1. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel all on separate lines?
That appears to be the plan for Mike Sullivan moving forward once Sidney Crosby gets back to the lineup [hide]. The Penguins expect Crosby to return vs Minnesota.
Penguins GM Jim Rutherford revealed during an interview on 937 The Fan today that Sullivan told him a few days ago he would like to have Crosby, Malkin, Kessel on separate lines to avoid the opposition being able to match up a No. 1 pairing against one particular line.
Expect to see Phil Kessel and Nick Bonino stay together after the break.
My Take: This strategy sounds good on paper to spread things out but it rarely works out and not playing your best players with top talent doesn’t maximize their abilities. Some chatter in league circles of Jim Rutherford being interested in Tyler Bozak to play with Phil Kessel might not be so crazy after all…..
2. Rutherford was asked about why Derrick Pouliot is not up with the big club. Rutherford said he keeps asking Billy Guerin and Mark Recchi about Pouliot and the response from Recchi/Guerin continues to be that Pouliot’s “play has not been consistent” enough to warrant a callup.
Rutherford mentioned Pouliot believes he doesn’t deserve to be down there which could also be playing a factor in some inconsistency but Rutherford said during the interview what he doesn’t want is to bring Pouliot up and then have to send him back down. Once Pouliot comes up, Rutherford wants it to be permanent.
My Take: The Penguins handling of Derrick Pouliot might not be a popular one but it’s the right one. Though, the Penguins have not been pleased with Pouliot’s professionalism and commitment towards being a professional player (not talking about his citation on Halloween night), the Penguins have felt Pouliot has an attitude problem and I believe that’s playing a small factor in Pouliot still being in Wilkes Barre, but the reality is the kid is just not ready and proved that last season and again during training camp. He needs time to properly develop.
3. Rutherford mentioned several times during the interview that the timing of making the coaching change was not ideal due to the injuries and the schedule with little practice time. Rutherford also indicated he gave consideration to hiring Jacques Martin.
My Take: Some of Rutherford’s co-horts were certain that a coaching change was going to happen but not until after the Columbus game on the 21st where the organization would have the Christmas break to decompress. Something during the night of LA game ticked Rutherford off, a source said. Talks between Rutherford and Mike Sullivan began that night after the Wilkes Barre game and Penguins game ended vs Kings. A three year contract was officially finalized the following morning.[/hide]
Not sure how many Pitt fans are on here, but win or lose today, the future of this team is brighter than it has been in a long time. With more of his own recruits, and many in their second year in his defensive system (especially whitehead), I cannot wait to see what Narduzzi does for an encore in 2016.
Congrats to the Ducks and Flames last night, 2 of 18 teams to score more than 3 goals last night! #boring
No pitt pregame article
Seriously! 2 Pens game and a Steelers game in the last 3 days and the last content is from 6 days ago on December 22nd. I really feel for the people that pay for this.
Instant buzz became a way for D to avoid new articles and even then we get lack of instant buzz
we know, you get it for free because you are a paid pittsburgh penguin blogger. the pens pick up your tab.
Seriously this is worse than Sam’s KFC bucket jokes, you really are a sad human being.
i’m not joking. i really believe you are on the pens payroll. all corporations have paid bloggers, it’s a fact.
Good job MR. black Kane making headlines again off the ice. If its not black Kane it’s white Kane they take turns to make headlines off ice. Coincidentally they both have the same lawyer
Sam, Don’t they both have the same last name too?
Who’s more clutch, Crosby or Big Game Ben?
Malkin
Another boring game. NHL sucks.
Don’t watch it Clown stick to you pj parties
Are you saying you enjoy 1-0 games with 59 minutes of perimeter play and grab-assing? You actually enjoy countless obstruction, allowing mediocre players to be on the same level as the games most elite skill? Is that what you are telling me?
I should enjoy 10-6 games might as well watch a ping pong match. In assuming you became pens fan after the flyers penguins series
Yea, you might as well. Ping pong is much more entertaining than the product the NHL puts on the ice. Which is a shame, because hockey is a great sport when allowed to be played.
the NHL has a potential gold mine but the old school hoser canadians who run the league are morons.
Look at this stupid fucken twaat right here. While I get the anti-Canadian commentary from most due to Sams incessant stupid on the subject you I won’t take it from. Bettman is American, the board is predominately American. Most of the guys running the game are from your side of the boarder you dumb fucking cunt. That said its the whole of the league at fault period despite their place of birth. Just wanted to point out how fucking stupid you Re on average again
Despite the irrelevant nationalism (Canada sucks btw) it’s good to know we’re in agreement that the NHL wastes its talent. Its clearly losing ground to soccer as the 4th major sport in America, something no one would have thought possible 10 years ago. Kudos to Bettman & Co.
Glad you change your name to Sam. I’m assuming your marriage with Micheal Sam is so solid that you are going with his last name
Typical malkin takes penalty when game Is close
Letang should retire. Not joking either. He is on the same path as mike Webster.
This may be your best post. I agree, he is a mess. Any head shot he gets, he is going to miss time.
You think he’s going to be a hall of fame center with 4 super bowl rings too?
Anyone know when the Pens come back from holiday break?
Obviously D doesnt
How many days did the pens give you off? Do you post from the consol center or do they let you work from home? What do the pens pay you and their other paid bloggers?
While pens gave Jay day off. D. Didn’t give day off to npl
No way around it, unless your name is DeAngelo Williams that was a big pile of suck.
0-2 vs Baltimore
the steelers have a horrific history of losing one game per season to a pathetic team. the only guy who may have more free passes for screwing up than st.blurry in this town is tomlin.
Hahhah and the jets win
Steelers lose. Steelers suck.
-DePaoli
Well good news is if steelers lose we get a new article instantly
I was close, instant buzz
This might be Big Overrated’s biggest egg of all. Can meaningless regular season Ben be saved by Big Game Ben?
Hey look here’s a new article – said no tiops ever
There hasn’t been a Pittsburgh team to lose in over a week. What is there to bltch about? Maybe talk about Emilio Bonifacio signing a minor league deal with another team and how the Pirates lost “the golden opportunity” yet again??
matt murray looks pretty good. if i was a GM in the NHL, i’d be figuring out the ways to rip rutherford off to get that kid. offer your best 35 year old vet to the pens for murray and rutherford would take the bait. he believes the pens are cup contenders and st.blurry is the best. it’s going to happen, and it’s going to suck.
Trade Crosby and letang Mr. Stan. P.S trade fleury for Mr. Yoda.
Letang is the Wild’s best pker.
http://i.giphy.com/sL1hTz0fr4Yg.gif
https://media3.giphy.com/media/6mNMCIZoSm8sE/giphy.gif
If the Rams move to Los Angeles, Aaron Donald will be as highly publicized as Odell Beckham in New York. He’ll be everywhere.
My brother was playing call of duty and I think I saw npl online. Clan name was KFC and ps4 user name was chubzero
Watching same try to be funny is one of the best Christmas gifts a guy could ask for.
Did you like the USA smoking Canada at the world juniors?
So I finally picked up nhl 16 for ps4, I think there’s a glitch, crosby doesn’t score….
Haha.
One of the worst NHL game. Best was NHL 14
Happy Boxing Day!
Happy Kwanza!
Instant buzz: I am 3-0 in arguments this week.
Anyone notice the instant buzz was back dated f
Timestamp for jaso signing.it wasn’t there 2 days ago but is there now with 12/23 date hmmmm
“No won will notis” – William DePaoli
You spelled it wrong. It’s Nodis with a D for DePaoli.
Tiops: yesterdays breaking news today
instant buzz: merry christmas, you bastards.
The Penguins are the only team other than Montreal not to have players participating in the WJC. I get that we move a ton of firsts but man are we just bad at drafting…
And we haven’t had a draft pick aside from the one we traded away and Sprong above the 5th round or something because e traded all of our picks away.
This proves to GayDogg that MT did you good job with a bunch I grinders.
All that’s been proven is that MT does well when the best goaltender in the league covers up for his poor coaching. 10-11-3 without Price on the season and 3-9-1 since Price went down the last time including losing 5 in a row. Without the best goalie in the league Coach Fraud gets exposed for the joke he is.
And pens been better without fleury. Specially with all the talent pens have. While Habs team is full of grinders they still compete vs good teams they out played kings of sharks even tho they lost
Specially!
Merry Christmas
Hope Santa brings NPL’s hot dog cart so like that he will be busy selling hot dogs, oups I meant busy eating More hot dogs rather than come on this site and annoy people
Merry Christmas to all!
Boooooooooo!
Silly Flyers fans.
On top of Kazmir and Latos, if Doug Fister is back to full health, he’d be a very good addition to the rotation.
Yeah, but if any of those guys require more than 5 mil a year, the Pirates are out, which is why their roster looks a lot worse now than it did last season. It’ll be fun watching them miss the playoffs and their fans making excuses. Maybe they should bring in another 1st baseman. Maybe that will help.
How did you get access to pre-new site comments? And why copy and paste the same comment that’s been wrong 3 years running now?
Yeah the Pirates have been GREAT! A couple second place division finishes and no playoff series won. Now, they lose their leading home run hitter and one of the most productive 2nd basemen in baseball and you’re blowing them. Fantastic.
“one of the most productive 2b in baseball” was statistically average. And you may be the only dude bringing up Pedro Alvarez as if he will be a big loss. Try harder.
He only led the team in home runs. Nothing important or anything though. And Walker is “statistically average”? So leading NL 2nd basemen in home runs and finishing 2nd in RBI’s is average? Bro, you’re making this way too easy.
12th in average, 10th in OBP, 9th in slugging, 9th in OPS, and 14th in WAR. 6th most strikeouts by a 2b too. So the offense is SLIGHTLY above average, while his defense was subpar at best. So yes, average. Who’s making this easy again?
I love when people use WAR as if it’s a real stat. And I never said HR’s were the be-all end-all, but that’s still a lot of runs to account for. And you sitting here saying Neil Walker produced an average rate for second basemen is laughable. It’s not worth my time. The Cubs and Cards are getting better and the Pirates have easily gotten worse since last year, when they got embarrassed in the wild card game, AGAIN. But yeah, it’s completely reasonable to sit here and talk this team up in December.
The whole thing is that there are a million Pirate fanboy blogs. People like you that justify everything they do and are completely oblivious to how they fail miserably in virtually everything that matters and have for decades, like winning anything or spending like a winner in a sport without a cap, which they can easily do. o before you cry about me saying stuff about the Pirates, consider that it’s December on a Pens blog in the middle of an embarrassing offseason for them.
You sound like a whiny, whiny little boy. The Brewers have clearly broken your spirit.
You remind me of myself when I was young, trying to get pumped about guys like Jermaine Allensworth.
You remind me of myself when I was young, shitting my pants, whining, without yet developing logic.
Burrrn
WAR is a widely used metric in baseball, but tbj says its not real, so lets move on i guess.
Everyone can use it. That still doesn’t make it a real stat.
Smh lol
Literally every number you posted there was above average, except for the strikeouts, then talk about how he is average. You also leave out the most important stats which account for actual production, because he does really well in those areas and you’re a fanboy. It’s like I’m arguing with Sam’s little brother.
Literally every stat i put out there was slightly above average, as I stated. His defense (which is also a part of the game of baseball) is below average. So riddle me this, what do you call a slightly above average hitter who plays poor defense at 2B?
Hint: Not “one of the most productive 2B in baseball.”
Don’t understand why everyone makes such a big deal out of losing the HRs, KC just won the Championship while being one of the weakest HR teams in the league.
It’s instant feedback. People with mental handicaps are prone to respond more favorably to instant feedback. #science
I’ll take it further than the Royals comment. The Cardinals, hands down MLBs best team the past 3 years were 25, 29, and 27 in total HRs in those seasons.
Why root for a team that has been stealing your money for 25?
I also love the Leake/Niese comparisons. Those are my favorite. Completely moronic per usual of bucco fans. Just trying to justify the joke that the organization and their life in general is.
“Its a joke. I have no idea why, so please dont ask me to explain. But it is definitely a joke. Take my generalized statement for exactly whats its worth and dont expect a productive discussion because i already said its a joke and i dont have a solid opinion as to why.”
His ERA and Whip were a lot better and it’s obvious to anyone that isn’t a delusional Pirate fanboy such as yourself that Leake is better.ERA and WHIP tangible enough for your fanboy mind?
This is my favorite post and I didn’t even see it yesterday. What is the timeframe for your numbers here? Are you going off just last year and ignoring the full bodies of work? Meanwhile since 2011, even WITH Niese’s down year, their numbers are near identical. But yell fanboy without facts or even insightful opinions, it makes you look super smart here.
Nipples, I admit your headshot makes me feel differently about you. You’re a good looking kid, what about 14 yrs old?
14.5
I know its nothing near a huge signing, but the fact that there was “Instant Buzz” on the Cardinals signing Mike Leake and not even a quick note on the Pirates signing of Jaso is why I have no respect for this site. Its either negative-slanted, not mentioned, or completely fabricated. Which is why this comment section turns into the shltshow it normally does.
Cue Sam replying with something like “you problem, since you bin on this place circus, hot dogs, etc…”
Jaso sucks and Leake doesn’t. That might be the reason.
Oh you…
Well there is one now and time stamped 2 days ago, silly D can’t fool us
For better or worse, it looks like the PIrates are going with the “moneyball” strategy with their offense. Noticed the trend after the Jaso signing and decided to average the current starting lineups career OBP and it was pretty telling… If all offensive starters produce near their norm in this category in 2016, the Pirates would compile a .346 OBP. That would be good for first place in MLB in 2015. (Toronto, .340). Couple that stat with NH continually using the term “professional at-bats” and I think the Pirates will try to combat the Cubs and Cardinals starting pitching by… Read more »
Kazmir is a big IF and a pipedream, buccos not even in contention per mlbtraderumors
Im not banking on it. He would hands down be the most expensive signing in the club’s history so you can’t expect it. I’m just saying (Stanch are you reading this?) that they have a decent offense in place with their payroll still south of 100M. They can easily add a SP the caliber of Kazmir, as well as round out the bench.
Bench should not be dismissed either (which the Jason Rogers addition shows they’re not) because their depth was a big reason why they performed so well throughout the year last year.
The caliber of Kazmir, by the way, could still be a bounce back candidate. I think Mat Latos is a near lock to bounce back. Prior to a terrible 2015 he had a career ERA of 3.34. Comparatively, Kazmir since his resurrection in 2013, has a 3.43 ERA.
I was just about to mention Latos as a realistic alternative to Kazmir, Latos of 2013 would make this roster a legit contender again same as Kazmir and I think a potential Latos signing is more likely.
I’d love it if they signed Latos, but if you recall, his wife may not be interested… lol
http://espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs/2013/story/_/id/9758415/police-file-charges-fight-involving-dallas-latos-wife-cincinnati-reds-pitcher-mat-latos-pittsburgh-pirates-fans
I just hope they’re not content, if history showed us anything you can never have to many legit SP, preferably #3s
Agreed, 100%. They definitely need that above average mid-rotation guy to round out the rotation, but you can forget about them paying for multiple #3-type SPs in FA. Mike Leake is your average #3 starter and he received a 5 year, $80M deal. (Making the Liriano deal look even more unbelievable) Whether they can afford it or not is a different debate, but they’re not going to do more than one of those deals. If they’re content, they’re blind or stupid. Recent history shows they are neither. One thing for sure is that they’ll continue to bring in talented guys… Read more »
latos was their best be, mainly because its a 1 year re-establish contract he seeks,t but his wife hates us so i dont see it happening……Kaz would be nice but you now hes going to want to capitalize on his last 2 decent years and if Chen is seeking 100million dollar pay day kaz will be shooting for the stars too…..they def need a top 3 but who knows maybe glasnow is more ready than once thought and maybe taillon will be not as delayed as suspected
Id expect Glasnow by midseason. My expectation based on his minor league track record would be for him to perform like a #3 instantly and get stronger with each start. I dont see Taillon being a factor since he hasnt played a competitive game in 2 years. Give him a full year in AAA unless he is absolutely lights out.
I think I just convinced myself that I’d prefer Latos over Kazmir. Latos will come cheaper, leaving room for even more improvement now or near the trade deadline, and has a better overall track record than Kazmir. Looking strictly at numbers, Kazmir was brutal prior to 2013. Performed like Jeff Locke in 2013, then performed like a solid #3 in 2014. In the first half of 2015, he was unhittable, but in the second half (traded to a contender and games on the line) he reverted back to being Jeff Locke. With that said, he went from an extreme pitcher’s… Read more »
So no new articles until saturday?
Why new article when you have Clown not entertaining you guys
What??!!?? I dont speak retard
You don’t speak retard but you are a retard
John Jaso gets on base, thats for sure. But can he play 1B? Hope its not another Alvarez situation.
Woah woah woah when did pirates sign a guy and why wasn’t there an article/buzz on it? After all according to the new santiago D works hard and has sources (yet there hasn’t been a new article in a few days even though there is plenty to discuss)
He better bat over .300…in order for him to be an upgrade in any facet of the word he would need to bat .300+ since he doesnt really hit home runs…IM not seeing there upside in this guy…I guess hes a compliment to Michael Morse who also isnt very good?…I wasnt a pedro fan so IM very open to a change but i mean….isnt there a minor leaguer that is in the system that can do what this guy does?
At this point it looks like Jaso is Morse’s platoon partner. Jaso being LH makes him the frontrunner to receive roughly 2/3 of the starts at 1B, considering the ratio of RH SPs. With that said, he doesnt need to hit over .300, he just needs to get on base, which is something he does very well. Jaso has been better than Alvarez in mostly all offensive categories except power, which remains a weakness for the Pirates. And if Jaso is even average fielding the 1B position, another huge question mark since he has nearly zero experience, its a big… Read more »
He doesn’t wear his cap over his ears so madden approves
So who steps in for 2b???
Josh Harrison will be at 2B. And his super utility spot will be taken by Jason Rogers.
“Stop wasting Santas time!” might be the most sincere thing Sam has ever said.
Nipples is such a jerk…had to ruin it for all of us
Rumors Is that npl is confused and is also confusing Santa with what he wants this year for Christmas. Bow-flex or a new hot dog cart. My take on that CHOOSE ONE YOU FAT FUCKK AND STOP WASTING SANTA’S TIME!
Santa is not real Sam.
WHAT?!?!?!??!
http://cdn.dkonpittsburghsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Xmas-card1.jpg
Ha
How the hell does one get a thumbs down on a HA? HAHA!
The new marketing girl DK hired is a piece of a**. She is way out of Simply Dusty’s league
I am sure the marketing girl DK has hired is better than the marketing clown D hired. Which is NPL
How does that make any sense? Is D’s marketing strategy public deprecation?
DK is also on the pens payroll just like jaydogg. he spews nothing but how awesome and great the pens are. he is a st.blurry lover too.
Dk may be on the pens payroll but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have inside sources. He was one of 3 people who knew about the close door meeting many years ago. It was when crosby was injured, staal orpik and cooke wanted the C stripped from crosby, malkin stood up said this is crosbys team and he is captain and stormed out. When madden was talking about that incident but didn’t list details or names, he got that insight from dk. Not sure who the other two sources were but I can guarantee it wasn’t D
All 3 names are no longer with team. Coincidence?
Fuckk Staal he hasn’t been the guy canes were looking for. Fuckk Cooke he Is no longer in the league and fuckk ORPIG since last year his name been in trade talks
Staal wanted to play with one of his brothers, cooke got old and ineffective, Orpik wanted too much term for his age. So yea, coincidence.
Man, I forgot about that Crosby soap opera.
what is so nonsensical about the pens missing the playoffs and crosby dying alive? what the heck have you been watching?
2016 Predictions: Steelers win the Super Bowl and Mike Mitchell is named MVP after making the game-winning pic 6. He celebrates and Steeler Nation is torn. Pirates do not sign a big enough name for the Angry Drunk Uncles of the world, but make a 4th straight postseason appearance with a second half surge fueled by Glasnow and Bell. From midseason through October the ADUs will be silent, but immediately begin their annual bltchfest come November. Penguins, and Sidney Crosby, turn it around and are the 4th seed in the playoffs. They dominate into the Eastern Conference Finals where they… Read more »
They’d have to make the playoffs the two years prior to make a “4th straight,” so it kinda hurts any validity from the word go.
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25314322/pirates-clinch-spot-in-postseason
It’s a pretty good ruse. It worked on you – i mean – you treat it as though it’s a playoff game. Just chain smoking your way through the first two innings (before it didn’t matter) in your wife beater.
http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/pittsburgh-pirates-clinch-third-straight-playoff-berth-colorado-rockies-neil-walker-6-rbi-092315
http://www.idahostatesman.com/sports/college/mountain-west/boise-state-university/boise-state-basketball/article40847898.html
Poor child. Was your opinion losing another battle based on fact? I mean, should I trust you or the Associated Press regarding postseason status? I think the absolute best part is, they were the top Wild Card each year, so even if it was the old structure that made way more sense, they still would have been in 3 straight postseasons. But hey, dont let that stop your misery.
Well, under the old structure they wouldn’t have had to have been embarrassed in a play in game. But, hey, it’s not the old structure. Of course, I’m old enough to say, under the old structure, they wouldn’t have made the playoffs. Period. Because they didn’t win the division. So they wouldn’t have made it in ANY of the last three years. And you’d only have your meaningless 98 win banner to cling on to.
So your point is, we shouldn’t discuss old structures and we should honor the current design? 5 teams it is then. Good call, I agree.
My point is – a play in game is a play in game. If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck…it’s a duck – and this duck is no different than two teams tying and having to play each other once to see who makes the playoffs.
The “no different than two teams tying” is what I do not like about the current structure. It pretty much washes away the accomplishments (or lack of) in a 162 game season, while the team that wasn’t quite good enough essentially gets a mulligan. I think if they stick with the 5 team format, it should be played by the teams with the two lowest records. Reward the most deserving teams for their performance in a very long season and don’ punish team for excelling in a very good division.
Or make it an actual series rather than some one game bullshit. So long as you throw 162 games out and leave it to chance, it’s a circus sideshow of who has the best pitcher generally speaking (or worse, the hottest best pitcher)
Couldn’t agree more. Best of 3 series would still be highly entertaining, profitable for all, and a better chance to even out the luck factor associated with baseball. (One of the reasons 162 games are played) Not to say the Cubs or Giants were lucky, they were clearly the better teams on those nights.
haha stanch wanting 2 wildcard teams to play a series, but he does not acknowledge the Wild Card game as the POSTseason…… way to stick to your guns bro! Still waiting for someone to tell me how we lose Morneau, Byrd, and Martin. Sign no one, and have the record improve by what 5 wins. Who was the big signing last year? Who had the Pirates with 98 wins after those names walked???? I am not saying they walk on water, but media still copy and paste articles from offseasons prior to the whole restructure that took place in 2006
You completely say that they walk on water. You’ve never questioned a thing that they’ve done. You worship at the altar of all things Nutting.
when and where? I have stated multiple times that if the season started tomorrow I would be pissed. I am fortunate to not be a jack ass though and realize that its still December. Saw and interested Buster Olney Tweet yesterday only 2 of the top FA position players are off the market (believe he was talking heyward and zorbrist), so apparently 28 other teams are taking a step back as well.
When and where! For years, all you’ve done is lapped up this organization’s shit. Every move. Every time. You’re not an impartial party. And you’re not “not a jackass.” You’re a shill.
yep a shill, supported the moves that led to improved record every year….. LMAO, you do realize in a way you are calling me the only prophet out there.
The moves that led to an improved record every year was basically losing so often, they couldn’t help but draft can’t miss prospects. Nonetheless, you were here to laud the Bobby Crosby signings, and the Iwamura trade. There’s not a move this team has made that you haven’t rubbed all over your face like a sweaty pair of balls.
stanch, you can’t make stuff up to win this. Never supported the Iwamura trade. And Crosby was part of the rebuilding years when they were not even trying to win at the MLB level (john Russell years if you will), brought in as a utlity player. It amazes me how you can sit here after 3 straight POST season appearences, criticize every move the team makes, even with it resulting in more wins year after year….. and yep, I am the shill….. You sure have an infatuation with sweaty balls all over your face, whats up with that?
Make stuff up! Oh man, you’re as dishonest as you are delusional. Ryan Church was another one, you just loved – all that potential! The upside! And I don’t criticize every move – I had no issue with the Walker trade. I loved the AJ signing last year. I liked re-upping Liriano – loved the original signing – I liked the Cervelli pickup and not signing Martin, given what he ended up fetching. I liked passing on Happ given the risk there and the obscene amount of money he got. But for every one of those, there’s a bonehead dumpster… Read more »
stanch I cant stop smh, NEVER EVER EVER have I said “great signing Ryan church woo hooo division is won” same can be said for Goebbert. Matter of fact you are the only person who continues to act like pirates are banking on him in anyway. You are not going to get me to puff out my chest like I think Jason Rodgers is the answer either…… I also wont critisize those signings because I know they are depth options that every MLB team signs… talk about dishonest, I bet you got exited letting martin walk and bringing in cervelli.… Read more »
BTW is it just a coincidence you like all the moves that pan out????? what a joke.
Well, let’s see. I liked signing Mortoin at the time – that didn’t work out. I hated the Volquez signing – that DID work out. So no, I don’t only like the moves that work out. All the moves! Maybe you don’t pay as much attention as you pretend to. As for Martin? It was akin to the Dupuis / Kunitz signings. I liked the player. Hated losing him. Terms didn’t make sense. What’s so hard to understand about that? Oh – ha – i’m asking the wrong person – you struggle as it is.
Oh – and of course I’m on record as having liked the Walker trade – or at least been okay with moving Walker – I think they clearly killed the market for him and Pedro given how they were handled, but they could have done worse than Niese. Of course, you really ended up spending Walker AND Morton to get Niese, which makes it look worse, but I digress.
So you admit Morton wasn’t working out, but will refer to the trade he was involved in as a salary dump right? no idea how to view Russell Martin as Kunitz/Dupuis, you got me there. And you are ok with the walker trade, but not Niese? Yeah maybe its time to put the bottle down and digress…
As in, I liked Martin, much like I liked Kunitz / Dupuis – but I’d have signed none of them, given age and salary / term requirements. Sorry. The Penguins, unlike the Pirates, shit the bed on those two moves, and paid the price.
no need to apologize, it still doesn’t strike me as a relevent comparison… but back to “spending walker and Morton to get Niese.” when you are ok with the trade and admit Morton was not working out, what point are you trying to make with that?
Its a good comparison. Take the fan out of the decision and the smart move is cutting ties before its a burden. Martin’s contract is not a burden for the PIrates, and the Penguins are stuck with Kunitz and Dupuis for another year after this (I believe).
Additionally, Martin will be 33 by the time Spring Training begins, with 4 years left on his deal. He is leaving his prime while his contract is just beginning. Again, thats where the Penguins F’d up with Dupuis and Kunitz.
Sam, I guess there is a disconnect in what Martin meant to the pirates vs what kunitz/dupuis meant for the pens. Martin was more than a fan favorite as he helped get bucs over the hump and into the post season. Pens dont/didnt rely on kunitz/duper in the same fashion. Either way #samchion is fantastic, “like having sweaty balls rubbed all over your face.”
There is no debating Martin’s important role in resurrecting the franchise, but that doesn’t give him a lifetime memebership. He was a 32 year old catcher seeking a 5 year deal worth a shlt ton of money. He would have been a big part of this past years team, and maybe next years. But how does a small market team compete with a 35 year old catcher taking 10% of the payroll and performing like Humberto Cota? Answer: It doesnt. The Pirates did a great job (and probably lucked out) acquiring Cervelli. But even without his success as Martin’s replacement,… Read more »
right, I agree. I am pointing out mainstream media ripping the move (akin to this offseason ripping every move made). My stance on the pirates is that I am not going to bitch and moan until it doesnt work out. Then maybe I will join those who feel post season is determined in December, but right now I am saying if the season started tomorrow I would be critical, not that the 2016 season is a bust
Also, not sure how one can like the Burnett deal a year ago (coming off bad year with the phils) and critisize the Vogelsong signing. admittedly not sure what vogelsong did last year, but older pitcher strong track record, just seems like same risk/reward in my opinion
just looked at 2009 draft, trout taken 25th, shelby miller 19th. MLB draft is very unpredictable
Helped them get over the hump! Give Martin a lifetime deal! Right up there with your love of Ryan Church. Good stuff.
Vogelsong has been garbage for 2 out of the past 3 years. The other year, he was Jeff Locke. So this is 3 years of average to way below pitching from Vogelsong, who will turn 39 midseason. Hes also coming from a good situation, having pitched in a pitcher’s ballpark most games. That divison alone has Petco, AT&T, and Chase Field. All very pitcher friendly. Burnett was a little younger at 35 when he came to the Pirates and still with very good velocity. He was in a crap situation with a horrible defense and pitching in hitter havens like… Read more »
I’m with you on this. After 3 highly successful seasons, all resulting from similarly quiet offseasons, they deserve the fan’s patience. But yes, if the season started tomorrow, I would be disgusted. Give me an above average first basemen on a one year deal (Moreland), a better reclamation project to plug into the rotation (Latos), a lefty reliever(Bastardo or trade), and a serviceable bench player (Veneble), get rid of Morse and I’ll be happy.
hate this new comment stuff, but just saw your previous post addressing the draft, yes the bell/cole year broke it, but the sanchez year raised the red flags, I cant remember the exact number, but want to say they lured 5 to 6 top ranked prospects (again I know none panned out) away from solid commitments, (Dodson, ZVR, Pitcher we traded to Houston Borden maybe?,along with others). split reviews on it, but still ended up spending near the top year, so it was justified. NOT SAYING IT WAS RIGHT, but it was not viewed as being cheap, who was taken… Read more »
I dont think 2009 was at all what put the draft system on the radar. They passed on better talent (Shelby Miller was long rumored to be top 5) in exchange for more ammo to shoot in the dark. I do not totally oppose the strategy if you dont think you are missing on any top talent, but its a high risk/medium reward agenda. The MLB Draft is a major crapshoot, but the Pirates make it look even more difficult. Last point, I think only ZVR and Vic Black were top 100 prospects out of the miserable HS arms bunch.… Read more »
I’m out boys – guess work lets out early sometimes too. Have a nice holiday – I’ll be around on and off.
Of course it’s a relevant comparison. They’re similar comparison in age, money and term. And relates my thinking on all three.
I admit he wasn’t pitching up to what he was being paid, and that yes, it was a salary dump – why can’t both of those things be true? I mean, I’m pretty sure that they ARE true. Where did I say I wasn’t okay with Niese? I’m okay with him, given the fact that they diminished Walker’s trade value by all but announcing they wanted nothing to do with him – I think had they played things differently, they could have gotten more, but I don’t think Niese is a pile of shit. What are you struggling so much… Read more »
The Morton trade was a classic salary dump. He was actually outperforming his below market contract for a back rotation starter. Good deal for the Phillies. Decent dump for Pirates if they allocate the funds elsewhere.
According to their trade values, Niese was worth more than Walker. At least in Decemeber, they win the trade.
So0o0o.. A couple notes… Stanch, you said: “The moves that led to an improved record every year was basically losing so often, they couldn’t help but draft can’t miss prospects.” — Well, that didnt happen. The Pirates #1 picks since 06 have been (ugh, here we go…) Lincoln, Moskos, Alvarez, Sanchez, Taillon, Cole, Appell (Unsigned thankfully), Meadows/Maguire, Tucker, and Newman. That pretty much accounts for 1.5 of those picks essential to their recent success. 04/05 saw McCutchen and Neil but neither was considered cant miss at #11 overall. Benny, please dont say that the 09 Pirates draft forced the MLB… Read more »
More like bored of your own life
What’s you work Eating
For an hour or so each day, yes.
You’re 12, you don’t have a job
Ouch. Cmon man, lets keep this rated G. No reason for the PG insults.
I did what? Ran to the bridge? I wasn’t paying Martin OR giving him a 5th year. So while I didn’t throw a party, I was comfortable with it. I don’t know what “exited” means. So “liked,” may not be the right word, but content to not sink money into an aging catcher for more years than he deserved. Woudn’t be a problem had the Tony Sanchez 4th overall pick panned out – you know – the one you LOVED.
Stanch again, you cant pretend to just like the moves that worked out. #samchion
And as for Sanchez, yeah I liked that pick up, led to the bonus babies and 20 million being spent on high upside HS arms. LOVED that strategy, unfortunately those highly touted arms never made it. But the idea was so smart MLB changed the way you could spend in the draft…. I should charge you for this education I am handing out
Get the fuck out of here. The pick was retarded from the word go – you take the best possible talent and you STILL spend on those arms. You weren’t paying anyone else at the time. So instead, you take mid 20s talent 4th overall, and you claim you’re educating – meanwhile, you look like a rube that buys 4 avocados because they’re on sale, get home, and then realize you hate avocados. Money well spent, champ.
You forgot the part about you changing your name for the 12th time.
I only have about 6 options unfortunately. Its either Sam, Sam is Fat, IsFat Sam, NPL10, Sam IsFat, or simply IsFat. I think NPL10 is the eventual go-to, but I found a sexy headshot of Sam so I figured this was more appropriate.
How about put your name as I have No life
“Sam has no life”??? I can ask D if hell let me…
The last prediction definitely has the best chance of being accurate.
I’m with you. In order of likelihood, I’d go:
– TIOPS demise
– Headless Crosby
– James Franklin fired
– Mike Mitchell MVP
– ADU’s silent all summer, bltch come Nov.
– Pitt Elite 8
Where does D actually having inside info, regularly posting articles and daily five come in at?
Behind Mario’s 2016 comeback and in front of Roberto Clemente’s plane finally landing in Nicaragua after a 43 year detour.
Hey King… Heard anything lately?
Nipples, you sound angry
Best post ever!
Good , I mentioned this a little over a week ago… Could be a match up issue an lure Phil out of his cave
http://www.reelviews.net/reelviews/hateful-eight-the that’s the shit.
I’m only posting this to give Angry Drunk Uncle Stanch a stomach ulcer, but Mat Latos would be a very good pick on a 1 year deal to re-establish value. 3.30 career ERA going into last year. Abysmal results in 2015 but his 1.23 FIP differential suggests he was a little unlucky as well.
He’s no Vogelsong.
instant buzz: clark donatelli
My Take: The third factless-based opinion was brought up in an attempt to cover up William DePaoli’s inside scoop that Johnston would be safe until the break, only to see him fired a day later. L.M.A.O.
It’s ok DePaoli, your zero credibility did not lower.
I read up on almost all the Penguins websites and William DePoali has more insight and inside information than all the Penguins sites combined. Idiot readers like you are the problem with media. You want your information first and as soon as possible but then criticize the fact that there comes a price with obtaining and printing out the inside scoop before everyone else. Deal with it or go somewhere else? I’ve seen everyone make jabs at you on this site over the course of this year and I for one think it’s stupid because you are clearly a troll… Read more »
When did Santiago change his name?
Wow, DePaoli’s mom is not that bad of a writer. Edit your son’s posts Mrs. DePaoli.
It is just easier to use the ignore function. If everyone did, most of this would go away..
At least Johnston is gone. Where is that clown on here from last year that stuck up for him every time I posted about him?
That sounds like Simply Dusty.
According to the new santiago, depoali > DK
Lol, that site alone has DK, Yohe, and Mackey. DePaoli is Rossi without the access.
Agreed. Those 3 are the most inside of any media for pens. Hell even madden has more sources than D. Tiops only has people in the know and nhl sources say
Yes. Ben Lovejoy is clearly why this team sucks.
I would normally agree that breaking up the talent to that extent would be a mistake but when you look at the type of player each is(carry the line type players) ad then factor in their struggles to find chemistry and produce with each other I actually think it will work out quite well. Many realized from day 1 that GMJR was over his head adding a player like Kessel who didn’t really fit what the team needed(a complementary player in the top 6) but looking at it with the possibility of having 3 star players on 3 lines if… Read more »
once again Jay 100% agrees with Pens management decision. PAID BLOGGER! you are busted.
Jay has consistently and properly criticized Crosby (unlike you, yogurt). I have a hard time believing the team would pay him to do so. Which makes you stupid. BUSTED! Oh – wait – we all knew that.
Don’t forget my criticizing of the hirings of Johnston and Rutherford as well as my criticism of the Kessel trade and my criticism of not addressing the D but hey when having those stupid things like facts ever prevented Yodummy from forming an imbecilic, erroneous opinion?
Think about it, Kessel needs a line where it is built on getting him the puck. Malkin plays better with unknown players because he makes the nice beautiful creative plays. Neal was a luxury for him because he was not a shoot first player when he needs to be. (Every year with Neal fans jumped down genos neck about not shooting enough excluding his 50 goal season Kessel needs a line that is going to do the dirty work just as Malkin does. I can still see Crosby and Kessel working as Crosby is much better being a pass first… Read more »
You really are the dumbest person on here and your jokes are worse than Sam’s. There’s been very few people on here more critical of the Pens than me, The difference is that I actually know what I’m talking about and choose to be critical of relevant issues as opposed to the senseless and completely baseless drivel you pollute this site with on the regular basis.
there is no doubt you are on the pens payroll. i’m not joking. all corportions have paid bloggers to try to convince people that their product is the best. you are a paid blogger. i guarantee it.
Highly doubt theyd spend the resources to convince roughly 24, mostly half-retarded, people that their product is the best.
Hey, some of us represent that remark!!!
Every team has a third pairing that they try to protect. So I am interested if this works. I can remember Chicago doing something similar and it fits this year’s “four scoring lines” philosophy. (last year it was grit and character – to mimic what LA was doing)….
Ben gayjoy traded yet?
What does it matter? They’re not losing because their #5 defenseman is sub par. They’re losing because they’re paying $12 million to a guy that now thinks he’s Brandon Sutter. Chubby.
daily 3…co-horts