in the future. I have no idea why they challenged that play.
Who in their right mind would play Stewart over Diaz?
Marte started his assault on .300 with 2 hits last night. I think he’s going to have another multi-hit day today.
A loss today would be very bad.
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yeah, Nova looked good. Hopefully he’s back to April/May pitching.
Who in their right mind would play Stewart over Diaz? That would be Hurdle and I think he’s set to start again today. His inability to catch a ball cost them a run.
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I blame Buster Posey
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Thankfully we still have Adam Frazier. I find it laughable that he gets compared to Tabata.
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Tabata after two seasons: .284/.348/.383 — .731 OPS+ 102
Frazier thru his 2 seasons: .287/.349/.394 — .743 OPS+ 97
I see nothing funny about a comparison.
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How about the fact Tabata was limited to playing a corner OF spot and Frazier plays middle infield. Middle infielders are not held to the same standard
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But does Frazier play anywhere particularly well?
I find you laughable!
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I’m so hurt. You find me laughable yet every post you make is taken as a joke from the entire blog.
I’m sorry I rip holes through your contentions.
Frazier was an unheralded player who has exceeded most people’s expectations. Frazier has shown no signs of tanking. Tabata went straight downhill. Sorry but the comparison between the two is as laughable as all your posts.
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You haven’t even caused a small snag.
Tabata wasn’t good enough to play for the Pirates when they were contending but Frazier is good enough to play for a sub 500 Pirate team today.
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And Tabata never did go downhill. He hit 282 in 2013. 282 in 2014 and 289 in 2015 and never played in the majors again. The clock is ticking on Adam Frazier.
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Check his OPS numbers. Check his SB and hr numbers. Check his defensive metrics. It wasn’t a snag it was a huge hole. Stick to facts please. I will now put you back on ignore just like everyone else does.
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Frazier is an excellent utility player, but he is not an everyday player. Tabata became a head case, and thus comparing the two is fruitless. When Tabata was good, he was a much better outfielder than Frazier, a better base runner, and a slightly better hitter power-wise. Frazier is, by all accounts, a great guy in the clubhouse and Tabata had become a cancer.
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My only point in presenting those statistics was to point out that it is NOT ridiculous to compare Tabata and Frazier. I never said one was better than the other.
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How about the fact the Keon Broxton, traded to Milwaukee for a nobody, has a higher career OPS over his first two season than both those guys.
Frazier is a role player who is only playing due to Polanco being out. He’s not Josh Harrison 2.0 either. He’s a poor infielder.
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He’s an adequate infielder with very limited range. He handles what he gets to very ably.
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I agree it is not unreasonable to compare them statistically. I just think there were off-field issues that ended Tabata’s career that had nothing to do with his ability.
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Josh Bell throws like Pedro Alvarez.
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Jeez. Exaggerate much?
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