Options for the Pirates to acquire after the Winter Meetings
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What marquee free agents were the Pirates interested in?
There were reports you guys were interested in a marquee free agent like a Kyle Schwarber. Would you still be interested in those A-list free agents going forward? Yeah, I think we're casting a wide net. We're pursuing all kinds of free agents and trade opportunities at different levels, and you know when you do that, you're going to pursue 100 things, and you're going to strike out some, and you've got to be ready to pivot right to the next thing. I'm excited to be in this situation where we're looking to add to the Major League team.
What does the recent signing of Gregory Soto mean for the Pirates?
All right. I come in with a new attitude today. Sort of. Let's see what happens, Bob. Just because they lost on Schwarber and Alonzo, believe me, I don't think anything big is going to happen.
How does the Pirates' strategy change after missing out on big names?
Something strikes me as awfully strange about the way these things are being phrased by the Ken Rosenthal's and Tom Verducci's of the world. But I'm going to settle in here. The winter meetings are over. They've done nothing except spend nearly $8 million on a left-handed reliever. who isn't even a closer, I might add.
What are the implications of the Pirates' winter meetings outcomes?
Did you like that move? Well, I would rather them. I thought last year they should have retained Chapman for whatever price there was. He had another really good year, and I would have done it again this year with him until he proves he can't throw the ball, and he seems to be getting stronger with age. Yeah, you may need one of those. For $8 million? Yeah. I don't know what the market is. I don't know what it is. It seems like a lot of money for that.
Which players should the Pirates target to improve their lineup?
I would rather save that $8 million and put it towards something for a mega deal with somebody. Is this guy even any good, Bob? He was once before. Well, so was Babe Ruth. Should they sign him? No. I'm just saying, you ask me, he's a two-time All-Star. When he was at his best, he was pretty good. Okay. But he wasn't at his best last year.
How do projected contracts for players like Bo Bichette impact the Pirates?
Or the year before, which is slightly worrisome. In 2024, he hit a 509 ERA. What are we doing here? I don't know, but again, you hear Ben Charrington say what he said, okay, fine. It sounds fine. It sounds like they're willing. You can't react to anything unless you see it. And normally what they do is kind of go diving into the dumpster in February when spring training is underway, and all of a sudden there are three guys who haven't latched on to anyone sign a deal. And then you may think, oh, wow, that's a pretty good price for that guy. Well, there's a reason there's a good price for that guy because nobody wanted him.
What trades could the Pirates consider to strengthen their roster?
And so at that point, you're just going to get what you get. The bargain basement approach. I hope that doesn't come down to that. What did you think of that signing, O Limitless Wonder? I wasn't blown away by it. Nobody was. Well, yeah, I was surprised that they spent that amount of money on a reliever not as proven as Chapman when they signed him for $12 million. $10, I think it was. Yeah, so right around a similar dollar amount, $2 million off. A little bit paused by it, especially hearing Pony, who's an avid Mets fan, saying yesterday that the guy was just horrible last year and he was worried that he would blow up more so than, you know, Joe with the, never mind.
What are the realistic expectations for the Pirates' payroll this offseason?
But you know what I mean. He's going to blow up in multiple different ways in an analogy that I'm not going to make. You can say it. I was just thinking how Joe likes to say. You could use me as that person. Bob, there were so many blowouts, more than the 07 Patriots or the 1960 World Series. Exactly. I mean. Like that. I don't know. It's a pittance for most other teams, but the Pirates dropping more than $7 million on a lefty reliever who's not a closer just strikes me as, that's your one move from the winter meetings? All right, I'm reeling back again, Bob. I'm keeping an open mind on this. Let's see what they do. There's guys out there. I'm going to give you some names. May I, Bob? Sure. I have who's topped on my list.
I'm sure it's the same on Austin's list. I mean, tops on the list right now, the three guys are Tucker, Bregman, and Bichette, right? What's Bo Bichette going to command? Well, I still have Suarez on top of my list.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What marquee free agents were the Pirates interested in?
0:00–0:29
2
What does the recent signing of Gregory Soto mean for the Pirates?
0:29–0:41
3
How does the Pirates' strategy change after missing out on big names?
0:41–1:03
4
What are the implications of the Pirates' winter meetings outcomes?
1:03–1:26
5
Which players should the Pirates target to improve their lineup?
1:26–1:45
6
How do projected contracts for players like Bo Bichette impact the Pirates?
1:45–2:22
7
What trades could the Pirates consider to strengthen their roster?
2:22–2:59
8
What are the realistic expectations for the Pirates' payroll this offseason?
2:59–29:52
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