LOL Buccos cut the one depth option they had for the rotation.....

[bjf1984]

now we get to see Burnett....who has been running on fumes since the break....throw batting practice for the last two months of the season.

What a GD stupid move. That is going to cost them big time.

I really like the Buccos management team.....but that was one of the all time dumb moves.

Its not like Worley is Tom Seaver......but he probably was their fourth best starting rotation option (ahead of Morton and Locke - two guys who are afraid to throw a strike) and AJ was clearly out of gas - even before tonight's game.

Since June 18th...these are the combined numbers for AJ / Locke / Morton. Close your eyes if you are easily frightened:

121 Innings Pitched
77 Runs on 150 Hits with 41 Walks

That comes out to 5.7 Runs per game, and a 1.57 WHIP

That's not just some little blip - that is your 3-4-5 men in the rotation over a 6 week span.

This club was SCREAMING for a rental SP. SCREAMING. All the AAA SP Depth was decimated by injuries.
And we let Worley (a guy who's numbers since coming to the Buccos were 180 Innings pitched, 3.20 ERA, 1.26 WHIP) just walk away? And no moves to add a rental at the deadline? When the best option in AAA is Radhames Liz?

I've said before, this management group has done a WONDERFUL job over the last 5 years, but they crapped the bed this year at the deadline.

And now they have no options.....because they want to keep guys like Guerra and Caminero??

UGH.

 

[fairgambit]

 

[bjf1984]

I think the roster is plenty strong enough to make the post-season......but with this rotation, it would - I fear - take a complete collapse by the Cardinals to win the division.
I really like both Cole and Liriano, but Morton (who has good stuff) pitches like a pussy 1/2 the time, and you just never know what you are getting with Locke. That would be OK if you could count on AJ as a solid guy from the #3 slot, but I really think his tank is on "E".

I am flabbergasted that the Buccos would do what they did with their one SP depth option.....and - while not surprised - very disappointed that they would not look to add a SP at the deadline.

As I posted before, I thought MIke Leake would be an ideal option. If he ends up being traded for some low cost (prospects similar to Jacoby Jones, who was used to acquire Soria) THAT will be a major FUBAR.
Maybe they looked, and the price was crazy high - but I'll be watching to see what Leake (and guys like him) eventually net at the deadline.

 

[fairgambit]

I think the roster is plenty strong enough to make the post-season......but with this rotation, it would - I fear - take a complete collapse by the Cardinals to win the division.
I really like both Cole and Liriano, but Morton (who has good stuff) pitches like a pussy 1/2 the time, and you just never know what you are getting with Locke. That would be OK if you could count on AJ as a solid guy from the #3 slot, but I really think his tank is on "E".

I am flabbergasted that the Buccos would do what they did with their one SP depth option.....and - while not surprised - very disappointed that they would not look to add a SP at the deadline.

As I posted before, I thought MIke Leake would be an ideal option. If he ends up being traded for some low cost (prospects similar to Jacoby Jones, who was used to acquire Soria) THAT will be a major FUBAR.
Maybe they looked, and the price was crazy high - but I'll be watching to see what Leake (and guys like him) eventually net at the deadline.

The Cardinals will save their collapse for the playoffs.

 

[bjf1984]

The Cardinals will save their collapse for the playoffs.

Leake just went to the Giants for two prospects.....neither of whom were anywhere near Top 100 level prospects. The entire Giants system doesn't have any "Top 100" prospects....its one of the worst farm systems in baseball.


The top guy (Kuery Mella) was a SP working in A ball. Nice - but not dominating - numbers. Relatively young (21 yo)
Projects as a back of rotation prospect, with a possible future in the bullpen.

Equivalent guys in the Pirates system would be someone like Cody Dickson, or Stephen Tarpley (who they acquired in the Travis Snyder trade). A guy like that really wouldn't be missed in the Pirates system. You'd like to keep them all, but would be well worth it to bring in a legit SP for the August/September push.


Other guy (Adam Duvall) is a 26 yo in AAA. Hits for good power - albeit in the very hitter friendly Pacific Coast League.
Guy is non-athletic, doesn't run well at all, and doesn't have a defensive position (when he plays the field, it will most likely be at 1B).
Just getting his first cup of coffee with the Giants at age 26, and projects out as a potential bench bat/PH type (since his only skill is his power). Not even a "top 10" prospect in the Giants very weak system.

This would be a prospect with LESS upside than a Jacoby Jones (who the Buccos shipped off for Soria). Duvall is certainly older, and further along the system, but much less athleticism and upside - and certainly wouldn't grade out as having the overall potential of Jones (which isn't saying a whole lot).

Yes.......the Buccos should have made a deal like that in a heartbeat. Hell, they could have thrown in Worley as well to sweeten the pot - even paid his salary (which they are going to be doing anyway, alas)
Neil was asleep at the wheel on this one. Too bad, because I think Leake could have REALLY juiced up the rotation.......and his price was relatively "nothing" for a farm system like the Pirates.
Damn!! Missed opportunity.

 

[91Joe95]

Worley is/was not a starting option. It would take much too long to stretch him out after being in the bullpen for so long.

 

[bjf1984]

Worley is/was not a starting option. It would take much too long to stretch him out after being in the bullpen for so long.

LOL Well, he sure isn't an option now. All he would have needed to do to get ready to step into this current rotation is to throw some batting practice :-(

The rotation is heading down a steep cliff right now......and they gave away the emergency brake.

 

[lionlurker]

As I said in another thread, Worley told them he was unhappy with his role, and wanted out. So, he's out.

This was all over sports radio here yesterday afternoon.

 

[Hartzie]

As I said in another thread, Worley told them he was unhappy with his role, and wanted out. So, he's out.

This was all over sports radio here yesterday afternoon.

Sorry, no... I listen to The FAN in Pittsburgh every day and they never mentioned that as a reason. As a matter of fact he was very unhappy to be let go. Hurdle did say that they thought he never adjusted well to pitching out of the bullpen but there were zero quotes that he was unhappy with his role and wanted out. Just listen to Worley's interviews yesterday. He said nothing to the effect you are claiming.

 

[lionlurker]

Sorry, no... I listen to The FAN in Pittsburgh every day and they never mentioned that as a reason. As a matter of fact he was very unhappy to be let go. Hurdle did say that they thought he never adjusted well to pitching out of the bullpen but there were zero quotes that he was unhappy with his role and wanted out. Just listen to Worley's interviews yesterday. He said nothing to the effect you are claiming.

On the afternoon show it was Starkey who brought it up. I was listening between 3 and 330pm. That's all I can tell you.

Why would I make it up? I frankly couldn't care less about this whole issue.

 

[bjf1984]

On the afternoon show it was Starkey who brought it up. I was listening between 3 and 330pm. That's all I can tell you.

Why would I make it up? I frankly couldn't care less about this whole issue.

Whether Worley was happy or unhappy......the situation they have is:

1 - 3 of the 5 guys in the rotation have been pitching at AAAA level for the last month and a half.
2 - One of those three is 38, and keeps reminding everyone that his am is dead
3 - The other two have career histories of going in the tank for long stretches
4 - They are in the midst of a pennant race
5 - They knew their AAA pitching depth had been decimated by injuries earlier this year
6 - The only SP depth available on the roster was Worley - and they released him
7 - They've done nothing to address SP at the deadline - even though there have been quality rentals available for next to nothing in price

Hey, everyone misses one now and again, and for NH and the gang this was their "pooch screwing"....IMHO.