Comments on: Pirates Shopping Hanrahan to the Dodgers, Others?

By: bWalor23

bWalor23 — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 15:17:22 +0000

How about Hanrahan and Presley to Detroit for Porcello or Smyly and Asvail Garcia ? Too much for Detroit to give up?

By: Bryan Graham

Bryan Graham — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 06:51:29 +0000

$8.5 Million is a fair price for a guy who hit .237 two years ago and .211 last year? We complained last season how the 7-8-9 hitters were more or less automatic outs and now we have assured that will be the case this year also. I would have much rather had Napoli, he may have only caught 80 games but he could have played first the rest of the time and hit 25-30 homers. I just don’t see how we didn’t just sign the Fort for $8.5 million/year, only this guy has Martin on the back of his jersey.

By: Fred Langford

Fred Langford — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 02:37:55 +0000

I completely agree Tim. Why would you trade an elite arm like Hanrahan for a middle of the road starter. If that and a prospect is all we can get i would just keep him until the deadline where he would have very good value. You are right…the approach is inconsistent…this Karstens thing bothers me. We know the guy can pitch. Karstens has a higher war the last 3 years combined and to use injury as an excuse for not wanting Karstens and then sign a guy like Capuano who had 2 tjs’ WTF?!?

By: slucas22

slucas22 — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 21:56:37 +0000

I guess a vacuum.

It’s hard for me to apply it to the Pirates situation, because I’m not really sure what they can realistically put into payroll this season. I know the TV money will kick in next year (correct me if I’m wrong), so they could be willing to spend a bit more this year knowing that money is on the way.

Like I said, as an outsider looking in, hard to tell where they stand.

Similar to the Martin signing…. $8.5m is a pretty fair price for his production, but is it “fair” considering the Pirates situation? It’s hard to tell until we have a more firm grasp on the payroll/roster.

By: Tim Williams

Tim Williams — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 21:52:34 +0000

Is this comparison in a vacuum, or are we applying it to the Pirates’ situation?

I’d take Capuano/Grilli in a vacuum.

By: slucas22

slucas22 — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 21:49:34 +0000

“However, if given the choice I’d take Karstens and Hanrahan over Capuano alone.”

Hypothetical question Tim: Would you prefer Karstens/Hanrahan or Capuano/Grilli?

By: Tim Williams

Tim Williams — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 21:48:10 +0000

I don’t think that balances it out. If you’re talking about the cash difference, you’re projecting future moves. If you’re doing that, then you’ve got to project a Hanrahan trade on the other side, which would also free up cash. If the deal is for a prospect or young player, then you’re freeing up almost $7 M. Then it’s Karstens, the return for Hanrahan, and $2-3 M or Capuano.

The overall point here is that the Pirates need pitching. They just let an effective pitcher go for nothing. They’re also rumored to be shopping their closer to fill the pitching need. It’s not consistent. They’re giving away good pitching, then paying a high cost for it in another avenue.

By: steve19981

steve19981 — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 21:40:14 +0000

“However, if given the choice I’d take Karstens and Hanrahan over Capuano alone.”

The equation would more likely be Karstens and Hanrahan for Capuano and $4-5 million. The cash difference is what balances it out.

By: wkkortas

wkkortas — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 21:27:59 +0000

What worries me about the Martin signing and having Capuano as a trade target is that the Pirates are not in a “win-now” mode as much as a “be kinda sorta good now” mode, with 82 wins being the Holy Grail. If you can cut a deal with the Dodgers and get a good prospect, that makes it a good deal, but if it’s Capuano and a second-tier prospect, that strikes me a job-saving drive to mediocrity on NH’s part.

By: Thom Kay

Thom Kay — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 20:59:17 +0000

Capuano and a good prospect and I could be sold. A one-for-one does so little for the Pirates.

If you like to look at WAR on Fangraphs, Capuano looks better than Hanrahan. If you like win probability numbers, Hanrahan looks better. And if you like Baseball Reference WAR, it’s a toss up.