Aaron Rolka

Mainly Pittsburgh sports and movie chatter

[Aaron Rolka @RolkaNation]

@ChrisDokish It’s so great - been 6 times all over. Edinburgh, Inverness, St Andrews, Skye, Islay, Oban, Aberdeen. Make a point to get out of the cities and visits the coasts, islands, smaller villages, etc. Overnight there if you can and the little pubs are usually full of locals.

[Andrew Fillipponi @ThePoniExpress]

Skenes Night: He’s due. So here’s the deal. If Paul strikes out 9 or more. Like he did the last time he faced the Dodgers. And the Buccos win. I’ll give away 5 Paul Skenes jerseys. Just follow me. And retweet this post. And you’re good. Let’s go Bucs!

[Jim Bowden⚾️ @JimBowdenGM]

Baseball is finally back in Pittsburgh. #Pirates Congrats to Konnor Griffin and the entire city of Pittsburgh. Franchise changing teenager. Baseball is sooooo great and I'm here for it‼️🙏🏻💯⚾️

[Aaron Rolka @RolkaNation]

@garymo2007 Agree - it's such a pointless cash grab. Like the live action Lion King from 3-4 years ago. Was literally just CGI talking animals against a real background...zero point.

Now Moana with actual live on-location filming and mostly practical effects...that could be cool. But no...

[Aaron Rolka @RolkaNation]

@KodyDuncanPGH Yes - in a heartbeat.

[Aaron Rolka @RolkaNation]

@PittsburghSABR @MLB @Pirates 79-81 as constructed right now. With some non-major additions (Cutch, Quintana or Tyler Anderson, Tauchman or Andujar)...83-85. Suarez + one of the arms...85-87.

[Aaron Rolka @RolkaNation]

@ballsandgutters @AustinOravec @JPerrotto @JohnDreker @BuccoBantr Only issue there is the potential $. Imagine he'll get closer to $10M than $5M. Doesn't leave much for Cutch/SP.

[Aaron Rolka @RolkaNation]

@ballsandgutters @AustinOravec @JPerrotto @JohnDreker @BuccoBantr 100% agree and love it honestly! He'd be perfect atop the lineup, can hold his own defensively, and his splits are more than acceptable for a switch hitter. Triolo to SS until Griffin is up, Gonza us UTIL...then get Cutch and vet #5 SP. Div contending team very possible.

[Aaron Rolka @RolkaNation]

@TheRealMackey11 Agree! Don't get the pessimism. Bob has been awful historically and Cherington has failed...no question. But this has already been a solid offseason. Taken some big swings that didn't pan out, but they're improved. Add Cutch, Moncada, & a vet SP and that's a legit NLC contender.

[Aaron Rolka @RolkaNation]

@eYARKulation Which could very well win the division in ‘26

[Aaron Rolka @RolkaNation]

@eYARKulation More than fine with this honestly...especially if Kelly uses mid-to-late inning defensive replacements well with Moncada. If we have a 3 run lead, hell...put in Triolo in the 5th or 6th. Give Cutch 60 starts at DH, a dozen or so in the OF to spell Mangum. 86-88 wins possible.

[Aaron Rolka @RolkaNation]

@spurs8637 @BuccoBallBlog Totally agree with this and think it's a perfectly viable backup plan to Okamoto. Assuming general health - give Moncada 100 starts...Triolo the rest (all against lefties obvs). If we get a 3+ run lead, put Triolo in for D early...like the 5th-6th inning.

[Chris Dokish @ChrisDokish]

Don’t look at me. I never wavered when it came to Tomlin and his failings. Unlike his sycophants in the media that crow about him after every win of his usual mediocre season.

[Aaron Rolka @RolkaNation]

Rotation stays same plus Barco/Harrington/Jones eventually for depth.

Finnegan or Fairbanks close with solid pen behind them.

Adds power to lineup in Suarez and Cutch plus Arraez to get on-base at top. If Gonzo does well, can deal Arraez at deadline

[Aaron Rolka @RolkaNation]

Arraez - 2B
Reynolds - RF
Cutch - DH
Suarez - 3B
Cruz - CF
Horwitz - 1B
Password - LF
Davis/Bart - C
Gonzo - SS

Give Gonzo everyday shot until Griffin in June, see what he has. Triolo for Suarez for late inning defense. Arraez contact and low K's sets table & offsets Suarez K's

[Aaron Rolka @RolkaNation]

Alt plan for the @Pirates that I haven't really seen yet. Not saying this is best plan, but an option to spend vs trade - keep prospects & young arms.

Arraez - 1yr/$12M
E Suarez - 3yr/$64M
Cutch returns - 1 yr/$5M
Finnegan/Fairbanks - 2 yrs/$22M

Would put payroll around $110M

[Aaron Rolka @RolkaNation]

@AtlantaGrubber Agree the food overpriced & very avg - that pizza & birria tacos @ Pretty Little Tacos the exception - but I think most don't go there for some meaningful culinary experience. In terms of being a good spot for big groups and families to easily hangout at - it's very well executed

[Jasmine Crockett @JasmineForUS]

Republicans complain about Texas Democrats “fleeing”—yet just days ago, they themselves fled D.C. to avoid voting on the Epstein files.

Why? To protect a convicted felon sitting in the Oval Office.

One side dodges accountability.
The other fights for democracy.

That’s the real hypocrisy.
Repost from @DjMelodie

[Andrew Fillipponi @ThePoniExpress]

Experiment: Retweet if you think Ben Cherington needs fired. Like this post if you’re loving the job the Pirates GM is doing.

[Emo Philips @EmoPhilips]

Dear Flight Attendants,
If you don’t have eggnog, just say so; there’s no need to give me that look