Pirates' 2027 Bill Is Coming... Will They Actually Spend?

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1:06Mr. Monopoly here. Miss me? Monopoly is back at McDonald's with millions of prizes. A 2027 cheap charity? A carnival cruise vacation? Gift cards from DoorDash and Best Buy. Peel and play in the McDonald's app. Get your bag. No purchase necessary. 50 US and DC H 18 plus. C-Platnik D.com for rules and plantnik D.com slash AMOE for info and playing without purchase by mail by November 2nd. Chantscar Gaming's November 8th. Gaming's November 22nd, 2026. C-Rules Surprise details. Monopoly is a registered trademark of Hasbro. Music Yo yo yo. Welcome to the North Shoreline podcast presented by Fandall. This is Buckebrew Power Byte of hair coffee and tea. I'm a host, Anthony D'Nardo with the movie Got you, Miss Adi. Jim. Welcome to Monday, baby.

2:06Good morning. How are you doing? I'm doing good. Same. Same. Watching some football, some MLB playoffs. Dodgers lost last night. There have been some really good, there have been some pretty good games so far this postseason. Yeah, Brewers up to a Dodgers Braves or tied. You don't want thing though that just just annoys me all these. There's. You've got half of the games in the postseason are openers. Yeah, that's crazy. It's driving me nuts. I mean, like, if you had the of it, especially the one this season, but playoffs, we used to be a proper country. We used to be a proper country, D'Nardo. Right. But now for real, I mean, like getting through a season, sometimes it's kind of tough and you have a bullpen game, you have openers, this and that. But again, like, it comes at plus. But it worked.

3:12It worked for the Braves. I don't know, man. Like, I mean, I understand. I get it, but like, if it works, it works. Braves actually use less pictures. I believe that Dodgers last night, right? Yeah, I don't know. But yeah, I'm not, I'm just not a fan of it. Give me some starting pitching and then guys are getting taken out so early. Everything's just turning into a bullpen game. It's frustrating. I don't like it. Maybe I want to see a bullpen game. I want to see the starting pitchers go more than four innings. Bring me back like the Kurt Schilling, bloody sock, Pedro Martinez. Oh, are they going to take him out yet? He's at 130 pitches. Give me that stuff. I don't even remember what I was watching, but it's going back to the Kevin Brown versus Randy Johnson game.

4:12And it was like, yeah, you're never going to see that again. I mean, it was like, yeah, like 27 straightouts, like combined 16 innings combined or more of that. Shout out to Drew Rasmussen, eight innings. Yeah, I mean, that was. There we go. It's Austin Wells. Yeah. And he won. He won. So there you go. All you need is your starting pitcher to go eight innings and you're going to win. And think about this. And that was the race. That was the race. There are the ones that we should be complaining about for doing all this. And then there are the ones that has the guy that goes deep in a game. And then that's true starter. Yeah, that's actually kind of wild. But what a performance. And then yeah, what a performance Austin Wells. Yeah, what's up with the catchers name Austin, that's just. I don't know, kill your team. Austin Wells is the guy who, and if you're watching this, you're on Twitter, but open creations on Twitter.

5:15That's art and stuff. Austin Wells, he says, looks like me. Oh, that's right. I forgot about that. Which I think if you, I think if you took the gray out of my beard and just like made it made my beard darker, it's I see the similarities. It was very close. Yeah, good call. Good call. Alright, well, that's our show. I could easily play on the Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic team. I forgot he did that. Oh, dear Lord. Anyways, let's talk some, some Pittsburgh pirates. I mean, obviously not a whole lot going on in their world, but I would say there's two, two big things that that went down this week. So let's talk about that. One is MLB trade rumors dropped there. We're going to have some big, big, big, big arbitration estimates for the 10 Pittsburgh pirates players who will be receiving arbitration next year.

6:24Some big names in there. Paul Schien's is first year in arbitration. Oh, no. Crews is due for for a raise. Yeah, like Jared Jones, first year arbitration, bunch of other younger guys who kind of debuted back in the 2023 or 2024. And that's kind of the theme of today's show is this team that had brought up a lot of young players the last few years, those young players used to be really, really cheap. Now they're starting to cost a little bit of money. It's interesting to see just the starting point and we'll go into, you know, what the pirate's payroll looks like just as the team stands right now. Friend of the show, Ethan Hula and MLB spreadsheets. All this is from him. Make sure you're following him on Twitter or on Patreon. He does outstanding work and he's going to be doing a lot of stuff, especially with the upcoming CBA, but the numbers that we're going to be looking at.

7:25So there's so we're going to be looking at that. Arizona fall league started this past weekend, to Nardo. Yeah, our interviews have started. So, you know, those should start coming out here somewhat soon as well. So not a whole lot to talk about, but the Arizona fall league yet they just started. I think they played two games. But we'll get into that a little bit. And then you said that the pirate sign, Jose or Keide last week. I said they said you did. You said the pirate sign, Jose or Keide last week, you got everybody into a frenzy. Now, the MLB transactions page, which is a pretty good source directly from Major League baseball said the pirate sign, Jose or Keide last week. Turns out the civil things right. Turns out the pirates did not sign Jose or Keide last week.

8:28So yeah, it got removed like that night by the way. It was up there all the day. Yeah, it's not on there anymore, but it was up there for a day. Yeah. So yeah, we'll just. You were spreading fake news. Well, you were you were bamboozled the MLB calm was spreading fake news and you spread it. You were the one who actually started spreading that news though. I mean, I did. I did. I did. But again, it's not as if I looked at a Facebook meme that had, you know, Andy read image on it in a Pirates uniform. It was Pirates dot com. And it was saying from the before even I posted on October 2nd, it was showing the transaction happened on the first. Yeah, you can't trust that he actually was DFA or not DFA, but I'll let the free agency after his DFA. And I was like, that's interesting.

9:31Well, apparently it's not interesting at all. Yeah, you had MLB trade rumors on it. You had, I mean, it was a widespread report and then came out in the afternoon. The at the Pirates had not actually signed Jose Eurikidi. It was an error on the the website. How do you make that error? Again, I just, I'm just trying to process this to like, who's like, oh, Jose Eurikidi signed back with the Pirates. Let me update that. Do they have an AI working is grok behind the scenes on MLB dot com working transactions. I bet you know what, it probably is some sort of AI that like connects things and yeah, maybe the AI made it up. MLB AI anyways, I mean, I did think it was pretty interesting at the time. I was like, yeah, I mean, I don't make this, but it's kind of wild that they're making this transaction already. Yeah, I mean, I take Jose Eurikidi back on a minor league deal, I guess.

10:33Absolutely. Yeah, why not? Just kind of wild was happening on October 1st. Yeah, didn't happen. Didn't happen. Right. All right. But yeah, the story story, I guess what we're really going to dive into today are these arbitration estimates. They're going to they're going to really give us a good idea into just the overall payroll of this team heading into 2027. So you want to dive into this to our know. Yeah, let's do it. Absolutely. You know what? The man's here. Ethan is showed up. He's saying, hi, in the comments. Hey, Ethan. Welcome to Super Bowl. Speak his name and. Any any arrives. Yeah, let's, let's get into it. So. According to Ethan's estimates, where the pirates sit right now is a, a total payroll of, and this is the LRD projection.

11:38This is like actually money out the door for the pirates. So they're sitting at 100.35 million dollars currently. And this is before you do anything with Brandon Lau. This is before you bring in any sort of bullpen arm. This is before you address anything at third base. This is as the team is sitting right now. Yeah. So. Yeah. This is what's interesting about this is like, okay, if they're already at 100 million dollars, then how much do we. Do we actually have to work with here? Last year's payroll. I'm pulling up his, this 2026 total right now. So end of year payroll after everything said and done this past year was 107.7. Let's call it 107.7 million dollars is what the pirates spent on payroll in 2026.

12:46So. The question now is how much higher can you go than that? Because that is the highest number that the pirates have ever had. Pirates have never spent that much money in a season before. And it looks like if they want to be in a position to actually make this team better, that number is going to have to go up. So. Or does it. I'm going to stay a half to go up. I guess it doesn't have to. You could have everybody just there could just be massive internal improvements across the board. But yeah, I mean, you see the breakdown here, right? The pirates have the pirates have five guys who are signed, sealed. You're making this much money next year. And that's, you know, Mitch Keller's making 18 million. Brian Reynolds is making 15 million. Brian O'Hern's making 15 million.

13:46Luke Weaver's making 11 million, but the mets are paying 6 million of that. So the pirates are only on the hook for five. And then Connor Griffin's making 2 million next year. So they've got 55 million dollars on the books has to be paid. And then with MLB trade rumors estimates that came out this week. So they're 28.7 million dollars. Now here's the thing with these guys. You got to figure out are they ones you want to keep? Or do you not tend to them? Because you don't have to tender all of these guys a contract. But it really starts with Paul schemes going to to our one. And they're projecting 7.2 million dollars. I was thinking he was going to be right around eight. So that kind of makes sense there. And then only will this said this was $6,000. And then he's going to be right around 20 million dollars off of Dallas Kikeles. Your one record, by the way. Okay. So this isn't even breaking records with schemes. That's interesting. I. But it's like right there. So yeah. Yeah, interesting where they go with that.

14:47But yeah, I mean these are 10 guys where. Yeah, I mean 28.7 million. So you look at this and you know, Paul schemes. Tendering a contract to oh no cruise you're obviously tendering a contract to you know niggas all is at 3.1 million Probably tendering that right with two and a half worth of doing that Jared Jones 2.1 million you're doing that Jared Trio low. This is like worth I Guess some questions start coming up like Jared Trio. They're projecting it 1.8 million dollars Do you move on from Jared Trio low or or or do you give them 1.8 million dollars? Maginsky's at 1.6 here. Yo Hans at 1.5. I think you're obviously keeping both of those Henry Davis is 1.4 and the 1.2 so I think you're keeping

15:47Everyone on this list Trio is the one guy where I'm like okay, that's we could debate that But I think there's also room on the roster for Jared Trio low But if you feel like you can upgrade him, you know, you're certainly looking to do that I think Yeah, I mean if you want to start with Jared Trio low here, um, I mean Think about Jim 1.8 million dollars is nothing like that. It's it's nothing You're talking about 26 players on LV team, you know, have a backup reserve to have a guy to pay 1.8 million dollars for that Is nothing, but I I get it. I understand again, we're talking about a team that's at 100.35 million Starting point for the payroll essentially estimate, you know, if these arbitration numbers come true, right? I'm sure there'll be some wiggle in there, but regardless That's the way you can save 1.8 million dollars. Maybe that's the good odds you know, help out other places and whatnot So I can see this one going either way

16:50Um, I guess it just comes down to like if it's not Jared Trio low 1.8 million then what is the replacement of Jared Trio low? Right, you know like are you going on the free agent market and getting a similar Product or better. Well like are you getting something better for 1.8 million or you getting like hey, we don't need to invest that much It's get something worse for less I don't know I mean, I just feel like you're probably just bringing him back you kind of nobody is the system It's 1.8. He has defensive flexibility Certainly positions that you kind of need right now. You don't really have a backup shortstop You don't really have a backup third base. You don't have a starting third base You know, I think he's coming back Yeah, like unless you can find a backup shortstop that is as good or better For 1.8 million dollars. I that yeah, I I Got imagine Trio low's coming back and if he doesn't really make any sort of improvements next year like it's probably the last year You're keeping him you know like you're probably not from Trio low back once that 1.8 becomes 2.5

17:55Right, but I think 1.8 you're probably you're probably sitting okay um But yeah, I mean these these numbers are Are those are the estimates so you can you can assume like when it's all said and done that those arbitration estimates are probably going to be within They'll be within $2 million total or so, you know give or take So you're looking at anywhere between probably 25 to 31 million dollars in arbitration payments that you've got to do Um, and then you've got a bunch of pre-arbit guys who you know, they're making 800,000 900,000 1 million whatever it may be But they're but they're gonna be sitting kind of rounding out that total There's a 1.5 million dollar buyout from Marcelo Zunas option that they obviously aren't picking up And then a $2 million signing bonus to Conor Griffin that needs to be paid out next year as well So yeah right now 100 million bucks. So when you kind of look at this and you see

18:57Where do they go from here I Want to be this part up too. I want to bring something here too because again, we're talking about money and if they can or whatever and I want to put some perspective on this because we always know like revenues tied with you know payroll a lot or Payrolls tie a lot with revenue right and obviously tickets, you know They sold 1.7 million last year. They've had the tenest last year is one 1 million 7400 229 the year before that was 1 million 525,000 and 25 So roughly close to about $200,000 increased 170 or 175,000 people increase in intended so you would assume there's more revenue coming in this year but also that being said the 1 million 7400 is actually less than they had in 2024 So I just say that because I mean that's that's interesting like it's not it's not a more than it was in 2024 So coming to 2025 we saw how they operated

19:57So it's like I don't this is also a game where it's like I don't know what they're going to do I mean we had the game last year Well, when 10 is drops. So they actually going to increase payroll. Well, they did slightly. I mean again, you mentioned it was 1.07. It's not like is that they But it's like 120 wasn't you know some ungodly number out here, but it did increase So given the nature of this year over last year that it's up by 175,000 and attendance I would assume it could increase But of course like what's that level? So I just won't put that perspective out there because again like we're starting right now at $100 million Essentially again, that's without making any additions here. So or showing what this budget is and What this payroll is allowed to be you know kind of shows you how this team is going to be able to maneuver next year But like you said with all the arbor numbers I don't think anyone's really in question. It's like okay. We'll be you know, we're not going to

20:57Tender Paul schemes a contract here because we can't afford $7 million. You're absolutely doing all these I think outside of jager show I'm gonna say this head of a davis could also be a question as well Yeah, I agree with that um So in 2025 payroll ended at 87.3 million dollars So like they increased payroll by 20 million last year um Yeah, now it's it's just a matter of like okay like is that your tippy top Is that the best you can do or can you push it even farther? You're so cal Honda dealers are honored to help the community our program started the first Defin Heart of Hearing football team of its kind in our league the healthful so cal Honda dealer surprised us with brand new uniforms Giving our athletes more than just jerseys a community investing in their program and we want to help you too With 1.99 percent APR on a 2026 ridge line for well-qualified buyers at your so-called Honda dealers

22:06Oh, look Got added to a meeting about coordinating another meeting To prepare for the pre-meeting ahead of the follow-up meeting Which will of course require a recap meeting And then another meeting it's your booking point Book with Southwest and an aeroplane mode 5 a.m. I'm up with a crisp Celsius energy drink running 12 miles today Grab a green juice quick change and head to work meetings workshops one more Celsius no slowing down Working late, but obviously still meeting the girls for a little dancing Celsius live fit go Grab a cold refreshing Celsius at your local retailer or locate now at Celsius.com Mr. Monopoly here miss me Monopoly is back at McDonald's with millions of prizes a A 2027 cheap chair a carnival cruise vacation

23:08Gifts cards from tor dash and best five Feel then play in the McDonald's app Get your bag No purchase necessary 50 usd ch 18 plus cplate Mcd.com for rules and plant Mcd.com slash Amoe for info and playing without purchase by mail by November 2nd Chants car game in November 8th game in November 22nd 2026 See rules for prize details. Monopoly is a registered trademark of Hasbro um I I still think we're probably looking at if this team wants to do anything impactful over the over the offseason You gotta get rid of The guy on the top of the left hand part of this graphic here um, you know, Miss Keller making 18 million dollars That's a big chunk. I mean, that's you look at the that's 18% of your payroll right there Spent on one guy who is looking like he's going to be your fourth or fifth starter Right, so like can you justify spending 18% of your budget on a fourth or fifth starter? I don't know if you can if you're if you're the path

24:12I'm so I think what we're what we're looking to do here is like My guess is that payroll will go up. I think it will go up again. I don't think it's gonna go up that much I could see like one 15 Being that that final number which is it about an eight million dollar increase from from where we were last year Now one 15 if you don't do anything gives you 15 million dollars to spend right and you gotta go out there and Presumably you're trying to bring loud back. You need to bring in a lefty reliever You probably want to bring in a right handed hitter of some sort You'd love to bring in an additional starter. It's just like what can you do with that 15 million dollars? It's spread pretty thin But if you take 18 million off of this that gives you 30 three million dollars to work with as opposed to To 18 or as opposed to 15 so

25:15I think I think that's probably the move here Um because I don't know. I just don't see him going much past one 15 Do you see these guys pushing like 120 125 like I just I mean as pirate sands. That's what we've been asking for forever is like We're not asking you to spend 200 million dollars like that's not what we we understand. It's not possible Like if this team could push 120 125 like then you're getting into territory We're like you probably do a little bit of damage this off you could keep Keller and Do something else, you know entertain bringing it back loud and whatnot or you know you trade Keller and you you know You bring Lao and you get another very impactful bat, you know and quite like you can do two things You can really improve this team. So absolutely like That would be marvelous Jim But I I don't see it. I mean, I think 115 is that really nice number if we're doing over and unders That's where I'd say oh, that's really good. Is it gonna be over and under 115? I would go with the under but I think that's that's probably right where it's

26:17Maybe going to be at. I think that's a very Good safe number again. I think it gets certainly be less especially if they do trade Keller But The kind of shows you like probably where they're operating it Uh, again, given like you know where they're at there at we just say 83 the year before Uh, 80 87 oh 87. Yeah, cuz that's what the season ended Uh, we just started 83 but yeah, so I guess they're at 87 Then they want to 107 this year. So again 20 million Um, I don't think they would increase by 20 million again Uh, again, just given by we talked about the attendance, you know where it stands and everything I mean, they're basically essentially where exactly where they're at in 2024 So I would see we could go up but maybe not no enormously so I think 115 a slight increase makes some sense If you're Bob nutting and what they're gonna do it makes some sense if we're trying to predict and get the mindset of the pirates I'm not saying it makes sense because that's what I want to see. I'm saying it makes sense because that's how they operate

27:18Yeah, yeah Now all of this is also assuming that The status quo pretty much remains, you know when it comes to the cba too. So there's there's kind of that whole wrinkle in this as well where You know, this could just None of this could matter You know like it's possible that none of this could matter in more ways than one like we might not even have baseball next year Who knows uh and if we do it may looks look completely different So like we're not even discussing payroll numbers because it's like hey everybody's got the same amount of money to spend Uh, but imagine imagine that though Jim imagine seeing this now right and then say in four months Five months you're told Well, you have to spend 175 million Yeah You bet with this team could look like if they're forced to spend 75 million dollars forced just to get to like to a floor

28:21forced to spend 75 million dollars holy shit Yeah, now one thing I'm pretty sure and I'm looking through the numbers here with uh with Ethan But I'm fairly certain like when they were talking any sort of numbers with the cba It was referring to like the cbt payroll Yeah, it's your includes like benefits and things like that. So it like theoretically if Um Like they're like okay, you got to spend 170. Yeah, like it's still not it's more than you know obviously Been more right now, but yeah, I mean that and who knows what like that who knows what that looks like I we won't know we won't know for quite some time if that's going to be the case but still Yeah, I would welcome that I yeah, obviously obviously I had a spend they had to spend 40 ish million dollars Wow, yeah, I would love like if there is gonna be a cap in a floor like I'd love that floor to be pretty high um

29:26You know, and yeah like the pirates are in a position where if that that happens They're gonna be in a pretty good spot because they're gonna be one of the teams that it's like okay You've got to add talent to this team And you got it you've got to add money. So yeah the pirates are in a good spot if that becomes the case But yeah, we won't we won't really know um some comments in here too. I want to talk about um I think it's uh, let's see No one is taking keller 18 million after how he finished the season so be ray welcome to the trade rumors I could see that too like I still think third teams out there out there that would Welcome a mishkeller type pitcher with open arms now. I could see the pirates maybe either needing to add to keller Like it's like keller and a prospect for like nothing really uh or They've got to maybe pick up some of that money. I think the pirates I can't remember the last time the pirates like traded a guy and sent like a lot of cash with them

30:30I can't really remember two million senses of that happening especially recently So It's not how they operate yeah I feel like there are I think I think there are teams out there though who would love a pitcher who historically has shown that he can give you 170 to 190 innings with you know league average ERAs last year obviously was was outside his his norm But I think there's teams that would take keller And like I said, maybe you add something to him like you say keller keller and I'm in a mid to your prospect keller and a low to your prospect Just so like they're getting something else with them But I think you can unload keller if you really want to but Brian Reynolds is another person that Is certainly a possibility here like he's making $15 million. He's completely worth that money Like that's the that's the difference here right where it's like Mitch keller can you afford to pay 18 million for what you're getting out of them Brian Reynolds you can probably do that Like Brian Reynolds is giving you $15 million worth of value is giving you more than that for the most part

31:32but but I don't If somebody wants to give you a really good package for Brian Reynolds, I think you got to I think you got to listen to it You have to because of how you operate and I'm with you in this sense that I think teams, you know, I think you can't if you want to trade Mitch keller You can now I'm not saying it's gonna be easy and you'll probably have to be creative to do it And that's just unfortunate because of how we did finish and now you're thinking You know there's there's they unknown the uncertainty with Mitch color because of the injury and how he was last year But yes, he does have that track record that track record shows like you're worth 18 million dollars So yes, that makes the absolute sense, you know, does he fit on this team right now Especially 18 million likes you open this up with you know, you're paying your fourth or fifth starter probably not You do have some actual depth this year guys did give innings this year So you're more comfortable going into 2027 with the other four guys, you know You're not bringing Mitch color back because well how do I find innings?

32:33You still kind of have to but it's not as much of a need not 18 million dollars worth of a need not 80% of your payroll type of a need so Yes, like starting there that makes sense, but It is going to be tough and you are selling Mitch color at your lowest. So do you have the mindset of Eh, do I want to bottom out here like do I want to do the the Josh Bell thing all over again? You know to a different degree, but it's like I'm selling him at ground zero. There's just no value here We're completely dumping him where maybe Brinnells is coming off of a really good season This could be your way of caching out High and maybe getting out from that contract because Mitch color has one more year after this year for his deal Brinnell still has some years and he's not a young buck anymore So this could be your opportunity to say Let's that's how we're going to do it. I'm not here to tell you that's right But I'm here to tell you that Mitch color is at his lowest values. Let's keep him We can entertain training him at the you know the deadline once he shows himself or next year

33:36Let's maybe get out of brinnells today because he does have this value and that's essentially about the same $15 million I could see that being entertained Yeah, this is a good question. I hear like what if what if you had to choose Trading Brian Reynolds means they get Brian Brandon Lau back Right like like what would And obviously that's not the case like trading brinnells doesn't guarantee the pirates have you know are gonna resign brinnell out But like that's a good question. I mean Who do you rather have? I'm gonna allow the probably doing one of the two color rules Who would you rather have the next three years brinnells are brinnells That's tough because Recently bias. I mean brinnell out how this amazing season, but there's a reason why Tyler and I took the under This isn't that I mean, there's a reason the reason is the injury history The you know, I mean, this is the first year. He's really done this

34:42And he's not getting younger and he's terrible against lefties And Reynolds has been the complete opposite where I mean you look at the last You look at the last six seasons for Reynolds 159 games 145 games 145 156 154 162 so like brand the one thing Brian Reynolds has shown that he is doing year over year over year is he's he's available Like he plays he yeah He laces up his shoes and he goes out on the field and he plays like he had Obviously a down year in 2025 But Every other year's been pretty good for brinnells um and yeah, Brandon Lau again kind of the opposite 150 130 4107 109 65 149 so like he's Kind of going back like he's only he only played

35:44Over 110 games three times ever So it's like I that Like either way, I think if you if you go with Lao it's a gamble like you're you're saying I'm trusting you to stay healthy because I think if I think if if all things are equal You're saying I'm gonna give me 150 games of Brandon Lau or 150 games of Brian Reynolds Give me 150 games of Brandon Lau Right Yeah, that's absolutely fair Hmm But that's not that's not really the question here. It's it's Brandon Lau or Brian Reynolds and the two are attached with however many games played they End up going out there for so Yeah, that's a tough question. I think right now as as and people might be upset for me for saying this but if you're telling me If you're gonna ask me who's gonna have the better 2027 to 2030 so it's that's four years right

36:50You're gonna add up just the total war over those four years Can we Brian Reynolds over Brandon Lau It's it's tough Yeah, it's tough I would probably go with that too just because the the safety net That the it's it's a risk it's it's a risk with Brandon Lau and he certainly be better than Brian Reynolds over that time for him Yeah, like like actually like will his With his actual performance be better on the field when he is playing that could be like if you're judging like who has the higher weight around Creative plus it It could definitely be Brandon Lau But is it with 33% less games and then that's the case right like who's the more valuable version So yeah, that's where I'm at, you know, I mean they're both and neither are young like Brandon Lau's 32 Rhinels is 31 Yeah, I mean Brandon Lau is six months older than than Brian Reynolds but

37:55And again, it's recency bias, but like if you're a pirate's fan and you're thinking of this like Historically their careers right like Brandon Lau day we can follow this Brandon Lau debuted in 2018 Brian Reynolds debuted in 2019 Brandon Lau has put up 0.5 more war In his career than Brian Reynolds Brandon Lau's 21.8 Brian Reynolds is 21.3 Lau has one more season. So it's like Historically up to this point. They've been pretty they've been pretty even In terms of value It's just one one's on the field more often right In that time frame, I'm just trying to pull up real quick here Brandon Lau's played 895 games With that additional season as you mentioned and Brian Reynolds has played in 1110 There you go 1110

38:55So like that's what we're talking about Yeah But To Alan's point We really should just keep both And that's why Mitch Keller makes the most sense That's why Mitch Keller makes the most sense But again That's that it's worth having a conversation about Reynolds for those Those reasons Yeah, and I think the reason why I wanted to share this though is because I've I've seen a lot of comments where it's like we can bring Lau back We're not paying and then they're using it as like we're not paying O'Zuna anymore So You know and Lau's dollars are off the books. So like just use O'Zuna's money to re-sign Lau And it's like you can't do that because O'Zuna's money is going to Paul Schien's and O'Neal Cruz and Nicanzales and Jared Jones and all these other guys who are now Do for big raises where before you were paying them nothing now

39:56You've got to pay them multi-million dollar contracts. So it's like you can't just take the O'Zuna money and give it to Lau That's not an option because that money is already spoken for it's gone like it's it's well gone Yeah This is real quick tell you guys about today's sponsor of course to fare coffee and tea Defer is a family and employee and owned operator business They believe that coffee and tea are one of life's simplest the most accessible pleasures I want to enjoy thoughtfully can open your eyes to the here and now they have five locations across the city of Pittsburgh Including their flagship in the heart of Pittsburgh's historic strip district Don't forget to stop by to fares new location downtown at that avenue right across from the bedroom grab a cup and fill up your walk Fill up on your walk to PNC Park Mobile ordering is available and check out their Instagram for more details And of course Jim let everyone know how they can save themselves a 30% Yeah, go to Defer dot coffee D F E R dot coffee put in promo code ns 930 and you'll save 30% on your order

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42:02You're so cal Honda dealers are honored to help the community our program started the first deaf and hard of hearing football team of It's kind in our league the helpful so cal Honda dealer surprised us with brand new uniforms Giving our athletes more than just jerseys a community investing in their program and we want to help you too with 1.99% APR on a 2026 ridge line for well-qualified buyers at your so-called Honda dealers made through contract limited must finance We're Honda financial services nano buyers will qualify take delivery by 11 to 26 Oh, look You just got added to a meeting About coordinating another meeting To prepare for the pre-meeting ahead of the follow-up meeting Which will of course require a recap meeting And then another meeting it's your booking point Book with Southwest and an airplane mode 5 a.m. I'm up with a crisp Celsius energy drink running 12 miles today grab a green juice quick change and head to work meetings workshops

43:11One more Celsius no slowing down working late, but obviously still meeting the girls for a little dancing Celsius live fit go Grab a cold refreshing Celsius at your local retailer or locate now at Celsius dot com Mr. Monopoly here miss me monopoly is back at McDonald's with millions of prizes a 2027 cheap chair A carnival cruise vacation gift cards from tor dash and best buy Feel then play in the McDonald's app Get your bag No purchase necessary 50 usd ch 18 plus see play at mcd.com for rules and play at mcd.com slash AMOE for info and playing without purchase by mail by November 2nd chance card game in November 8th Game in November 22nd, 2026 see rules for prize details. Monopoly is a registered trademark of Haskell P percent off boom Hopefully There's some paper sent off sales this off season because Bob and Ben could certainly use some of that Yeah, let's say it's it's um it's gonna be something to watch um

44:14They are starting off from a spot that that's higher than they've ever started off from before so You're gonna have to either spend significantly more money to To do the things that people are wanting you to do Or you're gonna have to get creative with some of your current roster Um to free up some money to go do something else Yeah You Hey, man, no long Yeah, let's move along I guess We have a lot of season to talk about. Yeah, we about all And I said we don't need to be here for you know forever um Arizona fall league starting Uh the two games in why it's sandford hit the first home run of the Arizona fall league so what pill

45:17Great work there from from why it's sandford. Yeah, I don't think there's any reason to get into Results or anything like that. I guess just real quick um Just to kind of go over you know, what are you most looking for In the Sarah's on a fall league I mean there's there's eight guys out there. We we mentioned last week You know camera key shock not able to go out there because of the rib injury So Brian main is going in this place But like what what give me give me the two things that you're hoping to see Out of these guys Well damn that's interesting um I mean I guess like the most notable prospects in the sense is probably why it's sandford and decent car Michael I made it the top you know prospect in the system. They're going to be out there Uh, both fairly newer to the the system You know, it's like they've been here for like four years or such to go out but they're kind of like how Um as Merlin was last year like as Merlin's been in this system and you want to see him You know what he's going to do out there. So I guess

46:19Just seeing how they continue. I mean Why it's out there more or less because he did miss some time And he had a very interesting season very interesting I mean he had a lot of exevalosity the power came through strikeout crept up So you know just seeing how he he does and performs out there with this type of talent Eastern Carmichael did have a full year uh, he got you know promoted out tuna Um, you know struggle a little bit in out tuna compared to what he's doing green's barrel which is expected Of course, but just seeing him you know add in some more time out there. What he does I don't think anyone's going to have like the as Merlin Tony Blanco experience out there That they're just not those type of dudes But You know, there's a reason why Tony is Tony. No one's that type of dude Um, so I guess like for me Maybe just seem more of those two I guess Neither we got to worry about like rule five. That's the thing. I mean, they don't know we have to worry about war five It's not like it's not interesting the sense of what are you going to do with them next year? There's some of those players

47:19but um I I Are not for you know, sorry Um, oh god Severeno, yeah, sorry, Severino is also He's interesting in that sense Um, Severino certainly has the most power of everyone in the group, I think 31 homers this year, you know, he did play at Greensboro You got to kind of take that into account um, yeah, I think for why at what I'm most looking forward to is you know Especially being in the in Arizona. You've got you've got you're getting stack cast data on all these guys too Um, why it's Sanford baseball America just put out an article this past week that He uh, he increased his exit velocities this year by 5.3 miles per hour That was his his his his 90th percentile average exit velocity

48:21That's the fourth largest Increase in all of minor league baseball this year. So like He took a pretty big jump in terms of just the amount of impact he can do to a baseball this season So just looking the to kind of get more data on that. I think we'll be fun to see with why it um, he's the guy in the position, I think to We because you mentioned like valdez and blanco right like as merlin baldest took his 2025 season which was outstanding And then he went into Arizona and he just crushed the baseball and like he was like really put on Like the the national radar at that point. I think you know, we've been talking about him obviously But I think a lot of more people found out who as merlin baldest was during the Arizona fall league and he started getting a little bit more hype Um, then then what he had before I think why it's sanford is in a similar position To that where I think he's got like the most a gain here in terms of like prospect

49:25status, right? Because the tools like he's so he's tooled out right he's got the speed he's got the power. He's got the glove like He is kind of everything you want to see in the prospect There's some flaws to his game. Obviously like the swing the swing and misses is a clear flaw But like I think Putting why it's sanford in another environment where he's going to be surrounded by like 400 scouts every day and and eight in a hundred front office members like every day If he's able to go out there and just ball out um, I think it can do a whole lot for his just his stock his prospect stock Because of the athleticism and just just everything that he has to offer so he's got the most a gain here I think um You mentioned severino. I'm not like super high on him I feel like He just didn't put up outstanding numbers in greensboro for like what greensboro is I know we hit 31 homers and people are gonna be like Jimmy hit 31 homers

50:27It's like yeah, but it was like with a juiced ball in greensboro. So it's like how many of those even killed Yeah, technically they count um and among his peers still sure um But yeah, I I would say you know you brought up the two most interesting guys sanford and car michael are the two most interesting I do want to see zander me get some innings under him his belt as well He was injured this season. He didn't look very good. So, you know, being able to go out there get through the fall league healthy And even look good doing it See if you can get that's that's what I want to see from zander me um his proc prospect status has fallen off of the cliff These last couple of years because he was getting a lot of hype coming out of high school He was one of the better prep arms in that draft and it just hasn't just hasn't really put it together Hasn't really been able to stay healthy so Right Yeah, I would love to see him Do something out there to kind of make people notice him that would be nice

51:28I agree um just going back to xiverino though I feel like the thing about him just to kind of say is like he I feel like kind of dropped off you know thinking he was going to be a prospect and then you know because of this year kind of reinvigorated that to some level But yeah, I get it was 31 home runs in With Greensboro Greensboro but like also like being able to be funny about that is This isn't going to help that because he's going to be an Arizona folly and the ball travels out there You know, it's like it's funny because like this isn't going to help those He doesn't talk about the last year with ed smurlin and tony blanco too It's like I mean it's it's gonna heighten what they already do and I thought it's gonna be him his case as well So it's not really gonna help but he I think he has the potential to put up a show there Yeah, again, like he's got he's got the most power So it won't it won't it won't do anything like white sanfer so it won't like solidify his prospect

52:29abilities more or less it but He could be interesting to see out there Yeah, he could put up numbers I agree with that Um Getting them We're kind of going through the process right now of talking to everybody So you'll have interviews coming out with with all of these prospects in the next week or two um, I know that eastern Carmichael ones already done you handled that one Did did a great job. It's a great interview. I'm excited for everybody to watch it Um, and then everybody else is coming on later this week Yeah, so get ready for all those the get the nose will be Interpreting most of the prospects going out there I have some fun late-hearted, you know, discussions learning where about them as people and a little bit about players And uh, we'll be out there as mentioned. It's 21st to the 24th Fourth yep We watch three games there for three games in total

53:32Outside of that So it's the offseason This enjoys some LL playoff, I guess yeah, let's let's do it um Again, I don't think we need to continue on the conversation. We're done with talking about everything we want to talk about So yeah, let's you've got something else in order. I'm ready to to start my Monday Uh, I just real quick. I want to look at what's what's spandall how they are that now Again, I know there's nothing pirate related, but where are we at with baseball So the the brewers are plus 290 dodgers 250 Braves braves plus 700 they tie things up might be some interest there Chicago plus 1000 Chicago looks good Merchalmy baby what could have been I guess Do he's he is so enjoyable yeah Anyways, no, that's all I have so

54:33We out of here Jim Let's do it. Yeah, like the video subscribe the page if you haven't appreciate everybody watching us on a on a Monday On in October you guys are awesome. I said we'll keep keep at it All offseason long Off beats every day this week and it's nine live coming up on Wednesday And then the act it's get stay tuned for those get to know Interviews with all the areas on the follow-up players those will be coming out here soon Yep Boom all right right here. We'll see you guys later. You know we love you. Bye. Bye See you guys All right that wraps up this episode of North Shore 9 Thanks so much for tuning in whether you're listening on the podcast or catching us on YouTube If you enjoyed the show Please give this video a thumbs up and don't forget to hit that subscribe button if you haven't already It really helps us grow and if you're listening on the podcast a quick review goes a long way and helping others find the show Plus be sure to tell a friend about us. There's always room for more here in the NS9 community

55:36And for those looking to support us a little more consider joining our patreon Become an MVP member and get exclusive perks while helping us continue to bring you more of the pirates content You love thanks again for all your support and let's go bucks Oh Oh oh Mr monopoly here miss me Monopoly is back at McDonald's with millions of prizes a 2027 cheap cherries A carnival cruise vacation gift cards from tour dash and best five Feel then play in the McDonald's app Get your bag No purchase necessary 50 usd ch 18 plus

56:37See play at mcd.com for rules and play at mcd.com slash AMOE for info and playing without purchase by mail by November 2nd Chants car game ends November 8th Game ends November 22nd, 2026. See rules for prize details. Monopoly is a registered trademark of Hasbro Your so-called Honda dealers are honored to help the community our program started the first Death and Heart of Hearing football team of its kind in our league the helpful so-called Honda dealers surprised us with Brand new uniforms giving our athletes more than just jerseys a community investing in their program And we want to help you too with 1.99% APR on a 2026 ridgeline for well-qualified buyers at your so-called Honda dealers Made through contract limited bus finance through Honda financial services. Nano buyers will qualify take delivery by 11-226 Oh Look you just got added to a meeting about coordinating another meeting To prepare for the pre-meeting ahead of the follow-up meeting Which will of course Require a recap meeting

57:38And then another meeting It's your booking point Book with Southwest and an airplane mode My day kicks off with the refreshing Celsius energy drink then straight to the gym pre-game pickup back home to meal prep Time for my fire session shift one more Celsius kind of keep the lights on when the three alarm hits I'm ready Celsius live fit go grab a cold refreshing Celsius at your local retailer or locate now at Celsius dot com Pittsburgh sports fans. It's Tim Benz reminding you that the breakfast of Benz podcast is now available on the believe platform It's new to believe but certainly not to Pittsburgh sports I'm bringing my 25 years of Pittsburgh broadcasting and running experience to believe With breakfast and Benz podcasts at trip live You'll get opinions insight analysis predictions guest interviews and more Steelers penguins pirates local college sports and more money through friday at breakfast bends

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