Tomlin Takes – What else did Mike Tomlin say to the media today?
PG writer Noah Hiles joined the show. Noah said the offer to Kyle Schwarber from the Pirates was legitimate and actually higher than what he signed for, in AAV, with the Phillies. Noah said it’s not worth celebrating because they didn’t land the player, but this should mean the Pirates are willing to spend that money elsewhere. Noah didn’t think it was a coincidence that the Pirates’ offers were the ones that were openly put out there. Noah thinks it could tell other players that the Pirates are willing to spend, but it was probably leverage being played on both sides. How will the Pirates handle some of the other notable names on the market? Noah said Jorge Polanco is the top, realistic player on his list, but that shouldn’t stop the Buccos from going after Ketel Marte. He said there are ways to get around a player’s no-trade clause list, but it means they have to sweeten the deal. Noah believes the Pirates cannot show up ‘empty-handed’ to Pirate Fest this year after the words that have been thrown around this off-season. Noah pointed to a particular agency that could be a way for us to follow the tea leaves.
Name Game.