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Old 12-11-2014, 10:51 AM
 
1,714 posts, read 2,358,665 times
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yeah, we're not as good (at least on paper) as we were last year.

In the division, the Cubs get better while the Reds commence a firesale in attempt to relieve themselves from the huge Joey Votto contract. Cautionary tale, I guess.
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Old 12-11-2014, 11:28 AM
 
Location: Pittsburgh
6,782 posts, read 9,591,772 times
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This decision obviously dooms the Bucs. It's not just in the headline. They lost both a left-hander and a right-hander. That's all the kinds of handers there are.

Pirates lose left-hander Andy Oliver in Rule 5 draft | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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Old 12-11-2014, 11:40 AM
 
Location: Brookline, PGH
876 posts, read 1,144,339 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SammyKhalifa View Post
yeah, we're not as good (at least on paper) as we were last year.
Not sure about that. The rotation looks to be deeper, especially when Morton returns and with Taillon and Kingham due for mid-summer call-ups. The bullpen should be much stronger than it was for the first half of last year. Defensively, we should benefit from a (hopefully) full season of Josh Harrison at 3rd base and, while Cervelli doesn't have Russell Martin's arm, he might actually be a better receiver/pitch framer.

The offensive output from our catcher's will likely fall off (although that would be the case even if Martin was still here), but first base should be vastly more productive, especially if they find Pedro a decent platoon partner. J-Hay probably will see a bit of regression but Gregory Polanco is a serious breakout candidate. Mercer, hopefully, will avoid a swoon as horrendous as last April. Marte should continue to develop his power stroke. Cutch is Cutch.
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Old 12-11-2014, 11:42 AM
 
Location: Mid-Atlantic
12,526 posts, read 17,542,794 times
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Too many ifs. One more solid #2 or #1 rotation pitcher is needed. Other than catcher, I have no problem with the position players, just hope that Pedro snaps out of his haze and/or Lambo steps up. if if if
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Old 12-11-2014, 11:58 AM
 
1,714 posts, read 2,358,665 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Copanut View Post
Too many ifs. One more solid #2 or #1 rotation pitcher is needed. Other than catcher, I have no problem with the position players, just hope that Pedro snaps out of his haze and/or Lambo steps up. if if if
Still though, predictions seem to put the NL Central as having 3 of the best 5 teams in the National League (Cards, us, Cubs in that order).
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Old 12-11-2014, 12:01 PM
 
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Reds' fire sale continues...
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Old 12-11-2014, 12:05 PM
 
Location: Brookline, PGH
876 posts, read 1,144,339 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Copanut View Post
Too many ifs. One more solid #2 or #1 rotation pitcher is needed. Other than catcher, I have no problem with the position players, just hope that Pedro snaps out of his haze and/or Lambo steps up. if if if
Every team has "ifs." Wasn't long ago, the only real "if" we had was "If hell freezes over..."

Another top of the rotation guy would be great, but there's not much out there that we can afford after signing Liriano, and he and Cole make for a pretty strong 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation.
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Old 12-11-2014, 12:08 PM
 
Location: Mid-Atlantic
12,526 posts, read 17,542,794 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JimboPGH View Post
Every team has "ifs." Wasn't long ago, the only real "if" we had was "If hell freezes over..."

Another top of the rotation guy would be great, but there's not much out there that we can afford after signing Liriano, and he and Cole make for a pretty strong 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation.
How about the money we DIDN'T spend on Russell Martin? Or did that go to Liriano?
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Old 12-11-2014, 12:10 PM
 
1,714 posts, read 2,358,665 times
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I don't know if we can swing another #1 or not but I'd definitely try to get another starter option. Maybe see what Volquez wants to come back.
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Old 12-11-2014, 12:26 PM
 
Location: Brookline, PGH
876 posts, read 1,144,339 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SammyKhalifa View Post
Still though, predictions seem to put the NL Central as having 3 of the best 5 teams in the National League (Cards, us, Cubs in that order).
I'm not ready to anoint the Cubs the Next Great Dynasty just yet. They should be a much better team this year, but their hitting talent is still far from proven and their pitching staff, much like Milwaukee, has a few elite arms but not enough depth. Plus, they're the Cubs.

Predicting future seasons is a fools errand, but the Bucs are poised to be contenders 'til at least 2018, especially if Taillon, Glassnow, and Kingham develop. The Cubbies have the potential to be a breakout contender sometime in the next two or three seasons if Bryant, Russell, and company develop. St. Louis should continue to be contenders because they're St. Louis, but with Wainwright, Molina, and Holliday starting to get a bit long in the tooth, their iron grip on the division crown may very well start to slip.

The Brewers should remain dangerous, but they'll have to rebuild their farm system to become true contenders again. The Reds are obviously on the verge of a major rebuilding effort, and with Kevin Towers involved, that will hopefully be a serious train wreck.
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