Fantasy Baseball: Who are the Pittsburgh Pirates?

The Pittsburgh Pirates have quietly made the postseason as a National League Wild Card team three consecutive seasons and enter 2016 looking for a fourth straight trip to the postseason. While the team would like to avoid the Wild Card Playoff round for obvious reasons I am pretty sure the team will take any playoff spot they can get. The same can likely be said for you and your fantasy baseball league this season. Just get into the playoffs and give yourself a shot to do some maneuvering to win the league championship. Maybe these Pittsburgh Pirates can help you.

While everyone salivates over drafting McCutchen you may want to keep an eye out for Starling Marte. Marte has stolen over 100 bases in the last three seasons combined and set career highs in home runs (19) and RBI (81) in 2015. Marte is getting closer and closer to his prime and he may become a perennial fantasy stud as soon as this season. The same can be said for Gerrit Cole who enters his fourth MLB season fresh off a 19 win and 2.60 ERA campaign in 2015.

While we’ve covered McCutchen and Marte we would be silly not to at least mention their fellow outfielder Gregory Polanco in this post. Polanco is at least a step or two behind his battery mates in the outfield but he possesses the same speed and power combination as the other two do. Polanco should be fully recovered from the knee injury that hampered his 2015 production for much of the season and should be able to give you good quality from a later round pick.

The final pick for you today is not a pick that will help you on draft day but could help you by the end of the season. Every year we see a class of prospects that come up around June or July and take the league by storm for the second half of the season, see Carlos Correa’s 2015 campaign as a recent example of this, and the 2016 class may be led by Josh Bell. Bell, now 23-years old, is an outfielder by trade but was moved to first base simply because he’s blocked by so many talented players. Pittsburgh looks to have a combination of Michael Morse and Jon Jaso at the position to begin the year but they can only keep Bell down for so long and when they finally let him out he is likely going to take out all his frustration on opposing National League pitchers. Keep him on your watch list.

So there you have it, technically four players that could help you in your fantasy draft and they are all either young or prospects. I love Prospects Month and I love fantasy baseball so I really enjoy putting these posts up and I hope you enjoy reading them just as much. Pass them along if they help. 

The Orioles Being Aggressive & We're Standing Pat

As the August waiver trade deadline is drawing to a close I cannot understand what is going on in New York Yankees land. Granted I know that we have a bit of a roster crunch but it discourages me when I see us struggle against teams that we should beat, for example the Toronto Blue Jays, when time is running out on us for a playoff run. It really discourages me when teams in front of us, for example the Baltimore Orioles, are being very aggressive on the waiver wire and trade wire. The Orioles have reportedly put in waiver claims on Mariners 1B/DH Mike Morse, Mariners DH Kendrys Morales, and the Twins outfielder Josh Willingham. Throw on top of that the uncertainty behind Eduardo Nunez and Robinson Cano in the Yankees middle infield and I am just really discouraged, frustrated, and thinking more and more that this may just not be the Yankees year. I will not ever give up on my team as long as we are mathematically still in this thing but I cannot say I feel confident anymore and this upcoming series with the Baltimore Orioles may be the last chance we have at a real playoff run. The Yankees better come out like their backs are against the walls and every game is a must win game because, frankly, that's because it is.

Let's Make A Deal... But For Who?

According to a tweet by Buster Olney early this afternoon, the Marlins are aggressively working on trading Ricky Nolasco. After 16 starts this season, totalling 100.1 innings, Nolasco's ERA is 3.68 and has a FIP of 3.55. His 1.4 WAR ranks him 21st among National League starting pitchers (tied with Mike Leake and Cole Hamels). So there's no doubt he could help out pretty much any team in Major League Baseball.

Please, get me away from that ugly thing on the other side of the center field wall.

To nobody's surprise, Nolasco has been connected to the Yankees. I'm not sure there's ever been trade talk revolving around a good player, in which the Yankees weren't mentioned. After learning that the Yankees could very well have a large chunk of money to spend due to the WBC insurance on Mark Teixeira, the connection does make sense. Ricky has about $6 million remaining on his contract this season, which wouldn't be a problem for the Yankees.

Actually, is money ever a problem for New York?

But there is a problem... The Yankees don't need a starter. Would it be nice? Sure. But the team has way more pressing concerns than run prevention. While the Yankees are the only team in the American League East to have given up less than 300 runs (294), they are also the only team in the division to have scored less than 300 runs (293). I don't have to dig up a dozen more numbers to prove that they need to score more runs... not prevent them.

I was looking at the list of free agents to be after this season, and a few names stuck out...

I've mentioned Corey Hart in the past, and seeing as how the Brewers are 15 games out of 1st place and rumors of them dealing Yovani Gallardo are already swirling, he could probably be had. But it was reported today that Hart's suffered more setbacks, and a return soon after the All Star break is really nothing more than a pipe dream. So that idea's no good.

At this point I wouldn't trust me either.

It would be awesome if the team were able to trade for Nelson Cruz, as the guy already has 19 home runs this season, and the Bombers could definitely use the power. But seeing as how the Rangers sit atop the AL West right now, in a tough battle with Oakland (only 1 game back), there's no way anything there is happening.

I'm a fan of Shin-Soo Choo, but the Reds are right there with St. Louis and Pittsburgh for the NL Central, so it's the same story there as with Cruz.

But there was one name that not only stuck out to me, but seemed like a viable option...

Michael Morse

We're not talking about somebody that's a great all-around hitter, as Michael is batting .251/.313/.454 this season. However, it's the power he can bring that's intriguing. He's hit 11 home runs this season, and had 31 in his last full season in 2011 (he missed 50 games in 2012 with a strain in his right shoulder). This season he's striking out a bit more than normal, due to a big drop in contact percentage on pitches outside the strike zone. If he can either improve his eye, or start making contact like he normally has in the past, then he could be a nice "get" for the Yankees.

Morse has spent most of his playing time in right field this year, with a little time in left field and first base. So position wise he does fill a need. He could start at first base against left-handers, seeing as how Overbay is next to useless against same-sided pitching. Then again, Overbay isn't anything special against right-handers either. Anyway, as I was saying... Versus right-handers Morse could be valuable in the outfield since Wells has been useless against any pitcher, and Zoilo Almonte could come crashing back to Earth.

Morse will be due about $3 million around the trade deadline, and seeing how Seattle is not likely to contend this season (currently 10.5 games out of 1st place in AL West), it would come down to having the right prospects to match up in a trade.

The unfortunate thing is that it would be hard enough for the Yankees to put together a package of prospects to get a Michael Morse, so making another significant move would be pretty difficult.

I had an easier time beating this guy.

When the Yankees get back Francisco Cervelli, Derek Jeter, and Curtis Granderson sometime after the All Star break, the only true problem I see at that point is at third base. Kevin Youkilis, even if we were to assume a healthy back meant he'd hit better, could very well be out the rest of the regular season. David Adams is said to be the starting third baseman right now, but after a torrid start to his MLB career he's cooled down quite a bit (.191/.226/.292 on the year).

While I don't think the Yankees would have enough to deal for Chase Headley to take over third base, even before a trade occurred for Michael Morse, perhaps somebody like Mark Reynolds would be within the Yankees' grasp. But to be honest, I'm not sure he would be much of an improvement anyway. Reynolds is only hitting .233/.321/.427 this season, which is really close to what he did last year (.221/.335/.429). Not that Headley has been a superstar this season (.229/.332/.360), but he did hit 31 homers with a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger Award, and 5th place finish for the NL MVP last season.

So the team may just have to hope Adams can at least be a replacement-level player, while Morse's power gives the team a boost, and Francisco Cervelli, Derek Jeter, and Curtis Granderson return fairly strong.

Michael Morse Comes Off Board, Traded To Mariners

The Yankees were said to be extremely interested in and the most aggressive team in the Michael Morse sweepstakes but we once again missed out as the Seattle Mariners have swept in and traded for Morse. This three team trade including the Nationals, Mariners, and Athletics will send John Jaso to the A's, Michael Morse to the Mariners, and prospects to the Nationals. The A's have designated George Kottaras for assignment to make room for Jaso so I wonder if the Yankees will make a waiver claim if they get the opportunity. Either way we missed out on a right handed power hitter that was very versatile and would have been a perfect fit for the team in 2013. Very disappointing.

Should The Yankees Spend That Much On Upton?

Answer: A pitching prospect with "ace" upside, a top infield prospect, and two young MLB relievers.

Question: What will it cost to trade for Justin Upton?

Scott Miller of CBSSports.com reported that Seattle had offered Taijuan Walker ("pitching prospect with 'ace' upside"), Nick Franklin ("top infield prospect"), and Charlie Furbush and Stephen Pryor ("two young MLB relievers"), to Arizona for Justin Upton. Ken Rosenthal tweeted that a source said Upton rejecting the deal saved Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik's job, as the package was too much. Especially when you consider that the Mariners most likely won't compete for any sort of title within the next few years, and Upton is signed for 3 more years and $38.5 million.

So, anyway, Justin may still be in play for the Yankees, but do they have what it takes to acquire the young outfielder? I'm not so sure. Looking at the Yanks' pitching prospects, I don't see one with "ace" potential. Sure, Manny Banuelos has a lot of upside, but after only throwing 24 innings in 2012 I doubt the DBacks are that keen on trading for him. And as far as a top infield prospect... the Yankees don't really have one. The only place the Yankees can compete as far as talent is with the relievers, by offering David Robertson and Mark Montgomery, but even then Robertson will be getting paid more since Furbush and Pryor are not arbitration eligible.

Although I've made it clear that I'd love the Bombers to bring Justin to the Bronx, I'm not sure it's the best thing to do. Yes, the austerity budget is ridiculous, but it's a reality. Therefore, spending $38.5 million over the next 3 years for Upton, when the team has Tyler Austin close to MLB-ready, may not be the best way to go. I'd rather the team extend Robinson Cano, and then see what they have left to spend in other areas. And as for those other "areas", finding a corner outfielder isn't the hardest thing to do. What about dealing a lefty reliever, which the Yankees can afford to give up, for Michael Morse and then looking at re-signing him next year when Granderson is gone?

"Yeah, what about that?"

I'm really just playing devil's advocate here, and pointing out the side of the discussion that would say trading a big package for Justin Upton may not make sense. This time next year the Yankees may be in a position where they really do need to make a big splash like this, and you can't tell me there won't be any good/young corner outfielders available somehow. But right now they don't seem to be in that "need" spot.

"Nothing alive" Regarding Morse Trade

According to Chad Jennings, there is nothing brewing in regards to trading for Michael Morse. However, there is still interest from the Yankees on acquiring Morse, and the Nationals are looking to trade the outfielder/first basement. Keep in mind, though, that this doesn't mean it won't happen. Cashman hasn't earned the nickname "Ninja" for nothing.

EDIT: Although nothing may be alive on the Morse front right now, Jack Curry tweeted that the two teams will be talking.

Yankees Aggressively Trying To Acquire Michael Morse

We reported earlier that Michael Morse would be made available after the Washington Nationals signed 1B Adam Laroche to a two year deal and the Yankees would be interested. Jim Bowden has reported that the Yankees have been the most active team, followed by the Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays, trying to acquire the 31 year old outfielder and first baseman. Morse has put up a triple slash of .296/.345/.516 in the last three seasons, can play both corner outfield spots, and can play first base so the interest makes sense as he would be a perfect fit for the Yanks. He is signed for cheap for this season only and in my opinion would not require all that much in a trade with his track record. The Nationals are reportedly looking for starting pitching depth and a left handed reliever so it is just a matter of days before David Phelps and Boone Logan are wearing Nationals jerseys. Check back here for the breaking news.

LaRoche Signs With Nats, Morse Available

Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post tweeted that Adam LaRoche and the Nationals have agreed on a two-year contract. The terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed, but one thing is clear now... the Nationals are open to trading Michael Morse. Washington currently has a full outfield (Harper, Span, Werth), and now LaRoche at 1B, leaving Morse without a position there.

Morse hit .291/.321/.470 last season, which includes his lowest on-base percentage in the last three years. Michael also hit 18 home runs in 2012, after hitting 31 in 2011, although last season he played in 44 less games than the year before. And Morse doesn't seem to have a preference of hitting righties or lefties, as he doesn't have a true split (career .292/.343/.487 vs. RHP, and .303/.357/.503 vs. LHP). So his bat would absolutely be nice to have in the Bronx.

The Beast would likely start in right field for the Yankees, seeing as how he's played either 1B or OF since 2006 (he played 450 innings at shortstop in 2005, but don't start thinking he's the heir to Jeter at that position), and it's more plausible that he'll knock Ichiro out of the regular starting lineup than Teixeira. Of course, against righties, I could see Morse DHing so that Gardner, Granderson, and Ichiro would all start in the OF.

Anyway, we'll have to see what happens, as the Yankees are surely not the only team in on Morse.

EDIT: ESPN.com reports that the deal is worth $24 million for two years, with a mutual option for a 3rd year.