Quote:
Originally Posted by DeezNutz
Winning teams have legit slug at the 2 spot. It's one of the most important roles in the entire lineup, and the notion that it's for someone to "handle the bat" and "move runners" is simply wrong.
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Agreed. That's old-school, National League thinking. Which evidence tells us is what Ned Yost does.
Sure-Oz - yes, the Pirates have received good pitching, but how much of that is pitching that is part of the long-term plan there?
They took a flier on Bedard, who has been Chen-esque.
Burnett has been good, but he's aging and not under contract after next season.
Correia has been acceptable but not outstanding.
The only stud pitcher the Pirates have is James McDonald, who is the good counterpart for Kyle Davies. Similar guys - post-hype prospects, both moved at the deadline for Octavio Dotel. The difference is that McDonald was a winning lottery ticket and Davies was "please try again."
They've done a nice job cobbling together a rotation, but only one of their five starters is really someone to envy. Burnett could be a good investment through next year again (and was someone many talked about the Royals acquiring). It wouldn't surprise me to see all of that except McDonald fall apart next year, if not in the second half.
Of course, due to draft position... they could have Cole and possibly Taillon ready for action next year, so...