- Neal Huntington should stick to the scrap heap when looking for position players to fill roles as opposed to established names. Look at the mileage he has gotten from Garrett Jones, Michael McKenry, and Drew Sutton. Even Xavier Paul was a decent waiver wire claim last year. Compare that to what he got from established names like Nate McClouth, Ryan Church, Lyle Overbay, Bobby Crosby, and Matt Diaz.

- Kevin Correia is either the 5th starter or he needs moved. He doesn't offer anything to the pen.

- Bucs should acquire another starter. Bedard is nearing the innings threshold at which he historically starts breaking down (if he hasn't already), Karstens is still a question mark, Correia is a 5th starter and often BP fodder, the AAA lefties will be exceeding their career high in innings by early September. IMHO a starting pitcher is a bigger need than a bat.

- Despite a blown save last night the Hammer is still having a very good season. Just like last year he isn't going anywhere and we should be happy about that.

- Marte didn't get the call up yet but I'll be shocked if he isn't on the post season roster.

- I have not given up on Tabata. He is a better talent than Presley and I think he will have the better career. However he is very expendable now. If he could fetch a decent starting pitcher I'd make that trade in the blink of an eye.

- Happy July 4th! Enjoy your hot dogs, lemonade, fireworks, and Pirates Baseball.

I agree another starter is a must for this team now if they want to make it to the post-season.

I don't expect the hitting to continue at its torrid June-July pace, but I am more confident now that it won't fall into the April-May dregs either.

Bolster the starting staff, especially with the Cards' and Reds' staffs being question marks, and a division title is a very makeable goal.

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I know this, your ability to think concisely, your ability to make good judgments is much easier on Thursday night than during the heat of the game. -Bill Walsh

I do want another starter. Regardless of where it comes from. I'm starting to get iffy on making any big changes though. This team has chemistry and they are learning to win. Keeping must of them together might mean more in the long run then adding a few guys this season.

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Funny, but the "scrap heap names" sound a lot like the "established names" heap (other than their performance as Buccos).

Beat 'em Bucs!

Oh, I agree. I'm looking to upgrade either Correia or Bedard, both of whom aren't under contract for next year and that would be about it. I want to keep this unit together as much as possible going into next season. As much as I'd like Hamels or Grienke those aren't realistic acquisitions. However Jason Vargas is a pitcher that could be had and would be a stable 3rd or 4th starter.

My go to guys on Pirates baseball are Rich and Pro.

I would not fuck with the chemistry of the team.

Bedard breaking down does concern me
The Indy arms with pitch counts/ inning limits is a wonderful point..Its obvious and I missed it

I like Karstens. I think he can be a great 4th/5th starter.

I also don't trust Correria at all

Buccos may need an arm more then a stick when push comes to shove....Pitching and defense?

I've seen Marte play live in person 12-15 times...I've never seen anyone patrol CF like he does. I posted this last year...Take the best traits of your favorite Pirates OF's combine them you have Marte defensively. I am sure you can find a You Tube Clip of him winging the ball Foul pole to Foul Pole(400+ feet) 18 OF assists

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I'm with Teke and FC. Wait for now, and see what we have. I'm leaning starter, but let's see what plays out over the next 2-3 weeks. We have time and we're winning now.

All the starters have slipped a little bit (with perhaps the exception of JMac) since the first couple months. Bedard more than the rest, KCore is about where he has always been--he wasn't bad yesterday but you are usually gonna have to score 3-5 runs to win games he starts. As a 5th starter he's adequate. Key is Karstens, hope we see more of what we saw in his last start, and what we saw from him most of last season. Even with that though, if Bedard doesn't come around another starter will be needed. Maybe even if he does. Should we look AAA or a trade will be the only question.

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Playing football was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. If I could go out today and suit up, I would do it.--Jack Butler

Had a great time, SP, hope you and yours did as well. Drank lots of beer, sweated like a pig, saw lots of hot chicks in Pirates colors, and watched a helluva satisfying game.

I also have not given up on Tabata, but you could be right. We have a surplus at his position right now. But I do like the kid and think he can come around given a chance. We'll see.

I also think Marte will be on the club at some point this season. What happens to Presley may have something to do with that--according to the PPG, he may go on the 7 day DL, team has yet to determine. Mercer might take his spot under those circumstances as they reported he was spotted in the dugout but not activated officially.

Hammer gave up the homer yesterday in the 9th as well. Relievers, even the best, have those spells at times, at least he is having them and we are still winning. I agree with your assessment 100%. I'm happy as hell he's on our club. I wouldn't mess around at all with our pen at this point. As I mentioned in another thread, I'd stack up our pen against any in the league. They are fucking on fire.

And...I'd like to give a shout out to my boy, GI Jones. Love to see this kid rebound the way he has this season.

Great baseball being played in the Burgh right now. The park is electric, nearly every at bat, and sometimes every pitch is electrifying the crowd. This is what it's all about.

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Playing football was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. If I could go out today and suit up, I would do it.--Jack Butler

Chemistry is a tricky thing. It's easy to say "don't fuck with it" when we're winning, but turn some of those close wins into losses and a couple comeback wins into near-comebacks and nobody would give a flying fuck about what kind of chemistry this team has.

It seems like every year I hear it's gonna be a sellers market. We'll see. But count on the Bucco's FO being knee-deep in trade rumors up til the deadline, provided we don't tank the rest of July.

I've never seen Marte play live. I thought the consensus among experts was that Gorkys was the best OF in the system; that he does everything in the field better than everyone and has better instincts. Marte, I'm told, does beat him in arm strength, though it's like comparing a very fucking good arm to an outstanding arm. When will Marte be ready? I have no clue, but Dejan did recently say he has a good source in the FO who says the call-up will be coming fairly soon.

i am the same on chemistry. still want to see a hitter and maybe an SP.
I am guessing there are no SSs who can hit out there so the logical addition seems to be a 1b or RF. jones and mcgehee can still put in a platoon at the other spot.
i still like the logan morrison idea and the marlins seem as if they dont really like him?

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“White collar conservative flashin down the street, pointing that plastic finger at me, they all assume my kind will drop and die, but I'm gonna wave my freak flag high.”
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