Post by Erick RockiesGM on Apr 13, 2017 16:06:22 GMT -8
Pittsburgh Pirates (0-0) @ Cincinnati Reds (0-0)
PIT: Gerrit Cole (0-0, 0.00)
CIN: Brandon Finnegan (0-0, 0.00)
The inaugural Game of the Week features two teams in vastly different circumstances. The home Cincinnati Reds are firmly entrenched in a rebuild, while the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates have several high profile veterans, some top notch prospects, a limited budget, and a contention window that may have been slammed shut by the Chicago Cubs.
Pittsburgh's biggest strength has to be its outfield. With Andrew McCutchen, Gregory Polanco, and Starlin Marte, the Pirates have three dynamic players with excellent bat-to-ball skills that play up in Pittsburgh's vast outfield. Polance and Marte are speedsters who also have pop in their swing, making them exceptionally well-rounded talents. McCutchen, however, has seen nagging injuries sap his athleticism forcing him to move to an outfield corner. One of the things to pay attention to this season is McCutchen's production. A strong season could push the Pirates into playoff contention, while a disappointing one may see the Pirates decline the option he has next year for almost $15 million.
The Pirates made moves just before the start of the season, making a couple of moves to their pitching staff. Tyler Skaggs is an exciting young arm coming over from the Angels. Scouts raved about his arm before he succumbed to Tommy John surgery, but he should be up and doing big things now that he's healthy. Danny Farquhar also comes east from the Pacific Ocean (via Tampa Bay and the Atlantic Ocean) to balance a lefty-leaning bullpen. The lithe fireballer features a mid-90's fastball and terrific changeup that minimizes his platoon splits. He also features a good curve and should be a strong addition to their bullpen.
While the Pirates made moves to help them late in games, the Reds made moves to help them later this decade. Homer Bailey and Zack Cosart are gone, as is Desmond Jennings, with young prospect Scott Kingery the headliner coming back. Bailey was owed at least $44 million after the year so the deal helps the bottom line of a team that wasn't going to contend anyway.
The big question is what happens with Joey Votto. He's a premier player, but he's also 33 and has a contract that runs eight more seasons including this one. Does he stay on the team to be a big bat for the next good Reds team, or does he get shipped out in an attempt to bring in the pieces that will comprise the next good Reds team. Cincinnati is starting to stockpile talented young players, but it's always a crapshoot on when the talent will congeal into a winning club.
Questions for the GM's:
For Mike Barrett, Andrew McCutchen has been a wonderful player, but he's not the player he was. Austin Meadows is a fantastic youngster in Triple A. What is the future of your outfield?
You made a deal to acquire Danny Farquhar. How do you feel about him and your bullpen in general?
According to FaceGen and other reports, John Jaso has shaven his dreadlocks. How do you feel about his new hairstyle?
For Kendall DeSantos, Which youngsters are you most excited to have in your organization and why?
Joey Votto is on the block. He's a pillar of the Cincinnati community, and a very productive player. If you trade him, are you worried about turning off the fans?
Most scouts don't feel Brandon Finnegan is a finished product, but you'll have him starting opening day? Is it a case of you being aggressive with your youngsters, or a lack of other options?
PIT: Gerrit Cole (0-0, 0.00)
CIN: Brandon Finnegan (0-0, 0.00)
The inaugural Game of the Week features two teams in vastly different circumstances. The home Cincinnati Reds are firmly entrenched in a rebuild, while the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates have several high profile veterans, some top notch prospects, a limited budget, and a contention window that may have been slammed shut by the Chicago Cubs.
Pittsburgh's biggest strength has to be its outfield. With Andrew McCutchen, Gregory Polanco, and Starlin Marte, the Pirates have three dynamic players with excellent bat-to-ball skills that play up in Pittsburgh's vast outfield. Polance and Marte are speedsters who also have pop in their swing, making them exceptionally well-rounded talents. McCutchen, however, has seen nagging injuries sap his athleticism forcing him to move to an outfield corner. One of the things to pay attention to this season is McCutchen's production. A strong season could push the Pirates into playoff contention, while a disappointing one may see the Pirates decline the option he has next year for almost $15 million.
The Pirates made moves just before the start of the season, making a couple of moves to their pitching staff. Tyler Skaggs is an exciting young arm coming over from the Angels. Scouts raved about his arm before he succumbed to Tommy John surgery, but he should be up and doing big things now that he's healthy. Danny Farquhar also comes east from the Pacific Ocean (via Tampa Bay and the Atlantic Ocean) to balance a lefty-leaning bullpen. The lithe fireballer features a mid-90's fastball and terrific changeup that minimizes his platoon splits. He also features a good curve and should be a strong addition to their bullpen.
While the Pirates made moves to help them late in games, the Reds made moves to help them later this decade. Homer Bailey and Zack Cosart are gone, as is Desmond Jennings, with young prospect Scott Kingery the headliner coming back. Bailey was owed at least $44 million after the year so the deal helps the bottom line of a team that wasn't going to contend anyway.
The big question is what happens with Joey Votto. He's a premier player, but he's also 33 and has a contract that runs eight more seasons including this one. Does he stay on the team to be a big bat for the next good Reds team, or does he get shipped out in an attempt to bring in the pieces that will comprise the next good Reds team. Cincinnati is starting to stockpile talented young players, but it's always a crapshoot on when the talent will congeal into a winning club.
Questions for the GM's:
For Mike Barrett, Andrew McCutchen has been a wonderful player, but he's not the player he was. Austin Meadows is a fantastic youngster in Triple A. What is the future of your outfield?
You made a deal to acquire Danny Farquhar. How do you feel about him and your bullpen in general?
According to FaceGen and other reports, John Jaso has shaven his dreadlocks. How do you feel about his new hairstyle?
For Kendall DeSantos, Which youngsters are you most excited to have in your organization and why?
Joey Votto is on the block. He's a pillar of the Cincinnati community, and a very productive player. If you trade him, are you worried about turning off the fans?
Most scouts don't feel Brandon Finnegan is a finished product, but you'll have him starting opening day? Is it a case of you being aggressive with your youngsters, or a lack of other options?
