Reclamation Podcast

You add Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ at the deadline, expecting mediocrity but receiving all-star production instead.  Aramis Ramirez and Joakim Soria fill their critical roles, and Jordy Mercer and Josh Harrison return from injury without issue.  As the calendar flips to September, it’s hard not to smile if you’re the Pirates’ GM.Reinforcements are set to arrive from the minors, almost certainly including arms like Radhames Liz and Vance Worley (if not Tyler Glasnow).  If the Pirates did recall the young ace, where would Glasnow slot in – as a stud reliever, or as the third starter in the rotation?Elias Diaz, Travis Snider and others will supplement the roster, just in time for home-and-away matchups against every NL Central team as the season winds down.  Do the Pirates have what it takes to pass the Cardinals, or are they doomed to a one-game winner-takes-all playoff against the Cubs (at home, or even worse, at Wrigley)? Download | Subscribe | iTunes

Neal Huntington spent another trade deadline making incremental improvements to his major league roster, adding Aramis Ramirez, Joe Blanton, Joakim Soria, J.A. Happ and Michael Morse at a negligible cost. While there’s no risk in the moves that were made, there’s also very little opportunity for reward. Were those deals enough to put the Pirates in position to make a run deep into the postseason?Following a loss at the hands of Jake Arrieta and the Cubs on Wednesday, it starts to become a question of whether or not the Pirates are strong enough to withstand the pressure being applied by other National League contenders. With A.J. Burnett disabled and Happ filling a rotation spot – combined with other teams’ splashier acquisitions – is it wrong to worry about the squad with the NL’s second best record?The hosts talk about the deadline in context of 2015 and beyond, mentioning Tyler Glasnow, Josh Bell and the upcoming offseason, but don’t lose sight of the playoff race this team finds itself in. Download | Subscribe | iTunes

The Pirates’ roller coaster 2015 season crested the hill of a marquee match-up with the Cardinals before the break, then plummeted through Milwaukee and into Kansas City.  Along the way, Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer were lost for extended periods of time.  All of a sudden, the Pirates are on the market for a new infield.Alen Hanson is taking reps at the hot corner in Indianapolis, and names like Juan Uribe, Cliff Pennington and Clint Barmes have been floated on the trade market.  Do you deal Tyler Glasnow for a short-term improvement, or try to get by with Pedro Florimon while still building for the long term?Before injuries to Harrison and Mercer, it was suspected the Pirates would seek improvements at the back of their rotation, in the bullpen, or at first base/right field.  Can the team still afford to go after a right-handed thumper, or would that break the budget? Even if Neal Huntington wanted to add there, is anyone available? Download | Subscribe | iTunes

Following a skid in May when the lost six out of seven, the Pirates strung together 21 wins in their next 26 games and looked unbeatable.  From June 8-18, they won eight in a row and outscored the opposition 28-13.Then, the flew to Washington and took three on the chin, followed by a trip home and another series loss to Cincinnati.Their 40-32 record puts them on pace for 89 wins and they’re still among the elite teams in the National League.  It’s tough to keep that in mind when the roller coaster crests the top of the hill and starts plummeting back to earth.In episode 8, there’s talk again of going outside the organization for help – whether it’s a simple depth move to replace Corey Hart, or a splashier addition to mitigate slumps from Jordy Mercer, Neil Walker and Gregory Polanco.  Who are the bats or arms that realistically could be wearing black and gold before the all-star break?  A huge four-game series looms with the Cardinals that could make or break the Pirates’ hope to contend for a division title. Download | Subscribe | iTunes

The Pirates started the month of June right, going 9-3 and taking a series from the defending champion Giants in the process.  In 2014 the Bucs went 25-30 before the calendar flipped to June.  If only the season didn’t start until Memorial Day…With their winning ways, the team left little for Alan and Cory to quibble over.  The rotation has been lights out from the first spot to the fourth, and even Jeff Locke puts forth a solid effort once in awhile.  The bats had gone quiet, but then exploded for 11 against the White Sox.  Are Corey Hart and Antonio Bastardo all we can argue about?There’s talk of how to improve the 25-man roster, and it centers around the trade market and waiver wire.  Alan suggests a splash or two that could push the Pirates into a stronger position in the division, while Cory seems resigned to playing for the wild card.Who could be wearing black and gold after July 31 – Scott Kazmir, Steve Pearce?  Jim Johnson, Rickie Weeks?Finally, draft talk winds up the episode.  The minor league system was restocked with an emphasis on college players.  Is there anyone who stands out as an impact talent? Download | Subscribe | iTunes

Following a 12-game stretch against the Twins, Mets, Marlins and Padres that saw the Pirates go 8-4 to finish May at 14-14, the team journeyed up the left coast to San Francisco to face the always-competitive Giants for a three-game set.  Then, it’s back across the country to Atlanta, then north to PNC Park’s friendly confines for six against the Brewers and Phillies.As the calendar flipped from May to June, the Pirates started to settle into the season.  Four-fifths of the rotation has stabilized, as Charlie Morton came back strong and Jeff Locke struggled.  Who’s the next option, should Locke continue to falter: Vance Worley? Casey Sadler? Clayton Richard? Someone else?The offense is humming, as Francisco Cervelli and Jung Ho Gang made Neal Huntington’s offseason.  What’s the biggest trouble spot remaining:  the end of the bench?  Can Corey Hart justify his existence as the team’s 25th man, or should Steve Lombardozzi or Andrew Lambo take his job?There’s time for a bit of draft talk and a Josh Bell mention as your hosts round out the episode just as Gerrit Cole and Ryan Vogelsong begin to duel at AT&T Park. Download | Subscribe | iTunes

The Pittsburgh Pirates have played 23.46% of their 2015 campaign and their record sits at 18-20.  Good news:  they’re not one of the six National League teams virtually eliminated from contention.  Bad news:  of the nine teams designated as in the hunt, the Pirates’ record ranks … ninth.When we last spoke, the team was about to play 13 games against the Reds, Cardinals, Phillies and Cubs, and we were hoping for an 8-5 or 7-6 split.  Instead, thanks in part to a four-game losing streak, the Pirates limped to a 6-7 finish heading into the Monday off day.Of course 76.54% of the season remains to be played, but it’s getting to the point where results and standings are scrutinized and roster decisions need to be made.  Is Jung Ho Kang the starting shortstop?  Is Gregory Polanco ever going to break out?  What’s the solution for the back of the rotation, and does the bullpen need help?The Twins, Mets and Marlins visit PNC for eight games, and then the black and gold squad flies westward for a four-game series with the Padres.  What are your expectations as the calendar flips from May to June? Download | Subscribe | iTunes

It seemed as though the Pirates were starting to hit their stride … and then came series against the Cubs and Cardinals.  A 1-5 stetch and three walk-off losses later, your hosts reconvene to discuss the Pittsburgh baseball club’s current state of affairs.Can Jordy Mercer, Josh Harrison and Andrew McCutchen continue to bat below the Mendoza line?  Probably not – but in the meantime, they’re wasting the league-leading efforts of Gerrit Cole, Francisco Liriano and A.J. Burnett.If Mercer or Harrison doesn’t right the ship, is it time to see more of Jung Ho Kang (or even Sean Rodriguez) at shortstop or third base?  Has Harrison’s opportunity to be the team’s sparkplug passed, and should Gregory Polanco’s name be written into the first slot on the lineup card?  If McCutchen isn’t healthy, what do you do?The Pirates head into the homestand with a 12-13 record, on par with most of the National League – but well behind the Cardinals.  What do they need to accomplish in the next two weeks to consider that stretch successful?  Download | Subscribe | iTunes