DK’s Daily Shot of Pirates: The bizarre non-trades

[Music] Andrew Haney was signed as a free agent yesterday on Labor Day by the Dodgers. This after clearing waiverss because he signed before yesterday before the 1st of September, he’ll be eligible for the playoffs. Good morning to you. Good Tuesday morning. I’m Dan Kawachovich of DK Pittsburgh Sports. This is Daily Shot of Pirates. It comes your way bright and early every weekday. If you’re into football andor hockey, I also offer daily shots of Steelers and Penguins in the same place that you found this. Haney, of course, is one of the three bizarre nontrades that Ben Cherington didn’t make at this past deadline. The other two of course being Isaiah Kiner Falefa and Tommy Fam. Ker Falefa was also cut loose in advance of the weekend. He was claimed by the Blue Jays, his previous employer, and he too will be eligible for the playoffs. Fam is still right here in Pittsburgh and still having just a terrific second half. that all three are on expiring contracts and all three, one could make a very sound argument, should have brought back something in exchange as opposed to nothing. Heaney probably presents the strongest case against that because his season has gone from I mean he was terrific early on two full months really dominant at times but along came July opponents were hitting 323 against him in that month everything spiked in July so by the time July 31 comes around and the deadline yeah I can see where there’d be some trepidation. But here’s what I can also see. The Pirates hold on to Heene for no reason to no benefit. And in the month of August, five appearances, three of those being starts, opponents hit 387 off him. His erra was 10.13. And any and all chances of anything went poof. So my question in this context would be if the other 29 teams could recognize even a partial decline in July, how did the Pirates with Heene under their roof, under their toutelage, not see something even beforehand and make a move back when they could have had something for him? Would it have been much? No, probably not. Would it have been something? Yeah, it would have been something. Now, Ker Falefa, this one’s easy, but in the other direction, there is no reason, none whatsoever, that the Pirates shouldn’t have been able to make a nice trade in moving him out. Even though his offense slid in June and July, he’s still batting .264, 300 on base percentage. Not a lot of power, but an awful lot of presence in the field and actually off the field as well. Just a terrific pro. Caught everything. Could move all over. He’s hardly old. He’s 30 and it’s not like he was going to cost anybody a mint to pick them up. That’s that’s a routine trade. The most surprised individual anywhere. And I can attest to this personally. When Ker Falefa didn’t get traded was Ker Falefa why I mean the same reason everybody was. It was just idiotic to hang on to him here again. Would there have been some treasure trove in return? No. But do you have any idea what a what a cadaavver Ben Cherington has to be to make no move in this setting to just let it all kind of pass by? Mind you, all of this while actually trading Bailey Falter to the Royals for next to nothing when Falter had years of control remaining as a reliable, durable lefty who could have given you something. Meaning for years to come, all you would have had to pay is his arbitration price. And believe it or not, that’s not prohibitive. If anything, keeping Falter is a great way to keep payroll low. No sense. whatsoever. And I’ll even say that as it applies to Fam. Yeah, he had just an awful March in April. He’s batting 264 for the season, and that’s built off of a 293 May, a 302 June, a 388 July, and all of that survived a 238 semi dip in August. He’s also hit a few balls over the fence. He’s also caught everything. His metrics in left field have been some of the best in baseball. The guy’s 37, but he’s still got it. So, once more, all due credit to him, all due blame and shame to people like me who thought he was completely toast. Now, that said, why is he here? What’s the purpose of this? He’s not Andrew McCutchen who’s here to finish out his career or something. I can get and very much get keeping Cut around. At age 38, Fam at age 37 does nothing for this organization at this stage of what should be its evolution. Meaning the franchise doesn’t take a step forward because FAM is around. Would anyone anywhere try to sell me on the notion that there wouldn’t have been a suitor for fam somewhere? Are you kidding? The way he’s hitting, the way he’s fielding, with his experience, with his background, with his personality, which by the way, managers and coaches love, they like to have that hard, tough guy in the clubhouse, bad cop. Did his name Did any of these three names even pop up in reports anywhere that they might have been getting discussed by somebody? No. Oh, because they were never available because because something something cadaavver when we come back J1Q. [Music] If you’re looking for a great dining experience, look no further than Northshore Tavern. Located directly across Federal Street from PNC Park, next door to Mike’s Beer Bar, Northshore Tavern is Pittsburgh’s home for steak on a stone. Enjoy your steak finished on a hot lava stone in front of you, where you ensure each piece is cooked to exactly your liking. or try their rotating selection of entre, hot sandwiches, salads, and burgers, all while enjoying the ambiance dedicated to the great players and history of the Pittsburgh Pirates all around you. Come see why everyone’s talking about Northshore Tavern and Steak on a Stone. It’s Gun Storage Check Week. Help prevent unwanted access to your firearms. No one wants their unsecured gun to be used in an accident, a suicide, or a crime. Use lock boxes, safes, and locks to secure your firearms. Learn more at gunstorage check.org. That’s gunstoch check.org. Brought to you by NSSF, the Firearm Industry Trade Association. Delete Me, quick, and safe to remove your personal data online. At a time when surveillance and data breaches are common enough to make everyone vulnerable, data brokers can compile your name, contact info, social security number, home address, even information about your family members, and they can sell it online. Have you ever been a victim of identity theft or harassment or doxing? If you haven’t, you probably know someone who has. Delete Me can help take control of your data and keep your private life private by signing up for Delete Me. Our listeners get a special discount today. Get 20% off your Delete Me plan by texting hit to 6400. The only way to get 20% off is to text hit to 6400. That’s hit to 6400. Message and data rates may apply. [Music] Today’s J1Q, the most recent episode of this program predating the Labor Day weekend. I asked if anyone’s still watching this team. If anyone’s still watching these games and I got, as expected, some exceptional responses and a lot of them. I’m going to boil that bunch down to the following three. Diane said, “I’m still watching and I’ll continue to do so. Why? I’m a Pirates fan.” Yes, frustrated, irritated, underwhelmed, baffled, and cranky, but I’m a Pirates fan. Jeffrey says, “They’re playing 500 ball under Don Kelly, and I enjoy watching Paul SK’s pitch.” Jill says, “Yeah, I’m still watching. I love baseball. I love the intricacies of each pitch. I love the momentum swing of a big. I love the snacks that I make for my husband every game. I’m a traditionalist, so I love all of baseball’s firmly established traditions that go back long before I was born. I love watching a game without the politics or the racism or anything else. Just sports. Just pure sports. Most of all, I’ve loved my buckos since I was a little girl and watched Juan Marishal pitch against Jim Bunning at Forbes Field. My love for the Pirates and baseball is deep in my soul. And win or lose, that love will never Wayne. And I’ll throw in one more here from Belinda Hall, who says, “DK, I just canled my season ticket plan after 25 plus years. I am just so done. They have taken the baseball life out of me.” Now, I’ll let those go without any additional comment, but again, I appreciate it. I appreciate it whichever way you happen to act or feel on the subject. That’s always always obviously up to you. I appreciate everyone who listens to Daily Shot of Pirates. We’ll be back with another one of these tomorrow.

Ben Cherington’s three bizarre non-trades.

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25 comments

  1. DK – I was one who disagreed with your “Fire Them All” stance, mostly because I believe it doesn’t matter who the GM is in this non salary cap situation, but also NH was the only guy that got us to the playoffs. Any second thoughts?

  3. This off season will be the most important one in my lifetime. If Cherington survives, and no offense is acquired through trade or free agency, there is no hope for this team. Skenes will probably ask to be traded by next deadline, and the attendance will be dominated by the visiting team fans, (like alot of times this year)!

  4. If BC gets fired after the season, I guess this all makes sense — he tanked the deadline as retribution. If he is not fired, then…….? ❤️🔥🍻

  5. The Braves claimed Ha-Seong Kim on waivers because they want to win again next year. Which means the Pirates passed on him. I understand he's been hurt this year but 29 year old Gold Glove winning, MVP vote getting SS don't appear on waivers everyday. That tells me they won't be spending any serious money (again) in free agency.

  7. Don Kelly has gone 49-51 in spite of the bang up job by u
    His GM and owner. Whilw he hasn't been perfect, or really even close, he's been better than Shelton or even Hurdle during his last few years here.

  9. I am convinced Cherington actively was in complete sabotage mode for whomever is his replacement in regards to the trades he did make at the deadline as well as the trades he did not make that absolutely should have been made

  14. You talk about them letting Heaney go as soon as he goes down hill. Then Why did they watch Bednar blow all last season and half of this season before they get rid of him??? Was he a Nutting having an affair?

  16. The problem with Pham wasn't his age, even though decline is more likely every year from age 30 on. The problem is that he's a band-aid. You get a band-aid when your next outfielder is still about a year away. The Pirates didn't have anyone a year away. They didn't need a band-aid, they needed a solution. Tommy Pham and praying that Suwinski would solve his problems? That's not a solution.

  17. IKF was picked up by the Blue Jays after being waived. 26 teams passed on picking him up. IKF's desirability from the end-of-season bargain bin by teams who have solid playoff possibilities is zero. That tells me his value at the trade deadline was, zero.

    The Pirates' approach at acquiring players reminds me of how my mother would shop for a car. If she were around today, she would find a Geo Metro with 350,000 + miles for $500 – cash only! She would excitedly tell me how these were once great cars – great gas milage, reliable, gets the job done. The ad reads, "strong runner and inspected until September!"

    I would remind her no one wanted the Metro when it was new! The person selling it could slap a "FREE" sign on it – keys dangling from the ignition! The next year it would be right where they parked it! Yes, it is serviceable and mostly functions as a car. However, you will be very upset come September to discover the Metro will cost you $500 in repairs to pass inspection or a $250 towing fee to haul it to the wrecking yard!

    I would encourage Her to spend $1,000 – $1,500 on something more desirable. Something with resale value. She would tell me I'm right and the next day I discover a 1998 mostly blue Metro parked in her driveway….

    Heaney, IKF, and Phame found themselves on the Pirates' roster for a reason. I argue they were the best MLB players made available to the Pirates. The Pirates created the environment that limits player availability. Think about the reports on the Pirates failing or destroying relationships with players. Extrapolate from this the volume of crap the Pirates do daily basis resulting with players or their agents running in the opposite direction.

  18. Cherrington is doing ANY & EVERYTHING he can to SAVE HIS JOB, Knowing the writing is on the wall and is doing NOTHING to Build a Contender. Nutting Just Fire the Guy already the season is washed why wait!!!!

  20. DK IKF was claimed by Toronto one of the best records in baseball. So he cleared 90% of the teams who only would have to pay his pro rated salary. He had no value. You exaggerate his value immensely.

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