11AM - What the Pirates lineup looks like at the start of Spring Training; Signing Ozuna likely marks end of the Andrew McCutchen era in Pittsburgh
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What are the implications of signing Marcell Ozuna for the Pirates?
Marcelo Zuna is a pirate, meaning they've added three legit hitters since the end of last season. Now, Zuna, as we discussed, is coming off a year where he didn't have an off year. His numbers plummeted by, well, 18 home runs. What's that, Bob? 18 home runs. 70 points off his batting average, if that matters to you, 146 off his slug. Bob, how much concern do you have that at 35, he could be on the Jeremy Burnett's plan? Stop in at Pittsburgh, collect the $12 million on his way out of the league?
I mean, that's possible. His job description is just hit, and that's what he does.
How concerned should we be about Ozuna's performance last season?
You don't have to worry about his fielding. You don't have to worry about anything. He just gets up there, and he's supposed to hit. He's done a very good job of it over the years, not so much last year as you just described, but he has history on his side that he can provide you with the kind of power I think the Pirates were missing. And for $12 million, I'm fine with that.
Limits, all things considered here, or are you, does part of you worry that this guy is going to roll in here like Lonnie Chisenhall? Of course, he will be seen. I imagine he'll be seen. Lonnie Invisihall, right? Lonnie Invisihall. He never showed up.
He never played a game. Brought to you by Invisalign.
No. Didn't he get hurt like the first week of spring training and that was it?
I remember talking to him. He came to a pirate fest. He just collected his money. That was it. And then you never saw him again.
What does the potential Pirates lineup look like with new signings?
You never saw him again.
And they paid two years worth of him, I think.
Right. I don't remember. At least one. Or even Tommy Pham, who even though, you know, by the end of last year, by the middle of last year, he got hot. Great.
What did he do when they were being buried early in the year? Yeah, I'm putting some stock into this hip injury for Ozuna because the year before that, he had 39 home runs. The year before that, he had 40 home runs. I understand he's 35.
What if they get that guy? Oh, my word. If they get that guy, he's an all-star. I would take 25 home runs, to be honest. Holy bird milk, Bob. I think he can do that.
I mean, he drove in 100 runs the previous two seasons. So in all likelihood, he's probably somewhere in between that. But that means that you're getting a guy that hits 25-plus home runs and drives in over 80 runs.
Could signing Ozuna signify the end of Andrew McCutchen's era in Pittsburgh?
I mean, that is a huge thump in the lineup that they haven't had outside of Reynolds in years.
Some unsavory off-the-field stuff, to put it mildly, continuing a pattern for the Pirates. That is causing me serious misgivings here. Your thoughts as a pirate fan out there. What do you make of this? We had one guy call and say he was embittered and angry, but now he's going to the opener. I mean, if I asked all of you out there. After their last game, and I told you they could bring in Ryan O'Hearn, Brandon Lau, two guys who played in the All-Star game, plus Ozuna, who still, even in a horrific downfall of a year, hit 21 homers, slugged 400, 756 OPS. He was still a pretty good major league player, 1.6 war. I think McCutcheon and war sort of ranking your overall value to your team. McCutcheon was zero or minus, wasn't he?
No, but he was like 0.1, 0.2. Okay. He was basically an even war player.
Let's hit the phone lines. Limit some old school sports talk radio for Bob and I. Let's go to Joe. Joe, he's in the north side. Joe, say hello to Bob Pompeiani.
Good morning, guys. How are you doing?
Hi, Joe.
I'm very shocked and very happy the Pirates are finally trying to win. I didn't think it would ever happen. And I will be going to some games this year. And I'm old.
How about that, Bob?
How long have you been a Pirate fan?
All it takes. Winning is the best promotion. And if they can get that out of this group.
I'm 74 since I was like six, 68 years.
And how long has it been since you felt this way about the team?
Oh, for about. five years anyway yeah i didn't even pay to watch him last year i don't blame you i don't know i mean you have to pay and i said i'm not doing it i think that's over under is 76 and a half and no 77 and a half and it's been like that for about five days yeah so i'm sure it's gonna go up
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What are the implications of signing Marcell Ozuna for the Pirates?
0:02–0:53
2
How concerned should we be about Ozuna's performance last season?
0:53–1:38
3
What does the potential Pirates lineup look like with new signings?
1:38–2:26
4
Could signing Ozuna signify the end of Andrew McCutchen's era in Pittsburgh?
2:26–4:57
5
What are the fans' reactions to the Pirates' recent signings?
4:57–5:51
6
How does the addition of Ozuna impact the Pirates' playoff chances?
5:51–6:39
7
What are the discussions around McCutchen's legacy with the Pirates?
6:39–7:44
8
What are the future prospects for the Pirates after these changes?
7:44–32:21
Speakers
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