Let's go Bucs!!! (Pittsburgh: best place, expense, brick)

[Rocket88]

Originally Posted by sskink

Yeah they do. And IMO, they couldn't have sustained their excellence if they were still payiing Pujols.

For a long time many fans were saying Bucs should follow the Rays model. I've said they should follow Cards. Great scouting, drafting & development with a couple stars thrown in. And ticket prices and gate and a better TV contract to afford it. Bucs are still $15 behind on tix prices and 10k behind on seating capacity though, so Cards will continue to have more to spend. Neal just has to be a little bit smarter than Mozeliak. Its a challenge and I think he's done a great job overall.

Loudon Wainwright... are you suggesting Cards are just a dead skunk in the middle of the road this year?

I had to sneak that in there about Loudon Wainright. Good Catch.

[bmust71]

Originally Posted by erieguy

Bucs are 1 game above .500 and whoop on some bad/mediocre teams and lose to some real bad teams. They get some real MLB help and spend the $$$ they have and they might do something but their window keeps closing. Be a long time till they have as good a chance as they did 2 years ago unless they change their process.

Lets start by pointing out that the Mets were playing good baseball before they came to town and we absolutely smoked them. Additionally, a 6 game win streak is impressive regardless of the opponent. Even when the pirates were finishing in the bottom of the league we still won series and swept good teams so pointing out the win/loss of the opponent is a weak attempt to search for something bad-- especially when these past six games have been near perfect baseball.

Also, our roster is much better than it was two years ago, and the amount of talent and potential in the starting lineup is incredible

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by bmust71

Lets start by pointing out that the Mets were playing good baseball before they came to town and we absolutely smoked them. Additionally, a 6 game win streak is impressive regardless of the opponent. Even when the pirates were finishing in the bottom of the league we still won series and swept good teams so pointing out the win/loss of the opponent is a weak attempt to search for something bad-- especially when these past six games have been near perfect baseball.

Also, our roster is much better than it was two years ago, and the amount of talent and potential in the starting lineup is incredible

Mets were 5-6 in their last 11 before being swept by the Bucs. .500 or below is not good ball.

A 6 game win streak is great as long as it's not followed by a 6 game losing streak ala .500 ball.

There's no need to search for something bad. Records show good and bad.

I'd take the chance at a WS 2 years ago over the team they have now. Potential doesn't win now.

Those interested in having a decent team will be satisfied. Those of us that look for a championship aren't. It's all what ones standards are.

[Copanut]

Yo, EG, you're killing my buzz!!!

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Yo, EG, you're killing my buzz!!!

Sorry dude. When you have the resources to be better and choose not to, it is a downer. 35+ years since a WS championship is also a downer.

[Copanut]

I know, but I'm not gonna bi tch until after the season.

[erieguy]

And it's a long time between McCutchen's. I can't believe they got him to re-sign. I can't imagine him signing again unless he falls on his face. Gotta get it while you can get it. The devotion to winning takes a back seat and it's a shame.

[that412]

Originally Posted by erieguy

I can't believe they got him to re-sign. I can't imagine him signing again unless he falls on his face.

I don't want him signing again because his next deal is most likely going to look like something in the $20 million per year range until he's 38 or so and that would be a moronic thing for the Pirates to do.

Just take a look at the Reds for what can happen when you insist on locking up your stars for crazy amounts. Over $40 million a year sunk on just Votto and Bailey starting next year through 2019. That team is going to be hurting for a while because of those contracts. That's not "devotion to winning," that's idiocy.

Meanwhile, the Pirates continue to not carelessly throw money around just for the sake of doing so the way you and others of your ilk would like, and they continue to win. Funny how that works.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by that412

I don't want him signing again because his next deal is most likely going to look like something in the $20 million per year range until he's 38 or so and that would be a moronic thing for the Pirates to do.

Just take a look at the Reds for what can happen when you insist on locking up your stars for crazy amounts. Over $40 million a year sunk on just Votto and Bailey starting next year through 2019. That team is going to be hurting for a while because of those contracts. That's not "devotion to winning," that's idiocy.

Meanwhile, the Pirates continue to not carelessly throw money around just for the sake of doing so the way you and others of your ilk would like, and they continue to win. Funny how that works.

Where did I say to carelessly throw money around just for the sake of doing so? Your words not mine. If Huntington is as good as many believe, it won't be done carelessly.

Continue to win? They're 2 games over .500. Your standards are low. What have they won since 1979? Not a WS. Isn't a WS the goal or is 4 innings in Buctober good enough?

David Price would look good in the rotation. Oh so close to signing him but that would get the payroll out of the bottom 6. Can't spend Bob's $$$ and do that, however.

[that412]

Originally Posted by erieguy

Where did I say to carelessly throw money around just for the sake of doing so? Your words not mine.

Then why even bring up the fact that the Pirates are unlikely to re-sign McCutchen? You were pretty clearly implying that the Pirates would let him walk simply because they're TOO CHEAP!!! to give him a new deal and not for any intelligent baseball reason, such as the fact that paying a 37-year-old McCutchen $24 million or whatever is likely to end up being a crippling blow.

David Price would look good in the rotation. Oh so close to signing him but that would get the payroll out of the bottom 6. Can't spend Bob's $$$ and do that, however.

David Price has never been a free agent and thus couldn't be "signed" by anyone so you're not even making any sense. When he is a free agent after this season he's certainly going to command $25 mil+ until he's in his late 30s. Also not a smart game to play for a team in a market like Pittsburgh unless you want to end up like the Reds (or the Brewers, for that matter - ask them whether going "all in" in 2011 was worth the complete shambles they are now). And the A's are sure looking good after their gambit last season.