OT: Pirates Talk: That Skenes guy is okay at teh baseball

[WheresRamziAbid]

We're not talking about Heaney on a multiple year deal, we're talking about Heaney on a 1 year deal. And they wouldn't be going into this year with their SP3 slot for a prospect, it would be Heaney until Chandler is ready. And from the sounds of it, Chandler should be ready this year.

I just can't fathom prioritizing the #3 starter position over the absolute massive need for bats this team has when you could have Heaney now and Chandler in the future, plus Ashcraft, Burrows and Harrington as alternates in AAA as other high potential pitchers.

1. Yes a 1 year deal thats still way riskier due to age and a down trend (already happening) in skills.

2. Having andrew heaney as your 3 is precisely leaving you SP3 slot for a prospect. Is a gaping hole.

3. Chandler MIGHT be ready this year. Or hes never ready because we dont even know if hes any good.

4. 1 bat doesnt significantly change the offenses outlook UNLESS its for a no doubter that i refered to earlier.

There is ZERO reason to take that risk UNLESS its for an offer to good to pass up because the option to trade Keller will still be there whether at the deadline OR next offseason.

 

[Fogel]

Heaney last 3 years: 73 games started, 4.00 ERA and 4.22 FIP in 380 IP
Keller last 3 years: 92 games started, 4.13 ERA and 3.92 FIP in 530 IP

Results might be similar in terms of ERA, but being able to pitch 40% more innings is a lot and is valuable in itself. Keller has also pitched about a half inning more per start which is pretty valuable considering the bullpen's collapse last year.

I'm also pessimistic that "value" to the Pirates and Cherington is a bit different than what we perceive it as.

 

[pistolpete11]

If you can get an everyday .800 OPS type of guy for Keller, do it. Otherwise, I say lean into having a quality, deep starting rotation. I'm totally over getting platoon guys who are versatile, but not really any good, though.

 

[MrBrightside]

The return is obviously the huge variable in a Keller trade. I just don't see anyone dealing a bat that is of commensurate value at this juncture and dumping Keller for a marginal corner OF would be a downgrade of the roster.

 

[Empoleon8771]

If you can get an everyday .800 OPS type of guy for Keller, do it. Otherwise, I say lean into having a quality, deep starting rotation. I'm totally over getting platoon guys who are versatile, but not really any good, though.

Yeah and personally I feel like you should be able to get this pretty easily. Keller should have value as a workhorse middle rotation guy, so I think you should be able to do this.

I've thrown out Keller for Kjerstad a bunch of times and I think that's pretty accurate for what you could get for Keller.

 

[WheresRamziAbid]

Kjerstad is an interesting case. Power bat, years on control just turned 26. But has a K problem.

If he hits his good outcome hes a stud in RF for half a decade, if he doesnt hes Jack Suwinski.

Definitely worth considering

 

[WheresRamziAbid]

All the speculation aside i think the most likely scenario is they're not comfortable with Ovideo going straight into the rotation and want him to be the swingman.

With a minor trade featuring Faulter or one of the secondary prospects (ashcraft?) as the second most likely outcome.

 

[Shrimper]

I like the Heaney signing.