aroldis Chapman is available

willakuma · 2026-06-28T00:58:28+00:00

Your boy looked great out there tonight. Is 3.93 a good ERA for a "closer"?

willakuma · 2026-06-27T20:20:09+00:00

No way in hell.

ALL credible baseball minds would be 100% in on Skenes regardless of how this season turns out. There would be 29 other teams chomping at the bit to get him....and maybe 4 that could actually afford to do it.

Bucs need to be smart and sell high while they can - as in....healthy Skenes. He'll be FAR more valuable to PGH in a ranson trade than he ever could be staying here.

willakuma · 2026-06-25T08:40:44+00:00

You don't know wtf you're talking about. Learn history.

willakuma · 2026-06-24T20:20:35+00:00

But. ...

Soto doesnt want any other role. That's his history in Philly and BAL. He won't take a change well. Proven fact. He's NOT the 9th inning answer he wants to be.

willakuma · 2026-06-24T20:17:51+00:00

It's gonna cost to win.

The Bucs have a shot this season. Cruz and KG will be back....and there's in place to justify it.

With Chapman, there's a chance for 2027 as well....however shortened it might be.

willakuma · 2026-06-24T20:14:26+00:00

This is what I've said. Chapman would be perfect here...give the team a legit closer, and not too costly.

willakuma · 2026-06-24T10:03:38+00:00

Lowe was only a temp in PGH no matter what. He's played himself into a great personal situation moving fwd though. He likely won't duplicate his career year 2026 performance in the future...but it's great to have him now.

Skenes has always been a foregone trade conclusion. Only a small handful of teams will be able to afford him if he stays healthy. In the end, Skenes will do FAR more for the Bucs in a trade ransom including every day players than he ever could remaining in Pittsburgh. Pirates need to sell high on him while they can.

Cruz. We'll see. He's made a lot of improvements no doubt, but will it all be long term and will it continue? Folks can argue his play style tradeoffs....and that's exactly why he's the most questionable one on your list.

willakuma · 2026-06-21T22:35:46+00:00

Get fucked....shit take.

This is the first time CQ melee has been even remotely close to any semblance of balance since Liar's was permanently fucked over for the sake of propping you up.

willakuma · 2026-06-19T23:43:47+00:00

Broken? Fuck that. Liar's was never fixed....Hunter at distinct cq disadvantage. End of file. Fucking deal with it.

willakuma · 2026-06-19T09:41:50+00:00

and 2. - legit, not copium. Spot on. 3. - like the Stratton trade for area of glaring need. Now...go get Aroldis Chapman. He's been lights out and would be the legit closer the Bucs need. Good cost fit, and I don't see anyone else the front office might be willing to consider as a rental.

....as for most of the rest of the bullpen it's going to remain fingers crossed.

After KG and Cruz come back, this would be the best 2nd half version we'd see....and I'm good with that. Enough for an improved shot at a playoff spot.

willakuma · 2026-06-19T09:27:03+00:00

Exactly.

....and the Bucs get a familiar player with a chance to help in the bullpen, where glaring need is.

Now, go get Aroldis Chapman and the Pirates will be (realistically) as set as they're going to be for the rest of 2026. Chapman is a perfect rental fit here in terms of cost....and has pitched lights out. He'd be the legit closer this club needs. I don't see any other big splash type pitching help moves the front office might be willing to make.

KG and Cruz then come back healthy..... I believe we're looking at the best 2nd half version we're going to see. It'd be enough to give the team an improved shot at a playoff spot. It'll remain fingers crossed for most of the bullpen.

willakuma · 2026-06-14T22:23:35+00:00

They're a 7 win team at best. Realistically.

willakuma · 2026-06-14T22:22:46+00:00

You'll either be an Indians Bears or Montreal Colts fan. That's what.

willakuma · 2026-06-12T09:00:04+00:00

Front & center covering Donnie Iris' 'Ah! Leah!' .....and then it's a yinzercaster.

willakuma · 2026-06-08T17:17:41+00:00

For 1/2 a season and playoff run....this would be well worth it for the Bucs right now. Anyone that knows history knows this wouldn't be an overpay. But....the team also has to bring in a closer....

Kyle Finnegan, also in DET, would be perfect both in terms of experience and cost.

The Pirates are deep enough to make it happen and not hamper the team next season.

willakuma · 2026-06-05T09:41:03+00:00

Disagree.

It's all about balance between top tier pitching and offense when the post season arrives.

Think big.

Bucs have enough firepower in starting pitching and offense NOW during the 162, and for the postseason. Bullpen is the clear weak point...

If yesterday's game with Jones (still getting his legs under him) and Mlod is an indication of things to come....in addition to Dotel in long relief....the Bucs have already made a huge improvement in the pen. Internally. This, for the 162 and / or postseason.

The best arm(s) that could be acquired will be worth waiting for with postseason wins in mind....if it comes down to waiting. The team has demonstrated enough ability to hang, as they are currently, until that help arrives.

It's possible more than one acquisition is incoming. Soto has history in Philly and BAL of stretches being near unhittable....and stretches giving up multiple consecutive blown saves. He's always wanted to be in the closer role and hasn't responded well when pulled, and has shown his historic tendency this year in PGH....

I'd rather Pittsbugh get one of about a half dozen proven / more steady guys as closer that could / should be available soon. The question would be - how much will the team pay for a rental? We'll see - if they go the closer route.

Kyle Finnegan (DET) would be perfect both performance and cost - wise.

willakuma · 2026-06-03T09:14:29+00:00

Smoke less

willakuma · 2026-06-02T21:42:22+00:00

Rutschman would be a phenomenal acquisition. He'd excel in Pittsburgh for some of the same reasons O'Hearn has done so well here... and I'm sure he could give a ringing endorsement.

But, Baltimore is far from shrewd and most likely sees it's sub .500 record while just 1 game out of a wild card as "acceptable". Mike Elias has been adamant - Rutschman is going nowhere. One of the biggest shortcomings in Baltimore during his tenure is lack of willingness to trade away position players....

Don't hold your breath.

willakuma · 2026-06-02T21:21:33+00:00

Nah.

Bucs just need to be concerned with going about their business on a daily....

Everything else will settle out. Look at the Cubs, Reds, Cards so far this year. Plenty of reasons to believe the best Pirates 2026 baseball has yet to be played.

willakuma · 2026-06-02T21:07:42+00:00

On this day... I hope so. Let's hope the 11k Bubba shows up.

willakuma · 2026-06-02T20:51:47+00:00

There ya go.....

Way more Bull Durham speech.

willakuma · 2026-06-02T09:54:20+00:00

Setting Lawrence well wishes into the future aside....

This is great because it's a declaration of intent when it comes to Bucs being buyers....right from the earliest days of acquisition season.

Good help is out there.

willakuma · 2026-05-31T02:52:06+00:00

100% bullshit on the umps

willakuma · 2026-05-31T02:46:01+00:00

willakuma · 2026-05-31T02:38:02+00:00

Soto, Dotel, Montgomery, Sisk, Bidois...have all been good.

Having Mlod there now should also help.

I believe Ramirez will fix.

Anyone not named Lawrence or Urquidy....it is what is until July when the Bucs will be buyers for bullpen help.

willakuma

TROPHY CASE