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The Pittsburgh Pirates Payroll In 2016 + Roster That Could Have Been
Jason Rollison (Featured BBBA Writer/Owner – piratesbreakdown.com)
Follow @pbcbreakdown Follow @mlbreports
After a second consecutive exit from the playoffs by way of the wild card game, the Pittsburgh Pirates promised a bigger payroll this season, but could they have done better?
In December, Neal Huntington and Frank Connelly both hinted the Pirates target payroll would be approximately $105 million for opening day. As it stands, the Pirates opening day payroll was about $100 million.
That wouldn’t be so bad if the team’s pitching staff wasn’t off to a rough start, the first base platoon partner wasn’t gone after two weeks, and the Cubs weren’t the center of the baseball universe at the moment. The saying goes, “hindsight is 20/20,” but we consider what could have been if the Pirates had spent their money a little differently.
Let’s start with the breakdown of the opening day payroll broken down by position: (Note: Only players included on opening day 25-man roster/DL are included below.)
The rules for this little experiment are simple. We cannot exceed $105 million, and our payroll has to include 28 players due to Jared Hughes, Elias Diaz, and Jung-Ho Kang starting the season on the major league disabled list.
If we choose any players the Pirates did not sign, we will assume the Pirates could have signed said player(s) to the same terms. Knowing what we know now, here’s a look at what the Pirates roster could have been.
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WTF Pittsburgh? Are You Contenders Or Are You At The Kids Table?
This Pirates club has made themselves relevant in the NL for the last 3 years with appearing in the Wild Card game – and pushing the Cards to the brink of elimination in 2014. However this organization has looked petty in looking too much to the bottom line so far this offseason. They have lost 4 players from the 98 win team of 2015 – and only have Jon Niese and Juan Nicasio as guys that help the MLB squad in 2016. They still have 3 months to go, but thus far the winter has been a tire fire.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
What the hell are the Pirates doing this offseason?!! I mean I have tonnes of respect for Neil Huntington – however the brass has made some highly questionable moves to save some money.
The Pittsburgh window to win is 2 – 3 more years, yet it almost looks likes the management is throwing a preemptive strike to blow the club up.
Okay, I may be overstating the facts a little here – as there is still well over 3 months before the club even hits Spring Training.
The club first non-tendered Pedro Alvarez – rather than head to the last year of Arbitration with him. He would have made in the neighborhood of $10 MIL in 2016 – I get that, but losing a 25 – 30 HR out of your lineup will be tough to adjust for. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 18, 2014
The Marlins make a long term deal for Giancarlo Stanton to win over fans in the short term.
The Cardinals make a short term deal for Jason Heyward to keep fans for the long term.
It all makes sense.
Recorded from outside Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, it is the latest episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 17, 2014
Ho hum… another mind boggling, jaw dropping, heart stopping, head scratching historic playoff game in 2014.
Travis Ishikawa joins an elite crew…
Michael Morse and Brandon Crawford have heroics almost as important…
And Mike Matheny might have managed himself right out of St. Louis.
It is a night of baseball I will never forget and I celebrate on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Travis Ishikawa (you think?), Madison Bumgarner, Adam Wainwright and Jon Jay all owned October yesterday.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 11, 2014
The Royals outslugged the Orioles?
The Orioles outran the Royals?
The Royals have home field advantage after winning their FOURTH extra inning post season game?
How about instead of trying to predict this post season, we just let it unfold whatever way it does. Nobody has been able to predict it yet!
I recorded today’s podcast while driving past every ballpark the Giants have called home in San Francisco.
It is going with the flow episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Alex Gordon, Wade Davis and Ryan Flaherty all owned October last night.
NLCS Preview: Cardinals vs Giants In A Battle For Decade Supremacy!
It’s all about the Pennants in the LCS Round, The Cards are competing in their 4th straight NLCS, and 9th out of 14 years, while the GIants are in the series for the 3rd time in 5 years, and have never lost a playoff series under head coach Bruce Bochy.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I am not going to preview this from an analyst angle because our “Lead Podcast Personality” Paul Francis Sullivan ‘AKA Sully’ does a brilliant 20 minute podcast that he does daily, and he has described this matchup beautifully.
I will post the podcast at the end of the article.
Instead, I am looking at this series as a professional handicapper sense.
Opening Odds
STL -135
SF, +115
I have to give the nod to the Giants for value on this one. If you go down the rosters, the St. Louis franchise is a smidge better on the talent level, however how can you bet against San Francisco when they have won 8 straight playoff series from 2010 – 2014.
The Giants have also won 4 of 5 games in this year’s playoff. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 9, 2014
AP Photo – James A. Finley
The Cardinals and the Giants are meeting in the NLCS again, and a lot of people are not happy with that match up.
Perhaps if the 2012 NLCS featured an iconic moment, walk off homer or thrilling Game 7, this would be considered a welcomed rematch between two terrific recent champions.
It is an NLCS preview episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 8, 2014
The Cardinals and the Giants cement their reputations as the teams of the decade.
One reason they both made it this far was some questionable bullpen management from the opposing manager.
It is a dynasty episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 7, 2014
It is episode 715 of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
I did not think Don Mattingly was making smart decisions leading up to Game 4 of the Division Series. I talked before and then after the game about my thoughts.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 4, 2014
Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times
Yesterday I said jokingly that the final score of the Cardinals and Dodgers game with Clayton Kershaw and Adam Wainwright pitching would be 10-9.
It is one of my FEW predictions that actually came true.
The Dodgers and Nationals blew critical games, the Tigers bullpen is a joke and the Angels are showing why the best record in the regular season doesn’t mean crap.
Plus I remember my wedding day on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 28, 2014
AP Photo – Ted S. Warren
A positively bonkers eve to the final (scheduled) regular season game leaves more questions than answers.
Tomorrow could be even crazier and realistic scenarios have as many as three additional games being played on Monday.
Things are getting odd and I’m recording a podcast in my garage.
It is a tin foil hat crazy episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast
Eduardo Escobar, Mark Trumbo, John Danks, Wily Peralta, Josh Donaldson, Carlos Carrasco, Eric Stults and Ryan Howard all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 20, 2014
Today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.was recorded at the O.co Coliseum in Oakland.
I talk about momentum, Star Wars Day and Lego knock offs of baseball players.
Plus I met fan of the podcast Darryl Spitzer.
Jon Lester, David Ortiz, John Lackey, A.J. Ellis, Jose Altuve, Jonathan LuCroy and Yovani Gallardo all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?
Follow Darryl Spitzer on Twitter by clicking HERE.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 9, 2014
Photo by Matt Brown/Angels Baseball LP
There is a real possibility that the Angels and Cardinals could meet in the World Series.
If that happens, my advice to Texas Rangers fans is DO NOT WATCH!
It is a missed opportunity episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – May 21, 2014
AP Photo/Todd Kirkland
Today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast. is a direct response to a Twitter follower.
I gave Who Owned Baseball to Julio Teheran over Adam Wainwright. Not everyone agreed.
@sullybaseball How do you not pick Waino for #WOB? 9IP, 1H, 0BB, 9K, 115pitches/86 strikes. Tehran: 9IP, 6H, 2BB, 8K, 128 pitches/83 strikes
— Steven Paul Hines (@HinesIs2nd) May 21, 2014
It was a tough call. But the main difference was the fact that Teheran pitched against a first place Milwaukee team and Wainwright pitched against a horrible Diamondbacks squad.
Chris Davis, Hisashi Iwakuma, Dernard Span, Julio Teheran, Garrett Jones, Jonny Gomes and NOT Adam Wainwright all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball
Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (April.14) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings
Yong Kim/Philly.com Staff Photographer
Dan Uggla homered twice including a one out, 9th inning, come from behind grand slam that stunned the Phillies and gave the Braves the lead in their bizarre 9-6 win.
Lance Lynn halted the Brewers winning streak with 7 masterful shutout innings. He let up just 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 11, getting the 4-0 win for the Cardinals.
John Jaso came off the bench to hit a dramatic 2 run homer that gave the A’s a 3-2 win in Anaheim.
Roenis Elias dominated the Rangers, pitching into the 7th, letting up just 1 run as the Mariners bats exploded to a 7-1 win..
They owned baseball on April.14, 2014.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (April.12) – Updated MLB Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings 2014
Ron Cortes/Philly.com Staff Photographer
Jimmy Rollins went 3-5 and launched a walk off 10th inning homer to give the Phillies a 5-4 win over the Marlins.
Brian McCann homered twice, driving in 3 of the Yankees 7 runs as they topped the Red Sox 7-4.
Bud Norris threw 7 shutout innings, letting up just 5 Toronto hits. The bullpen blew his win but the Orioles would go on to win 2-1 in 12 innings.
Adam Wainwright pitched 7 strong, striking out 8 and walking none, earning the 10-4 St. Louis win over the Cubs.
They owned baseball on April.12, 2014.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (March 31) – Updated Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings
Mandi Wright/Detroit Free Press
Alex Gonzalez tripled home the tying run and then got the walk off single, helping the Tigers come from behind against Division Rival Kansas City, 4-3.
Justin Masterson pitched seven shutout innings, letting up just 3 hits and 1 walk. He got a no decision, but his gem set up Cleveland’s 2-0 victory, spoiling the Oakland A’s home opener.
Anthony Rendon doubled in a run and scored the tying run in the 7th and broke open the game with a home run in the 10th as the Nationals came from ehind and stunned the Mets in their home opener, 9-7.
Adam Wainwright pitched seven shutout 3 hit innings, striking out 9 Cincinnati batters. He got the tense 1-0 win for the Cardinals in a sometimes bitter NL Central showdown on the road.
They owned baseball on March 31, 2014.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 21, 2014
AP
With the season opening in Australia, I need to make my preseason predictions quickly. In fact, I feel like I am doing them on the school bus on the way to school.
So here they are, my official Sully Baseball Daily Podcast predictions for 2014. Read the rest of this entry
