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Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 02.13.19
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Bill Brink
12:21
Yeah, it's so hard to tell with him until we see him out there in some games.
12:22
What other questions do we have today?
Ethan
12:22
Liriano has options remaining, but obviously enough years to refuse assignment. Does the fact that his deal has an opt out for being on the 40-man mean that he's agreed to accept/use an option at the beginning of the season?
Bill Brink
12:24
I believe they are mutually exclusive -- he can refrain from opting out while also exercising his service-time rights -- but it would accomplish the same thing, and in situations like that, usually the team and the player work together to find a suitable solution.
Justin
12:25
Is there any chance they do something weird like piggyback Lyles and Liriano as the #5 spot?  I kinda feel like thatd work.  Both have good "first time through order" numbers.
Bill Brink
12:25
They have talked about the opener, so that is a possibility, but that was before signing Lyles. I think they'll give Lyles a shot to be the guy, but if that doesn't work, they'll be open to creative solutions.
Dom
12:25
More likely--Pirates risk losing Stallings, Burdi, Kingham, or pay Feliz more to pitch in AAA?
Bill Brink
12:27
Stallings appears most likely. They'll need to keep him on the active roster because he's out of options, but Hurdle hasn't loved carrying three catchers before (though this could free up Cervelli and Diaz to pinch-hit and possibly get Cervelli out from behind the plate a bit) but if they chose not to, Stallings is a capable enough catcher that he won't get through waivers.
BobbyToledo
12:27
Lack of power is usually the last thing to come into play. I'm not worried about Hayes or others in the minors who have struggled to hit the long ball. Cutch did too in the minors. Heck, look at the pop Frazier has now in the majors. My question is, do you see a spot on the team for Kramer on the team? To me he's the most polished of the group from AAA, and didn't receive much of a shot in September if I recall. He's a player in my mind.
Bill Brink
12:28
The maturation of Frazier kind of took second base out of the running. Kramer a player, no doubt, and if there continues to be no space for him, maybe they look to trade him. That's total speculation, not reporting. But I don't think they'll be in a hurry to move a middle infielder who can hit. They'll figure it out.
Paul or Phil
12:28
Are they doing a wait and see approach with Kramer and Gonzalez to see how they look at SS this spring before bringing in a possible free agent?
How far away is Cole Tucker and does that factor into not bringing in proven SS?
Bill Brink
12:29
If they're doing a wait-and-see, the shortstops might all be gone. And similar situation with Tucker -- he could debut this year, but by the time he does, it might be too late.
Richard Deal
12:29
Given how the free agent market has been the last two years, and how the players realize that their current CBA is bad,  and how both players and owners have drifted apart, do you anticipate a strike coming up when the current CBA expires? I'm not much of a strike guy--gave up on baseball for almost 20 years when it happened because I was a pro-owner guy then; but in the current state I can completely understand the player's gripes.
Bill Brink
12:30
Something is going to happen, and I don't see the owners voluntarily giving money away. Players are angry. It's hard to predict a strike, but I'd say we're closer to it than ever.
Guest
12:30
any word on if Bell has made adjustments in the offseason to hit for more power?  do you think the new hitting coach will help emphasize that more
Bill Brink
12:31
He worked this offseason on letting fastballs away and changeups away travel, so he can hit them to left (this is how he thinks he'll be attacked) so when he gets an inside pitch he can turn on it and drive it. And the Pirates are focusing on driving the ball, not lifting it, so that should help with hard contact.
Dom
12:31
Chances Taillon agrees to an extension, given his comments at PiratesFest?
Bill Brink
12:32
He'd sign one -- if the Pirates offered what he thinks is fair, including what he might earn in free agency, but that's generally not how pre-arbitration or mid-arbitration extension work. They provide a guarantee to the player at a slightly lower rate than what that player might get on the open market. So I think he'll go year to year.
BobbyToledo
12:32
Honestly, I like the top four of the rotation, with maybe even Williams as the ace. But I'd like it a lot more if Nova rounded out the top five. Why did they trade him? It wasn't necessary.
Bill Brink
12:32
It might have been necessary if Huntington had to move the $9 million ish owed Nova to pay for the $7.8 million they added in Kang, Lyles and Chisenhall.
12:33
But I see what you mean, not necessary in a baseball sense. They could also be planning to figure it out for two months before Keller is ready, but betting on a Pirates pitching prospect to be ready on schedule isn't always the best strategy.
Paul or Phil
12:33
Marwin Gonzalez seems like he’d be a perfect fit in this organization with the position flexibility and ability to play SS. Fits a need for some power as well. But that’s just a pipe dream right?
Bill Brink
12:33
It would make a lot of sense, and could happen, but so far we haven't seen much inclination for that type of move.
BobbyToledo
12:34
Pros and cons of giving Taillon, or even Williams, a contract like Philly gave Nola today?
Bill Brink
12:35
Cost certainty is a pro, and possibly getting a deal on the latter years of the contract. The con would be betting on pitchers who are still years away from free agency.
Brian
12:35
Will the Pirates pursue a trade to move Cervelli this spring ?
Bill Brink
12:35
I don't think so. They were having trouble getting offers they liked this winter because of Cervelli's cost and concussion history.
Lightning round. Go.
BobbyToledo
12:37
Anyone in camp that might be a surprise addition to the 25-man roster at the end of spring training?
Bill Brink
12:38
Pablo Reyes. More surprising after the Melky signing.
Brian
12:38
Over / Under 78 wins this year
Bill Brink
12:38
Over.
Richard Deal
12:38
Who on the pirates will hit the most "dingers" this year?
and how many?
Bill Brink
12:38
Polanco, 25
Ron
12:38
What's the bigger concern: Shortstop situation or Josh Bell bouncing back? I'm rooting for Bell but he took a step back last year. The Bucs need more from him.
Bill Brink
12:38
Shortstop. Bell was productive at times even without the power.
BobbyToledo
12:38
Is the beer from Darwin Brewing Co. the best in Bradenton, hands down?
Bill Brink
12:39
It's really good, but I'm realizing there's more around here that I hadn't had. We checked out Good Liquid last night, which was good. Big Top is solid. J-Dubs is good. Tim Williams says we need to try Calusa, which I'm excited for. I'd put Darwin high up there, for sure.
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