You ask. I reply. It’s time for a weekly Q&A mailbag that seems Tuesdays at TribLive.com. Most of the questions come through “X,” however you can even hit me up jraystarkey@gmail.com. Let’s gooooo …
Frank from Cranberry, through e-mail: Joe — hope the colonoscopy went properly. The prep sucks. Anyway, you and Donny Football (now baseball?) are the 2 finest on The Fan! I’ve a query for the mailbag. Given the Bucs offseason exercise to date, I’m actually excited for the season. I feel this staff, if it avoids main accidents to key gamers, can win within the 81-87 vary and compete for a playoff spot. What say you?
Starkey: There’s a gargantuan distinction between 81 and 87, Dr. F — possible a playoff spot or not — however thanks for the sort sentiments.
And sure, it’s true: If we are able to ship individuals to outer house on pleasure rides and just about clone human beings, we actually ought to have a greater colonoscopy prep plan than guzzling a keg of Gatorade blended with Miralax over 10 hours to supply extra blowouts than the 1960 World Series.
Isn’t there a capsule we might take? Couldn’t one highly effective drink do the trick?
Anyway, thanks. Everything went properly.
To your query, the Vegas odds nonetheless peg the Pirates’ over/underneath at round 77.5 wins. That sounds low to me.
Fan Graphs has the Pirates at 82 wins and ending second to the Cubs within the NL Central. PECOTA initiatives 80 wins and third place — 10 video games behind the Cubs — with only a 26% likelihood of creating the playoffs.
In different phrases, only a few individuals imagine the Pirates will end considerably above .500 and make the playoffs.
I occur to disagree. I’m going 85-77 and a wild card spot.
I imagine Konnor Griffin will play Malkin to Paul Skenes’ Crosby. It’s form of unbelievable that the Pirates might have landed two generational gamers. I simply heard baseball analyst Keith Law name Griffin “Willie Mays at shortstop” and say he’s the most effective prospect since Mike Trout. (No stress).
Two big keys: The younger starters past Paul Skenes and inner enchancment from Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz. If these issues don’t occur, the Pirates are certain for the excessive 70s.
If these issues do occur, together with the lineup additions and the inevitable arrival of Griffin (I’m guessing three weeks into the season), I’m going to be proper: 85-77 and Skenes on the mound for Game 1 of a playoff collection.
Can you think about that? Holy ostrich milk.
J, @Crosslands895: ESPN has the Penguins ranked eighth on their Power Rankings, would you are feeling snug with calling this staff a contender? p.s. My household has coyote looking canine. So for those who’re ever confronted with that downside, it may be handled promptly.
Starkey: The second a part of your entry is in response to the truth that coyotes reside proper right here in Green Tree, Dr. 895, which is relatively unbelievable to me. It’s additionally all I take into consideration as I’m strolling my tiny canine. So sure, I would summon you and your canine from the bullpen while you least anticipate it.
Meanwhile, the Penguins. What a narrative they’re to this point.
Are they a “contender?”
Not but, is what I’d say, though that might change with a bit or two on the deadline. If that doesn’t occur, they nonetheless strike me because the type of staff that might spring a first-round upset. And then possibly they get fortunate if someone knocks off Tampa Bay, which is clearly the staff to beat.
Josh Howard, @jhow2687: It at all times amuses me with the championship parades’ attendance numbers as a result of I don’t assume they’ll really estimate what the attendance is. But in your opinion would a Pirates World Series championship parade surpass any quantity we’ve seen with the Steelers and Pens parades?
Starkey: That’s an odd query, Dr. Howard, though it does have me pondering.
Are you poking enjoyable at overhyped Pirates predictions? (Not that I’d blame you, even when I’m one of many over-hypers).
Why would a Pirates parade draw extra individuals? I’m not following. I’d think about it might be about the identical.
It’s additionally not going to occur this 12 months, however I’ve lengthy predicted the Pirates to win the World Series in 2027, and I’ll follow that prediction.
Geoffrey Lewis Music, @glewismusic: G’day joe! My actual final identify is Griffin and I’m so enthusiastic about (Konnor Griffin) being a Bucco. Between you Austin and Bob, who has essentially the most well-known namesake?
Starkey: I suppose me as a result of Ringo Starr’s actual identify is Richard Starkey. Austin Bechtold and Bob Pompeani can not match that (except I’m lacking one thing).
Ryan Chepkevich, @oofoof8: Who will lead the pirates in dwelling runs and RBIs and hits I’m pondering Lowe, O’Hearn and Cruz Let’s Go Bucs!
Starkey: Man, if Cruz leads the staff in hits, that may both be an excellent signal or a horrible one. I’m pondering Cruz for dwelling runs, although, Ozuna for RBIs and … Konnor Griffin for hits.
(Activate Kirk Cousins voice): You like that?
Chris Barbre, @Steelers_ChrisB: Who do you assume would be the first participant that the Steelers re-sign and/or lengthen earlier than free company?
Starkey: Well, we’re about due for Cam Heyward’s annual contract dispute, are we not, Dr. B? I feel you’ll see the Steelers sweeten his deal. I feel you’ll see Chris Boswell on a brand new deal. I hope you see Kenneth Gainwell re-signed.
But to your query, it’s most likely Aaron Rodgers. They have to know who their quarterback will probably be, and all indicators are pointing to a Rodgers return.
Burke O’Toole, @BurkeMan513: Dr. Starkey, who will lead the Pirates in homers this season?
Starkey: I already answered that, Dr. 513. Oneil Cruz will hit 31 and lead the staff.
Thank you for asking.
Matt Choate, @mattchoate: Dr. Starkey, with the shift in baseball the place rosters are extra aid pitchers than bench gamers do you assume MLB will increase rosters to permit further gamers? Seems like possibly a CBA matter in ‘27. Cutch would most likely prefer it.
Starkey: I don’t care about this, to be sincere, Dr. C, however I assume you’re proper. And it nonetheless wouldn’t deliver again McCutchen. You can’t have two DH-only gamers in your roster.
Pete Raybar, @PRaybar: Hi Joe! Who are your favourite all-time nationwide play by play announcers in every sport?
Baseball: Vin Scully
Football: Pat Summerall
College soccer: Keith Jackson
Basketball: Marv Albert
Hockey: Doc Emrick
College Basketball: Dick Enberg, possibly. That’s a troublesome one.
Ryan Jones, @RyanJon08044492: Steelers, Penguins, Pirates…..who’s the following staff to win a Championship?
Starkey: There’s a brand new one! I’m sorry, Dr. Jones, it’s a good query. And it’s the Pirates (in 2027).
J P, @JoeyPicksIt: Dearest Dr. Joe. Should the Pirates invite Will Craig again to spring coaching to work with the infielders
Starkey: By all means, Dr. J. You by no means know when the outdated first-to-home rundown would possibly occur.
Steve, @Steve 3209839331: Do the Steelers notice they want a number of receivers but or are they going to run it again for the third 12 months in a row with no weapons?
Starkey: I wrote about Omar Khan’s unending quest for receivers proper right here, Dr. 3209839331.
Ed Helinski, @MrEd315: What are you liking and disliking concerning the Pirates to this point? And what’s your tackle the Pirates payroll spending spree?
Starkey: So far? We’re solely at some point into spring coaching, Mr. Ed! I’ll inform you what I really like: Paul Skenes and Konnor Griffin. You win with stars. I can’t wait to observe Griffin play.
As far because the “spending spree,” let’s not go too far. The Pirates lastly confirmed they’re type of attempting to win. That’s the least they might do. And it’s not like they went out and splurged on high-priced free brokers.
They did, nonetheless, pump the payroll previous $100 million, which, once more, is the least they might have completed.
David Barndollar, @DBarndollar: What dimension and time period of contract would TJ Watt get right this moment?
Starkey: If he hit the open market proper now? Definitely above $30 million per 12 months however possible not 41, Dr. B. He’d nonetheless be a scorching commodity, even coming off a down season. Pass rushers are coveted.
Roman Wozniak III, @Yinzerpaloozast: Dr. Joe, Cherington ain’t cooking however he’s lastly turning the range on… is that this extra of an effort to be aggressive or to maintain Skenes round… and is it close to sufficient to take action?
Starkey: It might be MLB pushing the Pirates to spend a bit extra and really strive a bit bit. It might be Bob Nutting lastly realizing that cash spent might lead to cash earned through followers returning to the ballpark.
Whatever it’s, I’m guessing it’s undoubtedly not sufficient to maintain Skenes round previous the date he’ll hit free company. The Pirates management his rights for this season and three extra. He’s far, much more more likely to be traded earlier than that than to remain past that.
Not to be a downer.