Friday Insider: RIP to post-Russell Pirates?

Where's that avi, Duper? Come on! :)

testing

I've finally got one DK...no more lazy lunatic :-)

yes, please!! would love to see a pic.

They had them on Inside the Pirates, on Root.

Check out the 0:40 mark of the Tabata interview from Tuesday night's article. Melancon is riding his right behind Jose.

I think there was a better picture in an opening day article from DK too. hoping the scooters can help them score more runs someday as well!!

One local blowhard columnist a week or so ago already declared the season over and another radio personality just a few days ago was trumpeting for a Cole Hamels trade. Some people sure do become spoiled quickly.

Who declared what over here?

With all due respect, Dejan, bating ledes like"RIP to post Martin Pirates?" are pretty poor when the author doesn't even answer his own question in the content of his column.

The blowhard that I was referring to is Ron Cook. Your buddy Colin is on The Fan website screaming for a Cole Hamel trade.

Thanks for participating!

Yes. Both San Diego and San Francisco.

Especially for the number of games that Greiss actually played

Pedro doesn't always bat with 2 outs.
Pedro doesn't hit into a large amount of double plays.

With Pedro 6th and Chair-velli 7th, If Pedro dongs one, good taters!
If Pedro K's or makes an out (80% of time), then Chair-velli bats with guys on base to drive them in or keep a rally going.

Groat, I think your logic holds no matter if Cervelli bats in front of or behind Pedro.

Only difference of Cervelli in front of Pedro would be Cervelli would bat with less outs and give him an opportunity to have more "situational" at bats (this assumes Pedro makes the 2nd out of an inning).

Always take a chance for the 3-run homer!

Bat Pedro 7th, teams pitch around him and maybe (probably?) he swings out of zone and strikes out, or you walk him and face #8 hitter——#8 has not been strong thus far this season. Pedro would never see a strike.

Bat Pedro 6th, teams at least have to try and get Pedro out, because adding another base runner with Chair-velli bringing his .286 BA and .350 On base % would not be advisable.

More chances for 3-run homer with Pedro 6th.

Plus if you have Marte batting 5th, in front of Alvarez, he'll run wild against pitchers throwing junk off the plate.

what do WE think is the best lineup construction for this current roster? I have thought it was time to move Cutch to 2 spot in the order but not sure you really can with this roster at the moment (especially with Polanco scuffling). I just think shaking things up including moving Cutch could pay some dividends just not sure I like any lineup construct right now that has Cutch in the 2 spot.

Crematorium,

Hurdle will move McCutch out of the 3-hole when you declare that the military is a poor career choice.

As someone in the WB who has season tickets...he was really good in round 1 against a Syracuse team 1) not at full manpower due to Tampa's playoff run and 2) slumping badly coming into the playoffs, but he regressed badly against the AHL's top team in round 2. No big deal. He's a rookie. Long-term, let's see what next year brings.

Really seems like we have a lot of catching depth organizationally.

Dean Traynor was on The Fan yesterday and had some really good things to say about Diaz. He also Holdzkom is close to returning to action and had really good things to say about Tabby too...for those that missed it.

Would like to know how Reese Mcguire is doing. I can look at the stats but prefer someone who's had eyes on.

bpn, I found this story on the Bradenton website for McGuire.

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20150422&content_id=119594488&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb&sid=milb

Also some good stuff there about Meadows. He is really tearing it up this season with 43 hits in 30 games so far.

Sorry, don't see the fit with Montero and the Pirates. The Bucs completely prioritize defense at the C position and Miguel is below average at best defensively. The Dbacks were overjoyed to rid themselves of Miggy, even though they currently have no major league catcher to speak of.....take that for what it's worth.

Yea, he's got some errors, Cmat. Can't argue. But the stick and CS% is acceptable for 50% of what Martin will make.

Miguel Montero is unquestionably a better baseball player than Francisco Cervelli, and it's not even close.

That singular comparison may personify the difference between the Cubs and Pirates right now. Both clubs entered a robust catching market looking for a starter after missing on Russell Martin. The Cubs spent the money and got the better player.

Why exactly would *anyone* be swayed by an appeal to authority of the Diamondbacks Front Office right now? Hot freaking mess.

will just have to agree to disagree on Cervelli vs. Montero. I live in Phoenix and watched "miggy" catch a ton of baseball games, and my eyes don't lie. His pitch framing is way worse than Cervelli and his pitch calling was called out as 'not a strength' by the local media and experts (for what that's worth). His value while in Phoenix was for his offense. My post was that the Pirates prioritize DEFENSE at catcher which is why they went for Cervelli and not Miggy. Not saying it isnt debatable, but I also don't think Cervelli's offense thus far this season is really a culprit at this point.

Yeah those game-tying homers in the 8th on opening day and on Wednesday, and his 3-run Homer in the 8th in that big comeback in Wrigley, were not clutch at all.

Perfect example of how fans are terrible at perceiving "clutch".

Sure is easy to remember those three big hits; not so easy to not he's been 42% (58 wRC+) below league average in high leverage situations so far this year.

Uh-oh, National Mart of Records!

Never tell parents their baby is ugly!!

You messin' when you tell the truth with McCutch!

BINGO. The number one reason for the Bucs 18-22 record this season is CUTCH (knee issue notwithstanding) and it doesn't even get a mention in the 'state of the Pirates' columns on this site. If anyone thinks Cutch has shown a "GREAT APPROACH" and "TEAM AT-BATS" in all situations this season, they need a lobotomy. I can point to at least 2 dozen at bats with runners on where Cutch was overswinging to pull vs. just putting one in play and I haven't even watched all the games live.

"Fair" or not, you absolutely have to hold the guy who *was* the second best baseball player on this planet to a higher standard. Just have to.

So what does a player whose career splits reflect the league splits based upon leverage need to do? Perform better?

There are clutch hits, there no clutch hitters.

Hey guys, I have to agree with Bullwinkle. All of the Pirates April and May luck was contained in those long hair extensions. He cut that hair and WHAMMO! Suck city. Seriously...Ask unemployed Troy what happens when you cut the lucky hair.

As always, good stuff JAL.

You know, that's all well and good. But it means if they continue the trend of the past two seasons, just puts them on track for the WC again. The stated goal from everyone in that organization was much higher.

The Cubs, Padres and tonight's opponent make the 2015 path a lot more difficult. Time to start turning the corner.

Bunting a runner from second to third with no outs isn't a smart play.

it is if the game is tied in 9th inning and you win with strategy Didn't win by not doing it so that wasn't too smart either. Put pressure on other team. If you have legitimate hitters let them hit. Pirates did they lost.

Woody,

Pirates 2nd in Majors for sacrifice bunts.
Most "managers" here complain Hurdle uses bunt too much!!

Guess somebody's upset no matter what you do!

Pirates recently played Cardinals and well.. didn't quite do so well Matheny had Yadier Molina bunting with runners on 1st and 2nd 0 outs. Different manager uses different stategy. Let's see....Matheny and Cardinals? Speaks for itself

win the game