NL Central Offseason Whip-Around: Pittsburgh Pirates

In Commentary And Analysis by berselius148 Comments

I've been my usual lazy self and not paid much attention to the goings on around the league this offseason. At least MLB has obliged by keeping things pretty quiet.

I'll start by taking a look at the Pirates, whose window has firmly shut. After three straight playoff appearances (and no series/WC wins), the team is back in the sadly familiar territory where the team leader in bWAR (Josh Harrison) tops out at 3.3 wins.

2017 Record: 75-87
2018 Projected Record: 76-86
Top projected hitter (ZiPS): Jung Ho Kang, 2.3
Top projected hitter who can actually play in the US this season: Starling Marte, 2.1
Top projected pitcher: Jameson Taillon, 3.1

Transactions of Note

  • Traded Gerrit Cole to the Astros
  • Traded Andrew McCutchen to SF
  • Acquired Corey Dickerson from the Rays

Projected regulars

  • C Francisco Cervelli
  • 1B Josh Bell
  • 2B Josh Harrison
  • SS Jordy Mercer
  • 3B Colin Moran
  • LF Corey Dickerson
  • CF Starling Marte
  • RF Gregory Polanco
  • SP Jameson Taillon
  • SP Ivan Nova
  • SP Chad Kuhl
  • SP Trevor Williams
  • SP Joe Musgrove
  • CL Felipe Rivero

Offseason storylines

The main story, aside from trading Cutch a few years too late and cashing in on Cole, seems to be the sense of malaise and inaction around the team. Josh Harrison wants a trade off this sinking ship as well, and David Freese has taken a shot or two at ownership for not trying to win. The Pirates were one of four teams that MLBPA filed a grievance against earlier this year for not spending revenue sharing money – currently their payroll sits at about $85m, $10m less than last year's mark and less than half of what the Cubs have on the books.

It's a rebuild, and while I am too lazy/bad at googling to see where their farm system ranks after their main offseason trades, the consensus seems to be that they're still pretty middle of the pack and they didn't get any blue-chippers for their big trade pieces.

At least Pirates fans have a great ballpark in which to watch their team lose.

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Comments

  1. dmick89

    Smokestack Lightning: I also don’t think the market was the same for the players they had shortlisted. I still believe the Cubs really really like Chatwood and that his market was livelier at the time than most of the other free agents.

    This may be true. We have no way to know, but we do know is that teams were willing to sit around and wait after that signing and it remained the largest contract in the offseason for a long time. So it’s possible that Chatwood had a lot of teams interested, but the way the market has played out suggests to me that was probably not the case.

    I don’t think Darvish and Arrieta are equal and I obviously don’t think Lynn and Darvish are equal, but it may be that the deals they end up signing make Lynn and Arrieta far better signings. Lynn signed for $12 million. Let’s guess that Arrieta ends up signing a 5/50 deal, which may actually still be on the high side. Lynn and Arrieta probably equal or surpass the projections for Darvish and Chatwood and the Cubs would still have money to play with.

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  2. Rice Cube

    dmick89,

    According to Cot’s and also based on the autorenewal numbers I believe the Cubs have about $12MM under the cap to play with. I’m not sure if that’s enough for a one year deal for Arrieta, but prepare to be surprised.

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  3. Smokestack Lightning

    dmick89,

    We do know that teams were willing to sit around and wait on the other players left after Chatwood. We don’t know that they would have left Chatwood there. I think there were a number of teams willing to gamble on Chatwood, and the Cubs were among them, and they decided to outbid those teams for him at the time they did. I find that easier to believe over the Cubs were stupid and misread the market. Could be I’m wrong on that, but I think given the track record of this front office, the scenario I put out there is more likely. At least to me. Which is all that matters. (dying laughing)

    Also, I’ll admit: I think Lance Lynn is absolute fucking garbage and will be garbage going forward and Arrieta is more or less done being an upper-tier SP. I believe those red flags are the real deal with Jake (the declining velocity, the diminished swstr%, etc), and I’m intrigued and kinda excited to see how things turn out with Chatwood entirely because based on the numbers, the Cubs were out of their mind giving him what they did. I’ve always been a sucker for teams seeing something very few else do and being right (which is why it took me so long to admit Jake is not that good anymore; I loved how the Cubs got him for nothing and he turned into a god—albeit, sadly, for not long enough) in a crazy-like-a-fox way, and I think this could be one of those times again. We shall see. In all likelihood, he’ll be better than you think he will and not anywhere near what I’m thinking he might.

    And just because the universe likes to laugh at me, Lance Lynn will win all the Cys the next few years.

    You say that Lynn and Arrieta could equal or surpass the projections for Darvish and Chatwood (I’m assuming relative to price, yes?) and leave money to play with—for this offseason? Or next?

    And I don’t think Jake is signing for less than 100MM unless he’s taking a one year deal and betting on himself. He can probably get 5/50 next offseason when teams start throwing it around again. Why take that now unless he expects to be bad?

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  4. Berselius is too lazy to log in on his phone

    3 years for Jake, no word on the $ amount yet

     

    EDIT: it's 3/75

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  5. Rice Cube

    Rice Cube,

    Heyman says it’s potentially a 5 year deal worth up to $135MM. The opt out is after year 2, so the 2019 off-season. Phillies can void the opt out and tack on 2 extra seasons. It’s creative but a bit weird since I don’t see why the player would allow the club to prevent his opt out if he’s good enough.

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  6. Tyrone

    JKV,

    Well, it’s 3/$39m if he hits all his incentives. Basically, if he’s what he’s always been during his career. And I’m fine with that. If he’s lost a step, it’s basically a 1/$7m deal with two team options.

    I love the signing.

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  7. Tyrone

    Yay for the legal tampering period in the NFL, which begins today. For the next two days, teams and players can legally negotiate FA deals. They can also legally batter women and kill people, but that’s every day.

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  8. Tyrone

    berselius,

    He showed flashes of being worthy of the first overall pick in 2015 at ND. Also flashed in CLE. I don’t think he was really handled well in either spot. Much better situation in GB for him.

    Don’t think they should have given up Randall, though.

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  9. Author
    berselius

    I hope the Cubs are talking to Greg Holland, if his price is rocketing as far downward as the rest of these guys.

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  10. Tyrone

    Since the 49ers and players I covet are listening to me…

    Come to SF, Allen [Robinson] and Josh [Sitton].

    Draft Roquan and Josh [Sweat], SF.

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  11. Tyrone

    Bryan Perez @BryanPerezNFL
    Bears pursuing free agent tight end Jimmy Graham usat.ly/2GjmXZF

    I have NEVER gotten the Graham hype. He should be so much better than he is. Soft af tbh.

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  12. Tyrone

    Tyrone,

    Bryan Perez @BryanPerezNFL
    Early reports have Bears pursuing Allen Robinson, Sammy Watkins, Jimmy Graham and Seferian-Jenkins. It’s clearly all about Trubisky.

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  13. Perkins

    berselius:
    I hope the Cubs are talking to Greg Holland, if his price is rocketing as far downward as the rest of these guys.

    I’d hope so as well; the Cubs should have about $12MM of cap space to play with, accounting for bonuses/incentives and assuming Grimm gets cut before the start of the season.

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  14. Author
    berselius

    Perkins,

    There was talk earlier in the offseason that they wanted to keep that for mid-season trade flexibility, but if they can get a good bargain on Holland I would hope they defenestrate that plan.

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  15. Myles

    I’m all in for Greg Holland. It would take the bullpen from pretty average to very good. Have to think he’d sign for 1/$12 MM with a $3 MM buyout of an $18 MM team option for ’19, and I think that keeps you just under the tax.

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  16. dmick89

    Myles,

    Pretty sure they use average annual value for luxury tax so that teams can’t get cute. Not sure how a player option or opt-out is included. Say it’s a 3-year deal for $48 million with an opt-out after the first year, which pays him just $8 million. Does that count as $16 million per year? I’m guessing it does.

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  17. dmick89

    Holland at $12 million (if that’s even possible) for a full season is probably more valuable than anything the Cubs might add at the end of July. If that’s an option, you have to sign Holland. You could always trade salary away at the deadline to create space.

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  18. Perkins

    Realistically, the Cubs’ most likely needs will be on the pitching side. They’re pretty deep on the positional side, and if Rizzo or Bryant gets hurt, I kind of doubt they’ll give up what it would take to get a half season of Manny Machado. They can probably survive a long term injury to one of the front four starting pitchers, and it’s probably not worth pushing chips in if two go down for the season. As that leaves the bullpen, they may as well try to get a full season out of Holland. That would be an extremely deep bullpen, especially if Justin Wilson looks anything close to how he did before coming to the Cubs.

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  19. dmick89

    If the Cubs still have $12 million to play with, it’s not very likely they could add enough at the deadline to come even close to going over. If they made a deadline deal for some players, they could add guys who were making a combined $36 million in 2018. There’s no way that happens.

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  20. Tyrone

    Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
    The #Bears are expected to sign former #Jaguars WR Allen Robinson, sources say. A big-time pass-catcher off the market.

    Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
    It’s going to be 3 years, $42M with roughly $25M guaranteed.

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  21. Tyrone

    Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
    When free agency opens Wednesday, former Rams’ WR Sammy Watkins intends to sign with the KC Chiefs, source tells ESPN.

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  22. Tyrone

    G Andrew Norwell signing a 5/$66.5m deal ($30m guaranteed) is a good indicator that teams would be willing to take Quenton Nelson in the top 5.

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  23. Author
    berselius

    Tyrone,

    That’s actually less than I would have guessed Norwell would get, but I’ve probably been too influenced by Robert Mays (dying laughing).

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  24. Mucker

    If they draft Nelson (Please), then it’s on Trubisky, not the Bears, if he fails. Bears giving Trubisky everything he needs to succeed. They’ve got a good running game, they’ve signed Burton at TE, the line is average to slightly better than average, and the Defense is really taking shape.

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  25. Tyrone

    Mucker,

    They might have to move up to get him. And there’s a ton of good guards in this draft. I think CHI should stick at 8 and go BPA (likely Derwin James or Roquan, imo).

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  26. Mucker

    Tyrone:
    Mucker,

    They might have to move up to get him. And there’s a ton of good guards in this draft. I think CHI should stick at 8 and go BPA (likely Derwin James or Roquan, imo).

    I agree. I don’t think he’ll be there at 8. I think I like Edmunds at 8. His upside is unreal. I hate to draft upside but he has a mountain of potential.

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  27. Tyrone

    Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
    Now that Arizona will land Sam Bradford, it leaves the Jets and Bills still in search of veterans.

    Veteran QBs available include Teddy Bridgewater, Josh McCown and AJ McCarron.

    Must’ve accidentally hit send before he included the best FA QB available…

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  28. Tyrone

    Mucker,

    I haven’t watched tape on him, but I think his upside being higher than Roquan Smith would require a lot of pass rushing. Pretty much how GB has been using Clay Matthews the last few years. His athletic profile suggests he could handle that well, but that’s a project.

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  29. Tyrone

    Bryant McFadden @BMac_SportsTalk
    Sources tell me the @nyjets are finalizing a deal with @teddyb_h2o.#NYJets #FreeAgency

    I like that. High upside yet doesn’t preclude you from going after one of this year’s draft’s top QBs.

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  30. JKV

    Tyrone,

    Teddy Bridgewater is such a Jets move. Maybe he’s good. But he was very pedestrian in Minny when he started and hasn’t played in, what, 2 years? WHAT COULD GO WRONG?!?

    I get that MIN ran a power running game with AP at the time, but still, it doesn’t show much evidence that he’s any good running an offense without a HOF running back.

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  31. JKV

    Bears now have a receiving corp of Allen Robinson, Cameron Meredith, Taylor Gabriel, Kevin White, Adam Shaheen, and Trey Burton.

    It may not turn into a top 5 offense, but that is night and day better than 2017.

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  32. Author
    berselius

    Bummed to see Jordy go, even if it was the right move. The Packers should be unstoppable in the RZ next season.

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  33. Berselius is too lazy to log in on his phone

    Ian Happ is having an okay spring training.

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  34. JKV

    Chatwood with 9 K in 5 IP.

    He better get that K rate under control and back down in that 4-5 K/9 or that son’ bitch gonna be demoted. We don’t tolerate that shit. We need more Tseng.

    #FireTheo

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  35. Tyrone

    JKV,

    Far be it from me to defend what the JETS do, but signing Bridgewater was the best QB move they could make for two reasons:

    1. They needed someone who could legitimately play QB (Bryce Petty was the best one on their roster). Unless they ended the collusion and signed Kaepernick, their best options aside from Teddy were AJ McCarron and Josh McCown. Decent vet QBs don’t want to play for NYJ right now.

    2. The team needs a franchise QB. They’ll draft one early and adding Teddy (still only 25 years old) gives them two shots to fill that role. He wasn’t great in MIN, but the 1960s offense they ran with him did him no favors. Morton’s offense for NYJ was fun last year and it sounds like they’ll run something meshing that and what Kyle Shanahan does, which will be a good fit for what Teddy does.

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  36. Tyrone

    JKV,

    Like Mucker said, your move Mitchell.

    It’s refreshing to see a team do this. Seems obvious, but so many teams fail to surround their young QBs with the pieces to make them successful. Many just draft them and think, “Well, the offense is fixed now.”

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  37. Tyrone

    Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
    The #Browns are expected to sign former #49ers RB Carlos Hyde, source said. He’s getting a three-year deal worth more than $15M, including $6M in year 1.

    Can we now put to rest the ridiculous idea that Saquan Barkley was going to be the first overall pick?

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  38. Tyrone

    Bryan Perez @BryanPerezNFL
    Bears expected to sign QB Chase Daniel usat.ly/2DrAnzI

    Good backup. They’re really pulling out all the stops for Mitchell.

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  39. Edwin

    I’m planning on smoking a pork shoulder this Friday. Does anyone have any recommendations on a good rub? I’m looking for more of a savory flavor than a sweet one.

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  40. Tyrone

    Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
    Former Vikings’ RB Jerick McKinon intends to sign with the SF 49ers, per source.

    I mean…

    SF is the ideal fit for him. >$7m is a lot to pay for a RB like that, though…

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  41. Tyrone

    Edwin,

    Salt and pepper. And brush some yellow mustard on it before you put it on the smoker. You could also inject butter or apple juice into it beforehand.

    The smoke should always provide most of the flavor and overwhelm any subtleties in your rub.

    What kind of smoker are you using? Which type of wood?

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  42. Tyrone

    Tyrone,

    Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
    One of the most surprising deals of free agency will be Jerrick McKinnon’s with the 49ers: It is expected to be a four-year deal worth $30 million — an average of $7.5 million per year, per source.

    Yeah. Great fit, but this contract has me like:

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  43. Tyrone

    Edwin,

    BTW, I rarely want a sweet flavor on any smoked meat, but always I put a little brown sugar in any pork rub. Just a matter of principle.

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  44. Tyrone

    Edwin,

    I’ve also used mojo to marinade and inject into pork before smoking. It’s good, but it’s just a flavor that’s NOT smoke. The only other thing I can think of that would be good is maybe Old Bay.

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  45. Edwin

    Tyrone,

    Thanks. Normally I use AmazingRibs.com for BBQ related stuff, but I’ve tried his “Memphis Rub” and it turned out way too sweet. Maybe I’ll find something similar, but change the ratio to having less brown sugar.

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  46. Tyrone

    Tony Grossi @TonyGrossi
    Also, because of pressing business w free agency & Joe Thomas, Browns GM John Dorsey skipping pro days of Baker Mayfield & Josh Rosen.

    “With the first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select…Sam Darnold, QB, USC.”

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  47. Tyrone

    Edwin,

    I don’t think the brown sugar has that much of an effect on the flavor. At least, it doesn’t for me because I don’t use all that much. Mine’s like 50 percent salt, 40 percent pepper and 10 percent brown sugar.

    The key is the type of wood you use and the temperature. I mostly use hickory because it’s so versatile. The only time I don’t use it is when I’m smoking a brisket (mesquite). Some people like to use apple or peach on pork because it’s “milder,” but hickory works perfectly with any pork.

    Another tip: I put the meat onto the smoker as soon as I fill the chamber with charcoal and wood. That way the smoke will flavor the meat before it starts cooking.

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  48. Tyrone

    David Moore @DavidMooreDMN
    Source: the Cowboys have used a 2nd round tender on DT David Irving. The cost is $2.91 million.

    Man. You need a highly disruptive DL? A 2 is a small price to pay.

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  49. Tyrone

    Will Brinson @WillBrinson
    According to @AKinkhabwala on @nflnetwork just now, the addition of Carlos Hyde to the Browns does not take Saquon Barkley off the Browns draft board.

    No shit?!

    Of course Barkley isn’t off their draft board. Why the fuck would any team do that?

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  50. Mucker

    Tyrone: No shit?!

    Of course Barkley isn’t off their draft board. Why the fuck would any team do that?

    You ever sit and wonder how some people can be so fucking stupid? How would anyone think that removing one of the top 3 players in the draft off your draft board makes sense no matter who you sign? I don’t know if he meant from being drafted #1 but come the fuck on.

    Ryno, you going to do some updated mocks after free agency?

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  51. Tyrone

    Mucker,

    Exactly. I hope, for his sake, he just mistyped. There are teams that are 100 percent set at QB that will have Sam Darnold in the second round on their draft boards.

    I sure will. Already started playing the draft game with SF. Who you want?

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  52. Mucker

    Tyrone:
    Mucker,

    Exactly. I hope, for his sake, he just mistyped. There are teams that are 100 percent set at QB that will have Sam Darnold in the second round on their draft boards.

    I sure will. Already started playing the draft game with SF. Who you want?

    Well the Bears obviously but I wouldn’t mind seeing what you think the Top 10 will look like.

    You think the Niners are going WR in the first? I know they were looking at the WR in FA but didn’t get anyone right?

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  53. Tyrone

    Mucker,

    Let me think on it and I’ll do two top 10s.

    SF’s big needs are guard and weakside EDGE. WR, TE, CB and LB are up there too. While they definitely need to upgrade WR, Pierre Garcon is coming back and he kind of gives them the top 3 they like. There’s not an elite WR in this draft, but DJ Moore looks like the best at a glance. He and Sutton.

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  54. Mucker

    Tyrone:
    Mucker,

    Let me think on it and I’ll do two top 10s.

    SF’s big needs are guard and weakside EDGE. WR, TE, CB and LB are up there too. While they definitely need to upgrade WR, Pierre Garcon is coming back and he kind of gives them the top 3 they like. There’s not an elite WR in this draft, but DJ Moore looks like the best at a glance. He and Sutton.

    I’d like to see Bears trade back and draft Moore. I think Moore goes in the 1st and maybe low 20s. He’s probably the best after the catch WR in the draft. Maybe go EDGE in round 2 and OG in 3

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  55. Tyrone

    Here’s a 7-round Fanspeak for CHI:

    8: R1P8 DB DERWIN JAMES FLORIDA STATE – Elite playmaker at S with CB measurables
    39: R2P7 EDGE JOSH SWEAT FLORIDA STATE – Might be second best in thin EDGE pool
    105: R4P5 C FRANK RAGNOW ARKANSAS – Nasty, versatile interior OL
    115: R4P15 DL NATHAN SHEPHERD FORT HAYS STATE – Good value on a likely 5T-3T.
    145: R5P8 EDGE KYLIE FITTS UTAH – NFL athleticism, injuries hurt production
    181: R6P7 CB JORDAN THOMAS OKLAHOMA – Looked like a future 1 early, high potential
    224: R7P6 WR BRAXTON BERRIOS MIAMI – Slot demon

    I forgot CHI didn’t have a third-round pick. The value in this draft is definitely in the second day, imo. CHI might be wise to trade down and pick up extra picks, unless an elite player falls to them

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  56. Mucker

    Tyrone:
    Mucker,

    (dying laughing) That’s almost what I did. Ragnow can play C or G.

    I don’t know if I like Derwin. I mean, I like him as a player but I think the Bears are better suited going elsewhere in the first. I’m all aboard a trade down and pick up some picks. Something like Buffalo’s 12, 55 and 65

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  57. Tyrone

    Here’s my first round:

    1. CLE – Sam Darnold, QB, USC
    2. NYG – Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA – My QB1. Don’t waste this chance.
    3. IND – Bradley Chubb, EDGE, NC St – Best non-QB prospect available.
    4. BUF (trade) – Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma – My QB1a. CLE profits on BUF’s desperation
    5. DEN – Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming – DEN apparently likes him for some reason.
    6. NYJ – Quenton Nelson, Beast, ND – Best player in the draft. They’ll try to grab a second-tier QB.
    7. TB – Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama – SOME team will think he can play CB and take him top 10.
    8. OAK (trade) – Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn St – Makes so much sense (Gruden, 1970s football, etc.)
    9. SF – Derwin James, DB, Florida St – We didn’t want Barkley anyway. Make secondary a strength.
    10. CHI – Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio St – CB1. Roquan is tempting here too.
    14. GB – Harold Landry, EDGE, BC – Has some issues against the run, good pass rusher, elite measurables.

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  58. Tyrone

    Mucker,

    Trade down makes a ton of sense for a lot of teams at the top. Five of the top 14 need QBs. Elite players sliding. it’s a tough first round to predict…

    I need to watch Derwin’s tape to see, but he tested like a CB at the combine. Think a bigger Jalen Ramsey and just a tick slower (4.47 to 4.41 in the 40). If he can move like Ramsey, he’ll go top 10 even if four QBs do too. His injury made people forget how good he is.

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  59. Tyrone

    ARI released Tyrann Matthieu. He made a ton of sense to SF in the Fangio/Donatell days. Expect CHI to be interested.

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  60. Mucker

    Tyrone:
    Mucker,

    Trade down makes a ton of sense for a lot of teams at the top. Five of the top 14 need QBs. Elite players sliding. it’s a tough first round to predict…

    I need to watch Derwin’s tape to see, but he tested like a CB at the combine. Think a bigger Jalen Ramsey and just a tick slower (4.47 to 4.41 in the 40). If he can move like Ramsey, he’ll go top 10 even if four QBs do too. His injury made people forget how good he is.

    Yeah, I like Derwin as a player. He’s great. But I just have a hard time drafting DB in the Top 10 when you have a weak pass rush. Bears need pass rushers bad. Hicks has been outstanding and Floyd has promise but can’t stay on the field. Same with WR. Hate the idea of a WR in the Top 10 (minus Calvin Johnson or Randy Moss) when you need upgrades on the line. I just think Top 10 picks should be QBs, Edge players/Pass Rushers, or OTs. Just think the league has changed so much and the premium is on pressure.

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  61. Mucker

    Tyrone:
    Here’s my first round:

    1. CLE – Sam Darnold, QB, USC
    2. NYG – Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA – My QB1. Don’t waste this chance.
    3. IND – Bradley Chubb, EDGE, NC St – Best non-QB prospect available.
    4. BUF (trade) – Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma – My QB1a. CLE profits on BUF’s desperation
    5. DEN – Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming – DEN apparently likes him for some reason.
    6. NYJ – Quenton Nelson, Beast, ND – Best player in the draft. They’ll try to grab a second-tier QB.
    7. TB – Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama – SOME team will think he can play CB and take him top 10.
    8. OAK (trade) – Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn St – Makes so much sense (Gruden, 1970s football, etc.)
    9. SF – Derwin James, DB, Florida St – We didn’t want Barkley anyway. Make secondary a strength.
    10. CHI – Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio St – CB1. Roquan is tempting here too.
    14. GB – Harold Landry, EDGE, BC – Has some issues against the run, good pass rusher, elite measurables.

    So you think Darnold going 1? You think Landry goes Top 15? I was hoping he would be there later. I’m thinking Barkley might be in play for the Jets at 6. And if he’s avail, I wouldn’t put it past the Bears to draft him and trade Howard.

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  62. Tyrone

    Mucker,

    I used to feel the same, but elite CBs (which are rare) have moved into the discussion for me. Marshon Lattimore was one. Jalen Ramsey was one. Marcus Peters. There’s MAYBE one every year, but not always. Denzel Ward is close and Derwin might be in that class.

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  63. Tyrone

    Mucker,

    Darnold is the most NFL-ish QB in the draft. Rosen is “too smart.” Mayfield is “too short.” Lamar Jackson is too black. Josh Allen is trash, but he’s also more NFL-ish than the others.

    Landry had the injury and there are a few big questions in his game, but he’s in a rare class of measurables with his sub 6.9 3-cone. GB’s big on thresholds/measurables and they need a pass rusher. Makes a lot of sense.

    Josh Sweat’s another guy that I think could end up in Round 1. FSU misused him and he’s a superstar NFL athlete.

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  64. Mucker

    Tyrone:
    Mucker,

    I used to feel the same, but elite CBs (which are rare) have moved into the discussion for me. Marshon Lattimore was one. Jalen Ramsey was one. Marcus Peters. There’s MAYBE one every year, but not always. Denzel Ward is close and Derwin might be in that class.

    What’s your thoughts on Josh Jackson?

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  65. Tyrone

    Mucker,

    I haven’t watched yet, but he measured smaller and slower than I thought he would. Opinion might change, but he’s behind Denzel Ward for me.

    One guy I like in the later rounds is Holton Hill from Texas. He’s big, tough and he can cover. Off-field stuff will push him down…maybe to Day 3.

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  66. Tyrone

    Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
    After failing to find a trade partner for him, Lions are releasing former first-round pick Eric Ebron, per source. Another TE hits the market.

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  67. cerulean

    JKV: He better get that K rate under control and back down in that 4-5 K/9

    His full line: 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K.

    2 walks in 5 innings is a BB/9 less than 4. Even if he gets his K-rate down to those levels, it will still be greater than his walk-rate. /facepalm

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  68. Tyrone

    Josina Anderson @JosinaAnderson
    Are protests impacting one free agent now in the market? That’s what I’m hearing.

    Gotta be Eric Reid.

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  69. Tyrone

    Mucker,

    I would love to hear an owner try to rationalize signing someone with a criminal history but not a protestor.

    Like: “Jerry Jones, why wouldn’t you sign Eric Reid? … No, he actually is a fit for your “scheme.” … Yeah, you actually do need a safety. Maybe two. … Oh, you don’t tolerate disrespect for the flag? In that case, do you tolerate repeated domestic abuse? No? Well then how do you justify signing Greg Hardy?”

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  70. Mucker

    Tyrone,

    Yeah what do they classify is bad for business? Women beaters? Drug users? Criminal pasts? No, they’re ok. What’s that, you protest Merica? Fuck off

    I think the problem is that the other stuff doesn’t affect ratings. The protesting does. That’s why they care.

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  71. Perkins

    Tyrone,

    It would probably sound similar to how it sounds when a group of people that makes an obnoxiously loud public show of its faith and morality continues to justify support for a twice (likely thrice, eventually) divorced president who has had extramarital affairs (including with a porn star and a Playboy playmate) and has been credibly accused of multiple instances of sexual assault.

    Intellectual consistency is apparently a lot to ask of a substantial amount of Americans. It’s also almost ironic that a group of people that loudly expresses its patriotism takes issue with the peaceful exercise of rights protected by the First Amendment. It’s almost as though it’s more about their not liking black people than about the flag…

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  72. Edwin

    ” ‘Trudeau came to see me. He’s a good guy, Justin. He said, “No, no, we have no trade deficit with you, we have none. Donald, please,” ‘ Trump said, mimicking Trudeau, according to audio of the private event in Missouri obtained by The Washington Post. ‘Nice guy, good-looking guy, comes in — “Donald, we have no trade deficit.” He’s very proud because everybody else, you know, we’re getting killed.

    ” ‘ … So, he’s proud. I said, “Wrong, Justin, you do.” I didn’t even know. … I had no idea. I just said, “You’re wrong.” You know why? Because we’re so stupid. … And I thought they were smart. I said, “You’re wrong, Justin.” He said, “Nope, we have no trade deficit.” I said, “Well, in that case, I feel differently,” I said, “but I don’t believe it.” I sent one of our guys out, his guy, my guy, they went out, I said, “Check, because I can’t believe it.” ‘ ”

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  73. Tyrone

    Perkins:
    Tyrone,

    It’s also almost ironic that a group of people that loudly expresses its patriotism takes issue with the peaceful exercise of rights protected by the First Amendment. It’s almost as though it’s more about their not liking black people than about the flag…

    But it’s not all black people. Just the ones who don’t more or less do what they’re told. That sounds a little like something else…

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  74. Perkins

    Myles,

    My money’s on Butler, since he’s out of options and can pitch multiple innings. At this point, he’s also probably no worse than Grimm would have been.

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  75. Myles

    Perkins:
    Myles,

    My money’s on Butler, since he’s out of options and can pitch multiple innings. At this point, he’s also probably no worse than Grimm would have been.

    You are almost certainly right.

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  76. Tyrone

    Armando Salguero @ArmandoSalguero
    Josh Sitton just said playing RG instead of familiar LG is like “trying to wipe your ass with the other hand.”

    This is important.

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  77. Tyrone

    Charles Robinson @CharlesRobinson
    League source says #Texans owner Bob McNair was deposed today in Houston. And Colin Kaepernick was in the depo, face-to-face with McNair. So the mystery around that workout in Houston on Thursday is sort of revealed. He was in town to face off with McNair.

    Within a minute…

    Greg @Hayden__2004
    Replying to @CharlesRobinson
    Just like a loser can’t get a NFL job better sue them (dying laughing) let’s see how that works out.

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  78. Tyrone

    Charles Robinson @CharlesRobinson
    I’m told #Texans owner Bob McNair had no idea Kaepernick would be in the depos today. Completely surprised by it. Depo took place about 9 am in Houston, went about two hours and wrapped.

    Charles Robinson @CharlesRobinson
    A little more on this: Kaepernick has the ability to sit in on any/all of the #NFL depositions. Jerry Jones, Roger Goodell, etc. And that may happen.

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  79. Tyrone

    Benjamin Allbright @AllbrightNFL
    As I talked about with @NathanZegura earlier this week…if you’re the mock drafting type, you should probably start considering Denzel Ward at #4 overall.

    I actually had this in my mock the other day that originally wasn’t going to have trades. I included trades and changed it.

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  80. Mucker

    Tyrone: I actually had this in my mock the other day that originally wasn’t going to have trades. I included trades and changed it.

    Damn……Really?

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  81. Author
    berselius

    berselius,

    Also, holy shit at the contract he is currently on. He signed a 4/12.5 deal going into arbitration with club options for 6 and 6.5m in 2018 and 2019

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  82. Rice Cube

    Not sure how many of you care about basketball, but a 16-over-1 upset happened last night and was super cool.

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  83. Tyrone

    Mucker,

    Yeah. With the NYJ trade, I’m not sure they won’t take Chubb at 4 now. Before, I had assumed Chubb would be gone and thought Ward made the most sense for them.

    With NYJ at 3 now, things could get really interesting. I could see BUF and DEN trying to trade with NYG. If NYG stays put, it would have to be because they’re taking a QB.

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  84. Tyrone

    Jordan Schultz @Schultz_Report
    Update: Ndamukong Suh tells me he is planning to visit the #Rams. Another rising contender officially in the mix.

    Aaron Donald and Suh next to each other?

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  85. Tyrone

    Rob Guerrera @StatsOnFire
    .@ProFootballTalk: “If Saquon Barkley is on the board at three, I think he’s going to be a Jet.”

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  86. Tyrone

    Mucker,

    And now teams realize that the best way to disrupt is interior pressure. So smart teams are prioritizing interior OL. It’s tougher, though, because you have to think about three OL positions instead of one since teams are more fluid with their schemes than they used to be.

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