Pittsburgh Pirates: Grading The Bucs’ Offseason Moves To Date
By Matt Shetler
Overview: While it is frustrating to see the Bucs not build off their successful 2013 campaign, there really isn’t much for them to do. Most of their core is already in place and they aren’t going to waste money on a right fielder or pitcher when the likes of Taillon and Polanco are in the future plans. I actually commend Huntington and his staff for sticking to the plan and not spending money for the sake of spending money.
Oct 6, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Clint Barmes fields a ground ball against the St. Louis Cardinals in game three of the National League divisional series playoff baseball game at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: H.Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports
Overall I am pleased with the additions of Decker, Stewart, Barmes and to an extent McGuiness as each move fills a need in the organization. I’m not so thrilled with the Volquez signing, but it has a chance to work out. I don’t buy into the thinking he can be the 2014 version of Liriano, but there’s a chance the Pirates staff can figure him out. It may be true that the Bucs take a small step backwards in 2014, but they could have a potentially dominant team in 2015 if everything works according to plan.
The Pirates haven’t done much to build on the momentum of having their first winning season and making their first playoff trip since 1992, but most of the division hasn’t gotten better either.
ESPN’s Buster Olney agrees with that take as he ranks the Bucs as the 10th-best team in baseball entering the new year. With a solid roster already in place, Olney posits that the club may wait until next year to make significant new additions.
That plan makes a lot more sense than wasting money on marginal players. The market just isn’t there for the Bucs to make significant improvements.
Overall I give Huntington and his staff a passing grade, though not a great one so far. If they can ink Burnett to a deal and add a short-term fix at first base, which is unlikely, that grade will go up before spring training. Grade: C+