This weekend I held an AMA on the Pirates’ subreddit, r/Buccos. The complete AMA may be discovered on Reddit, and beneath are among the highlights.
u/lebronianmotion: How far-off are the Pirates from contending for a playoff spot?
They’ve among the finest rotations within the recreation, in my view. The bullpen wants at the least yet another leverage arm, however has some upside. I consider we’ll see Konnor Griffin in 2026, giving them a possible stud up the center and on the high of the lineup.
The way in which I view it, they want three bats. Somebody at third base, nook outfield after which a wild card, both catcher or DH or within the infield or someplace else. I consider [Spencer] Horwitz, [Bryan] Reynolds and [Oneil] Cruz are the one hitters who ought to be ok with their lineup spot proper now. Each different place wants an improve or at the least official inner competitors.
I feel they will grow to be a contending crew this offseason, however it must be an aggressive, fruitful winter, not like the final two.
u/pineal: Does Konnor Griffin begin opening day? And do you suppose he posts an OPS+ over 100 within the majors no matter when he comes up?
I consider he is going to enter Spring Coaching with an opportunity to make the crew. I do not understand how good that likelihood goes to be — what the Pirates do that offseason might be going to play some affect — however I do not see this being a state of affairs like [Paul] Skenes in 2024 after they knew going into camp that he was beginning within the Minors to handle innings.
I do not understand how honest it’s to place statistical expectations on an adolescent earlier than he reaches the Majors, however I feel very extremely of him and have heard nothing however exemplary issues. I feel ZIPS had him as a 4 win participant out of the gate, and that might not shock me in any respect.
u/alarmedanywhere4996: What is the commerce worth of [Mitch] Keller? Is [Bryan] Reynolds over the hill?
1. I do not suppose it is as excessive as what the general public may suppose it’s. Keller is an effective, dependable pitcher whose contract largely displays that. I feel most golf equipment view him as middle-of-the-rotation arm reasonably than a No. 2 or All-Star. I feel he could possibly be dealt for both a confirmed MLB bat with much less crew management or an unproven prospect/younger Main Leaguer with upside however much less of a observe report.
2. I do not wish to say he is over the hill. The primary couple months of this season have been tough, however he had an .816 OPS after the All-Star break, which is correct in step with his profession common. He downplayed the shoulder damage once I requested him if it impacted the primary half of the season, however I’ve suspicions. No query he must have a bounce again yr if this offense goes to enhance.
u/Outrageous-Rough7774: Exterior of Keller, [which pitcher] is the almost certainly to be dealt for an impactful bat? May we see Jones, if medically cleared, be dealt in a deal just like what was reported two years in the past (Jackson Holliday for Jared Jones)?
[Johan] Oviedo or [Thomas] Harrington.
I had that Holliday for Jones swap debunked, however they’ve listened on Jones earlier than. I simply do not see any crew being keen to present the huge haul the Pirates would need for a pitcher coming off of elbow surgical procedure.
Bubba [Chandler] is not going anyplace. They LOVE [Braxton] Ashcraft. [Mike] Burrows confirmed them loads final yr.
So far as trades go, Oviedo hits that candy spot of getting MLB observe report whereas being reasonably priced and controllable that an buying crew would need. I do not see the Pirates buying and selling two of their Main League starters, so if Keller will get dealt, Harrington could be my subsequent decide as a part of a bundle for a extra confirmed MLB bat. There’s upside there, however final yr was tough and I feel he is been leapfrogged by a few of these different arms.
u/rare_economics8427: Do you suppose Cutch is coming again?
Proper now, I am leaning in direction of [Andrew McCutchen] not coming again. He and the group had some stage of frustration with one another this yr, and I’ve had a number of individuals within the group opine the previous few years that he should not be taking part in day-after-day anymore. He needs to play and he needs to win. I do not know if there’s a possibility for him to do each that’s higher than in Pittsburgh, so we’ll should see.
