Coonelly: Pirates Could Be Buyers At Deadline

but Coonelly needs to STFU! He says way to much for a President. He spent the majority of the interview saying that it wouldn’t be like the last two years which indicated to me that we will still trade people but it will not be a wholesale roster turnover. I read his comments about being buyers more a as a matter of fact statement like…you never know, if we are in this thing. You never know but monkeys might fly our of my ass too. Now you can be sure that if we trade a Duke or Doumit the media will be screaming and calling both he and NH liars. We have no intentions of being buyers so the fact he threw that out there is going to make him come off as disingenious. I personally don’t think he is but I do believe that is the general perception. Everytime these guys say something to appease the fans: we are not going to trade players (…like we have the last two years) and Nate McLouth is a core player, they just end up sounding stupid and deceiptful in the end. I would much rather have them say the plan is not to have a wholesale roster turnover at the deadline this year…or we are happy to sign Nate to this contract which gives him security and the team cost certainty. It’s a good deal for both parties going forward. End it there.

I agree with them being buyers and I thought about before Coonelly mentioned it.
I really don’t care what he says. I think it is the right think to do, what they get and what they give are still the most important items to think about.
They have some position players and a couple of pitchers to move and if they want a prospect or two.

Everyone thought the Reds were crazy for bringing in Scot Rolen last year after the break, but it turned out to be a good move.
This team needs a couple more parts, Alvarez is definitely one.
The Pirates because of Alvarez, Tabata and Walker are going to have to either make trades or cut players, there could be possibilities of package deals.

I said I was for buying, but I should have said I was for buying the draft picks we just took first, I would much rather see them sign at least their top 5 picks.

Major league catcher im all for it.

I could see them bringing in a SS or a SP if they could have control of him for a couple years.

Seriously though, I completely agree with your take. If anyting, there will be minor deals done at the deadline.

The team could still probably afford to move Duke or Maholm for prospects and not adversely affect the team, and as with the past deals extremely improve the team in the long run.

to speculate on whether it made any sense for the Pirates to be buyers this year or next year. Obviously, buying this year would no suddenly equal playoffs, but would be looking towards 2011-2012. My first thought had been ‘what if NH did something insane like trade for Cliff Lee?’ That was before I realized that Lee’s contract is up this year, not next year.

I thought through a couple other possibilities, including Prince Fielder, Jose Reyes, and a few others; all with the idea of going nuts and getting someone top-flight, not just a solid player or spare part.

Here’s the logic: Once Pedro comes up, the Bucs have two elite hitters, two maybe very good hitters, two competent supporting cast, and two black-ish holes. Swap in an elite guy, and suddenly that’s a pretty nice lineup. The pitching staff is a little more hairy, but certainly the rotation would look a lot different with a guy like Cliff Lee at the top.

The point is that there are finally a few elite players on the major league roster, and a number of nice complementary players. There isn’t much more elite talent at the top levels of the minors, but there are some possibly nice complimentary players; Morris and Owens come to mind immediately. Then instead of sitting around waiting for all these low-A arms to develop, use their value to get more elite players on the big league squad. If those guys could step into complimentary roles as soon as next year, contention could be closer that one might think.

Dear Frank,

Shut up. Stop talking about dynasties and buying at the deadline. You’re giving ammunition to people who want to see you and Huntington fired.

Sincerely,
IAPiratesFan

But it is possible that along with another round of trades this year, the bucs try and add some replacements, ie SP’s, or possibly 3B and a C, or some low expense low risk MLB players to fill holes in the OF or at 1B, and deffinately a new SP.

I don’t know if it’s possible but I can think of a pair of 1B that could be had with a little to no trouble. Daric Barton (OAK) is a 27yo 1B that for all intents and purposes is holding 1B until Chris Carter comes up from AAA. While Barton’s not a great 1B, he’d be a solid 1B for a team that really doesn’t have a real 1B prospect. Another similar story is Gaby Sanchez in FLA. He’s probably a better hitter than Barton, and is sitting in front of BA’s #20 prospect Logan Morrison. Morrison has been injured a lot this year, but when he’s been healthy has very well in AAA.

Another guy I thought may be a worthy prospect would be Josh Reddick in BOS. He may be a stretch, but the right package could get him to PA. A couple other Minor leaguers that’d be worth a try are JP Arencibia C (TOR) and Allen Craig 1B/OF (STL). Both are clubbing in AAA, and are being heldup by sold MLB players ahead of them.

Just some thoughts about what FC was saying. Seriously doubt he meant buying marquee players. Not this year, it’d be a real waste of time.

Doumit is the only obvious trade candidate if we successfully market him as a catcher.

All the other candidates either have little to no value (LaRoche, Duke, Donnelly, Iwamura) or we’d probably be better off keeping them (Maholm, for example, has been productive the last 3 years at just a bit less than a Buehrle-type rate. I doubt he’s worth near that on the market, though, so if we could get a few more years then he is more valuable on the Bucs. I’m not totally sold on the 2013 pitching depth.

One comment after another about making this move with that player blah-blah-blah. IT’S ABOUT RESULTS, PEOPLE. This crap is just more of the same lame-brain front office moves that amount to nothing. This team is still 15 games under .500 and we aren’t even close to the all-star break. The Pirates are dying again and it’s 18 straight losing seasons and counting. Fire Coonelly, Huntington, and Russell and run the Nuttings out of Pittsburgh on a rail. You want REAL change with the Pirates? What I just advocated MUST happen or nothing will change. I want my Buccos back. I cannot take one more minute of these current front office bozos and the brain damaged Nuttings. JESUS! People of Pittsburgh, STOP THE INSANITY! SAVE THE PIRATES!

The whole Pirates team is a joke except for Andrew McClutchen. They dont even draft great players. This year they got a couple good ones. They need to follow the Detroit Tigers blueprints and draft power arms early and hope you hit on a good bat in the middle rounds like the Cardinals have with Albert Pujols. Pitching is what every team needs. Dont be afraid of what its going to cost to sign the kid. Rick Porcello, Andrew Miller, Jacob Turner all were examples. Miller was supposed to be the top pick as was Porcello but they had Boras as their agent. If they can get one decent player thru trade this year that will be a start. Maybe fans will see hope again. I lived in Pittsburgh up until a few months ago and its sad when you walk around Carson Street and all you see are Steeler Jerseys or Pens Jerseys. They have a beautiful ball park and they are just wasting it. Maybe the Pirates can coax the Tigers into giving up Brandon Inge. Or Ryan Rayburn even. Rayburn isnt that bad of a player he hasnt had consistent playing time this year and that takes you out of your groove. Those 2 would be an upgrade over what they have now.

Of course I watched the draft. Yes they got a couple good pitching prospects but your missing my point I was trying to make. Dont be afraid to go and get the best player available no matter what the cost of signing him will be. Their first two picks should anchor their rotation for years to come. Their second round pick should have been a first rounder but like I said teams are afraid to draft guys because of signability concerns. The Yankees dont have any issues with anything. They dont really need anybody. They just draft guys because they have to then when its time for the trade deadline and crappy teams are trying to shed their highest paid players who are All Star quality they trade their prospects for them. I will give the Pirates 3 years to at least contend. They are young right now and if they can attract someone in free agency that can make an impact that would be great. But as of now they cant attract anyone to the game. When I lived there in Pittsburgh the past few years I was offered free tickets all the time because nobody wanted to go. Firing the manager ever other year doesnt help much either.

Everyone who is suggesting a trade for a major league ready shortstop. There is a rumor going around that the Diamondbacks are willing to trade Stephen Drew and Dan Haren. Although they traded Conor Jackson who is batting below .250 and has 1 home run. He is still a pretty good hitter. His first 3 seasons he batted over .280. Last year he wasn’t healthy and has continued to struggle. But he still has potential. The point I’m trying to make is with the Alvarez promotion there isn’t too many top of the line prospects if none in our system anymore.

 So maybe we give up a couple of cheap prospects for a left handed hitting shortstop who is far and away Major League ready and far and away better then Cedeno and an ace pitcher to go along with potentially Ohlendorf, Lincoln and yes even Morton (his stuff is too good to give up on.) We’d have to give up alot but the problem is we don’t have alot. These are the type of players you trade for a Jason Bay or Freddy Sanchez. The lineup looks better with Tabata Walker McCutchen Alvarez Jones and Doumit. I think the only way Doumit will be traded is when Sanchez is ready which could be next year. I say that because Sanchez catches like a Molina and his bat is better than expected. With the hitters we have at the top we don’t need Sanchez to be effective with the bat immediately. The shortstop and first base are two positions of need.

I think if Steve Pearce comes back and lives up to his potential he could be the first baseman. He has the glove now we need the bat. If this happens the lineup should be Tabata Walker McCutchen Alvarez Jones Pearce Sanchez. The starting pitching is a concern. But, if Morton pitches like he should with his stuff; we have an ace to go along with Ohlendorf and Lincoln. Maybe Bryan Morris if he continues to progress. That could leave Duke or Maholm available. The rotation Morton Ohlendorf Lincoln Morris? Duke or Maholm? The bullpen will include Meek(closer) Hanrahan(8th inning) possibly wait for it Moskos(7th inning) Look at the numbers. Just like Morris if the progression continues it is possible. Like I always said he shouldn’t be punished for management looking for a quick and cheap sign. Plus a left handed 7th inning reliever. Pretty good. Plus if Maholm is on the team that will 6 (Maholm-03, Walker-04, McCutchen-05, Lincoln-06, Moskos-07 and Alvarez-08) Six first round picks making an impact on this team. Possibly 7 or 8 if Sanchez-09 and Taillon-10(if he gets signed) come through. When was the last time we said that if ever.

A bench that for sure will include Delwyn Young and possibly LaRoche and Milledge.(I don’t think management wants to give up on them.) There is plenty of talent starting to come up. Maybe I’m too optimistic, but I can’t give up on this franchise. The biggest miss is a coaching staff that can manage this young core of talent. If they continue to draft, develop and make good international signings year after year sooner or later there is going to be a winning baseball team in Pittsburgh even if Nutting(I’m still hopeful he’ll sell the team) is the owner.