Sparkler, on 16 Aug 2014 - 1:17 PM, said:
Yes I hope the team does well, time will tell. Just worried about those guys after their contracts are up and they can get BIG money else where the pirates wont give them.
Most of the key elements of the team are under team control until at least 2017. The most notable exception is Russell Martin, who the Pirates actually outbid the New York Yankees for when he signed two years ago. They're going to make him an offer, and a solid one at that, but considering he's going to be the only free agent catcher worth anything in next years free agent market, it's going to be very tough to keep him. The Pirates will probably offer him something in the neighborhood of 14 -16 million million a year for 2-3 years, and someone like the Dodgers or Angels are going to offer him 17+ a year or four or five. The Pirates shouldn't, and likely won't, match such an offer because he's reaching the age where catchers start to tail off in offensive and defensive production.
Liriano and Volquez are also going to be free agents, and if the Pirates want to keep either or both I don't see it really being an issue re-signing them because I seriously doubt they're going to be coveted free agent pitchers commanding the kind of contracts that make the team uncomfortable. And even if they do leave, Kingham and Tallion are due up next year anyways. And Ray Searage has made Pittsburgh a popular destination for free agent pitchers who are looking to revitalize their careers so a "name" veteran could very possibly sign here anyways.
Edited by BaconBits, 16 August 2014 - 01:45 PM.
!!
