Comments on: McCutchen Deal All About the Long Term Impact

By: Buck O. Fann

Buck O. Fann — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 07:06:00 +0000

When McCutchen was called up after the McLouth trade, I was thinking “God, I hope this guy lives up to the hype and isn’t another first-round bust.”

Then he played his first game vs. the Mets and you could see flashes of something: I’m pretty sure he got a hit in his initial AB, and then later stole a base and crushed a ball nearly to the track in center.

After all that, I was thinking extension. It’s great to see the Pirates finally come through; Cutch has certainly done his part.

As for the future OF, I hope Bell develops, because a Cutch/Marte/Tabata or Cutch/Marte/Presley or whatever outfield configuration you can come up with those four (sans Bell) won’t provide enough power, especially since the Pirates won’t able to compensate at 1B/SS looking at things right now.

By: ElGaupo77

ElGaupo77 — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:34:00 +0000

I don’t think we should draft another OF for 3 years. Also, don’t dismiss Garrett Jones for another 4 years, Gorkys for 6 (could get 2 WAR on his glove alone) and the potential .370+ wOBA Robbie Grossman for 6 starting as early as next year.

By: Tim Williams

Tim Williams — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:42:00 +0000

Again, when I’m talking about future lineup projections, I’m looking at upside. The best upside lies with McCutchen, Marte, and Bell. I don’t think Marte and Bell are sure things, but I don’t think Presley or Tabata are sure things either.

Regardless of who fills the role, whether it’s Marte, Bell, Presley, Tabata, or Grossman, the point is that they’ll be playing with McCutchen for three more years than they would have prior to the extension. And that’s huge no matter who steps up as the other two outfielders.

By: John Lease

John Lease — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 12:38:00 +0000

I think you are undervaluing Alex Presley. He’s done nothing but hit. Someone who hasn’t played a game since high school just isn’t worth talking about replacing someone who has gone up the chain yet. Way too early.

By: Tim Williams

Tim Williams — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 04:54:00 +0000

I think the Pirates have a great situation with their outfield depth. My opinion on Tabata is revealed in the First Pitch post tonight, but to shed some more light on the thought process: if we’re looking at the best case scenarios for all of the players in the system, my pick for the best outfield would be McCutchen, Marte, and Bell.

I’m not counting Tabata out, and I’m not saying it’s a sure thing that the above outfield will be the one starting in 2014-2015. I just approached it the same way I approach any future lineup projection: take the players with the best upsides.

By: James Santelli

James Santelli — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 04:37:00 +0000

Tim,

Great article, and I certainly agree on almost every point.

The only thing I see missing here when you’re talking about the outfield is Jose Tabata. He’s still just 23 and has already proven himself as a big-league hitter. You combine him with the possibilities presented by Cutch, Marte, Bell and Grossman, and the Pirates have a very good problem of too much outfield talent.