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Morning Java: More deadlines? 131
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS Morning, Lunatics … • The exclusive interview with Pitt coach Paul Chryst is today’s headliner. Not a column. Not everything here will be. I’ll go with whatever works best and, in this case, it’s a straight Q&A format, in large part because I really appreciated the way the conversation went. • I’m filling in for Mark Madden today and Friday on 105.9 The X, 3-6 p.m. both days. I’ll also check in today with Randy Baumann on 102.5 WDVE at 9:15 a.m. • Baseball’s trade deadline fast approaches, and
Those of us who can’t stay awake for the West Coast games wake up with the Pirates in the second wild card spot and tied in the loss column with the Brewers for the division lead.
Not bad at all, all things considered, to be in a playoff spot at the trading deadline, and maybe in the NL Central lead by the end of the night.
Now as long as we don’t deal away a prized prospect or two for a two month rental of Lester, I’ll be happy.
Joe, please explain to me your reasoning for it sinking the ship if the buccos went in on Lester and gave up Bell/Meadows/etc?
JAL’s One Summer Night Morning Links
1 Rumbunter
Pirates trades: It Is Time to Go All In
http://rumbunter.com/2014/07/30/pirates-trade-rumors-possibilities/
2 CBS Sports
Pirates-Giants Game Preview
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/gametracker/preview/MLB_20140730_PIT@SF/pirates-giants-preview
3 Fangraphs
Jon Lester Makes Sense for the Pirates
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-pirates-meet-the-jon-lester-checklist/
Just a reminder that today’s game has a 3:45 ET start time. Morton v. Lincecum. Depending on what the Brewers do in their game vs. the Rays that starts at 12:10, ET, the Pirates could be playing for a share of the division lead.
Thanks for the heads up, TomP
Ground Chuck!
I think it may be on MLB channel.
I smell a sweep, Tom P. Then, 3 of 4 in AZ.
Jim, that would be a 7-3 road trip, which is good work under any circumstances, but especially after losing the first two.
Still trying to wrap my head around all the stuff I’ve been reading about the Pirates trading for Lester as a two month rental ONLY. Can’t see trading for a guy they would have no chance of re-signing, unless the prospect toll were lower than what I’ve been reading. Reactions?
Couldn’t agree with you more, Bill.
The only thing I can figure is: Are they serious about wanting to get to the World Series or at least the NLCS? Do the scouts and NH believe Lester gets them to the promise land? Or, do they feel they have to do this if Price ends up with say…the Brewers?
The rest of the division will try to take advantage of the “up for grabs” situation being presented and better themselves accordingly. The Pirates need to as well. If the Pirates feel the Brewer or Cards will land Lester, then they have to make a competitive offer.
Allow me to add another wrinkle: the Pirates will likely never again field a catcher near as good as Russell Martin while Cutch is still with them.
.
If the organization doesn’t think they’ll be able resign Russ, then you better darn sure try to win this year.
I’ve wrestled with the thought, and I’ve come to the conclusion that this might be the year to push some chips in. IF you get Lester, and IF Liriano keeps up the good work, and IF Cole comes back firing…then you’ve got a pretty darn good postseason rotatio.
I don’t price or Lester ending up with Milwaukee, TJA, simply because they don’t have the prospects to give up. You only have to look at the fact that they’ve kept Wang (Rule 5) on their 1st place roster all year. They have a weak farm system.
Russ absoutely needs to be resigned, NMR. There is no getting around that. It has to happen. I don’t see any other comparable starting catching options presenting themselves this winter.
Depends on the haul. Starky wrote an interesting column on that today. His point was that prospects are just that. And that Oakland and Milwakee have both traded very high level prospects in the past 5 years and low and behold they are atop their divisions as we speak.
So if the system is apparently deeper than those systems were at the time why get married to your prospects.
I agree to a point but all that said it has to be the right package in my opinion.
That’s my thinking as well, Wild Bill. I don’t buy that any window is closing on this team. This team is ascending. I’d be ok with trading someone like Hanson, but not a 2nd Top 10 with him. The success of this team was built on retaining high-end prospects.
I don’t have a problem with the Pirates trading away Bell – a player who positionally , they can afford to lose – and even another prospect for Lester. At some point a team has to take advantage of the situation they are in and try to make a run. Sometimes the future is now.
I believe Bell is their 1b of the future, Steve. And, they really don’t have another alternative anywhere near as talented. He’s biding time in the OF right now.
He could be in 2-3 years (could be), but if you keep pushing the future off, it will likely never get here. In 2 or 3 years they might have a solid OF and even IF, but need to trade for pitching or catching. Do they wait for the future then too instead of trading for a rental?
Also, I don’t think they’d have their 1B of the future “bidding time” in the outfield if that was the plan at this point, especially if there isn’t anyone as talented for the job like you stated. Besides, their 1B of the future is starting (sometimes) at 3B right now.
I said yesterday and will say again this morning: Within the Pirates organization…Josh Harrison has to be considered an MVP. I know…I know…’Cutch…but, man, what J-Hay has done and continues to do is remarkable. Don’t know how long this will last, but let’s enjoy it.
JHay certainly set the tone last night….
And, the night before, camchuck. And, the afternoon before that …
He’s something else.
I also don’t think the Pirates starting pitching – regardless of more recent results- is good enough to do the job if they reach the playoffs. They need an ace like Lester to step in and be that dominant pitcher that Burnett wasn’t able to be for them last October.
Have to run to a meeting now and then get on the road. But, tomorrow or Friday, when I get a chance, I have a pretty cool story I want to share with everyone that has a baseball theme to it. It’s pretty neat stuff. See y’all later. Have a wonderful day, Everyone!
Safe travels Justice
I’d love Lester, but I doubt it happens since the asking price seems to be insanely high. I’m actually good with going with what we have this year, but I hope StL doesnt get Price.
***
I ordered my Shazier jersey yesterday.
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This time of year is fun!!
Personally, I would be interested in dealing Josh Bell for Jon Lester. Eventually, we’ll have to go for it.
I’m a big fan of Ryan Shazier.
I don’t think we have to give up Bell, Dom. They’re talking more of Hanson and Jacoby Jones. I’d rather see Hanson go than Jones. When was the last time the PBC had a SS that could hit for power? Jay Bell maybe? Jack had 9 one year maybe.
Wasn’t Mercer also considered a SS who could hit for power when he was in the minors? He did have 19 homes in 2011.
Double J is way off from the majors. I’d have little reservations about dealing him away.
I think Jordy will hit 10 this year. He’s probably a 10-15 HR guy if he gets more than 500 ABs. It would probably be more like 13-17 away from PNC. Righties are hurt trying to hit HR at PNC.
Doubt the Rays will trade Price since they are back in the race but would rather have him than Lester. Pirates could always trade Price over the winter for other prospects.
Also don’t think that Price is going anywhere, and by the way, we need him there to beat the Brewers today!
At the rate the Rays are going, they’re going to run away with the AL East. I highly doubt Price is going anywhere.
In April I figured my garden was going to get alot of attention this year. So happy to be wrong! Loving this and enjoying it
Hubby always teases me when I’m watching baseball, and the ball is going long, and I shout “Get outta here b*tch!”. Loved being able to yell that for JHay’s first at bat last night. Then I went to bed, cuz, you know…4am comes early
Ha! So does 1:30 when you are trying to settle down 3 beagles and you wake up a sleeping mate — somehow, she can’t sleep through a celebratory mate and a beagle jumping on her head.
LOL Patrick!
Shortly after we were married, my wife (of now 17+ years) wanted to know how I could stay up past midnight to watch Monday Night Football but I could not stay up past 9:30 other nights to talk to her.
Uh oh TomP, better watch out
I pray you treaded very carefully before answering that “trap” question, Tom.
is my wife married to you also?
Still can’t access DK’s full entries. It’s treating me as if I’m not signed up. Not happy.
Not cool. Have you e-mailed him, Milo?
Milo, had the same issue with my I pad; saw DK’s note about clearing cookies, and after I did that, all is well. Don’t know if you’re using a PC or a device, but try that.
Wild Bill – I am using a PC and am having the same issues.
Milo—There’s definitely a problem going on! I just subscribed, finally, and am having the same issue. So is Lad 9. Just sent DK an email. I’m not happy, either!
I was having issues last night but once I changed cookies to never block and cleared cookies and cache it seemed to work. I don’t like having to use that setting, I like leaving at block 3rd parties and advertisers.
How do I change my login name? Looks like it just rips it off of my email address which isnt what I would want.
Type whatever name you want to use in the Name field.
So you havent subscribed have you? Once you log in there is no name field. It says you are logged in as X and uses that. I didnt see a spot on the subscription page for a user name. It appears to have assigned that as my email withou the @ info.
I did subscribe for 3 years. Still see the name field.
But I’ve also had issues with login being recognized so those two may be related.
Sorry if this is not the proper format but I may need help from some fellow lunatics re logging in at work and not home computer. I have a paid subscription to site, I log in, email gets sent to my email address, then I forward that to my work email and when I click link it says login complete, but I can’t view column.
MANY of us are having the same problem – can’t view content – says we have to log in or subscribe – but we ARE subscribed & have clicked on the subsequent login email link. BRAIN FART on the website! FIX, please!!
Me 2 Karen. I am subscribed, but can’t read the column on Chryst.
Overall, I’ve been happy with the site and plan to extend my subscription to a full year. I just hope that DK can keep up the pace he is establishing.
BTW, I wonder why no Brandie yet, I miss her humorous forays.
Ok, thanks Karen22. I feel better knowning that I’m not 100%incompetent, but my wife would argue that I’m not to far off.
Have you guys tried the cookie clearing suggested by Dejan? Just asking because if you cant view the content you may not be able to see what he posted.
Forgive me mother for I have sinned. I have said many bad words this morning.
LOL! That’s nothing, I punched the wall in the break room.
So, you are forgiven, dear :*
First time I’ve been to confession in years.
I’m still saying bad words!! Not working for me!!
Milo, bet you feel all warm and fuzzy inside now…right?
Karen…wine, dear, wine!!!
LOL! COFFEE in the am…no wine till after 5 p.m. Then I’m drinking a whole bottle.
Ha! I had one glass last night, and I was so tried, I crashed…but woke up in time to see JHay knock a pitch outta there!
I don’t know how you folks in the Eastern zone handled the last 2 nights. They were actually pretty quick, sub-3 hr. games. But, even still, they ended at midnight for me, 1 a.m. for all of you. That’s rough.
Speaking of that, how late did the Cubs go last night ? Is it over yet ?
“It’s the first time a back-up catcher has pitched an inning and gone on to score the winning run in the liveball era!” I think that’s what Tim Kurkjian might have said.
I tried answering you once, Milo, but it got sent to another spot. Let’s see if this lands in the right place.
Having the same issue.
Yep…back to no reply indentations…
test for reply indention
TESTING…
OK – I’m FIXED (no comments, please)! I can see ALL of yinz now! (But there are still no reply indentations…but I really don’t care)…
Jim.
I handled it by being asleep by 10:40 Monday and before 10 last night. Can’t stay up late anymore.
I didn’t handle it, I went to bed!
I got it Jim, thanks.
All: There’s nothing at all wrong with the site. Any site that relies on stored information for regular access requires that cookies are enabled in the browser. Clear browser cache and enable cookies, and problem is solved. That’s it.
Smooth sailing now and plus, I even got to go to confession.
Wanna bet?
Try changing browsers. It worked for me.
I did that too Lucky & it worked also. From Firefox to Explorer. I just cleared the history in Firefox & it’s working fine.
I first read that as “Try changing trousers” Lucky. I don’t think that would solve this problem.
LMAO!
Same old Jim. Just limited to 280 characters.
I’m still hopeful that if I can send 3 or 4 short posts, Lucky, I can save up the characters and use them for a monster post later.
Jim- I’m not having any trouble with the site. But upon review of my wardrobe in general, me “changing trousers” certainly might be an improvement.
It seems that Bell, a double A guy, is the main focus of every potential trade partner. Does everybody else identify him as the next superstar? I’d try to figure out a way to get Lester or somebody else without trading Bell. If it can’t be done, then you fight on.
Hey Styles,
Oshkosh was looking for you last night. Said he was feeling grumpy. I think he was looking for something to kick around.
Grumpy Cat is not to be trifled with. Remember, what doesn’t kill you isn’t working.
You must have the 2014 wall calendar. That’s July’s GC quote.
When we left the old site, not long ago, I remember (among many questions) we all wondered:
* Will Frankie ever return to Frankie of 2013 form?
* Will Jordy field well enough to stick at SS?
* Will JHay continue to do extraordinary things?
So far, so good on all counts
Avatar check
If anybody could explain how to clear my cache and enable cookies in safari on an iPad, I’d greatly appreciate. Haven’t been able to view any content since last night.
Go to Settings app. Choose Safari on right hand side. You will see cookie setting and clear in left pane.
Thanks Billy. Found it while my post was in moderation. Still not used to this apple format.
You’re welcome.
Me neither. I just found it last night so it was fresh in
my mind.
Crap. Was hoping the word press account and avatar would fix this name issue.
When you go to post something, simply change the line under “NAME*” to the screen name you want. Hit “post comment” & that should do it.
There is no name line. It simply says I am logged in as ajsyster and shows a box for my comment. If I log out it asks for my name. This issue only started after I subscribed and logged in.
I believe after the 15th, Milo, the ump warned both benches that they had one more inning to decide it or he was going to declare it over due to total lack of interest from anyone.
Not often you have the back-up catcher pitch an inning and then score the winning run in the same game. That probably made Tim Kurkjian’s day, maybe even his year.
It keeps putting my posts in above. I am not replying to anyone why is this not at the bottom?
Jim, I heard that, too. Consider it from Neverett’s point of view. Not much had happened in the game for two hours. His POV is from the upper deck. He is programmed, professionally, to get excited when a ball is hit in the air to the outfield. It’s almost an automatic response.
I guess so, War. And, the fans also got overly excited as well. So, maybe he just got caught up in it.
I blame Milo.
Was that Sandoval in the 9th that hit the ball to RF after Posey had led off with the single? Neverett sure got excited there for a few secs thinking it was a tying HR. Polanco caught that ball short of the track. Tim seemed almost disappointed he was wrong. Guy cracks me up.
Tons of work…maybe catch you all later
David Price is in a jam – one out base loaded – maybe I should get off of the Trade for Price bandwagon
Need him to beat the brewers first!
OK – I’m FIXED (no comments, please)! I can see you now!
(A-hem.)
need some cough medicine, Dejan?
Karen, I’m hearing the theme music from Jeopardy! while everyone thinks about what they REALLY would like to write here.
So what’s everyone doing for lunch today? Me? Arby’s!
I had a home made sammich…ham and cheese with left over mac and cheese I made last night. YUM!
You have to think Pedro not playing again means he is on the trading block. That’s how I read it anyway.
I wondered that myself, Reading. But, this would be a bad time to trade him (lowest possible value). I think CH is just tired of the errors and not great offensive production. I don’t see how this helps, though. You have to play the hot hand, but we also need him eventually.
So until I figure out why I have no name line to use for my posts my handle has previously been AJS. Id prefer not to have so much of my name floating around on this board but whatever I guess.
Type in any name you want. It’ll stick.
socialpolling_verb
Sorry if duped. Doesnt look like last one showed up. Where do I type in a name. Since I logged in there is no longer an option for that. The old asterisked box is gone.
And once again my post did not go to the bottom of the page. Maybe I should just come back tomorrow.
I may have found it…
Testing.