Buccos......

[bjf1984]

Anyone else surprised that it was Vance Worley who was left without a spot (for now) in the Pirates 5 man rotation?

Based off of their work last year, I would have had Worley slotted in ABOVE both Morton and Locke.....but it looks like - for now - the rotation is Cole/Liriano/Burnett/Morton/Locke....with Worley as the "long man" in the pen.

I suppose part of the process could be that Bucco brass feel Worley would be the most effective guy to work the long relief role......and having a legit middle-of-the-rotation starter working out of the pen is a good problem to have.

But I can't help but feel a little bad for Worley, who really did an awful lot to get the Buccos into the post-season last year.......hopefully Hurdle will have the other guys on a short leash - and get Worley in there pronto if one of the other guys struggles.

 

[PSUriseANDfire]

I really wish the Pirates could afford Hamels contract. It's actually reasonable to even good considering what a guy like Lester got. I think Burnett will probably be your weakest link in the rotation and the Pirates are one of the few teams that have the prospects to make an equal trade. Plus it would seriously put the Pirates over the top I think. I really think the Pirates could make a title run.

 

[Mixolydian]

I might have more to do with trying to mix another lefty into the rotation. Having said that, I am not at all sold on Locke and Morton has not looked that great so far this spring either.

 

[CF LION]

Could be to balance the righty/lefty makeup of the staff..

Cole, Burnett and Morton are all righties, as is Worley. Liriano would be the only lefty starter out of that bunch. Locke gives them a second southpaw starter.

 

[bjf1984]

With Kingham and Taillon ........


positioned to join the staff later this summer, I can't imagine the Buccos taking on any payroll to add another starter (and I don't think they should). Although the payroll this year will end up near $100 million, allocating $15-$20 million for another starter (when they have league minimum guys on the horizon) probably isn't a good long-term move. The way this team is built, I can't imagine them trading away any high end prospects (with 6 years of cost control) for any high-priced veterans.

I do share your concerns wrt Burnett. I think he is more or less a placeholder until the AAA guys are ready. Hopefully Searage and company can coax 15-20 decent starts out of him this year.

Should be an interesting summer at PNC.

 

[DCFrank]

Going to need 8 starters over the course of the season. Worley

will be in the rotation as much as he is out of it. Locke has yet to prove he can pitch well for six months, Liriano, Cole and Morton generally make at least one DL trip each year. Burnett, how knows.

The comforting thought is there appears to be depth. But that is also what the Pens thought about their blue line!

 

[PSUriseANDfire]

Re: Going to need 8 starters over the course of the season. Worley


So Worley is going to be your better version of Kyle Kendrick probably. Not a bad spot to be in for sure.

 

[wbcincy]

I dont like it, but it's very temporary

I think it's really odd not to give the job to Worley based on last year and a solid spring (ERA isn't good, but the 1.06 WHIP is fantastic and shows that the ERA is just bad luck). Meanwhile Locke has a whip over 1.7 and ERA over 6.

That said, it does give us a great long reliever available each day. And someone will head to the DL or need replaced before we even hit May, so it's temporary. The Bucs depth is going to be great by late June when Kingham and hopefully Taillon are ready. Toss in Glasnow next year around June and 2016 is the year I've been pointing to since '12 as the year the Bucs hit their peak (which will last until '18, at minimum. If they're smart and trade Cutch for prospects around summer '17 or offseason '18, it could stretch out even longer).

 

[SgtCarter]

in addition to Worley they also have Tomlin, Ruth Buzzi & Judy Carne

 

[nits74]

Re: Could be to balance the righty/lefty makeup of the staff..

Another factor may be that Locke has a history of being strong in April, May, June. Worley's numbers aren't as good early.

 

[Ten Thousan Marbles]

Very Interesting!*


v

 

[auxgym]

Locke's stuff does not translate well to the bullpen is one thing I read from the preseason articles. T

 

[Stargellfan]

I have no problem with the Pirates going with Locke. When he is good he is very, very good. I think his upside is much higher than Vance Worley. For Locke it all comes dome to location. If he can become more consistent with his control he has the chance to be a very good middle of the rotation pitcher. Locke has much better stuff than he is given credit for, he just sometimes walks too many people. Worley is going to have his chances.