2013 Pirates

[Darkstone42]

I like breaking up the lefties. Rodriguez I expect to slide into Cole's spot if he get's healthy.

 

[mtm166]

I don't think Wandy is coming back this year. Plasma injections are never a good sign. I'm not sure I really trust Morton or Cole as the games get bigger. I wouldn't mind adding a starter. It's not as an apparent need as a bench bat, but it would not bother me at all if NH did this.

 

[Etrius24]

A plasma injection is better than a new elbow or rebuilt rotator cuff.

I have no crystal ball.. but they send these pitcher to see the specialists as soon as there is a problem.. and if Andrews or Yocum say they need surgery they almost always get the surgery ASAP..

I know one of those guys died recently.. but you get the point.

According to the Mayo clinic 70% of the patients that received a plasma injection in a tendon saw significant tendon strengthening, regrowth and healing...So the procedure is pretty successful!

What worries me is the time frame involved... what are the chances of Wandy healing up fast enough to get back into game shape before the end of the regular season?

2 days ago I read this:

Wandy feeling good after long-toss sessions | pirates.com: News

So he is throwing pain free and he is increasing his workload... Wandy could be back on the mound throwing bullpen sessions in the next day or so.

From there I wonder how long he would need to get his stamina back to the point where he could do a rehab start..

Maybe they put Wandy in the bullpen for the rest of the season?

 

[BigDDude]

Cutch being clutch.

 

[evolver115]

The Clint Hurdle Effect? ? The Pirates? Improved Defense | Community ? FanGraphs Baseball

Good article from fangraphs

 

[Darkstone42]

The Clint Hurdle Effect? ? The Pirates? Improved Defense | Community ? FanGraphs Baseball

Good article from fangraphs

The comments were interesting. The one which jumped out at me is that the Pirates' pitching staff induces 52% ground balls, and no other team is over 50%. When you have a good infield defense and shift aggressively like the Pirates, that kind of ground ball rate is going to save you a lot of runs.

 

[thedddd]

The comments were interesting. The one which jumped out at me is that the Pirates' pitching staff induces 52% ground balls, and no other team is over 50%. When you have a good infield defense and shift aggressively like the Pirates, that kind of ground ball rate is going to save you a lot of runs.

Interesting the fact as much as we all bashed Hurdle and GMNH in the past they are truly managing a team to their strengths right now.

 

[Etrius24]

Plus this seems to be a year where offense is down and pitching is key...So the extra bullpen and rotation arms seem to be a perfect storm for the Pirates and their magical season so far.

 

[HammerDown]

 

[thedddd]

Signed Kelly Shoppach today. What is surprising he turned down the Cards to sign with the Pirates on a minor league deal.

His bat has been brutal but still can play some defense. Good safeguard if anything happens to Sanchez or Martin down the stretch.

 

[steelparrot]

Nice pickup.

I bet we call him up before sept 1, a just in case situation. Or is there an exception for injuries for being playoff eligible?

Either way, he can still catch and mash lefties, will be useful in september.

 

[BigDDude]

Marte was not exactly sterling on this one...........




DOH!

 

[steelparrot]

We signed Kyle Farnsworth

Another Shoppach type add on.

I bet they both come up sept 1

 

[thedddd]

We signed Kyle Farnsworth

Another Shoppach type add on.

I bet they both come up sept 1

My thought also no risk signing.
The only worry is the loss of velocity will he get lit up but thats why he is in AAA to see if he has anything left.
Anyway I like this vs a useless trade like they did for Chad Qualls in '12.

 

[steelparrot]

Grilli and Wandy both pain free, Wandy might be able to get in 2 rehab starts before sept 1, Grilli's return date is sept 1 too.

We are looking at a major boost on Sept 1

 

[Darkstone42]

Grilli and Wandy both pain free, Wandy might be able to get in 2 rehab starts before sept 1, Grilli's return date is sept 1 too.

We are looking at a major boost on Sept 1

Wandy is especially important right now.

 

[thedddd]

Wandy is especially important right now.

So true...Locke has been downright dreadful in August and hasn't had a true quality start for a win since 7/21.

Yeah they won two of his starts since then but they didn't win because of him in either.

 

[thedddd]

Acquired minor league bullpen depth today in Doug Mathis. If they get to the point where they need him in the majors their bullpen will be in major trouble!

 

[evolver115]

Found this on the general board:

Fox Sports 1 doesn't get rights to Major League Baseball games until 2014, but the network will collaborate with MLB on an interesting new documentary series.

The league, along with MLB Productions, will bring Mission: October to FS1 starting this Monday, Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The show will air for the final six weeks on Monday nights, and will follow a different team through a three-game series each weekend. The catch is that none of the teams are chosen very far in advance, and will all essentially be picked the week of the series.

MLB Productions has a crew heading out to San Francisco on Thursday to prepare to film the Pittsburgh Pirates in their three-game series with the San Francisco Giants. They will, throughout the weekend, be feeding back the footage to MLBP's headquarters in Secaucus, N.J. The crew will turn it all around in time to air this Monday night on Fox Sports 1. It's an ambitious approach to documentary filmmaking that hasn't really been tried in such short order before.

"Our fans crave behind the scenes access to their favorite stars, and they want to see it right away. Mission October satisfies both of those desires, and we know MLB Productions is up to the task of this extremely quick editing schedule," said Chris Tully, Senior Vice President, Broadcasting, Major League Baseball. "We're thrilled to be working with Fox Sports 1 on this series, which will provide a unique glimpse each week inside the inner workings of our Clubs during this most critical time of the season."

"This is what the Pennant race is all about. Fighting tooth and nail to get the opportunity to play in October. It's a privilege that MLB and the players have let our viewers be this close to the action at this most crucial and exciting time of the season. You will really get to see the race for October from the inside out," said Michael Bloom, Senior Vice President, Original Programming, Fox Sports 1.

The first seven episodes will air on consecutive Monday nights at 7:30 p.m. ET, while the final episode will focus on the World Series, and therefore air sometime in November. Fox Sports 1 will gain rights to Major League Baseball's Game of the Week, along with two of the League Division Series, starting in 2014.

 

[element1286]

Will definitely check that out, thanks for the info.