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I actually don't think that the Pirates are a bad situation for a high-end prospect talent that he seems to possess. If he has the talent and lives up to the potential, he will be successful and make lots of bank in his career, even if not paid by the Pirates. Gonzales was a near consensus best player available at #7, so it was the right pick on paper. You rarely need to worry about getting blocked by an elite player sitting at the MLB level with the Pirates and the argument that they keep talent in the minors too long compared to other teams has sort of been debunked in recent years. The developmental staff has turned over since claims of holding back guys like Cole from achieving peak performance pre-free agency, so that is a bit of an unknown right now.Poor kid, worked hard his whole life to get drafted and ends up going to the pirates.
Poor kid, worked hard his whole life to get drafted and ends up going to the pirates.
The kid is thrilled and he should be. Worst case scenario he makes a lot of money 3 years down the road in arbitration. And if he is real good, free agency. These kids get slotted money according to where they are picked and don't make all that much anywhere till arbitration.Poor kid, worked hard his whole life to get drafted and ends up going to the pirates.
I actually don't think that the Pirates are a bad situation for a high-end prospect talent that he seems to possess. If he has the talent and lives up to the potential, he will be successful and make lots of bank in his career, even if not paid by the Pirates. Gonzales was a near consensus best player available at #7, so it was the right pick on paper. You rarely need to worry about getting blocked by an elite player sitting at the MLB level with the Pirates and the argument that they keep talent in the minors too long compared to other teams has sort of been debunked in recent years. The developmental staff has turned over since claims of holding back guys like Cole from achieving peak performance pre-free agency, so that is a bit of an unknown right now.
While the Pirates may not pay up during the years of control, neither do other teams, including the big market teams. They also pay to scale in the minor leagues and draft (for a while they were actually paying well above slot until MLB changed the draft rules). The lucrative opportunity comes for ALL baseball stars' careers at free agency. The successful Pirates' alum, that didn't lock themselves into a hometown discount, ended up with some massive bank accounts at the peak of their MLB careers; it just won't be paid by the Pirates payroll.
The bigger problem for the Bucs has been their poor draft selections for so many years. Even at the time of the pick, you knew it was a stretch. WIth both of the 1st round picks this year, I don't think you will find any that say they weren't good picks where drafted.
The reality of it is, Pittsburgh won't see the kid on the field for at least 3-4 years and then if he's any good, he will be traded away because the Pirates will continue to be cheap and not pay their talented players.
If baseball isn't played this year, will any one really care? I don't think so.
Unfortunately, it is the same ownership group and they have proven that they are cheap. Maybe it will change, but I doubt it.Thank you for a reasonable post.
If this were two years ago I'd agree with you. I think it'll be interesting to see if a new front office and development team moves people through the system faster.
Some of the so called experts say this kid has an excellent chance to be a quick mover. If he progresses as expected we could see him in 2023-24.Thank you for a reasonable post.
If this were two years ago I'd agree with you. I think it'll be interesting to see if a new front office and development team moves people through the system faster.
No kidding. For example, take a look at this five year stretch between 2006 & 2010.I actually don't think that the Pirates are a bad situation for a high-end prospect talent that he seems to possess. If he has the talent and lives up to the potential, he will be successful and make lots of bank in his career, even if not paid by the Pirates. Gonzales was a near consensus best player available at #7, so it was the right pick on paper. You rarely need to worry about getting blocked by an elite player sitting at the MLB level with the Pirates and the argument that they keep talent in the minors too long compared to other teams has sort of been debunked in recent years. The developmental staff has turned over since claims of holding back guys like Cole from achieving peak performance pre-free agency, so that is a bit of an unknown right now.
While the Pirates may not pay up during the years of control, neither do other teams, including the big market teams. They also pay to scale in the minor leagues and draft (for a while they were actually paying well above slot until MLB changed the draft rules). The lucrative opportunity comes for ALL baseball stars' careers at free agency. The successful Pirates' alum, that didn't lock themselves into a hometown discount, ended up with some massive bank accounts at the peak of their MLB careers; it just won't be paid by the Pirates payroll.
The bigger problem for the Bucs has been their poor draft selections for so many years. Even at the time of the pick, you knew it was a stretch. WIth both of the 1st round picks this year, I don't think you will find any that say they weren't good picks where drafted.
The system is rigged against the Pirates, there should be *real* revenue sharing and/or a salary cap. Some will say baseball is a free market economy, but that is not true at all, the Pirates aren't allowed to just move to Boston or NY to increase their revenue.
Like picking stocks! Win some lose some, but in this case Lose them all!!!No kidding. For example, take a look at this five year stretch between 2006 & 2010.
2006: Brad Lincoln over Kershaw
2007: Daniel Koskos over Bumgarner
2008: Álvarez over Posey
2009: Tony Sanchez over Trout
2010: Taillon over Machado, Sale
No kidding. For example, take a look at this five year stretch between 2006 & 2010.
2006: Brad Lincoln over Kershaw
2007: Daniel Koskos over Bumgarner
2008: Álvarez over Posey
2009: Tony Sanchez over Trout
2010: Taillon over Machado, Sale
That's nice in theory. But baseball doesn't have a National Broadcast contract like Football. The greatest accomplishment of Pete Rozelle was convincing people like the Mara's of New York to agree to go under the umbrella of a Major Network and evenly split that money. It made the league what it is today.The system is rigged against the Pirates, there should be *real* revenue sharing and/or a salary cap. Some will say baseball is a free market economy, but that is not true at all, the Pirates aren't allowed to just move to Boston or NY to increase their revenue.
So start with a broken system, add in a cheap owner only looking for profits, and then mix in some idiotic baseball decisions...and you get a dysfunctional outfit not worth spending much time or money on. Did I mention they are even terrible at PR?
I do enjoy the sport of baseball so I go to several games per year, always with free tickets though I do buy stuff there when not in a suite. And I'll watch them on TV frequently for a few innings at least. But there is no way I would significant put energy, emotion, or money into that clown show.
A couple of those picks like Sanchez and Moskos were signability picks. But picks like Alverez and Taillon were legit. Those players that they didn't pick weren't super stars when the draft happened and the Pirates weren't the only team that passed on them.No kidding. For example, take a look at this five year stretch between 2006 & 2010.
2006: Brad Lincoln over Kershaw
2007: Daniel Koskos over Bumgarner
2008: Álvarez over Posey
2009: Tony Sanchez over Trout
2010: Taillon over Machado, Sale
A couple of those picks like Sanchez and Moskos were signability picks. But picks like Alverez and Taillon were legit. Those players that they didn't pick weren't super stars when the draft happened and the Pirates weren't the only team that passed on them.
Agree. But I remember at the time that Sanchez was considered a reach. At any rate going back and cherry picking guys that weren't taken and went on to become super stars is foolish. And that goes for any sport and any draft.Sanchez was not signability. Sanchez was in the Stephen Strasburg draft. The thought with his pick was that the draft was basically a two player draft and the rest of the first round was a question. So, the Pirates went with a guy that they felt would be able to fast track to the majors given his defensive skills and showed enough with the bat that he could grow into a solid MLB hitter. Unfortunately, they were wrong.
But, that draft in particular was regarded as being pretty weak outside of Strasburg with Ackley being the consensus clear second best player in the draft. No one expected some guy from New Jersey picked in the 20s to become the best player since prime Barry Bonds. Faulting the Pirates for not picking Trout is like faulting the Steelers for not picking Tom Brady in 1999 or 2000.
Agree. But I remember at the time that Sanchez was considered a reach. At any rate going back and cherry picking guys that weren't taken and went on to become super stars is foolish. And that goes for any sport and any draft.
The kid is thrilled and he should be. Worst case scenario he makes a lot of money 3 years down the road in arbitration. And if he is real good, free agency. These kids get slotted money according to where they are picked and don't make all that much anywhere till arbitration.
Three shortstops of the future and no catcher. Brilliant.
Actually, I think it is brilliant. Seems to be the new trend in baseball. Load up on shortstop prospects and then disperse throughout your infield, with the best one staying at SS. I guess it’s because it’s easier for shortstop prospects to transition to other positions such as 1B or 3B. Royals are also doing this.Three shortstops of the future and no catcher. Brilliant.
I love baseball and I live the Pirates what I hate is the example Red Sox and Cub fans set. We lose year after year but love us anyway. Pirates ownership needs to step it up and put a winning team on the field.The reality of it is, Pittsburgh won't see the kid on the field for at least 3-4 years and then if he's any good, he will be traded away because the Pirates will continue to be cheap and not pay their talented players.
If baseball isn't played this year, will any one really care? I don't think so.
It is the toughest position on the field.Actually, I think it is brilliant. Seems to be the new trend in baseball. Load up on shortstop prospects and then disperse throughout your infield, with the best one staying at SS. I guess it’s because it’s easier for shortstop prospects to transition to other positions such as 1B or 3B. Royals are also doing this.
It is the toughest position on the field.
The reality of it is, Pittsburgh won't see the kid on the field for at least 3-4 years and then if he's any good, he will be traded away because the Pirates will continue to be cheap and not pay their talented players.