DK's Daily Shot of Pirates: About that pen ...

[@tigerwarsawband]

We also lost Rowdy as a bullpen guy. Maybe our next first baseman can pitch.

[@andrewthetruth]

Chapman having one of the great all-time arms can be attributed to his hip-to-shoulder separation; the angular distance between his front hip and back shoulder in the cocked position. Some guys only get the hip open or elite external rotation in the shoulder. In his case, it's both the shoulder and hips that are special. He's still unmatched in this mechanic, even by other flamethrowers.

[@gregoryhoyle3739]

Last offseason, they were the highest bidder on a few players who decided to go elsewhere. Imanaga is a good example.

[@erad67]

If they were open about who they were going for, they'd have to admit how many players don't want to sign with them. What they did to Tellez sure isn't going to help, either.

[@meddyven]

Truth! Yet another reason, as I stated yesterday, that, even if Cherington were fired, and a REAL GM came in who was about making this team #1, he would have to repair the Pirates abysmal record, like how they treated Tellez. That could take years to fix.

[@DCPGHfan]

THIS.

[@john670]

It seems the subtractions to the payroll are always mentioned, but never the additions. Keller is getting 10 mil more this year, Reynolds is getting 2 mil more, then theres about 5 mil in projected raises through arbitration for Falter, Bart, Santana, etc. Lastly the money we're giving IKF jumps from less than a mil last year to 7.5 mil this year. Thats roughly 25 mil more without adding anyone.

[@williamjpellas0314]

IKF is in the last year of his current deal, and I can't imagine he will re-sign with the Pirates, nor will he get anything close to what he is currently making in his next contract unless he plays completely out of his mind in 2024.

[@jefferyalberter9922]

Figure in about $5 million for Cutch, too.

[@billd8324]

Tough call. At 37 this might be the year that the arm finally starts to go bye bye. You can only pump out 103 mph fast balls for so long. Just spend the savings appropriately.....uh nevermind. 🥺

[@davidjones5547]

I have been listening up here in New England that the RedSox are getting ripped over this signing

[@DavidYosten]

Chapman was great for us last year. But I think you are engaging in a little in selective memory when it comes to how great and reliable he always is. Go ask Yankees fans how reliable he was at the end of his tenure there. Wasn't all that great in Kansas City or Texas either. Not bad, but not the guy you'd want to spend 10.5 million on.

[@pato6672]

Chapman isn't what he used to be, (none of us are), but seems to me he wanted to play for a franchise that takes winning as a priority. Something this owner lacks. Only marginal free agents, on their way down, will sign here.

[@47AndyT]

He's at the point where he could go up in flames! His salary last year was above his value!

[@JungleFury7]

Still plenty of time to add different back end bullpen pieces along with a bat or two. Not spending on SP or a Catcher can spread money elsewhere. I think we end up with some other bullpen pieces and this is the first of a 3 year window that we spend more than 100 mil Laugh at me later for thinking we spend though lol

[@JASN-oj5qu]

The 10 mil saved will now be spent on 3 thirtysomething journeymen.

[@jefferyalberter9922]

To your last point DK, what is the length of Derek Shelton's contract? And what is the purpose of secrecy regarding said contract?

[@joshmichel7996]

This bullpen can’t go forward as is. Losing the best back end guy and paying an iffy Bednar does not build any hope. How long will bob keep putting us through the agony of the constant short comings?! We need some real splash moves

[@jgreasy1213]

Some sort of analysis on whether bednar is fixable is what is really needed. But even if he goes back to 2023 form, they probably need a nasty lefty. I like Danny Coloumbe. Bet he signs for 5ish.

[@blutomindpretzel1735]

lose Chapman, keep Bednar. Yep, par for the course with this team

[@mcconlogue1898]

I could possibly see paying Chapman over 10 million if he was the closer. Last year, I couldn’t see paying a setup man that much on a team that had other glaring holes.

[@wayneleise2920]

Pirates GM is a disaster.

[@hooble66]

sell the team bob

[@paulpattyn7742]

They'll spend the money on fireworks and giveaways

[@harrywhite7251]

I don't know about this one. I think they should of kept him. I mean the money was not that bad for a player of his caliber. He has that it factor like that secret weapon you could pull out at the end of a game and put fear in opposing hitters. Not many players can do that. But are any of us surprised by this?? Nooooo!

[@williamjpellas0314]

Agree with you entirely about Chapman. I would have have preferred that they brought him back as the closer instead of Bednar.