FWIW - St Louis Cardinals.....

[bjf1984]

Haven't scored more than 4 runs in a game in the last two weeks,

Their pitching continues to be INCREDIBLE (though Matheny's use of the bullpen.....constantly bringing guys in to face one or two hitters...will likely catch up to them at some point. FWIW, I think they used 5 or 6 guys in a 9 inning 2-1 game yesterday).

I know they are without Holliday right now - but he was in a 4-25 slump before he went down, and doesn't have much power left in his bat anyway. I felt going into the season that the Cards lineup just didn't have many "scare you" guys......but they have - until recently - gotten way more than one could have expected from Carpenter and Wong (who, I think are both nice players), along with Peralta (the juicer who will likely regress as the season moves along). Adams going down probably helped them a little bit (by getting Reynolds more at bats - especially since Adams has never really developed, and Reynolds actually hits righties better than lefties)....but Reynolds is another guy who you would expect to regress.

If the Cards are going to win the Central - which they very well may do - their starting rotation is going to have to keep pitching strong all year. The Buccos probably have a little more potential to ride out a down swing in the starting rotation - if some of the bats can start to produce at their "normal" levels.

 

[lionlurker]

I love the Bucs, but their bats are inconsistent. They will not win the Central division unless Pedro starts hitting.

 

[fairgambit]

Haven't scored more than 4 runs in a game in the last two weeks,

Their pitching continues to be INCREDIBLE (though Matheny's use of the bullpen.....constantly bringing guys in to face one or two hitters...will likely catch up to them at some point. FWIW, I think they used 5 or 6 guys in a 9 inning 2-1 game yesterday).
I know they are without Holliday right now - but he was in a 4-25 slump before he went down, and doesn't have much power left in his bat anyway. I felt going into the season that the Cards lineup just didn't have many "scare you" guys......but they have - until recently - gotten way more than one could have expected from Carpenter and Wong (who, I think are both nice players), along with Peralta (the juicer who will likely regress as the season moves along). Adams going down probably helped them a little bit (by getting Reynolds more at bats - especially since Adams has never really developed, and Reynolds actually hits righties better than lefties)....but Reynolds is another guy who you would expect to regress.
If the Cards are going to win the Central - which they very well may do - their starting rotation is going to have to keep pitching strong all year. The Buccos probably have a little more potential to ride out a down swing in the starting rotation - if some of the bats can start to produce at their "normal" levels.

What the Cardinals have done so far is remarkable, but the operative words are "so far". There is still a lot of season left and their injuries will take a toll. The Pirates right now are a better team. I think that will be true the rest of the year. Yes, I'm a Pirate fan and I'm biased, but biased does not mean I'm wrong. The Bucs will win the Division. The Bucs will win the National League. The Bucs will win the World Series. Did I mention I was a Pirate fan?

 

[bjf1984]

I love the Bucs, but their bats are inconsistent. They will not win the Central division unless Pedro starts hitting.

No doubt LL - VERY inconsistent.

That said, they had one of the most productive offenses the 2nd half of last year - without Pedro.
As opposed to the Cards, I do think the Buccos have more scary elements to their offense.....guys who can flat out run (Marte, Polanco, McCutcheon - on those rare occasions when they ask him to run, even Harrison from time to time). St Louis has nothing for speed.
Buccos also have more length to their lineup as far as power is concerned. When they are performing up to their historical numbers, every spot but C and RF give you a reasonable chance to pop one over the fence (even when playing in very home run un-friendly PNC). St Louis - not so much.

My bigger concerns for the Buccos are how much regression - or possible injuries - we will see from the starting rotation. I think Cole is the real deal (but I don't think anyone is going to put up sub-2.00 era for the season), and I think Franky Liriano's stuff has been even better than Cole or Burnett (just a little unlucky)......but I am not so confident that Burnett will be able to keep it going for 30 starts, or that Morton won't have one of his 5.00+ era months. It would be nice if Taillon continues to show good stuff during his rehab.....as he could still potentially be a guy who could jump in to the rotation come August (if things go well).

 

[OMPats13]

Buccos arent a player at this point but man it would be nice to find a way to get Hamels

 

[LemonEars]

Buccos arent a player at this point but man it would be nice to find a way to get Hamels

I too would love to see Hamels in a Pirate's uniform. It isn't going to happen. Hamels is way out of the Pirate's price range.

The Pirates have been really lucky with injuries thus far. They haven't had any significant injuries at all.

I really expect Pedro to get traded over the next month. He is a natural DH. He is a horrible fielder at any position.

My new favorite player on the Bucs is Kang. The guy is fun to watch. He has all the baseball skills needed to be great at this level. I'm really surprised at how quickly he has fit in and contributed. Also, the catching is way beyond expectations. Did anyone expect Cervelli to be the Pirate's leading hitter?

 

[joeparules]

So the team who has given up the fewest runs (Cards) are playing the team who has scored the fewest runs (Phils) in all of MLB. The over/under for runs scored by the Phillies this weekend is ONE!

 

[fairgambit]

So the team who has given up the fewest runs (Cards) are playing the team who has scored the fewest runs (Phils) in all of MLB. The over/under for runs scored by the Phillies this weekend is ONE!

I shipped a case of my best "Hidden Vigorish" directly to the Phillies clubhouse. I hope it works.

 

[bjf1984]

Buccos arent a player at this point but man it would be nice to find a way to get Hamels

$88.5 Million over the next 3 1/2 years? No thanks.

They'd still be paying him $20+ million per year when he is at the age the Cliff Lee is at, and that Roy Halladay was at a couple of years ago (when his arm died).

Right now, Hamels is a damn nice pitcher, but if the Phillies were GIVING HIM AWAY, there is no chance in the world that I would pick him (and that contract) up.

I expect that the Phils are looking for someone to not only take over the contract, but to also throw in some decent prospects. They may very well find a taker from among the clubs that don't have any limitations regarding payroll......but no way should the Pirates even consider it.

 

[bjf1984]

I too would love to see Hamels in a Pirate's uniform. It isn't going to happen. Hamels is way out of the Pirate's price range.

The Pirates have been really lucky with injuries thus far. They haven't had any significant injuries at all.

I really expect Pedro to get traded over the next month. He is a natural DH. He is a horrible fielder at any position.

My new favorite player on the Bucs is Kang. The guy is fun to watch. He has all the baseball skills needed to be great at this level. I'm really surprised at how quickly he has fit in and contributed. Also, the catching is way beyond expectations. Did anyone expect Cervelli to be the Pirate's leading hitter?

Lemon - I can't see the Buccos trading Alverez any time soon.....not that I think he will ever become a consistent threat.

I would be very surprised if Walker is still the Pirates 2nd Baseman a year from now. He is probably going to cost in the neighborhood of $10 million in arbitration for 2016......and I can't imagine the Buccos picking that up.
I expect they will be checking out the trade market - and if they think they can move him with a $10 million contract and get anything in return, they will likely offer him arbitration. If not, they may be forced to just decline arbitration and cut Walker loose.
He can barely cover any ground at 2nd base anymore, and he probably doesn't have the arm to play 3rd. 1st base would be an option, but not unless he regains the power numbers he had last year.
Add in his chronic back problems, and Alen Hanson looking like he is ready to get his shot (or moving Harrison to 2nd, and inserting Kang at 3rd) and I don't see any room on the 2016 roster for a limited-range, limited-power, $10 million second baseman.

 

[OMPats13]

I agree about Banson, add Bell to that and both Alvarez and Walker are probably not Pirates for much longer.

 

[LemonEars]

Lemon - I can't see the Buccos trading Alverez any time soon.....not that I think he will ever become a consistent threat.

I would be very surprised if Walker is still the Pirates 2nd Baseman a year from now. He is probably going to cost in the neighborhood of $10 million in arbitration for 2016......and I can't imagine the Buccos picking that up.
I expect they will be checking out the trade market - and if they think they can move him with a $10 million contract and get anything in return, they will likely offer him arbitration. If not, they may be forced to just decline arbitration and cut Walker loose.
He can barely cover any ground at 2nd base anymore, and he probably doesn't have the arm to play 3rd. 1st base would be an option, but not unless he regains the power numbers he had last year.
Add in his chronic back problems, and Alen Hanson looking like he is ready to get his shot (or moving Harrison to 2nd, and inserting Kang at 3rd) and I don't see any room on the 2016 roster for a limited-range, limited-power, $10 million second baseman.

I think you are right about Walker and I think the Pirates paid the money needed to get Kang with Walker's leaving in mind. I still think Pedro is going to get traded. He might be a terror in the AL. The Pirates might get a good player in exchange for him.

 

[bjf1984]

I think you are right about Walker and I think the Pirates paid the money needed to get Kang with Walker's leaving in mind. I still think Pedro is going to get traded. He might be a terror in the AL. The Pirates might get a good player in exchange for him.

I agree Alvarez is not long with the Buccos......I just meant that I can't see them moving him this year. Right now there really aren't any viable options to play first base full-time.
And, despite his shortcomings, Pedro is still a guy who can hit 25 HRs even if he is limited to 400-450 ABs while sitting against lefties. When you look at the Buccos recent history at first base (Davis, Sanchez, Overbay, Jones) Alvarez looks pretty good. That pure power is tough to find anymore. Hart or Rodriguez are not full-time options (though I have been VERY impressed with Rodriguez' defensive work at first base - first legit glove guy at first since I can't remember), and Bell isn't ready.

 

[BBG65]

Alvarez certainly has value in the trade market. The guy had 36 HRs in 2013, plus 5 in the playoffs to go along with 100 RBIs, a Silver Slugger award and All-Star recognition. He's having a fair season so far this year. Age wise, he is in his prime and healthy. He is under team control through the 2016 season, but with Scott Boras as his agent, is unlikely to sign with the Pirates after that. Bell should be ready by mid 2016. I agree that this should be Walker's last year with the Pirates and his trade value will be minimal.

 

[fairgambit]

So the team who has given up the fewest runs (Cards) are playing the team who has scored the fewest runs (Phils) in all of MLB. The over/under for runs scored by the Phillies this weekend is ONE!

The Phillies are having their hitting problems. It reminds me of a quote by Rich Donnelly (Pirates) who said he once coached a team in the minors that was so bad, "we considered a 2-0 count on the batter a rally."

 

[LemonEars]

I agree Alvarez is not long with the Buccos......I just meant that I can't see them moving him this year. Right now there really aren't any viable options to play first base full-time.
And, despite his shortcomings, Pedro is still a guy who can hit 25 HRs even if he is limited to 400-450 ABs while sitting against lefties. When you look at the Buccos recent history at first base (Davis, Sanchez, Overbay, Jones) Alvarez looks pretty good. That pure power is tough to find anymore. Hart or Rodriguez are not full-time options (though I have been VERY impressed with Rodriguez' defensive work at first base - first legit glove guy at first since I can't remember), and Bell isn't ready.

I keep thinking that now is the time to trade Pedro. He is having a half decent season and may well revert to being the strikeout machine that he was last year. I agree with you on Rodriguez. He has greatly exceeded expectations. He seems like a seasoned heady ballplayer. Maybe they could package Hart with Pedro and get a decent player in return. I keep thinking that Walker is the future first baseman if they can keep him.
I think Kang is the future at second. His range is a bit limited at short.

 

[bjf1984]

I keep thinking that now is the time to trade Pedro. He is having a half decent season and may well revert to being the strikeout machine that he was last year. I agree with you on Rodriguez. He has greatly exceeded expectations. He seems like a seasoned heady ballplayer. Maybe they could package Hart with Pedro and get a decent player in return. I keep thinking that Walker is the future first baseman if they can keep him.
I think Kang is the future at second. His range is a bit limited at short.

Mercer will continue to get the bulk of the play at SS - IMHO. I have always felt he was VASTLY underrated defensively (much better defense than - for example - Barmes). His history shows that over the course of a season he can at least be a non-liability at the plate, and at times can give the lineup a boost (FWIW, he is probably hitting the ball as well as anyone in the lineup this week - but has been plagued with a bunch of "at 'em" balls).

That means Walker/Harrison/Kang continue to divide up the 2B/3B starts....which is OK - especially since Harrison can also be used to sub out any of the outfielders.

But that still means Alvarez has to be the guy at 1B. If this team wasn't a legit contender this year, I could consider moving him while he has 1 1/2 years of control in order to get more value. But there is no way they could plug that spot without him - and not have a huge drop off at the plate.
Pedro will still have plenty of value next spring, and by then the Buccos will have a much better picture regarding their options (Bell, moving Walker to 1B, potential free-agents, etc). Worst case scenario, Pedro plays out the string in 2016 (hopefully, with a LOT of motivation to set up a big FA payday) and the Pirates pick up a 1st Round Comp pick when he goes to the Yankees.