Fangraphs' 2017 Pirates ZiPS Projections
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fangraphs.comPosted Jan 23, 2017, 4:06 PM UTC
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fangraphs.comI really think Pirates fans should be excited about Felipe Rivero this season. There's not many lefty pitchers with his kind of velocity, and he seems to work hard and have a lot of room left to grow.
It's interesting that the Pirates two best relievers are both lefties (Watson and Rivero)--they seem like a prime team to make a trade for a RHP reliever if they get off to a hot start.
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They can just have Chad Qualls for free. I won't mind
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That's a huge bounce back for cutch that they are predicting. Would love to see it but I'm doubtful that he is actually that good next season.
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Me neither, unfortunately. I just don't see that kind of bounce-back.
I also think that if Cutch ends up starting hot, but we're only an above average team, then it'll just increase his trade value. Which is okay, but still kind of a bummer.
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Some interesting notes:
It predicts Cutch to lead the team in WAR and OPS+, but he's also down for -10 runs in CF - but many think that he'll be in a corner outfield position, so hopefully that negative effect will be neutralized a little better there.
Pirates fans are understandably hopeful about Glasnow, and he's projected to be our number 2 starter behind Cole.
In general, our offense is predicted to be a little above league average, and our pitching to be league average to slightly below. Our record projects to be 82-80, which sounds about right.