OT: Raise the Jolly Roger: Dull days of July

[Empoleon8771]

Just admit that you didn't have any better options at short stop and now you don't have any better options at center because you suck at building a team.

I don't think there was anyone thought in the organization for Cruz moving out of SS in the off-season, though. Not only was it undetermined for how well he could defend at the MLB level at SS, but he was also coming off a major ankle injury that would have made learning a new position even more challenging.

I think they just got to the point where they decided a 26 year old Cruz wasn't going to get to the level they wanted defensively at SS, so they're shuffling him around to see where he fits if not SS. It's probably not going to be CF either, but they'll just have to keep trying until they find a fit. My bet: he either settles in at LF or 1B.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Tatis is doing fine in the OF since they are going to extend him might as-well find a defensive placement for him your comfortable with

 

[GilbertSeinfeld]

I don't know why it's funny to me, but all the big news about Cruz going to CF and he's DHing tonight.

 

[MrBrightside]

I don't know if Cruz can play SS long term but God this was handled amateurishly and as badly as it could be handled. How do you just announce this without having given him some reps out there to see how it goes? You basically turn IKF from a plus fielder into a minus fielder by making him the primary SS, a position that he's not really suited to play. Cruz is pissed about it, something that happens but also isn't great when your supposed future star feels jerked around. Amateur hour all around.

 

[BusinessGoose]

Pirates Brand Baseball

 

[ImporterExporter]

The good news is Keller should be our #4 or 5 by June of next year.

 

[metalan2]

I don't know if Cruz can play SS long term but God this was handled amateurishly and as badly as it could be handled. How do you just announce this without having given him some reps out there to see how it goes? You basically turn IKF from a plus fielder into a minus fielder by making him the primary SS, a position that he's not really suited to play. Cruz is pissed about it, something that happens but also isn't great when your supposed future star feels jerked around. Amateur hour all around.

He can't be worse than Bae.

Keller is just as responsible for the Pirates falling out of contention as anyone.

 

[MrBrightside]

The way the Cubs are stealing bases tonight is Little League bullshit. If Keller and Grandal can't do better than this there's a big issue.

 

[BusinessGoose]

The way the Cubs are stealing bases tonight is Little League bullshit. If Keller and Grandal can't do better than this there's a big issue.

Pretty sure they're the two worst at steal prevention in the league

 

[Mr Jeff Jimerson]

Nice to see Mitch Keller is back to his usual lackluster self after his rare monthly good start. The Bucco's are doomed if this fraudulent bum is their second starter next season.

 

[WickedWrister]

Pretty sure they're the two worst at steal prevention in the league

Yeah Grandal is 2nd to last in pop time and caught stealing rate

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/catcher-throwing

 

[WickedWrister]

 

[MrBrightside]

Sums it up.

 

[BusinessGoose]

That game escalated quickly lol

The Cubs are so annoying to lose to, too

 

[Empoleon8771]

I like how German had 1 nice game where I thought "damn maybe he can be useful", only for him to completely eat shit and wipe out today

This team is content with being mediocre so nothing is going to change, but man they simply need to replace Shelton at absolute minimum.

 

[WickedWrister]

Lmao Rowdy is pitching again

 

[JakeNBake59]

Lmao Rowdy is pitching again

Rowdy RP utility when XD

 

[GilbertSeinfeld]

The Pirates should stop with the "feel good story" call-ups and just call up players who can help them.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Lmao Rowdy is pitching again

That's a "get this game over with" call if I've seen one.

 

[WickedWrister]

That's a "get this game over with" call if I've seen one.

I love these kind of stats lol



Cubs just feasted on German, Feigl and Grandal for 14 runs in 2 innings

 

[BusinessGoose]

8 stolen bases

It's more than we have all year...

 

[Factorial]

8 stolen bases

It's more than we have all year...

Skenes and Chapman are the only pitchers to pay attention to runners on base.

 

[BusinessGoose]

Skenes and Chapman are the only pitchers to pay attention to runners on base.

It's a double sided indictment... We don't steal enough AND we let too many get stolen
Fundamentals are just lacking and the killer instinct is dormant

 

[MrBrightside]

So the Pirates are on pace to have the exact same record as last season despite Skenes, Jones, and a healthy Cruz in 2024. Just running this crap back again in 2025 with Cherington and Shelton and adding 2-3 bargain basement FA's is going to make it really hard to be enthusiastic for next season.

 

[TooManyHumans]

So the Pirates are on pace to have the exact same record as last season despite Skenes, Jones, and a healthy Cruz in 2024. Just running this crap back again in 2025 with Cherington and Shelton and adding 2-3 bargain basement FA's is going to make it really hard to be enthusiastic for next season.

At some point Cherington and Shelton are going to need to produce some actual results. As an organization the Pirates are devoid of hitters.