Pirates fail

[Chuckie]

The Pirates didn't give AJ Burnett a $14 million tender offer, because they believed he would either play for only them or retire.

Whoops.

Burnett signed with the Phillies today for 1-year, $16 million.

Pirates would have at least gotten a draft pick. Or perhaps they would have their best pitcher back, at $2 million less for what he ended up signing for with a team across the state.

That must burn.

Plus, our good friend Edinson Volquez now all but has a spot in the rotation locked down in Pittsburgh. I hope those pretenders enjoyed their one good season. I love that everyone is predicting they will finish ahead of the Reds. Here's a prediction: They won't. They'll finish fourth.

[No pants Mcgee]

I'm loving that he signed outside of the division. Now we just need to keep our fingers crossed that they don't try to bring in a Kendrys Morales type player. If not I don't see how they finish above .500 this year.

[Rando]

lol Volquez. Can't wait to watch him self destruct. At least it won't cost us a win this time

[Gapper]

Can't wait to see Volquez pitch all season for the Pirates. Much prefer him every five days for them than Burnett.

[Jdattilo]

He likely would not have received $16 million if tied to draft pick compensation. Bottom line is Pirates didn't want to pay him $14 million so they let him walk.

[Chuckie]

He likely would not have received $16 million if tied to draft pick compensation. Bottom line is Pirates didn't want to pay him $14 million so they let him walk.

I disagree. I bet the Pirates would take him in a heartbeat at 1-year, $14 million. They honestly thought he would either re-sign with only them, or retire.

[Gapper]

I disagree. I bet the Pirates would take him in a heartbeat at 1-year, $14 million. They honestly thought he would either re-sign with only them, or retire.


I agree. With all the cheap talent the Pirates have in the system, no reason why they couldn't afford a 1 year $14M commitment.

They either didn't think Burnett would get another offer at $14M (Which is silly), or they overestimated Burnett's loyalty to Pittsburgh.

[RedlegJake]

The Pirates still have Cole, Liriano, Locke, Morton and Rodriguez. Volquez is going to relieve and be a spot/emergency starter.

[yadontSabo]

The Pirates still have Cole, Liriano, Locke, Morton and Rodriguez. Volquez is going to relieve and be a spot/emergency starter.

With Wandy's recent injury history there's a good chance Volquez could see a lot of innings.

[RedlegJake]

With Wandy's recent injury history there's a good chance Volquez could see a lot of innings.

Even if Wandy manages to stay healthy there will be some health issues at some point. Just saying that Edinson doesn't have a spot locked up just yet.

[Halfway between]

With all the prospects the Pirates have, not sure why they would want to pay the 37 yo Burnett 14M let alone 16M.

Burnett and the Bucs burned a bridge when they went with their rookie in game 5 vs Cards last year. He threw a real temper tantrum in the locker room. It's water over the dam but I think the Bucs will find it easy enough to move on.

So not, I don't think the Pirates fail on that one. Moreover, there's no way they are a sub .500 team.

[lidspinner]

I think its a good move for the Pirates....they dont need AJ....I dont think he was that great....sure he is no weak pitcher, I just dont see him as a 14-16 million dollar a year pitcher and its not like the Pirates have copias amounts of money laying around to waste...that money could be better used elsewhere, like at the trade deadline if they are contending....kind of like they did this past year....16 mill goes a long way.

I see the young Pirates pitching staff as one that will keep them in alot of games....toss in a good defense and they are kind of an exact mold of the Reds with the only difference being that our staff is proven and theirs is not.....but being not proven does not mean they wont be good....I have bought the Pirate kool aide and I believe they are in it for the foreseeable future....I think the central is a 3 team race and I also really like the path the cubs have been taking lately.....I could see them contending in a few years if they can get their pitching staff up to par. The Central is stacking up to be one of the strongest in baseball....good pitching, good defense and young talent everywhere.....It makes for a long season, but it also makes for a fun season.

[Jdattilo]

I agree. With all the cheap talent the Pirates have in the system, no reason why they couldn't afford a 1 year $14M commitment.



They either didn't think Burnett would get another offer at $14M (Which is silly), or they overestimated Burnett's loyalty to Pittsburgh.


Looks like the Pirates did, indeed, walk away after balking at the thought of coming anywhere close to the $14M mark. Both sides, apparently, got what they wanted. Burnett got paid by not being tied to compensation, and the Pirates saved a couple million.

http://www.timesonline.com/sports/pirates/perrotto-bucs-burnett-divorce-due-to-irreconcilable-differences/article_6e55f743-c7a2-5d2b-b08b-e09dab2a83bb.html

[Gapper]

Looks like the Pirates did, indeed, walk away after balking at the thought of coming anywhere close to the $14M mark. Both sides, apparently, got what they wanted. Burnett got paid by not being tied to compensation, and the Pirates saved a couple million.

http://www.timesonline.com/sports/pirates/perrotto-bucs-burnett-divorce-due-to-irreconcilable-differences/article_6e55f743-c7a2-5d2b-b08b-e09dab2a83bb.html

I just don't understand why the Pirates wouldn't extend a QO if they were ok offering up to $11M. The $3M increase is not going to make or break the Pirates budget in the coming years. To lose your most reliable high end starter just doesn't seem like the right decision.

[ac084c]

I just don't understand why the Pirates wouldn't extend a QO if they were ok offering up to $11M. The $3M increase is not going to make or break the Pirates budget in the coming years. To lose your most reliable high end starter just doesn't seem like the right decision.

I'm guessing that they really expected him to retire. But I'm with you.

[PadsFS]

With Wandy's recent injury history there's a good chance Volquez could see a lot of innings.

They also have Jameson Taillon coming up soon.

[mth123]

I don't think the Pirates could afford Burnett at $14 Million. Rumor is they offered him around $8 Million and it "insulted" him. Wandy is a wild card, but subbing Volquez for Burnett, a probable regression from Liriano and Jeff Locke already turning into a pumpkin, means they'll need a big year from Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon will need to burst on the scene. I'm pessimistic on the Reds, but I think the Pirates will finish 4th and several games behind Cincy. They could be tough in 2015 when Polanco, Hanson and Taillon should all be ready.

[villain612]

I don't think the Pirates could afford Burnett at $14 Million. Rumor is they offered him around $8 Million and it "insulted" him. Wandy is a wild card, but subbing Volquez for Burnett, a probable regression from Liriano and Jeff Locke already turning into a pumpkin, means they'll need a big year from Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon will need to burst on the scene. I'm pessimistic on the Reds, but I think the Pirates will finish 4th and several games behind Cincy. They could be tough in 2015 when Polanco, Hanson and Taillon should all be ready.


I think this is spot on.....and I hope it pans out this way.

Sorry Pirates fans. Back to not making the playoffs.

[bullseye]

Pirates will be fine. They are still loaded down on the farm.

[Beltway]

This Pirates were incredibly lucky to win 94 games last season. I think they have a pretty good shot at finishing above .500 in 2014, but they're not winning 90+ games. I think they'll win around 85.

[RedlegJake]

Bucs have a strong farm. They'll be fine unless their management goes off the rails. That's a factor that is too often ignored. I'd rank the front offices Cards then Reds then Bucs/Brewers and lastly the Cubs, despite the vaunted Epstein.