Pirates need to deviate from their model to get an ace

The Pirates model for remaining competitive long-term has been well-liked around the league. The results haven't lied either as the Pirates went to the playoffs three straight years and have amongst the most wins in the entire league over the last four years. These results are very good, but I think most people agree that it is time to take the next step and go for it. And not the "mortgage the whole future for a short-term asset" type of go for it. A more smart kind of go for it. 

The talk is rampant around Jose Quintana in Pirates land right now because of all the rumors, and rightfully so because he'd be a fantastic add. He's got 4 years of control left at a cheap rate and is one of the best the American League has to offer. Because of this, it is easy to see why he would be a great and smart get for the Pirates as he'd cost a lot, but the value coming back would be enormous. I said before that the Pirates NEED Quintana. However, now I think there is one pitcher in the league that the Pirates NEED more. It's a bolder move but still would be an incredibly smart move for the Pirates to make. 

The guy I am talking about is Chris Archer. Archer is the very electric Rays right-handed ace capable of making hitters look silly and bringing an even empty Tropicana Field to its feet at any time. He is very highly-regarded and has had sustained success in his good amount of time in the MLB. He hit a minor bump in the road in 2016 but got back to his form the second half of the season, and there is no reason to think he won't continue to be the guy he has been in 2013-2015 and the last half of 2016, if not better. 

He, like Quintana, is signed to one of the more affordable deals in the league. Some may argue his deal is better than Quintana's, which is a valid argument. He's controlled for 5 more years at a rate that would almost make any team that would have him cry tears of joy. 

What makes Archer such an attractive target goes beyond his age and contract though. It's about what he could do with the Pirates that could make anyone salivate. He's got all the tools that Ray Searage likes. A great fastball with an array of off-speed pitches, even if the control isn't all there just yet. Despite some issues, Archer has been downright unfair to face at times. If Searage gets a hold of him, I think we could see a transformation of Archer into one of the best of the best in the NL, capable of dueling with the likes of the Kershaw's, Bumgarner's, Arrieta's, and Syndergaard's of the National League. 

It's also important to point out that nearly every pitcher that has moved out of the AL East has gotten better. Even the Pirates have been helped by this with guys like Burnett and Nova. There's reasonable expectation to think that Archer would also benefit from leaving that division. 

Now, lets go over the cost. It would be higher than that of Quintana, but I believe so much more worth it. Talks would likely need to start at Glasnow, Bell, and Newman, which I'd be okay with. Then after that, I imagine one of two more pieces would go after that, maybe even three. A hefty cost, but I think the Pirates are deep enough in the farm where they can make this trade happen without mortgaging their entire future. For a long-term asset like Archer, I think these guys that combined maybe have a full season of MLB experience under their belt would be okay to deal away in this specific trade. Yes, the sting of it might hurt for a bit, but it would definitely pay off once Chris Archer headlines one of the best rotations the NL would have to offer for quite awhile, starting in 2017. 

This is certainly the kind of trade Huntington should make if he wants to take it to the next level while not deviating too far away from what the organization has been doing so well. They have a ton of their core around for three years or more and Meadows, who would not be in the trade, will replace McCutchen at some point or another. The team could easily recoup some prospect loss by dealing McCutchen, Harrison, or others or even trade Archer in 3-4 years when his value would still be very high. In my opinion, this is a move that needs to be made by the Pirates this offseason. There is no time like the present as the core is around for awhile, the farm system is as deep as it will ever be, and it is the perfect time to strike. 

Re-assessing the Francisco Liriano trade

When the Pirates traded Francisco Liriano along with Reese McGuire and Harold Ramirez at the trade deadline to Toronto to unload Liriano's suddenly lofty salary, it was met with a lot of criticism. And GM Neal Huntington did not give fans a reason to cheer about it by shoving "financial flexibility" down people's throats. You can obviously see why people were upset by this. However, a couple of new developments have come to light to make the trade not look so bad. In fact, the trade actually looks pretty good right about now. 

Firstly, since the trade, Reese McGuire and Harold Ramirez have dropped off a lot. Reese McGuire and Harold Ramirez went from high in top 10 in Blue Jays weak farm system to outside the top 10. They have each dropped off by a ton as both have major flaws that are now starting to show up. Neither player projects to be anything special at this point. I am certain Both the Blue Jays and Pirates knew this when the trade was made. The value of both those guys has plummeted and was really never as high as many originally may have thought.

Secondly, the Pirates have used that financial flexibility from the trade to vastly help the 2017 roster. This offseason, the Pirates have signed Ivan Nova and Daniel Hudson to contracts. These contracts given will combined to be about a total commitment in 2017 to what Liriano would have made (not counting performance bonuses on any of the deals). With Liriano on the books, these moves would not have been possible. 

In the end, the Pirates turned 2 fringe prospects and a very declining pitcher in for Drew Hutchison, Daniel Hudson, and Ivan Nova, at least as far as 2017 goes. Looking back at it, I think it looks really good. Dumping one of the worst pitchers in the NL in 2016 with two prospects who don't figure to amount to too much to get 3 pitchers is a good deal, in my opinion. 

So, the Liriano trade was not a bad trade. In fact, it was a good trade looking back. It was a hard trade to see working at the time, but now seeing all the developments and results of it, I think it's easy to see that this trade has actually made the Pirates much better as they head into 2017. 

Other pitching options for Pirates if they do not land Quintana

All the talk recently amongst Pirates fans and media has been about Jose Quintana, a rightfully so as many insiders have reported that the Pirates are seriously involved on landing the left-hander. However, there is still a good chance that he doesn't land with the Pirates purely based on just the vast amount of teams in on him (it's just simple probability). If such a trade does not come to pass, there are still some pitchers that would be starters towards the top of the rotation long-term that the Pirates could land. 

1) Eduardo Rodriguez/Drew Pomeranz (Red Sox): Red Sox have some depth at starting pitching, which is never bad, but they have 6 guys for 5 spots, even after dealing Buchholz to the Phillies. Because of this, I don't think Dombroski is done dealing (he never is). Red Sox could very well look to replenish their farm system by trading a starting pitching asset in a weaker market. Eduardo Rodriguez is one option. He's young and very controllable as well as talented but probably could still be had at a big price. If Pirates included Keller and Bell, they could probably land him because guys like him just aren't readily available. It'd be a hefty cost, but he's controlled for quite awhile and is just starting to come into his own. Then there's Pomeranz. Pomeranz seems to more expendable after the Red Sox got Chris Sale and are now overloaded on lefties. Pomeranz was, not surprisingly, hurt with the Red Sox after a nice stint in San Diego. His value is way down as opposed to where it was when he was dealt to Boston last July. I could see the Pirates getting him at a lower rate and banking on him to return to his Padres form and fill in as a number 3 starter. He'd be a nice lefty that the Pirates rotation needs, and Searage may be just the kind of guy to work wonders with him. 

2) Chris Archer (Rays): Archer has potential to be one of the best pitchers in the entirety of the league. Despite a rocky 2016, he finished very strong and looked more like the Archer of old that was on well on his way to being one of the best in the AL. His contract is valued very highly as it is similar to Quintana's but with an additional year. Combined that with the fact that many feel Archer will be better over the life of his contract than Quintana, and you have a pitcher that is very much worth getting. He'd also be getting out of the AL East, which makes pitchers automatically better. His ceiling is super high, and he's proven he can most certainly reach it or at least get very close. He'd be an automatic ace and a game-changer for the Pirates for 5 years and Searage would turn him into a top-flight NL pitcher that can compete with Bumgarner, Kershaw, or Syndergaard. He's a guy I would most definitely give up Glasnow, Bell, and Newman for. He'd be a major difference-maker for a long time. 

3) Sonny Gray (Athletics): Gray is an interesting case as he is an awesome pitcher, but 2016 was a total disaster for him. He was hurt as well as ineffective. He did show signs of life at times, and could easily return to form under Ray Searage. Pirates showing willingness to part with top prospects could lead them to go after Gray if all else fails with Quintana and others. Pirates could certainly land Gray with a top prospect in the deal, but there is another angle here. 

A's need a CF and are starved for a bat as they have been trying to get Dyson or others for CF and offered more money than Cleveland to get Encarnacion. The Pirates just so happen to have a CF that has a pretty good bat too in Andrew McCutchen. Both Gray and McCutchen both are great players that just had down years and may need a change to bounce back. I could see a swap centered around Gray and McCutchen being something that could come together. A straight swap wouldn't happen but a swap with them and other pieces could, in fact, be a great move for both teams. A's would control McCutchen for 2 years on a modest deal, especially compared to what they offered to Encarnacion. Pirates would control Gray for 3 years on his rookie deal so his contract would never get out of hand. Deal could very well work great for both sides. 

The Pirates search for another starting pitcher, even a top one, should not end with Jose Quintana. There are other options out there that would certainly intrigue the Pirates and could give the Pirates very good stability in the rotation for multiple years. While I still think the Pirates need to get Quintana, there are certainly plenty of other options that the Pirates could look into if that option falls through. 

Two players Pirates cannot give up in a Jose Quintana trade

There has been a lot of talk about the Pirates and getting Jose Quintana. There has been rampant speculation over the trade and what it might look like. There has also been a lot of talk over what the Pirates should and should not give up. I would personally put any prospect on the table in this trade except two guys, those guys being Austin Meadows and Josh Bell. I will explain why they can ill-afford to trade either of those two guys. 

Firstly, Austin Meadows. Everyone knows that he is likely off-limits in nearly any trade given that he isn't only one of the very best prospects in the entire league, and not only is he so close to the MLB, and not only has he crushed it at every level of the minors and has advanced through pretty swiftly, but he is the eventual replacement to Andrew McCutchen. He might even be patrolling an OF slot in PNC Park by June of 2017. Because of his importance to the future of the Pirates, the return a team would have to give for the Pirates to even start to consider giving Meadows away in a deal has to be very lofty, I'm sure. 

Secondly, on to Josh Bell. Bell is highly regarded as one of, if not the most advanced hitter for his age the Pirates have had since Barry Bonds. There aren't many better comps to beginning of careers than that. His lengthier stay in minors was solely based on defense alone. He burst onto the scene by hitting a grand slam in his first AB in majors and was very good when he was up in the MLB, showing a unique combo of plate discipline, control of the bat, and power. This is very rare and giving that up would be a massive mistake. The other thing about Bell is that he is at least capable of playing 1st base. The Pirates haven't had stability at that position in quite awhile and if Bell even pans out at close to average defensively at 1st base, he will become very serviceable. His defense at 1st base will probably end out as better than Alvarez's while Bell's bat also projects overall as better even if his power won't be as big. Bell is the type of player that can give stability at 1st base, and that is just what the Pirates need right now. Just like Meadows, the need that the Pirates have for a guy like Bell would surely mean a very lofty return would need to be on their way back for Pirates to even consider it. 

Jose Quintana is a great pitcher, and I would love to have him. He would make the Pirates a major threat in NL and the entire league. However, the Pirates' need to keep Bell and Meadows is greater, in my opinion. If the White Sox want one of them in a trade for even a guy like Quintana, I think the Pirates have to walk away and look elsewhere and continue to build great depth. 

What would it take for the Pirates to land Jose Quintana?

There has been a lot of debate in recent days about what it would take for the Pirates to get Jose Quintana. Quintana compiled his best season in 2016 with a 3.25 ERA and a 5.2 WAR. He's also been a workhorse, having pitched over 200 innings and over 30 starts in each of the past 4 seasons. There's no doubt that he is a guy every other pitching staff would love to have and entering his age 28 season and having a very team-friendly contract, why not? 

Just what would it take to land Quintana? I've seen this debate go down everywhere and have participated myself, I won't lie. I've seen everything from Meadows, Bell, and Glasnow to trade speculations like Glasnow, Tucker, Diaz, Brault and everything in between. Well, I'm here to try to give a definitive answer to what Pirates would need to give up to pry loose the star lefty. 

Firstly, I know we all look at what White Sox reported ask was for Quintana from Astros and Yankees. However, those are likely just initial asks, and those asks are never the same as what teams get. It's part of the process. Case in point was Pirates with McCutchen. Their initial ask seemed to be Robles, Lopez, and a third piece (two top 50 prospects and more). Then, the Pirates reportedly almost dealt McCutchen for Giolito, Dunning, and a third piece. This is a far cry from the initial ask, and that's how it goes. White Sox are right to ask for the world from the start to shy away teams not really interested in full, then work with the teams that are, just like Pirates with McCutchen as it seems like Pirates asked a lot at start but Nationals weren't phased and worked with Pirates before eventually dealing for Adam Eaton instead. This is all part of the negotiation process and nearly every trade ever made shows this. 

Many trade speculations I have seen have involved either Bell or Meadows along with Glasnow. I, however, don't think either would have to go in this trade. Not even Chris Sale netted the White Sox a return that would compare to Glasnow plus Meadows or Bell. Yes, the Sale trade netted the top prospect in baseball and another top prospect, but Glasnow, Meadows, and Bell are all top 20 or top 30 prospects. Giving 2 away in any deal is absurd and stuff like that just doesn't happen. 

Glasnow seems like the top guy that would go in this deal and the White Sox would be dumb to say no. But after Glasnow, I doubt Bell, Keller, or Meadows would have to go. Bell and Meadows for the reasons I mentioned before, and Keller because White Sox will likely not look for another pitching prospect heavy deal after Sale and Eaton deals fixed them up there. After Glasnow: Newman, Hayes, Tucker, Diaz, etc are all pieces that could be dealt. White Sox are pretty good at SS, but if they want best prospects, they'll take Newman and he'd be a very nice second piece in the deal. Then, there's Hayes. Hayes would be a prospect White Sox would desire at a position that they'd like to have even though he's years off. Tucker is another SS but maybe White Sox would take him with Hayes to enhance deals overall value and depth. Diaz seems like he'd be in this deal as he would give the White Sox the younger catcher with years of control they would like. 

Pirates farm system is so deep that they can nab Quintana while keeping Meadows, Bell, and Keller. They would not need to sell the farm for him as they would still be in good shape. I think it's possible 3 or 4 of the Pirates top 10s would go in this deal, however, because that's still about what you may need to give to get Quintana, but the price wouldn't be as astronomical as most think. 

My speculated deals: 

Pirates get: Jose Quintana

White Sox get: Tyler Glasnow, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Cole Tucker, Elias Diaz, Jose Osuna, maybe one very minor piece 

OR

Pirates get: Jose Quintana

White Sox get: Tyler Glasnow, Kevin Newman, Elias Diaz, minor piece

These proposals would be great for both sides. Pirates get the big-time starting pitcher while the White Sox continue to stock up on premier young talent, including another top pitching prospect and some very nice position player prospects to boot. 

Jose Quintana is solid, but he is not a perennial big-time Cy Young award candidate or quite as talented as some of the super upper-tier pitchers in the game, such as one the White Sox already dealt in Chris Sale. His contract is insanely good which helps his value, but that doesn't mean he's worth a Meadows and/or a Bell. White Sox would undoubtedly get a great haul for him if the top piece in return is Glasnow with other very solid position player prospects going as well. Getting 3 or 4 of the Pirates top 10 prospects (one of the best farm systems in the league) is nothing to sneeze at and the White Sox would be dumb to say no to an offer like that.

In the end, I've seen many deals similar to this, and in almost none of them does a team give up two of their top 3 or 4 prospects. Most times, it ends up being one elite prospect with 2 or 3 other very solid prospects and a minor piece or two. It usually never ends up being a deal that drains a team of two or more mega prospects. That's just not how it works. 

Pirates need to grab Jose Quintana

The Pirates have re-upped with starting pitcher Ivan Nova on a very nice 3-year deal worth about $26M, according to reports. This puts Pirates projected rotation at Cole, Taillon, Nova, Kuhl, and a battle for the last spot between Glasnow, Brault, Williams, Hutchison then maybe eventually Kingham. Even with this, the Pirates are reportedly still trying hard to land White Sox star lefty Jose Quintana. In my opinion, the Pirates have to find a way to land Quintana for a couple of reasons. 

Firstly, it would make the rotation lethal. You tell me how many rotations would be better than Cole, Quintana, Taillon, Nova, Kuhl (assuming Glasnow goes in Quintana deal) and maybe eventually Kingham. There aren't many rotations that would boast better. It would make the Pirates a force in the NL all of a sudden and might even put the team around or even over 2015 levels when they won 98 games. Combined that with the current bullpen and lineup, and the team might end up being a major threat to anyone, even the Cubs. 

Secondly, Quintana would provide the Pirates with security. Cole missed most of 2016 with injuries and it is up in the air if that will be an issue down the road again. Also, Taillon has been injury prone. Combined this with the fact that the young pitchers will be watched carefully, Quintana would give the Pirates a big-time steady arm. Quintana is as good as an ace and would be great security in case something would happen to Cole or Taillon. He is also a workhorse, having pitched over 200 innings each of the last 4 years. This would help the bullpen that could be taxed more when the youngsters start because they are being monitored closely. Quintana can step in and give you 6 or 7 strong innings much more often than not. He's as consistent as they come. 

Any way you slice it, Quintana would be a great get for the Pirates but not just out of luxury but rather out of necessity perhaps. Getting Quintana makes the rotation top notch while also being able to cover the Pirates in case of injuries to their other top starters. The rotation was obviously worse off without Cole in 2016 when they leaned heavily on Taillon, Kuhl, and eventually Nova. Getting Quintana can alleviate some of the pressure should such a thing happen again. 

The bullpen dominoes are ready to fall

The Pirates signed right-handed reliever Daniel Hudson to a 2-year deal worth $11M with incentives for games finished on Monday. The deal was confirmed by Hudson himself on twitter but not by the Pirates just yet as they go through the final details to finalize the deal, and confirmation on that end should come very soon. With Daniel Hudson aboard for the Pirates as a late-inning reliever, it is even more apparent now that the Pirates will trade one or two arms from the bullpen logjam. The prominent names being bandied about are Antonio Bastardo and Tony Watson, though Jared Hughes, Wade LeBlanc, and others could also make some level of sense as bait. 

Let's start with the less obvious of Hughes, LeBlanc, or others being dealt. I doubt we see this, but it is possible. However, if Pirates wanted no parts of Hughes or LeBlanc, they would have been non-tendered. I can't see any team giving up much of anything to get either of these guys. Now, I could see a team giving up something of value for Schugel, but he is a nice asset for the Pirates to have with many years of control remaining after a nice 2016 campaign. I envision Schugel in the bullpen to start the year for the Pirates. Then there is Tyler Webb, who the Pirates picked up in Rule 5 off the Yankees. It is very possible that the Pirates could send him back to the Yankees for little risk, but I think the Pirates want to wait to see what he has before doing that. They took him in Rule 5. Might as well take a look at him. 

Now to the more obvious trade candidates which are Tony Watson and Antonio Bastardo. 

First, Tony Watson. Watson has had a nice career for the Pirates and is regarded as a top-shelf bullpen arm. It only enhances his usefulness that he is a lefty. However, in 2016, Watson has one of his worse years and slowed down drastically late in the year as his appearances got up in the 60s and 70s. He's been very durable, but the questions about said durability come into question now. He's getting over 70 appearances a year regularly these days but now the concern is whether he is still capable of doing it. Teams will start to wonder if his arm is shot and if his best years are behind him. However, on the surface, he is still seen as a dependable lefty and could be useful in just about every bullpen in the league. 

However, if Watson gets back to old ways, the Pirates having him in 2016 makes the bullpen very formidable with Nicasio, Rivero, Watson, and Hudson manning the backend. Put Schugel and others in long/middle relief and the bullpen starts to look great, which can even out an average rotation. But the Pirates must be careful if they keep Watson and almost be sure he will bounce back because if he doesn't, trading him in July would be a mess or they lose him for nothing in free agency. 

Now onto Bastardo. I think Bastardo is the odd man out of this bullpen logjam. He's expensive for what he did in 2016, and he's not as reliable as Rivero or Watson. Pirates would probably love to get out of Bastardo's contract even though the Mets are chipping in some. In this lefty relief market, I could see teams wanting him. However, I think a Bastardo trade would be more reminiscent of a salary dump than anything else. It would be a way for the Pirates to get out from under his contract and reallocate the money elsewhere. 

Trading one or both of Watson or Bastardo would give the Pirates salary relief which could help them land the starting pitching they so desperately need. The bullpen has always been something Huntington has built well, so his bullpen decisions have earned the trust of many. Overall, I think that Bastardo or Watson will get dealt, but not both. If I had to guess, I'd say Bastardo will get dealt as his role on the Pirates is super unclear and his production can be easily filled by someone far more affordable. I do not get that sense with such a steady reliever like Watson. In the end, I will support just about any move the Pirates make in the bullpen (unless they trade Rivero) because one of Huntington's best skills is building bullpens. 

What should the Pirates do with Drew Hutchison?

Pirates acquired starting pitcher Drew Hutchison from the Toronto Blue Jays right at the trade deadline in the infamous Francisco Liriano salary dump trade (or whatever else you want to call it). The Pirates then kept him down in AAA in order to have control of him for one additional year than they would have if they had him up initially. However, he didn't really contribute much in September for the club, and his future is in certain jeopardy. His role on the Pirates is shrouded in mystery and the questions about what they will do with him loom. So, I will look at many angles of this to see what the Pirates should do with the right-hander.

1) Put him in a rotation: The obvious spot for him is in the rotation as he is a starter by trade. However, given the multitude of younger options the Pirates have and the immense likelihood they will add another starting pitcher or two this offseason, the spot in the MLB rotation doesn't appear to be his to lose, let alone win for that matter. And it would seem rather odd to make the trade they did to get him and praise how much they like him just to have him be minor league depth in the end. 

2) Put him in the bullpen: The bullpen might be just the spot for Hutchison. The Pirates are in need of a long man in that bullpen and normally like to get a former veteran starter to do it. Well, this time around, they may not need to find one elsewhere as they may already have one in Hutchison. Many pitchers get better upon being switched from starter to reliever, and it is very possible Hutchison could be another. I would give him the inside track to the long reliever job because he is a more veteran guy that brings more MLB experience to the table than Williams, Brault, or others. I think the Pirates would also feel more compelled to experiment a long man role with Hutchison instead of their younger starting pitchers who they would rather want to keep as starters for now. 

3) Trade him: The demand for starting pitching is sky high right now. Just about every team is looking for it. It's possible a team looks at Hutchison and thinks he's got potential (which is what the Pirates thought when trading for him). I don't think he'd bring back anything of much use in a trade, but I could certainly see a couple of teams biting on him given the starting pitching market. The most likely teams in on him would be teams rebuilding that are waiting for their younger pitchers to mold and just want an able body in there to stopgap while also hoping he pitches well enough for them to be a good trade chip at the deadline. 

Any of these things could very certainly happen. However, if I had to guess, I'd say Hutchison will be on the Pirates opening day roster as the reliever. If he's not, then he will be on a rebuilding teams' Opening Day roster as a starter. I don't see him in the Pirates rotation or as AAA filler. It just doesn't make sense either way. In the end, the Pirates potentially have a commodity in Hutchison, if he is used the right way. 

Pirates trade profile: Jeremy Jeffress

The Pirates main need this offseason is, of course, starting pitching. However, there is also an obvious need for bullpen pitching. Could the Pirates look at a former Brewers closer for help? I examine. 

The Rangers are reportedly drawing interest in reliever Jeremy Jeffress, who they recently acquired from the Brewers. Despite being troubled off the field at times, Jeffress is a great asset to have on the field. Jeffress has found his footing the last few years with Milwaukee and Texas after bouncing around for a bit. He has been quietly one of the more quality relievers in the league the last few seasons, compiling an ERA of under 3.00 since signing a minor league deal with Milwaukee in 2014. 

Jeffress is also rather affordable and controllable. He is projected to make $2.9M in his first go through of arbitration which means he's controlled for a total of three more seasons overall. This is certainly an attractive part of the potential Jeffress could offer. 

Jeremy Jeffress also brings a little bit of closers' experience with him. In 2016, Jeffress saved 27 games for the Brewers before being shipped off to Texas where he wasn't the closer. However, the Pirates always like to bring in guys with closers experience like this that are also controllable, so I could certainly see the fit anyhow. 

The big obstacle here is that the Rangers will sell very high on Jeffress knowing that he's controlled through 2019, and they have shown they are not scared about keeping players that have been in trouble off the field. Rangers do not need to trade Jeffress as he can be a big part of that bullpen for three more years, especially for a team that needs pitching like the Rangers. They would certainly need to be really compelled by an offer to make a deal.

Overall, Jeffress would be a great fit for the Pirates, assuming his off-the-field troubles are behind him. However, I don't think the Pirates are going to, or need to, give up a big haul just to get a reliever, even if he is controlled for three more years and is a high-end player. It's a nice thought to have him fill into a late inning role to stabilize the bullpen, but it seems like an unrealistic possibility. 

Pirates plan to keep McCutchen. Offseason plan in focus?

The Pirates were reportedly very close to dealing Andrew McCutchen to the Washington Nationals for Lucas Giolito, Dane Dunning, and a third piece. Nationals eventually gave up those two as well as Reynaldo Lopez for Adam Eaton from the White Sox instead. Now the Pirates expect to keep McCutchen and possibly move him to a corner OF spot. 

Now we can all exhale knowing that McCutchen will likely go to Bradenton with the Pirates and be penciled into that Opening Day lineup. The team's franchise guy is still around. But now that the McCutchen saga is past, we can look towards the future and what this means for Pirates in 2017. 

A McCutchen trade would have at least signaled a reload for the Pittsburgh Pirates. A restocking but not totally starting over. But instead, McCutchen not being dealt is a strong indicator that the team can now look to build up a competitive roster for 2017 around a core that includes the former MVP. 

There appeared to be a hold up of all of the Pirates offseason plans until McCutchen saga was solved. And it's obvious why because the difference in directions between trading him and not trading him is immense. I fully expect now the Pirates will feel relief and continue on with all the other offseason plans they have waiting for them. 

I believe the direction has now been clearly set. The Pirates will add to this core and set sail for the 2017 season as they look to compete in a very tough National League to navigate through. However, we now know captain McCutchen will still be steering the ship through whatever dangers await them. 

Can Nationals still trade for Andrew McCutchen

There have been reports that the Nationals are very likely to land Chris Sale from the White Sox. In the reported return would be top outfield prospect Victor Robles, top pitching prospect Lucas Giolito, and probably a bit more. Now, we don't know the full deal just yet, but it doesn't appear that Reynaldo Lopez, Joe Ross, and some other big pieces the Nationals have will not be included in the trade. So the question now becomes, can the Nationals still find a way to land Andrew McCutchen?

Pirates have been said to want Victor Robles in the McCutchen trade this whole time and seemed almost insistent on it. But now that it looks like Robles is going to the White Sox, it would seem that a trade between the two teams just won't work. Well, the whole point of these things is to compromise on a good baseball trade, and the Nationals still have some very intriguing pieces to offer. 

Some of these pieces are Lopez, Ross, Stevenson, Ward, Voth, Severino, Fedde, Cole, Glover, and others. Some of these pieces may go to White Sox for Sale, but even then, the Nationals might have the pieces to make it work. 

Towards the top of the Pirates list would certainly be Lopez or Ross. Both are young and controllable and can fill into rotation for a long time. Lopez would be easier to get off the Nationals as they likely would want known commodity in Ross in the rotation. 

However, is it possible the Pirates ask for both Ross and Lopez? I mean, for the Pirates, it would make sense. It would give them rotation stability for a long time, and in the modern pitching market, that cannot be overstated. Would the Nationals do it is the real question. As previously stated, Nationals probably want to hold onto one or the other, likely Ross but could likely absorb blow of losing both with Scherzer, Sale, Strasburg, Gonzalez, Cole, and Voth as all guys that could have rotation spots. That kind of rotation would still give the Nationals a real chance to win a lot of games. 

If Nationals are reluctant to part with both, they still have a lot of good pieces to offer. Stevenson is an OF prospect the Pirates could like, Fedde is a nice pitching prospect, they have a bevy of catching prospects (though the Pirates don't need that), 3B prospect Drew Ward might be intriguing, Glover could very well be a future closer and the Nationals love him, and 2B/SS prospect Wilmer Difo is also a good piece as well. Nationals are deep and have many more good pieces than they let on. 

There is a lot to pick from in the Nats system, but talks would start at Ross or Lopez. The reports of Nationals thinking they could get both McCutchen and Sale might not be far off because it looks like they might just be able to. Not having Robles in trade complicates things and might lead Nationals to be just short on McCutchen trade, if they are, but they can still put together a pretty good offer for a superstar center fielder. 

Trading McCutchen does make the Pirates stronger

It's come to everyone's attention that a trade of Andrew McCutchen is very likely to happen. This has gotten everyone thinking about what the implications of such a trade would be. Would it be giving up? Is it a salary dump? These are all questions in the minds of people right now. Well, luckily I am here to sift through all of this and answer why a McCutchen trade would actually make the Pirates stronger. 

Firstly, all implications point to the Pirates wanting a massive haul back for McCutchen, as they should. And it also doesn't look like the Pirates are looking for a bunch of prospects that won't make the team until 2019. No, it looks like the Pirates want some young talent that can help in 2017 while maybe being able to land a guy or two that comes in to help a couple years down the road. 

Secondly, while McCutchen has an affordable contract, the Pirates cannot afford to take a risk on him tanking in 2017. While his last two months in 2016 looked encouraging and he will likely bounce back, the Pirates are in no position to take that risk and lose. If they lose that risk then they stand losing McCutchen in a real salary dump next year with his trade value super low or keeping a declining player on the roster at a high price for the Pirates standards then losing him for nothing in 2018. 

Thirdly, Meadows is waiting in the wings. Meadows is a player the Pirates want to be a factor in 2017, and he provides the Pirates with better defense than McCutchen while potentially being able to put up numbers the Pirates can certainly run with offensively, even with him as a rookie. 

Fourthly, Pirates can backfill McCutchen's production in the lineup with Bell, a stopgap OF until Meadows is ready, then Meadows when he's ready. It's not like the Pirates cannot find production to match McCutchen, especially the 2016 version, throughout the lineup. The Pirates offense will survive. In fact, they might even be better. 

Assuming they trade McCutchen for a young SP, a top prospect, and more, then use the McCutchen money to fill other needs the team has, I don't see how the team doesn't get stronger. They strengthen the pitching in 2017 which was a huge problem while their lineup won't take a huge hit if they prepare properly. They would also be getting pieces that will make the team better in the future as well, meaning the Pirates can contend for more years down the road instead of going through another long losing drought. 

In the end, the Pirates are not out here spending $150M every year to contend. They have to make tough decisions like this to keep themselves consistently competitive for a long time. It might hurt to see a guy like McCutchen go because he helped bring the winning culture back to the Pirates, but we can't be so concerned with what the Pirates did to bring the winning back. We have to be more concerned with how to keep the winning culture and unfortunately, trading McCutchen is one of the moves that has to be made for that to happen. 

The "one player is the whole team" culture is long gone. Players just aren't playing whole careers in one place anymore. No player is more important than the well-being of the entire team. There are reasons that the Pirates can be stronger after trading McCutchen, and in baseball, teams have to make moves to make the team better, not just to appease a player or two. Rosters are made of many players, not a couple.

If Pirates appeased McCutchen at cost of team's well-being, he would have had an extension while the Pirates have no money to spend on the rest of the team. The team would win 60 games and nobody would be happy. Trading McCutchen would hurt, but if exploring trading him makes the team better, it has to be considered. These decisions made are not personal decisions, these are business decisions. Now, it's okay to be upset about McCutchen possibly being dealt, and that is only natural, but I hope it's realized why it is happening. 

Pirates sign Wade LeBlanc

     Today, the Pirates signed lefty reliever non-tender candidate Wade LeBlanc to a one-year deal with an option. LeBlanc was acquired by the Pirates from the Mariners in September and did well in limited time (12 IP 0.75 ERA)

     The deal is cheap but there is a possibility that he makes the Opening Day roster in the bullpen. This is especially the case if this is a prelude to a Watson or Bastardo trade down the road. Overall, it's worth taking the very cheap risk on LeBlanc and see what you can get. Maybe the Pirates will strike gold again, but let's not play too much into this minor signing just yet.

Could the Pirates trade David Freese or John Jaso?

     Despite the Pirates less-than-encouraging 2016 campaign, one bright spot for them was their bench. David Freese, Matt Joyce, Sean Rodriguez, and eventually John Jaso all became strong contributors in limited roles or off the bench entirely. Since, Sean Rodriguez has left to go to the Braves and Matt Joyce figures to not return to the Pirates as well. Without these two, the Pirates will be looking to re-strengthen the bench. However, it is worth wondering if they would consider taking away from the bench in a trade instead, most notably speaking of David Freese and John Jaso.

     Let's start with David Freese. Freese signed a very affordable deal last spring with the Pirates to be a very late add-on and ended up being a massive contributor for them. The former World Series hero of 2011 for the Cardinals joined the other side and hit .270 with 13 homers and 55 RBIs while being able to play both 3B and 1B and doing great fill-in work for Jung Ho Kang. Then, shockingly, Freese signed a very affordable contract that keeps him under team control through 2018 with a cheap option for 2019.

     So, why trade Freese when he is so affordable and still can get it done? Well, there are teams out there that would love to have a player like Freese. And when you look at the role for David Freese, it looks like he will be a role player. Bell at 1B, Kang at 3B, and some versatile guys on the team that can fill in too. Right now, David Freese represents more of a luxury for the Pirates than a need. While his contract is quite good, it might not be something the Pirates want to pay for a luxury option. It looks less needed now that roles are clearer than they were when the contact extension was signed. It seems that the Pirates could easily deal Freese and most every team would be willing to take on that contract. It could potentially give the Pirates more spending cash to go towards pitching or other needs, and they could probably get at least a decent return. Nothing too special but a decent piece.

     Now to John Jaso. Jaso signed a 2 year contract for just $8M last offseason and was told to learn 1B and did it to the point of overachieving. He eventually did get moved to a bench spot, as expected, when Josh Bell got called up and quickly surged. Despite scrutiny, John Jaso's offensive numbers were not too bad unless you were betting on him being a Silver Slugger. He hit .268 with an on-base percentage of .353 along with 8 HRs and 42 RBIs. All mixed in the pot, he actually did not do too poorly at the plate and excelled defensively.

     This type of commodity could be useful for a team that is looking for a stopgap or platoon player at 1B or need a bench player that can play that position. His affordable $4M owed to him for next year and it only essentially being a one-year pact with him would be something many teams may be intrigued with. His overall skill set could be a good fit for some teams, maybe much more than the Pirates. Now, I do not think the Pirates would get anything of real significance for John Jaso, so maybe keeping him might bring more value. But again, trading Jaso would free up some money for the Pirates to hopefully spend elsewhere.

    I do not think both will be dealt, but one of them being dealt might go under a lot of consideration this winter. If Huntington gets calls on either, he would be dumb not to listen and consider a deal if the right one comes along. With the Pirates limited payroll and a bevy of options that can fill in as bench options, I believe trading one of them might actually be a good idea for the team if it gives them the needed financial means to help them fix the bigger needs that the club has.

   

 

Could the Pirates trade Jeff Locke?

     When sifting through the potential Pirates' roster of 2017, one guy that seems to not be thought about is lefty Jeff Locke. I can certainly see why people aren't thinking about him. His 5.44 ERA and demotion to the bullpen puts him in a category where he stands a good chance of not being on the roster this upcoming season. While most people are automatically thinking that he will be non-tendered, I think a different fate is very possible for the Pirates lefty.

     As has been well stated, the pitching market is very thin. I mean, Charlie Morton of all pitchers got a 2 year, $14 million deal. If that doesn't exemplify this pitching market, nothing will. Because of the thinness of the market, a lot of teams will look to fill their rotations through trading. Some teams will look to get top arms while others will be looking for filler arms. The teams that are looking for a filler arm and don't want to overpay for a free agent pitching may look towards "change of scenery" candidates. Jeff Locke is a very good example of one of those arms.

     I think there may be teams that bite on Jeff Locke as a change of scenery candidate, and there is no reason for teams not to. Jeff Locke is a former All-Star, he is a lefty, and has shown previously that he is able to hold down a rotation spot effectively. On top of all this, Jeff Locke would also be super cheap, as he will be worth around $4-4.5 million in arbitration this offseason and may even settle for less given his 2016 performance. This is extremely cheap when considering that much money won't pay for anything substantial in this pitching market.

     Given the nature of the starting pitching market, Jeff Locke may be a more attractive target for teams than he normally would be. I do not think teams would mind taking a chance on him to bounce back on a new team with how cheap he would cost financially. It would signify a low risk/high reward move for the acquiring team.

     I do not believe Jeff Locke would fetch a big return by any stretch. Probably just a filler prospect or two, but it would relieve the Pirates from having to make a tough call on whether to tender him or not. Also, I think Jeff Locke has a better shot at succeeding somewhere else than with the Pirates. Whether the Pirates will find a trade partner or not for Locke's services is a total toss up, but if they do, I would have to believe that Neal Huntington would not hesitate to try to put that deal together.

Could a Sean Rodriguez signing signal a shake-up coming for the Pirates?

     In a report that confirmed what we already figured, Chris Cotillo reported that the Pirates are in on Sean Rodriguez. Not a shocking move considering he's versatile and handled the bat extremely well in 2016. However, many people think that Sean Rodriguez will earn a starting role at a position, similar to what the Pirates did with Harrison. I imagine any other suitor for Rodriguez could give him an opportunity to start everyday. As of now, the Pirates lineup is jammed, but what if I told you that the Pirates signing Rodriguez could be a prelude to bigger moves later on? Well, you will be forced to stay here to find out the answer, so you might as well keep going now that you are this far.

     When I see a Sean Rodriguez signing as it pertains to an everyday role for the Pirates, I see two positions possible. These positions being 2nd base and right field. I am going to start by looking at 2nd base.

     As I've done a ton of, I have looked at potential 2nd base upgrades for Harrison. I am firmly in the camp that thinks an upgrade at this position needs to be addressed. But maybe the upgrade is in front of us without us knowing it. Sean Rodriguez could very well present an upgrade if he rides momentum from 2016 into next season, which is no guarantee. Also, Sean Rodriguez is older and seemingly not a player in his prime. And replacing an expensive utility player (Harrison) by overpaying for another (Rodriguez) to try to be a good everyday player is a little ludicrous. Though it is certainly possible this happens, especially if it's a shorter 2-3 year pact with Rodriguez that is cheaper than what Harrison is getting and would give them a chance to get Harrison off the books if they so choose.

     The others plsce he could fit is right field, but some tweaks would need to be made. Now, the Pirates are already highly considering moving Polanco to left and Marte to center (and Cutch to right). These moves can be done with or without McCutchen. If the Pirates sign Rodriguez and deal McCutchen in a massive trade, Rodriguez could play RF until Meadows is ready. Rodriguez would at least be a stable bat to fit in there until Meadows is ready. However, I think this move only works on another 1-year deal for Rodriguez because he would have a very reduced role once Meadows is ready. This idea would be very creative and take much more thinking and careful planning to work than the idea of him replacing Harrison.

     I don't see Rodriguez coming to the Pirates. I would be shocked if he did. However, if he does, then I seriously do think it'd be a prelude move for something more major to happen later in the offseason. Watch out if Rodriguez comes back to the Pirates because it could pave the Pirates offseason path.

One more 2nd base target for the Pirates

     I recently looked at potential upgrades that the Pirates could look at regarding 2nd base. Well, hours after that, one of the targets was dealt. Howie Kendrick was traded to Philadelphia. This move, however, opened up another intriguing 2nd base target in Cesar Hernandez. Let's look if he's a candidate to replace Harrison at that position.

     Looking at Hernandez' stats, nothing stands out in terms of his power or overall production. However, in 2016, he hit close to .300 with an OBP in the upper-.300s in 155 games and over 600 plate appearances. Harrison, on the other hand, hit below .290 with an OBP at a very low .311 considering what his batting average was. Granted, Harrison played less games and got more RBIs and his overall production might have been better had he played the same amount of games Hernandez did. Although, looking at Harrison over the last couple of seasons, he seems to be leveling out. When I look at Hernandez, I see a young player that is already just as good, if not better, than Harrison and is still coming into his own and may get better.

     There is also the matter of money, which we know is very important to the Pirates. Firstly, let's look at Harrison. He has a contract that will see him make increasing amount of money every year until at least 2019 with two team options set at $10.5M and at $11.5M, when he's 31 and 32 years old. Even at age 30, he will be set to make $10.25M. For a guy like Harrison, this is starting to look like a severe overpay. Harrison was paid for an outlier year and past production, and it is obvious now.

     For Hernandez, he would get paid as he goes and for production year-by-year as he is a super 2 player that isn't eligible for free agency until 2021. Even as a super 2 player, Hernandez would need to be other-worldly to get paid like Harrison is, and if he is good enough to earn it in arbitration, then he's good enough to earn it and should be kept.

     Overall, I see two players that give similar production but one has seemed to level out while one looks like he could break out. Even if Hernandez doesn't break out, he'd be a cheaper option than Harrison for similar production.

     However, for this to even work, the Pirates would need to find a taker for Josh Harrison and with  his contract consistently looking worse, they'd be hard-pressed to find a taker. Then, they would have to work with the Phillies to get them to give up on a young, controllable, affordable option that they can  very easily keep. Whether an incremental upgrade such as this is even worth doing all that is the big question.

Pirates trade target profile: 2nd base Upgrades

     Whether or not the Pirates need an upgrade at the 2nd base position has been the subject of many debates amongst the fan base recently. Some people think the Pirates should explore upgrading that position. Others think the Pirates will be just fine with Harrison, Frazier, or even potentially Alen Hanson. No matter which side of the fence you are on, the idea of upgrading at 2nd base is a very real notion that the front office might look into. Today, I am going to look into three 2nd basemen that the Pirates could potentially look at if they wish to upgrade their lineup at that position.

1) Logan Forsythe- Forsythe has enjoyed some great success since going to the Tampa Bay Rays from the San Diego Padres. He is just coming off a year where he hit 20 homers in 127 games. He is also signed through next year with an option. Overall, I think Forsythe would be a sneaky good pickup for the Pirates if they were able to get the Rays to part with him. His power and ability to get on base would be very much welcomed in the lineup.

2) Howie Kendrick- Howie Kendrick isn't happy about his role with the Dodgers. He has openly been wanting to be traded, and I believe the Dodgers will make it happen. Kendrick has never been a thumper at the plate, but he would be an affordable, veteran leader for the Pirates. However, I don't feel he's a significant enough upgrade to make a huge difference in the lineup. He'd barely be an upgrade.

3) Brian Dozier- Even the thought of getting Brian Dozier gets me and many others super excited. Dozier has quickly become one of the best 2nd basemen in the MLB but is stuck with the Twins team that is in chaos at the moment. It wouldn't be a shock to see the Twins trade Dozier if they can get a big-time return back. Dozier had an insane season for the lowly Twins, hitting 42 HRs (keep in mind he plays most of his games in pitcher friendly Target Field) with 99 RBIs. The guy is just skilled all around. Combined this with the fact that he isn't a free agent until after 2018, he would be a welcomed addition into the middle of most any lineup. I bet the Pirates would love to have him, but the cost to acquire him would likely be beyond the range that the Pirates would like to go.

4) Ian Kinsler: Moving to the guy that I believe would be the best fit for the Pirates lineup. Ian Kinsler, 34, is still one of the most underrated hitters in all of baseball. Even at 34, he hit close to .300 with an OBP of close to .350 and 28 homers and 83 RBIs. The guy can easily still get it done with a unique skill set of having power and ability to reach base. I believe this would work very well towards the top of the Pirates lineup, and I feel the fit would be perfect. I also feel that it may be a perfect storm for the Pirates to get him. The Tigers are looking to shed payroll and could trade Kinsler to relieve themselves of money constrictions. If the Pirates would be okay taking some money on for Kinsler ($11M in 2017), I think they could get him at a reasonable acquisition cost that would not cripple them while adding a nice bat into the mix. Kinsler would also be around at least through 2017 with a team option for 2018, worth $12M, awaiting, which is also affordable. His relative affordability, his vast experience, and his nice skill set would make him a great pickup for the Pirates. I think exploring a deal like this would be a good idea if they are looking at upgrading the lineup and the 2nd base position.

     The Pirates may or may not upgrade at 2nd base this offseason. At the moment, it's not a priority for the team, but it's certainly worth leaving the possibility on the backburner. If the Pirates want to upgrade the lineup, 2nd base is the biggest hole that would be subject to a change here. I'm not saying it will happen, but there is a chance. The offseason is normally full of twists and turns, and I wouldn't be shocked if the Pirates made a move for a second baseman out of the blue.

Finding a trade fit for Andrew McCutchen

     Not many Pirates fans want to hear the chatter of a possible trade of franchise face Andrew McCutchen. However, as we go along, we may need to start thinking about Pirates' fan life without Andrew McCutchen. The possibility of a trade of this magnitude has never been more likely than it stands here in the 2016 offseason. So, with this possibility out there for real, let's look at possible trade partners that'd work for the Pirates in this potential trade.

1) White Sox- This one isn't likely, in my opinion. There is a growing sense that the White Sox are going to rebuild instead of add. However, the thought of McCutchen to go along with Chris Sale, Jose Abreu, and Adam Eaton as cornerstone players is a doozy. Now, some might wonder why I left Quintana out of this mix. The answer is simple; He would be the most likely target for the Pirates if they are to look at the White Sox or vice versa. A Quintana and McCutchen swap with some other pieces involved sounds like it could be a good deal for both teams. However, again, I don't think the White Sox would blow it up AND get McCutchen.

2) Rays- Rays deal with similar things the White Sox do. They are lacking a sense of direction. However, the Rays have made it clear that they are rebuilding. However, they want to contend ASAP, and their trades have helped with that. I think they could take the next step soon, and what better way to jumpstart it than getting McCutchen. He'd immediately be a difference maker on a fringe team that needs a leader, and it's possible an exciting trade like this puts people in the seats. I too think the Rays would need to center a package around pitching, either Archer or Odorizzi would be the likely targets because Smiley isn't a deal breaker and Blake Snell is not going anywhere.

3) Indians- The Indians clearly have an outfield problem. They will be losing Crisp and possibly Davis this offseason. However, Brantley will be back, but his return will come with an asterisk. That leaves Naquin and some fringe outfielders. Also, the Indians might lose impact bat Mike Napoli. The formula fits for a McCutchen trade here. Indians need a big bat, likely in the OF, and the Pirates have it. Pirates need young affordable pitching, and the Indians have it. I could see this trade actually happening with centerpieces of the deal revolving around McCutchen and Carassco or Salazar. The deal fits more and more as you think about it. Also, I would have added piece of mind knowing that McCutchen is being left in the hands of Terry Francona.

4) Astros- This one is a long shot by all meanings of it. However, the Astros want an impact bat or two to deepen their lineup. This deal might not work because both teams would need to get super creative as the fit isn't present initially. I just think a trade like this would get so creative, it'd start feeling uncomfortable for both sides.

5) Blue Jays- Now, at first you may not see the Blue Jays as needing a guy like McCutchen, but you'd be wrong. Blue Jays are likely losing at least two, if not all three, of Michael Saunders, Jose Bautista, and Edwin Encarnacion. That is 2 OFs, a DH, and overall three big bats. Blue Jays will need to replace this if they want to continue rolling. McCutchen could help them. However, the Blue Jays killed their farm system in trades for Tulowitzki and Price and are unlikely to part with Aaron Sanchez to acquire a bat. This is another case of a team needing to get creative to make a deal or giving up something they are uncomfortable with. I don't see it happening.

6) Nationals- The Nationals and Pirates had a deal in the works surrounding McCutchen at the trade deadline but too many moving parts made it a difficult trade deadline deal to manage. Could the Nationals pick talks back up about McCutchen? I mean, that's very possible considering that the Nationals seem to always need OF and are in need of another bat to get them over the top. The Nationals have the pitching depth to get such a deal done too. Guys like Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez at the top of the list I'd imagine. The Nationals also have an array of other young talent that could be enticing. The Nationals certainly have the pieces to get a deal done, but whether they are willing to part with such pieces is the real question.

     The fact of the matter is that Andrew McCutchen being traded is a real possibility but nowhere near a probability. I'd classify him being traded as a long shot still. Teams are going to line up to ask about him, but unless an offer the Pirates can't refuse pops up, I would imagine he sticks around. In any case, the Pirates are in for an interesting offseason regarding their face of the franchise.

Pirates free agent target profile: Greg Holland

     Former Kansas City Royals star closer Greg Holland is set to have a showcase here very soon after missing a little over a year. For Holland, this showcase is very important as he tries to prove to MLB teams that he still has what it takes to pitch in the MLB. If he looks good, I can imagine teams flocking around for his services. So today, I will discuss whether or not the Pirates could potentially be one of those teams.

     Firstly, let's look at Greg Holland's track record. The former closer has had some very stellar years and has racked up some elite numbers, pitching to a 2.42 ERA and 145 saves, which includes his two All-Star years in 2013 and 2014 where he racked up 47 and 46 saves respectively. All these numbers really pop off the page. However, there is always mystery surrounding any pitcher that comes back after missing a whole year and then some.

     Next, what makes Holland such an intriguing pick-up is that he would likely come cheaper than the other top relievers on the market. I could see a Neftali Feliz-type deal from last offseason for the right-hander. Despite missing all the time that he did, I believe a deal like I just mentioned could potentially be a bargain. That kind of deal would also ensure that the risk taken on in it isn't too large, and we all know that the Pirates can't afford to miss with big deals.

     In the end, a relatively cheap one-year deal for Holland would be a good move for the Pirates, in my opinion. Holland has the stuff to bounce back from his injury and really give a team what they need. For the Pirates, a 7th/8th inning righty to balance out Bastardo, Rivero, and Watson (all lefties) is just what the Pirates need in the bullpen, and Holland could certainly provide it. Also, I just feel that Holland seems like the kind of reliever the Pirates would pick up. Former big-time closer with a great arm that needs a bounce back year and will come cheaper because of it. Sounds a lot like Feliz, granted different circumstances, but the comparison still fits.

     If the Pirates can land Holland, I think the bullpen would have a much nicer look to it! Going Bastardo, Rivero, Holland, and Watson in the bullpen would give the Pirates a good chance to win games when leading after 5 or 6 innings, which has become big in the MLB. So, I would welcome a signing of Greg Holland into the black and gold family (or should I say Famalee). In fact, Holland might be at the top, or at least towards the top, of the list of free agent relievers I would like to see the Pirates get. I believe he'd fit right into a bullpen that is full of lefties and needs a righty like Holland to fill the need they have there.

Pirates trade candidate profile: Derek Holland

     It was reported a couple of nights ago that the Rangers were actively pursuing a split with Derek Holland. It makes sense since the former highly-touted lefty has not been able to get it right recently. Between injuries and ineffectiveness, Derek Holland has been a shell of his former self. And with an expensive option coming the Rangers way for his services in 2017 that will need accepted or declined very shortly after the World Series, the Rangers are trying desperately to deal him before then. In light of this news, I figured it would be a good time to check out whether he would be a guy the Pirates should consider trading for.

     Firstly, the one thing that stands out is he is just the kind of pitcher the Pirates like. He is a lefty that has had some recent success. The Pirates have had successful reclamations for guys like that. Examples include Rodriguez, Liriano, Happ, and others. Derek Holland is another potential example for the Pirates. There is very clear potential for Derek Holland to bounce back with the Pirates under the watchful eye of Ray Searage.

     The other thing is that he's a lefty, and as has been iterated many times, the Pirates starting rotation is in need of a lefty starter to go along with the plethora of right-handers. The only question would be whether he is a stable lefty. They've seen what happens last year when the lefty they acquired isn't stable (Jon Niese). They don't want to make that mistake again. This means, the real question overall will end up being: "Is he a better option than Steven Brault". For Holland, the upside says yes, but the downside is a massive no.

     Through all of this, Holland is an affordable target for anyone, including the Pirates. He's very affordable in money and likely acquisition cost, especially considering the Rangers are desperate to move on from him. A team might very well jump the market before the Rangers likely decline his option just to avoid the chance of him making more in a weak starting pitching free agent market, and so that they wouldn't need to compete in free agency for him. Because of the affordability and the market for him, I could certainly see the Pirates looking into a guy like Derek Holland to fill-in the rotation spot.

     Now, do I see it coming into fruition? Well, no. I really can't say anything is set in stone. The Pirates always seem to pick up players that nobody even thought about. But, if the market is good for his services, the Pirates certainly will do their due dillegence, especially considering their constant constraints to get talent onto their MLB roster. Therefore, if Holland can be had at a good cost, it'd certainly be a do-able move.

   

   

5 starting pitchers that would make sense as trade targets for the Pirates

     It is no secret that the Pirates are in need of starting pitching this offseason. Even GM Neal Huntington has recently acknowledged that fact himself. However, the free agent starting pitching market is not exactly encouraging. Therefore, we are going to see many more teams trying to acquire starting pitching from others teams this offseason. The Pirates figure to be in the middle of it as Neal Huntington has also acknowledged that trading for a starting pitcher or two is the more likely route. But, just what kinds of pitchers would the Pirates be interested in acquiring. Well, I am going to provide five pitchers that would make sense for the Pirates.

5) Gio Gonzalez: The Nationals figure to have a surplus of starting pitching this offseason (though nobody can count of Strasburg being healthy). Because of this, maybe the Nationals make Gio Gonzalez expendable. Gonzalez, 31, had his worst year in quite awhile in 2016, pitching to a 4.57 ERA. Before that, he had a good run of years where his ERA was well below 4.00. However, he has also seen his innings count year by year deteriorate. He made 32 starts this past season but only accumulated 177.1 innings, which is just over 5 innings apiece. Considering his less than phenomenal numbers and innings questions the past couple years, he may end up being one guy that would be risky to acquire.

4) Jake Odorizzi: Jake Odorizzi was subject to a lot of trade chatter this summer at the trade deadline. He figures to be subject to it again in the offseason. He is young, controllable, and steady. There isn't much more a team could want from a pitcher like him. He is controlled through arbitration another few years and seems to be getting better as the years go by. Pirates balked at the asking price for Odorizzi during the trade deadline, but maybe the two teams go back to talking and can hammer out a deal this time around. However, he isn't the only Rays starter coveted. There is in fact a bigger prize out there.

3) Chris Archer: Yes, Chris Archer is the bigger prize that can be had in the Rays rotation. The Rays would be naive to not look into offers for this highly-touted righty. He slipped up a bit in 2016 but figures to bounce back with the vast amount of talent he has. Archer is also under one of the most team-friendly deals in the MLB. He is signed through 2019 with two team options for 2020 and 2021, and all at a very good rate for his talent. The question wouldn't be whether the Pirates could afford his contract, it would be whether they can afford to acquire him in the first place. It would be a high cost, but with his talent and contract, it is certainly worth looking into.

2) Jose Quintana: Quintana, like Archer, is also looked into an insanely team friendly deal. The one thing that separates him from Archer, in terms of Pirates' needs, is that he is a lefty. The Pirates have always loved having lefties in the rotation. However, their top lefty options now are a non-tender candidate Jeff Locke and Steven Brault. This isn't exactly encouraging. Having Cole and Taillon will be a great punch in the rotation, but getting a guy like Quintana to anchor the rotation as a lefty is just what the Pirates need. Now, the White Sox are always known to be stingy with their trading, but even they couldn't look away if they got the right offer.

1) Drew Smyly: Okay, let's get back to earth here. Drew Smyly seems like the perfect candidate to join the Pirates this offseason. He had his poorest year in 2016 but still has some qualities about him that can be tinkered with to get him back to form. It wouldn't be the most exciting trade to get him in Pittsburgh, but it would be so  much cheaper than the other options and might just end up working out.

     Out of all these, I would say that Gonzalez and Smyly would be the most likely options. However, there are a lot of options out there that won't be thought of or discussed that are possibilities as well. Even if none of these guys end up in Pittsburgh, there will certainly be another starting pitcher or two wearing black and gold here soon.

Reds at Pirates series preview

     Pirates had another disappointing series against the Cardinals. They could have won 2 of 3, but had a massive meltdown in the middle game. So now they sit in a desperate position in the playoff race. This desperation includes needing to take at least 3 of 4 from the lowly Cincinatti Reds. There are no excuses; if they want a shot at being a playoff team, they can ill afford to even split this series. They have to win it. 

Thursday: Ivan Nova (11-6 4.34 ERA) vs Dan Straily (11-7 3.83 ERA) 7:05 ET

     Ivan Nova has had a resurrection since joining the Pirates on August 1st. He's been great in a Pirates uniform. His first start as a Pirate was against the Reds, and he pitched well. Reds will get a second crack at him. Dan Straily has also had a resurrection this year. He has been brilliant for the Reds since coming over to them in Spring Training. The Pirates will need to find a way to get to him. 

Friday: Steven Brault (0-2 3.32 ERA) vs Tim Adleman (2-3 4.02 ERA) 7:05 ET

     If you remember Adleman and you're a Pirates fan, you are likely crying. He made his MLB debut in a start against Cole, and was on the ropes early but got through it and the Reds somehow won that game. In a later start, he dominated the Pirates in PNC Park. Pirates need to figure it out against this lowly full-in starter. Reds fans are likely thinking that Brault is a fringe fill-in starter as well. I think this is a matchup that could either produce a ton of runs or very few runs, no inbetween. 

Saturday: Chad Kuhl (3-3 4.09 ERA) vs Robert Stephenson (2-1 3.12) 7:05 ET

     This is a battle of two 23-year old righties that have gotten opportunities and have run with them. Chad Kuhl has been rather terrific outside of maybe two or three starts while Stephenson has been terrific as well. We shall see what these rookies produce on Saturday. 

Sunday: Ryan Vogelsong (3-4 4.07 ERA) vs Brandon Finnegan (8-10 4.17 ERA) 1:35 ET

     These two pitchers have been very underwhelming recently. Firstly, Vogelsong has been showing his age as of late, as he has not been too effective and is incapable of fooling as many people as he did before. Finnegan, who is young, has just been going through the young pitcher inconsistencies that pop up to so many. We will see if either or both pitchers can figure it out on Sunday. 

     Pirates need to scratch and claw their way to three wins. Based on pitching matchups, it won't be easy. Pirates need to certainly improve against the Reds while they are at a low point. Reds are ready for this season to be over. The Pirates would be approaching the same spot if they don't find a way this weekend. 

Cardinals at Pirates series preview

     The Pirates roller coaster ride of 2016 continued over the weekend as they were swept at home against the lowly Brewers. They have now fallen to .500 at 67-67 and sit behind the Cardinals and Mets in the NL wildcard race. While they are still in the picture, they need to step it up to have any shot. They start a crucial 3-game series against the Cardinals. A bad series could crucify them while a good series could be a definite game-changer.

Monday: Chad Kuhl (3-2 3.70 ERA) vs Adam Wainwright (9-8 4.53 ERA) 4:05 ET

     Pirates have been very reliant on Chad Kuhl, and he has delivered. The rookie right-hander has worked his way into the conversation for next year while doing his part to help the team this season. For the Cardinals, Adam Wainwright gets the call. However, this isn't the same Wainwright we are used to. He has lost velocity and is just not the same guy he was even two or three years ago. Though, his soft tossing is something the Pirates always struggle against for some reason. 

Tuesday: Ryan Vogelsong (3-4 3.56 ERA) vs Luke Weaver (1-2 3.86 ERA) 7:05 ET

     Another veteran that relies on command over speed is Ryan Vogelsong. He has been a nice surprise to the rotation for the Pirates. The 39-year old has fallen off a bit recently but has still been rather effective. From veteran to youngster, Luke Weaver goes for the Cardinals. This young righty was thrust into action when injuries started piling up for the Cardinals. He has been good so far. However, he is still a rookie, so we will see which version we get. 

Wednesday: Jameson Taillon (3-4 3.25 ERA) vs TBD

     The Pirates wasted a great start from Taillon on Friday in a 1-0 loss to the Brewers. Taillon overall has pitched very well and has been an x-factor for the Pirates this year. He's been great and figures to be that way for quite a long time. For the Cardinals, they haven't officially announced a starter yet, so we will have to wait and see. 

     There's no ifs, ands, or buts about it, the Pirates need to win this series. This is a "must-win" series and not one of the "kind of must wins" but the literal form instead. If they do not win this series, they could very well be done in the playoff hunt. I hate to say that, but it has become reality at this point. 

Brewers at Pirates series preview

     The Pirates roller coaster season continues as they got swept in Chicago after a massive series sweep in Milwaukee. Despite that, they didn't play terribly in the Windy City, the Cubs just played better. And through all this, they still sit in the thick of the wildcard race. Now 2.5 behind the Cardinals but now are trailing the resurgent Mets by a half a game. The Pirates are in need of finding consistency just like the other wildcard teams they are contending with. The Pirates will hope to get a boost by returning home. Their last home stand didn't go so well, so they need to do better this time around because it is September now. It's time to get it rolling. They start with a familiar face, the Brewers.

Friday: Jameson Taillon (3-3 3.39 ERA) vs Junior Guerra (7-3 2.93 ERA) 7:05 ET

     Pirates were likely hoping to avoid Junior Guerra after how he dominated the Pirates last time they faced him. But alas, that's not the case. Junior Guerra has been a great story for the Brewers. He's been absolutely brilliant and has the skills to keep it going. We will see if the Pirates can muster anything up against him. The Pirates are also sending a guy to the mound with a great story, Jameson Taillon. Taillon has emerged onto the scene after being called up in June. However, his last start against these same Brewers wasn't very good. Taillon has had time to adjust, so we will see if he capitalizes on those adjustments. 

Saturday: Ivan Nova (11-6 4.41 ERA) vs Jimmy Nelson (7-13 4.45 ERA)

     It took the Pirates a little while last week to pounce on Jimmy Nelson, but once they did, it all came quickly. Just like Taillon, Nelson will have to adjust and we will see if the adjustments work out. For the Pirates, Ivan Nova gets the start after looking great against Milwaukee on Sunday. This ends up being a case of the opposing hitters adjusting. If the Brewers can do it, they'll have a good shot against Nova. 

Sunday: Steven Brault (0-1 3.86 ERA) vs Chase Anderson (7-11 4.92 ERA) 1:35 ET

     Chase Anderson faces the Pirates yet again. It seems like every series these two teams play, Anderson has gotten a start. I don't think the Pirates will complain given their success against him. As for the Pirates, Steven Brault gets another start for the Pirates. Despite looking bad in Chicago, Brault has earned his chance to pitch in an MLB rotation. He faced the Brewers in Milwaukee in late July and held his own. It's been awhile since then, so it's hard to use that matchup as a measuring stick. 

     Pirates are in desperate need of winning another series. Every series and every game is vital now that we are in September. Playing a home series against a bad team means that winning at least 2 of 3 is something that needs to be done. This will be a big series of adjustments since these two just saw each other last weekend. Whichever team adjusts better will have a great shot at winning. 

Pirates at Cubs series preview

     The Pirates had a great weekend, sweeping the Brewers in Milwaukee of all places. This has propelled them ahead of the Marlins and behind the Cardinals by just 0.5 a game in the NL Wildcard standings. It's safe to say that this weekend couldn't have been any better for the Pirates. But now they face a great Cubs team in Wrigley Field. The Cubs have been red hot in the second half and are sure bets to take the NL Central crown. This won't be easy for the Pirates. 

Monday: Steven Brault (0-1 3.60 ERA) vs Jake Arrieta (16-5 2.62 ERA) 8:05 ET

     This is a pitching matchup that looks like a mismatch on the surface. A rookie in just his third start vs one of the best pitchers in the entire MLB. Steven Brault gets the call for Gerrit Cole, who is having his elbow examined, Monday. He has been good but not great in his first 2 MLB starts. Nothing spectacular but good enough to keep the team in it. For the Cubs, Jake Arrieta gets the nod. He had a bad start last time he faced the Pirates just before the break. Pirates want to replicate that for sure. Steven Brault beating Jake Arrieta would be a shocker in so many ways, but anything can happen in baseball. 

Tuesday: Chad Kuhl (3-1 3.50 ERA) vs Kyle Hendricks (12-7 2.19 ERA) 8:05 ET

     Chad Kuhl consistently turns in good outings for the Pirates. It's very impressive stuff he's shown, especially as a rookie. He's going to need his best stuff to compete with a potent Cubs lineup. Kyle Hendricks goes for the Cubs. Beginning of the year, and throughout much of his early career, he was a fringe starter at best. However, this year he has turned in a quiet Cy Young caliber season. He has a 2.19 ERA, which is very elite and no signs of stopping. The Pirates offense is going to have major troubles you would think because everyone else does. Who knows, maybe the Pirates will get to him. It's an uphill climb, but not all climbs are impossible. 

Wednesday: Ryan Vogelsong (3-3 3.02 ERA) vs Mike Montgomery (4-5 2.60 ERA) 8:05 ET

     Ryan Vogelsong's last few starts haven't been as flashy as his first few, but he's been effective nonetheless. He's still exceeding all expectations placed upon him. He's faced a lot of challenges in his career and this start is just another one for him. Maybe he will pass this one as well. Mike Montgomery gets the ball for the Cubs. He has been pushed into the rotation because of injuries after being acquired as a reliever in July from Seattle. He's been an effective pitcher all year and he's a lefty to boot. The Pirates are very capable of getting runs off of him. This is the easiest test they'll get this season, and even then it's not an easy task. 

     This is a huge series for the Pirates. If they can prove they can win in Chicago, that'll go a long way in their push for the playoffs. The pitching matchups aren't favorable by any stretch, but they aren't the worst either. I think the Pirates have a shot if they play like they did in Milwaukee. However, the Pirates haven't shown consistency, so let's see which version of team we are going to get this week.