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Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 04.24.19
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Bill Brink
11:52
Good morning everyone and welcome to this week's Pirates chat. We'll get going at noon, but you can submit questions now. Thanks to those that already have.
12:02
Alright. Here we go ...
Kol Diamond
12:02
When the Pirates get their starting outfield back and shortstop . Will they still be in the race
Bill Brink
12:04
If their starting pitching continues at this rate, they could be. Getting Marte and Dickerson back should really help a lineup that is struggling to score runs.
Hunter Muro
12:04
If Bryan Reynolds ends up being okay and Lonnie Chisenhall gets back, what do you think the corresponding roster move is with the outfield?
Bill Brink
12:04
It could be Jason Martin. They like Reynolds' ability to play center. But they also said Chisenhall will get the at-bats he needs to get, meaning they won't rush him back.
Larry G
12:04
Does Kang have minor league options available?
Bill Brink
12:06
He does, two of them. We went through this with the Pirates years before, when we asked about sending him down not because he was bad but just to get him at-bats, and their response was that they didn't think there was much that triple-A could help him with. He needed to adjust to the majors. That . could have changed (it's been a while).
Dan
12:06
Does JHK's interpreter have any other job with the team like Assistant GM Mike Gonzalez?
Bill Brink
12:06
Not to my knowledge.
PhillyJake
12:06
Any report on Kevin Newman in the outfield?
Bill Brink
12:08
He played center last night, but the clubhouse doesn't open until 3:15 so we won't know how he looked until later.
Chuck Tanner
12:08
Clint is a fine person, but a terrible game manager. His resistance to use his best reliever in non-save situations is ridiculous, not to mention his penchant for putting players in positions they've never played. it is painful to watch him 'manage'.
Bill Brink
12:10
Far be it from me to argue with Chuck Tanner, but: I generally think Hurdle is a better game manager than he gets credit for, but there have been two recent incidents -- not pinch-running for Kang because of concerns about Diaz/Pablo/Will Smith, and, like you said, having Vazquez available only for a save situation -- that were not good calls that backfired.
PhillyJake
12:10
What did you say to Nesbitt to make him jump ship?
Bill Brink
12:11
"John Beilein is overrated."
Rick in Orlando
12:11
Bucs should be thrilled about where they are despite the team not hitting at all. At what point do the starting pitchers get frustrated with the lack of offense and then they start going down hill because  they think they have to be perfect every time out.
Bill Brink
12:12
The starting pitchers, so far, say they embrace the pressure and the onus put on them each night (I spoke to them for a piece I have coming out Sunday with more on this subject, so keep an eye out!) They know they need to bring it every night. Eventually that could wear them down if they continue not to get run support, but it hasn't yet.
Hank
12:12
How do the pirates start generating some offense? Do you think it will happen once Dickerson and Marte return?
Bill Brink
12:14
I definitely think Dickerson's return will help the lineup, though I know Melky has been hitting well, and Marte could help too if he is consistent.
Bake
12:14
Bill, will Tucker continue as starting SS when Newman returns?
Bill Brink
12:15
Well that's the question, right? It'd be one thing if it were flipped, if Newman won the job and got hurt; he probably would get his starting job back so the Pirates don't set the precedent of players losing jobs due to injuries. But Newman didn't win the job. So if Tucker is still performing well, he might just keep it.
Mikey
12:15
what happened to Osuna? why hasn't he been called-up with all of these injuries?
are you sold on Chris Reynolds? looks like he can rake
Bill Brink
12:17
I believe you're referring to Bryan Reynolds, who raked last year and early this year in triple-A. I won't say I'm sold on a guy after less than a week, but he was a well-regarded prospect, so this performance does not appear to be out of nowhere.
oops
Osuna is rehabbing a neck injury with Class A Bradenton.
Mikey
12:17
agree with decision to PH for Tucker last nite?
Scott
12:17
Hi Bill, do you think Kang pinch hitting for Tucker in the 9th was a bad decision?
Bill Brink
12:19
I'm of two minds. As good as Tucker has been, he's still less than a week into his major league career, while Kang has more experience in the league and is more likely than Tucker to homer. But to justify it with Holland's splits (Tucker's a pinch-hitter) and Kang having seen him (it was forever ago) doesn't make as much sense.
Dale
12:19
Two big strikeouts for bell in run scoring opportunities last night. Did you see anything specific that worries you as opposed to what he has been doing lately that led him to success?
Honus
12:19
is Josh Bell back?  where are the Bucs in terms of HR hit? must be near bottom of the MLB?
Bill Brink
12:20
Ah, the difference in perspective.
He's not terrible after two strikeouts and he's not back after a month, but he is in a really good place with his swing and approach. His swing looks the same every time, which couldn't be said last season.
Rick in Orlando
12:20
Can the Bucs stay above 500 despite the injuries? Are Kang and Cervelli's below Mendoza line batting averages concerning?
Bill Brink
12:21
Definitely concerning, and more so for Kang than for Cervelli, who I think will be fine.
Bake
12:21
Who will be the 5 outfielders when all are healthy? Melky is swinging the bat well and Martin looks like a player.
Bill Brink
12:21
Dickerson, Marte, Polanco, Melky ... Shuck? Just because they can option the other two.
MjB
12:22
While I think everyone is too focused on the bullpen, which traditionally does not stablize into later in the season, the reality is that most folks do not realize that offensively, we are sending out a basic AAA lineup.  Who in this lineup, beyond Bell, Cervelli, and Frazier are long-term legitimate MLB hitters?
Bill Brink
12:22
Polanco. Dickerson and Marte when they're back. Kang has been one before.
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