Comments on: Pirates Have Expressed Interest in Jon Lester and Jason Vargas

By: Sam Henzler

Sam Henzler — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 01:40:00 +0000

Bedard and Correia suck, to put it in the nicest terms. I was thinking, like everybody else, why they wouldn’t bring Owens, Locke, or Wilson up. Today on 93.7 The Fan, they said that the front office is making the moves that best fit the team, so obviously, Bedard and Correia are better off , for now. I say get a rental pitcher now, along with either Upton, Victorino (hoping he could get re-signed), or a rental outfielder, then spend a ton on free agents. Let’s say they get a rental hitter and pitcher at the deadline, neither of them re-sign, we still have options. I doubt that Hamilton, Wright, Melky, McCann, Cano, and Granderson will be options, but maybe Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn, Delmon Young, Carlos Lee, or Mike Napoli could be options. Rod Barajas is a free agent, and I’d like him to come back, but he isn’t a good enough catcher to lead a playoff team, and I don’t think McKenry is yet. The catching market looks strong, so if they miss out on Napoli, I think either Shoppach, Martin, or Ianetta are the best options. I think Barajas will be back though. For a hitter, I can see Napoli in a Pirates jersey, but I think he’s a total bust. I can see Swisher playing here, or Young, or Lee. I think a 2 year, $15.5MM deal could get Swisher. For pitchers, I like Dan Haren, Edwin Jackson, Marcum, Jonathan Sanchez, James Shields, Colby Lewis, or Joe Saunders. I think Marcum, Jackson, and Lewis are the best options here. Let’s say they over pay for Marcum (a guy who really knows the NL Central) 2 years $11MM. Let’s also say they sign a De La Rosa type to a minor league deal. That improves a lot without over paying. The rotation is set (McDonald, Burnett, Karstens, Marcum, and either De La Rosa, Cole, Owens/Locke) and a great line-up, with or without Upton. We could also use a TRUE lead off hitter in LF (Pierre, Pagan, Sizemore)
1.) Pierre/Pagan/Marte/or Sizemore LF
2.) Walker 2B
3.) McCutchen CF
4.) Swisher/Upton RF
5.) McGehee 1B
6.) Alvarez 3B
7.) McKenry/Barajas C
8.) Barmes SS
9.) Pitcher
OR
1.) Walker 2B
2.) Swisher/Upton RF
3.) McCutchen CF
4.) Jones LF
5.) McGehee 1B
6.) Alvarez 3B
7.) McKenry/Barajas C
8.) Barmes SS
9.) Pitcher
With a DH
1.) Pierre/Pagan/Marte/Sizemore LF
2.) Walker 2B
3.) McCutchen CF
4.) Swisher/Upton RF
5.) Jones DH
6.) Alvarez 3B
7.) McGehee 1B
8.) McKenry/Barajas C
9.) Barmes SS

By: Scott BUCN Klima

Scott BUCN Klima — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 21:55:00 +0000

Vargas makes zero sense. He’s not a serious upgrade over Correia or Bedard. Rather just bring Owens or Locke up for a shot if needed.

By: Ian Rothermund

Ian Rothermund — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 19:43:00 +0000

I realize it was kind of in poor taste, but that would be an even poorer business decision if this guy is a ticking time bomb of relapse. However, I feel much more comforted after hearing the Neil Huntington show today…as I don’t see either of Taillon or Cole going anywhere for any reason. Him saying that not signing Appel did very little to affect their position on trading their top pitching prospects was a very encouraging sign.

By: Lee Young

Lee Young — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 17:12:00 +0000

But wouldn’t it be cool to have Lester AND Burnett pitching vs the Yankees in the World Series?

By: Kevin_Creagh

Kevin_Creagh — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 17:04:00 +0000

Ix-nay the ancer-cay cracks next time, please.

By: Ian Rothermund

Ian Rothermund — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 16:50:00 +0000

That’s the most outrageous trade idea. Lol. Give us one of the top 2 or 3 pitching prospects in the game that should be ready next year for a guy you’ll have control of for a year and a half. I’d tell them I’d take their cancer patient and give them Alderson and maybe a guy like victor black.

By: VtTom

VtTom — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 16:35:00 +0000

Cole for Lester? Hey Red Sox, how about the rights to Appel for Lester.

By: Bucco Inc

Bucco Inc — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 16:20:00 +0000

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!