It’s the day before Christmas, and Pittsburgh Pirates fans have just a few things to be wishful of before and during the 2017 season.
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the MLB every GM was stirring, even Neal Huntington; the team was in training for the season to come, in hopes that the commissioner’s trophy soon would be there; the fans were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of pennant races danced in their heads.
And the media with their laptops, mine in my lap, had just settled our minds for a long offseason’s nap – when out on the web there arose such a clatter, I sprang to Pirates Breakdown to see what was the matter. Away to writing I flew like a flash, tore open the stat books and threw up the articles.
The light on the heroes of the teams before, gave the luster of dreams of titles to come; when, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a rumor, and eight players to be named later, with a frugal driver, so slow and steady, I knew in a moment it must be Neal Huntington. More rapid than phone calls his players they came, and he whistled and shouted and call’d them by name:
‘Now! Cole, now! Taillon, now! Bell and Marte, On! Polanco, on! McCutchen, on! Cervelli and Nova; to the top of the standings! To the top of the league! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!’
It may be late to put together a wish list for the holidays and hope St. Nick can hear the cries of Pirates fans everywhere, but it certainly isn’t too late for Pirates’ general manager Neal Huntington to put the finishing touches on a quietly effective offseason. Here are five wishes for the Pirates this holiday season:
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Trade for Jose Quintana.
Even after Ivan Nova signed a three year, $26 million deal, thus taking his name off of this list, Quintana was still rumored to be on the Pirates radar. With a lot of question marks about what Nova will bring back to the table, whether Cole is a legitimate top of the rotation starter, and if Taillon and Kuhl can avoid sophomore slumps, the consistency and cost certainty of Quintana would be a welcome relief for the Pirates. The cost would be steep. If the Adam Eaton fleecing was any indication, the Pirates could have to surrender any combination or all of Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows, and Mitch Keller to acquire Quintana. Meadows is certainly off limits with the McCutchen chaos, but Quintana is worthy of a package that includes Glasnow and Keller.
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Return Josh Harrison to his super-utility role.
Adam Frazier proved he can handle himself at the plate late last season. His defensive play was never in doubt. Frazier should take over the daily second base duties until, or if, Alen Hanson can prove he can handle himself at the plate and in the field at the major league level. The Pirates desperately need a utility player with the departure of Sean Rodriguez to the Braves. Harrison is by far the best option to fulfill that role and, hopefully, recapture the spark from his best days with the Bucs.
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Eliminate bullpen roles.
Joe Maddon and Terry Francona entertained the baseball world trying to outmanage the other during the 2016 World Series. One of the keys to the Cubs and Indians’ respective playoff runs was the bullpen being trusted to handle any situation thrown at them. Players around the league were asked how they would react to a situation where there was no consistency in bullpen roles. Many reacted negatively to the possibility of bullpen roles becoming a thing of the past. Tony Watson struggled at times as the team’s closer in 2016. Eliminating bullpen roles could help him adapt to a Melancon-less bullpen in 2017.
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Keep right fielder Andrew McCutchen as a member of the Pirates.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about Andrew McCutchen having the second biggest impact in franchise history to Roberto Clemente. I stand by that statement. McCutchen is by no means the second best player in the history of a franchise that has seen Ralph Kiner, Honus Wagner, Willie Stargell, Barry Bonds, and Roberto Clemente just to name a few, but McCutchen revitalized baseball in the city of Pittsburgh in much the same way as Sidney Crosby brought hockey back to the steel city. On paper, the Pirates have a team capable of competing for a World Series title over the next couple years. After all the trade talks, McCutchen will have something to prove in 2017. Move him to right field. Let him prove what he needs to, and if, or when, he leaves Pittsburgh, McCutchen could leave a World Series champion.
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Bring home a World Series title in 2017.
You had to see this one coming. The Pirates have addressed many of their needs this offseason. They have plenty of young talent to carry the team for many years, and with more on the way, the Pirates are in good position to compete for a World Series title in 2017. They will have plenty of obstacles in their way with the Cubs retaining much of their championship roster and the Cardinals having reloaded this offseason. If the Pirates can combine all they have done right over the last four seasons into one magical season, a parade route over the Clemente Bridge could be in store for the Buccos next season.
On behalf of the Pirates Breakdown staff, may you and your family have a wonderful and safe holiday season.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
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