https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-fj2if-12f8ae4
Bucs In The Basement shuts down any Ke’Bryan Hayes contract slander with data that shows it is already a good deal that will just get better with age. We’re also explaining why his value to the team actually shines a light on a possible team building philosophy that could narrow the gap between a Pirates team with a low payroll and the big boys in the postseason.
Brought to you by ShopYinzz.com! Craig Toth covers the Pirates for Inside The Bucs Basement, and joins his buddy Chris at a 9-foot homemade oak bar to talk Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball. Listen. Subscribe. Share. We are “For Fans, By Fans & All Pirates Talk.” THE Pirates Fan Podcast found EVERYWHERE podcasts can be found and always at BucsInTheBasement.com!
Inside The Bucs Basement 
Agreed on the whole “Pittsburgh needs stars” theory–I don’t think people care, as long as the team’s winning. To me that makes one more of a fan. It certainly helps to have personalities the fans identify with, which local native Neil Walker and firebrand A.J. Burnett certainly entailed.
Congrats on the 1,000 milestone!
Hayes’ defense makes his value more safely consistent. He’s less than 1 WAR away from All-Star consistently, according to bWAR theory, anyway. You hit all the pros and cons I was going to say, haha. He’s a bargain as long as he stays healthy, which is my biggest concern. Yes, he needs to work on launch angle and such at bat, but if I’m the Pirates, my main focus for Hayes would be durability this offseason.
In terms of building the team on defense, speed, and pitching, Cleveland has demonstrated that “new Moneyball” this year to a T. I don’t feel like the new rules will have that enormous an effect of 50-60 points, but it’s tough to say before we say how teams react to these rule changes and settle in.
Culture I’ve absolutely been wondering where they’re pulling from. Roberto Perez looked like a good first big step, but I don’t recall seeing him in the dugout after the injury. I think Gamel’s a good model in a lot of ways, but was that culture-shaping? Not sure. Here’s hoping they add two guys in that regard.
LikeLike