| Name | Age | Level | P1 | P2 | Availability | Years | AFV | Salary | Surplus | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Harrington | 23 | Minors | SP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.7 | 4.6 | 5.7 | 6.8 | ||
| Tsung-Che Cheng | 23 | Minors | SS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.8 | 5.5 | 6.8 | 8.2 | ||
| Garret Forrester | 21 | Minors | 3B | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.3 |
Total Value:
13.6
| Name | Age | Level | P1 | P2 | Availability | Years | AFV | Salary | Surplus | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taylor Ward | 30 | Majors | OF | Medium | 2.5 | 33.7 | 20.2 | 13.6 | 10.9 | 13.6 | 16.3 |
Total Value:
13.6
Shouldn’t the Pirates be aiming higher than Ward? I think so. They’re 3 games under .500 and 5 games back in the win column for the last wild card spot. I don’t think Ward is a difference maker that nets them a playoff spot in ‘24 or the next 2 years. I can see them wanting to add him because he will still be relatively inexpensive but that also needs to come to end in Pittsburgh. I think it’s time the Pirates start adding serious major league caliber talent to their roster and move on from the dollar store.
They need Ward _and_ a CF given their non-Bryan Reynolds OFers including Michael A Taylor and Jack Suwinski have combined for a 84 wRC+. Taylor is still a top 5 defender at CF but can't hit at all and the Bucs are too short on hitters to hide him. Ward would allow Connor Joe to shortside platoon at 1B and pinch hit and get spot starts in a role he thrives in. Ward would platoon with Suwinski in RF and give Reynolds breathers or a shift to DH. Still need a CF. Would even Pillar be enough to move the needle given how bad Taylor's been in their lineup? They truly also need a 3B since Hayes is a bust with the bat and has declining D.
Could definitely see pillar being thrown in to this trade and Pittsburgh adding like a ji Hwan bae type.
I agree with you but a difference maker is gonna be hard to find this deadline. I think Wards bat is underrated and he's certainly a big upgrade over what they've been throwing out there at the plate. Won't cost a ton in trade return the $ is good. Great pickup IMO. If he hit RHP a little better it would be perfect