Comments on: A.J. Burnett Rumors: Wednesday

By: Tim Williams

Tim Williams — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:45:00 +0000

The last player they kept in to free agency was Jack Wilson.

I think comparing Bay and McCutchen are two different situations.

First, I think it was a pointless move to “extend” Bay. All they did was buy out his arbitration years to provide cost certainty. They should have pushed for free agent years. Second, when they traded Bay, they weren’t going to have a shot at winning for the duration of his contract.

McCutchen is under team control through 2015. They’ve got a shot at winning from now until then. That shot goes down if they deal McCutchen now.

By: dropkickmurphys

dropkickmurphys — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:20:00 +0000

I would say its pretty realistic. Who is the last player of note that they kept through either their initial shot at free agency or through the life of the contract (like Jason Bay).

If the Pirates don’t sign McCutchen, they will not have him for four years. They cannot afford to let him walk. If they’ve made or make the decision that he won’t or can’t be signed, he will be traded long before the end of the next four years.

The Burnett deals gets dumber with each passing hour. He isn’t worth $5M/season without giving up players. He’s certainly not worth more than $5M/season and he’s not worth giving up anyone. Burnett is a has been, that’s the plain hard truth of the matter.

By: Todd Smith

Todd Smith — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 02:04:00 +0000

…but even if they go with a 4 man rotation, they still have to keep all 5 starters on the roster…unless Morton starts on the DL.

By: scrappy2499

scrappy2499 — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:16:00 +0000

That is nice in therory except for the small problem of other teams wanting in on him…Some of those teams have deep pockets. The 10 to 15 mil you mention isn’t going to get it done…

By: Brian Bernard

Brian Bernard — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:07:00 +0000

Take the same 10-15 million you plan on spending on Burnett – and spend it to sign the Cuban Soler. Another 5 tool player – and impact guy in a few years when Bell is ready too. That’s better use of the money NH.

By: mikez09

mikez09 — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:45:00 +0000

they would probably go with an 8 man bullpen until they need a 5th starter which won’t be until end of April. That would give them ample time to either trade McCutchen or decide who is staying or going…

By: Todd Smith

Todd Smith — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:19:00 +0000

Assuming they do finally get this deal done, what does the bullpen look like on opening day? Seems to be getting a bit crowded there.

Hanrahan, Meek, Grilli, Resop, McCutchen and Correia in the pen only leaves one open spot, and there isn’t even a lefty in there yet. Plus, Leroux is out of options.

By: BondstheGOAT

BondstheGOAT — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:28:00 +0000

I agree with the rays extensions too. But those guys have been signed much earlier where tampa is assuming all the risk by paying these guys early on. But if their scouting is true and player is healthy and willing its a lottery ticket for the rays. Cutch is past this stage with only 1 prearb yr left
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By: Ross

Ross — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:42:00 +0000

well ive read a bunch of times that people want the pirates to start lock guys up long term in the early stages like the Rays have done with Price and Moore

By: Tim Williams

Tim Williams — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:40:00 +0000

If a deal like this really was the make or break for a McCutchen extension, then I’d say there was never any shot of extending McCutchen.

My opinion is that people are over-reacting. I don’t know if McCutchen is one of those guys who just wants to go year to year, or if he’s just holding out until he’s arbitration eligible. Either way, the Pirates have him for four more years. The talk about McCutchen possibly being traded if an extension isn’t reached is the same as talking about how the Pirates will lose Burnett if they don’t make a deal on Tuesday. It’s a doom and gloom outlook.