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Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 03.27.19
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Bill Brink
11:45
Good morning and welcome to the final preseason Pirates chat. We'll start at noon, but you can submit questions now, and I'll get to them as they come in.
12:01
Thanks for the questions, and keep them coming. Here we go ...
Raymond
12:01
Does Thursday start Pablo Reyes' march to the NL MVP Award?
Bill Brink
12:01
Raymond, the march to the NL MVP award started the minute Reyes arrived in camp.
12:02
(Seriously, there's potential in the bat, which we saw last year, and positional versatility.)
Johnny
12:02
As much as I would love Dallas Keuchal, that clearly won’t happen, but what about the recently released Dan Straily from the Marlins as a fifth starter? Makes sense to me as an innings eater and average to slightly above average pitcher at times for your number 5. Thoughts?
Bill Brink
12:05
I have similar thoughts on this as I did with Gio Gonzalez, with the obvious caveat that Straily wasn't available until recently. Straily is two years older than Lyles is and the Pirates are optimistic that Lyles can transition what he did in the bullpen in Milwaukee into a starting role. Straily gives up home runs and had an ERA above 4.00 in each of the past two years, with mediocre strikeout rates.
Ethan
12:05
Neverauskas and Osuna were never officially announced as optioned; is there a reason? Also, is Osuna going to have to start on the IL due to timing of his injury, if there is deemed to be one?
Bill Brink
12:07
Osuna did not make the trip to Houston because of lower neck discomfort, so they are going to wait on that before doing anything. He could be on the IL if the injury is significant enough. My source did not see Neverauskas in Houston (my source was Nubyjas) but I do not know as of yet what that means because the Pirates haven't announced it. It's possible he could be an option for the bullpen if Brault or Kingham have to start because Lyles starts on the IL.
Dean
12:07
Any surprise moves by the Pirates regrading their final roster? Or is it what you expected back in February?
Bill Brink
12:08
Not to paint myself as some kind of savant, but no, this is kind of how we thought it would shake out. There is mild surprise that Brault might start the season in the minors, but we always knew that was an option because he has an option and Kingham, Liriano and Burdi can't, for various reasons, go to the minors.
Morty
12:10
Should we be concerned if Shuck makes roster Clint will overuse him because he's obsessed with veteranosity?
Bill Brink
12:10
I would not be too concerned about that, considering Shuck's value comes in his ability to play center and Marte will be playing center. Although who knows what happens with Chisenhall's hand. Then it could be Shuck, Pablo and Cabrera in right.
Morty
12:10
What's plan B for 5th starter role if Lyles flames out?  Keller is not ready and Kingham hasn't really seized it. Are we looking at Brault in the mix?  Bridge starter?
Bill Brink
12:13
They're going to give Lyles some time. He needs to pitch six innings and throw 100 pitches before they name him the fifth starter, but assuming he does and they do, he's not going to have a short leash. Glasnow got 12 starts before they removed him. It would likely be Kingham and/or Brault until Keller is ready, although they mentioned the opener at the winter meetings.
Jeffrey Williamson
12:13
Any chance Ke'bryan Hayes makes it to the big club at any point in 2019?
Bill Brink
12:13
I think a September call-up is possible. Between Kang and Moran, it would take something drastic for there to be an opportunity to play every day earlier than that, and they'll want him to get some time in triple-A and pass the Super Two period.
Morty
12:13
Burdi had solid spring but didn't face a lot of challenging opponents.  What's the take away from his spring?  If nothing else the improved control seems encouraging.
Bill Brink
12:15
I would agree with you on the control, and while the strikeout total does depend in part on who he's pitching to, I still think it is indicative of a pitcher who's in a good place. His stuff just looked so much better this spring than the (admittedly brief) snapshot we had last September.
Davey C
12:15
Should the Pirates have given Reyes are more serious shot at starting in RF?  Between he, Osuna, Gonzalez (if he didn't win the SS job outright), and maybe a non roster invitee, RF looked to be OK in the short term.
Bill Brink
12:16
They signed Chisenhall to be their right fielder until Polanco comes back, so I don't think Pablo had much of an opportunity, given that they probably don't pull the plug on Chisenhall after a month, which is about when Polanco would come back.
Raymond
12:16
What are the expectations for Nick Burdi? Have the Pirates had a Rule 5 pick work out recently? Since Donnie Veal?
Bill Brink
12:19
They expect him to contribute enough to at least make it to the end of May, which is when his Rule 5 restrictions are up. He looked good in spring training. And a quick search tells me that no, since at least I've been on the beat they haven't had much luck with Rule 5 guys.
Ajvogel
12:19
Am I wrong for being strangely optimistic about this season. Everybody gets caught up in ownership and not buying enough players, but we have a solid core and without injuries we have a really good young team. Maybe I am drinking the kool aid but the Astros used the farm system and they are one of the best teams in the game now. It took time but I think we are on the right track
Bill Brink
12:20
There are certainly reasons for optimism, and it's possible to be mad at ownership and positive about the coming season. Their pitching staff will keep them in games. They've got 55-homer potential in their corner infield. Frazier was a different player after coming back up last July. If Cervelli stays healthy, he can hit. Polanco could come back by May. There's a path to 90 wins, just not a lot of margin for error.
12:23
What other questions do we have today?
Ajvogel
12:24
If kuhl was healthy would there be any argument as to who the 5th starter would be? He showed tons of potential and we’d have id think one of the strongest rotations. If him and Santana come back our pitching could be some of the best pitching in the game.
Bill Brink
12:25
Well sure, if Kuhl was healthy they might not go sign Lyles. But he and Santana will both miss the whole year because of Tommy John surgeries.
BobbyToledo
12:25
Do you see Hayes in Pittsburgh before September?
Bill Brink
12:26
Barring something that takes both Kang and Moran out of the running for third base, not really. I think they'll want him to play every day, and while it's possible that could be at the majors (like we saw with Meadows last year for a little bit) it's less likely when there are two players ahead of him.
12:28
Alright, that's it for today. Thanks for all the great questions and enjoy Opening Day!
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