Pirates hit top spot in weekly power ranking. With Burnett retiring, what should they be doing

[NorCalcLion]

about the pitching staff. They need a number 2 for next season. Anyone besides me think they should be willing to pay top dollar to get a Hamels or a Shields ? There is no immediate help available from AAA or AA and won't be for the start of 2016.

Power ranking: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...eams-stand-at-the-2015-all-star-break/page/31

 

[PSU-Knocker]

They should be talking him out of retiring.

 

[bjf1984]

about the pitching staff. They need a number 2 for next season. Anyone besides me think they should be willing to pay top dollar to get a Hamels or a Shields ? There is no immediate help available from AAA or AA and won't be for the start of 2016.

Power ranking: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...eams-stand-at-the-2015-all-star-break/page/31

Hamels...Shields...any other "ace" that would require top prospects and a lot of $$$? No.
Not worth the prospects. Not worth taking up a big chunk of available payroll. CERTAINLY not worth BOTH prospects and payroll.

Buccos (IIRC) have multiple years left on Cole, Liriano, Morton, Locke, and Worley.


Before the injuries hit the AAA level, they had a full rotation of legit prospects set to fill out the Indianapolis rotation.
Not everyone will work out, and injuries can always play a part. But for 2016, ALL of these guys could reasonably be considered as Major League ready prospects:

Taillon, Kingham, Glasnow.

All with legit mid- or upper- level of the rotation potential.

All of these guys could at least be considered potential Major League depth options for 2016 (and one or two could certainly step up - just as one or two are likely to flame out or get hurt):

Sampson, Sadler, Cumpton, Brault, Sanchez, Kuhl.

The last thing the Pirates need to do is blow the budget - and deplete the farm system - for one supposed "ace" pitcher.
Now, with the way Burnett has been pitching - if he keeps things going through the 2nd half, and is interested in signing on for another year? That would make sense. But, other than that, anything more than a reasonably priced depth/reclamation guy wouldn't make sense.

 

[PSU-Knocker]

Hamels...Shields...any other "ace" that would require top prospects and a lot of $$$? No.
Not worth the prospects. Not worth taking up a big chunk of available payroll. CERTAINLY not worth BOTH prospects and payroll.

Buccos (IIRC) have multiple years left on Cole, Liriano, Morton, Locke, and Worley.


Before the injuries hit the AAA level, they had a full rotation of legit prospects set to fill out the Indianapolis rotation.
Not everyone will work out, and injuries can always play a part. But for 2016, ALL of these guys could reasonably be considered as Major League ready prospects:

Taillon, Kingham, Glasnow.

All with legit mid- or upper- level of the rotation potential.

All of these guys could at least be considered potential Major League depth options for 2016 (and one or two could certainly step up - just as one or two are likely to flame out or get hurt):

Sampson, Sadler, Cumpton, Brault, Sanchez, Kuhl.

The last thing the Pirates need to do is blow the budget - and deplete the farm system - for one supposed "ace" pitcher.
Now, with the way Burnett has been pitching - if he keeps things going through the 2nd half, and is interested in signing on for another year? That would make sense. But, other than that, anything more than a reasonably priced depth/reclamation guy wouldn't make sense.

Very complete answer. I agree!

 

[nits74]

Very complete answer. I agree!

Ditto.

 

[OMPats13]

they have plenty of minor league options who will be ready. I want Aj back but if Morton and Locke maintain their current status, the new crop in AAA will fill in just fine. Also, don't be surprised at an offseason reclamation project with a veteran guy like with Liriano and Burnett.

 

[NorCalcLion]

Hamels...Shields...any other "ace" that would require top prospects and a lot of $$$? No.
Not worth the prospects. Not worth taking up a big chunk of available payroll. CERTAINLY not worth BOTH prospects and payroll.

Buccos (IIRC) have multiple years left on Cole, Liriano, Morton, Locke, and Worley.


Before the injuries hit the AAA level, they had a full rotation of legit prospects set to fill out the Indianapolis rotation.
Not everyone will work out, and injuries can always play a part. But for 2016, ALL of these guys could reasonably be considered as Major League ready prospects:

Taillon, Kingham, Glasnow.

All with legit mid- or upper- level of the rotation potential.

All of these guys could at least be considered potential Major League depth options for 2016 (and one or two could certainly step up - just as one or two are likely to flame out or get hurt):

Sampson, Sadler, Cumpton, Brault, Sanchez, Kuhl.

The last thing the Pirates need to do is blow the budget - and deplete the farm system - for one supposed "ace" pitcher.
Now, with the way Burnett has been pitching - if he keeps things going through the 2nd half, and is interested in signing on for another year? That would make sense. But, other than that, anything more than a reasonably priced depth/reclamation guy wouldn't make sense.

IMHO Morton, Locke & Worley are all # 5 slot pitch

Hamels...Shields...any other "ace" that would require top prospects and a lot of $$$? No.
Not worth the prospects. Not worth taking up a big chunk of available payroll. CERTAINLY not worth BOTH prospects and payroll.

Buccos (IIRC) have multiple years left on Cole, Liriano, Morton, Locke, and Worley.


Before the injuries hit the AAA level, they had a full rotation of legit prospects set to fill out the Indianapolis rotation.
Not everyone will work out, and injuries can always play a part. But for 2016, ALL of these guys could reasonably be considered as Major League ready prospects:

Taillon, Kingham, Glasnow.

All with legit mid- or upper- level of the rotation potential.

All of these guys could at least be considered potential Major League depth options for 2016 (and one or two could certainly step up - just as one or two are likely to flame out or get hurt):

Sampson, Sadler, Cumpton, Brault, Sanchez, Kuhl.

The last thing the Pirates need to do is blow the budget - and deplete the farm system - for one supposed "ace" pitcher.
Now, with the way Burnett has been pitching - if he keeps things going through the 2nd half, and is interested in signing on for another year? That would make sense. But, other than that, anything more than a reasonably priced depth/reclamation guy wouldn't make sense.

IMHO Nothing you have stated improves the pitching staff. Morton, Locke & Worley may have multiple year contracts , but all three are 5 slot pitchers and that isn't going to change. Look at their career records . They are what they are.

As far as the minor league talent, save for Cumpton, none have pitched in the bigs. Taillon is coming off TJ surgery , There is no way of projecting on how well he will recover. Glasnow gets good reviews, but he hasn't had any BIG experience. All the others are minor league throwers with some degree of potential . They may exceed expectations or be huge disappointments. The Pirates haven't developed pitchers as St Louis has. They need an interim no 2 starter
for next year and could use strong arm for the 2nd half of this season. It isn't available from their minor league rosters

 

[fairgambit]

It's a legitimate question, but after 20 years of woe, and at this stage of my life, I am not going to think about next season until after we win the World Series this year.