OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Let's Go Bucs! A Pittsburgh Pirates Rebuild

TribeTown · 11-28-2022, 10:11 PM

I have been playing OOTP for years but have never posted anything before. I have enjoyed reading various posts on this site and decided to try my hand at posting myself as I take on the toughest challenge in sports -- building a consistently winning baseball team in Pittsburgh. The two franchises I am trying to emulate are Tampa Bay and Cleveland, who are able to stay competitive on a small budget and a small fan base almost every year.

The goal is to compete for a playoff spot by 2024. The plan is to build around pitching, defense, contact hitting, and speed.

Spring Training 2022

The Pirates made a blockbuster trade just prior to Opening Day, sending Brian Reynolds, Michael Burrows, Cam Alldred, Braxton Ashcraft and Rodolfo Nolasco to Miami in exchange for Sandy Alcantara, Pablo Lopez, Bryan De La Cruz, Lewin Diaz, and Payton Henry.

Trading Reynolds was not a popular move with the Pirates fan base, although the acquisition of Pablo Lopez in particular did generate a positive response.

The Pirates might have been expected to trade Reynolds for a bevy of high level prospects, and they had two potential deals on the table. One was with Cleveland and would have netted Owen Miller, Gabriel Arias, George Valera, and a minor league pitcher in exchange for Reynolds and Quinn Priester. Atlanta was willing to trade Michael Harris, Drew Waters, Indigo Diaz, and a minor league pitcher, also for Reynolds and Priester. Miami's offer was too good to pass up, however – especially since the Pirates were did not want to trade Priester. Alcantara and Lopez can front the rotation for the next few seasons (Alcantara's long term contract is a minor concern with Pittsburgh's perennially tight budget), allowing some of their pitching prospects to fully develop before arriving in Pittsburgh. Alcantara immediately gives the Pirates an ace to build the rest of the team around.

Bryan De La Cruz is a young outfielder with a good bat who can play all three positions. and is a potential breakout candidate as he will get a chance to play every day. Scouting Director R. J. Harrison says that De La Cruz has us-us ability and a very smooth swing.

Payton Henry is an above average defender behind the plate and Scouting Director R. J. Harrison rates him as having above average power once he fully develops. He will split time with veteran Roberto Perez until the Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez are ready.

Diaz was once considered one of Miami's top prospects but has failed to hit at the major league level in limited trials. He is an excellent defender at first base.

Pittsburgh also agreed to two other significant trades. They sent Yoshi Tsutsugo to Seattle in exchange for Dylan Moore and Taylor Trammell. Pittsburgh also agreed to trade Ben Gamel to the Yankees in exchange for Estevan Florial.

Trammell is a former top prospect with the Reds and Padres, but has only had limited opportunities with the Mariners. He will have a chance to play everyday in Pittsburgh.

Moore is a super-utility guy with an average bat and some pop. His versatility (he has played every position except catcher) is one of his main attractions. His speed is an asset.

Florial has a ton of athleticism and a ton of power, but he also strikes out a ton and has not hit well in the minors. His tools are attractive however, and the Pirates will take a flyer and hope a change of scenery will help him put everything together. Scouting Director R. J. Harrison says Florial "has significant upside once he tops his raw power potential."

The Pirates were now ready for Opening Day in St. Louis.

Opening Day Lineup

Kevin Newman SS
Bryan De La Cruz RF
Ke'Bryan Hayes 3B
Daniel Vogelbach DH
Lewin Diaz IB
Josh Van Meter 2B
Roberto Perez C
Taylor Trammell LF
Travis Swaggerty CF
Sandy Alcantara P

Unfortunately mother nature did not agree, and the game was postponed due to weather.

11-28-2022, 10:11 PM	#1
TribeTown All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Garrettsville, Ohio Posts: 593	Let's Go Bucs! A Pittsburgh Pirates Rebuild I have been playing OOTP for years but have never posted anything before. I have enjoyed reading various posts on this site and decided to try my hand at posting myself as I take on the toughest challenge in sports -- building a consistently winning baseball team in Pittsburgh. The two franchises I am trying to emulate are Tampa Bay and Cleveland, who are able to stay competitive on a small budget and a small fan base almost every year. The goal is to compete for a playoff spot by 2024. The plan is to build around pitching, defense, contact hitting, and speed. Spring Training 2022 The Pirates made a blockbuster trade just prior to Opening Day, sending Brian Reynolds, Michael Burrows, Cam Alldred, Braxton Ashcraft and Rodolfo Nolasco to Miami in exchange for Sandy Alcantara, Pablo Lopez, Bryan De La Cruz, Lewin Diaz, and Payton Henry. Trading Reynolds was not a popular move with the Pirates fan base, although the acquisition of Pablo Lopez in particular did generate a positive response. The Pirates might have been expected to trade Reynolds for a bevy of high level prospects, and they had two potential deals on the table. One was with Cleveland and would have netted Owen Miller, Gabriel Arias, George Valera, and a minor league pitcher in exchange for Reynolds and Quinn Priester. Atlanta was willing to trade Michael Harris, Drew Waters, Indigo Diaz, and a minor league pitcher, also for Reynolds and Priester. Miami's offer was too good to pass up, however – especially since the Pirates were did not want to trade Priester. Alcantara and Lopez can front the rotation for the next few seasons (Alcantara's long term contract is a minor concern with Pittsburgh's perennially tight budget), allowing some of their pitching prospects to fully develop before arriving in Pittsburgh. Alcantara immediately gives the Pirates an ace to build the rest of the team around. Bryan De La Cruz is a young outfielder with a good bat who can play all three positions. and is a potential breakout candidate as he will get a chance to play every day. Scouting Director R. J. Harrison says that De La Cruz has us-us ability and a very smooth swing. Payton Henry is an above average defender behind the plate and Scouting Director R. J. Harrison rates him as having above average power once he fully develops. He will split time with veteran Roberto Perez until the Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez are ready. Diaz was once considered one of Miami's top prospects but has failed to hit at the major league level in limited trials. He is an excellent defender at first base. Pittsburgh also agreed to two other significant trades. They sent Yoshi Tsutsugo to Seattle in exchange for Dylan Moore and Taylor Trammell. Pittsburgh also agreed to trade Ben Gamel to the Yankees in exchange for Estevan Florial. Trammell is a former top prospect with the Reds and Padres, but has only had limited opportunities with the Mariners. He will have a chance to play everyday in Pittsburgh. Moore is a super-utility guy with an average bat and some pop. His versatility (he has played every position except catcher) is one of his main attractions. His speed is an asset. Florial has a ton of athleticism and a ton of power, but he also strikes out a ton and has not hit well in the minors. His tools are attractive however, and the Pirates will take a flyer and hope a change of scenery will help him put everything together. Scouting Director R. J. Harrison says Florial "has significant upside once he tops his raw power potential." The Pirates were now ready for Opening Day in St. Louis. Opening Day Lineup Kevin Newman SS Bryan De La Cruz RF Ke'Bryan Hayes 3B Daniel Vogelbach DH Lewin Diaz IB Josh Van Meter 2B Roberto Perez C Taylor Trammell LF Travis Swaggerty CF Sandy Alcantara P Unfortunately mother nature did not agree, and the game was postponed due to weather.