We are only about a week away from the active rosters potentially expanding to up to 40 players. My question is quite simple who do yo think the Pirates should bring up to help them in the last month of the season?
Here is my take on it:
I believe a contending team should call up at least the following 7 players: a 3rd catcher, a RH bat, a LH bat, a reserve IF, a LH reliever, a RH reliever and a long man to absorb innings in blow out affairs. This isn't to mean these are the only 7 players a team should call up but I think ideally a contending team would call up at least enough players to fill these 7 roles. Now let's look at the Pirates candidates.
Healthy Options On The 40 Man Roster
Alex Presley, Chase d'Arnaud, Andrew Oliver, Jerry Sands, Stolmy Pimentel, Kris Johnson, Andrew Lambo, Vic Black, Brandon Cumpton, Ryan Reid, Russ Canzler, Duke Welker
I think most of the callups are going to come from this group. For me it is tough to imagine any Lambo, Presley or Johnson not getting promoted. On the reverse side the only player here I would categorize as a long shot is Andy Oliver. As for the remaining group I don't expect the Pirates to go insane but I think d'Arnaud might be up to pinch run, one of Sands or Canzler probably Canzler will be up as an extra RH stick for the bench and two of Pimentel, Black, Reid, Welker and Cumpton will be up to reinforce the pitching staff. My early picks for the extra pitchers are Black and Cumpton. Black will be an extra arm for the pen and Cumpton will be here to help give Cole and Locke some extra rest.
Currently Injured Players
Wandy Rodriguez, James McDonald, Jeff Karstens, Michael McKenry, Travis Snider, Phil Irwin, Kyle McPherson
With the recent news surrounding Wandy Rodriguez it would appear that only two of these players will be healthy enough to play in September. Both are currently on rehab stints and both will likely join the team. James McDonald will likely be back as an extra arm and Travis Snider will likely be back as yet another body for the right field situation.
Candidates Not On The 40 Man Roster
Kelly Shoppach, Matt Hague, Ivan De Jesus, Kyle Farnsworth, Jameson Taillon, Gregory Polanco
The above on the only players I see with any shot. The two most interesting names are of course Polanco and Taillion and while I don't give them a non-zero chance their chances of being called up are at least next to zero. As for the rest I think Shoppach is probably a near lock as almost every team brings up a 3rd catcher and I'm guessing Farnsworth was added to cover for the other call ups but I suppose there is a slight possibility he opted to come to Pittsburgh only because he was told he'd be up in September. The other two Hague and De Jesus are a bit more interesting. Hague is likely in competition with Canzler and Sands for the extra right handed bat role and De Jesus is likely in competition with d'Arnaud for the extra infielder/pinch runner role. d'Arnaud is a superior runner but since a guy like Presley and maybe even Pie are going to be around that becomes less important.
Prediction
3rd Catcher: Kelly Shoppach
Right Handed Bat: Russ Canzler
Left Handed Bat: Travis Snider, Andrew Lambo/Alex Presley (one of Lambo or Presley will replace Pie before September)
Middle Infielder: Ivan De Jesus
Left Handed Releiver: Kris Johnson
Right Handed Reliever: Vic Black, Brandon Cumpton
Long Relief: James McDonald
Shoppach, De Jesus and McDonald will all have to be added to the 40 man roster. One will take Pie's spot and McPherson will likely be placed on the 60 day DL for another meaning one more spot will have to be opened up. The most likely candidates to be DFA'd for that are Chase d'Arnaud, Jerry Sands and Andrew Oliver and I'd lean towards Oliver right now.