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Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 12.12.18
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OHIO412FAN
1:03
Do you think the Pirates have the core group of players to get into the wild card this season? What positions should they still address?
Bill Brink
1:04
They could use pitching help, both starting and relief, and I think a shortstop addition is still necessary.
OHIO412FAN
1:04
How do other teams front office executives view the Pirates? Would they think fondly or no?
Bill Brink
1:04
Depends on who you talk to. I talk to some who understand the constraints the baseball ops guys work under and admire how they do it, some that think the whole thing is a mess and some in between.
OHIO412FAN
1:04
How’s the farm system looking? Top Prospect rankings?
Bill Brink
1:05
Gotta be optimistic about Keller, and eventually Tucker and Hayes. Their first foray into triple-A (Tucker and Hayes I mean) should be interesting. Good-looking low-level prospects.
On the Bill Brink
1:05
What happened to the $50 million one time payment the Pirates received last year?
Bill Brink
1:05
Every time we asked, Nutting didn't really have an answer.
OHIO412FAN
1:06
What needs to happen in order for the Pirates to become a consistently winning team this upcoming season? Will we see a window like we had in 13-15 ever again?
Bill Brink
1:06
More offensive consistency, more consistency overall, better defense in the first half of the season, more power.
Pirate Parakeet
1:06
My biggest fear after the collapse last year is that Huntington will feel burned by the Archer trade and will be twice shy about making aggressive moves like that -- see this offseason for example #1. Do you think he'll revert to his ultra conservative self or keep pursuing moves like Archer?
Bill Brink
1:08
I don't see that. They'll evaluate the move, but they also believe in process over results. I was surprised they made the Archer trade, but they have him in the future, and I think Huntington will continue to make those types of moves that have future considerations.
Matthew
1:08
Will Kang take at-bats vs lefties away from Moran as Freese did? How is Moran supposed to develop if so?
Bill Brink
1:08
Probably not as much, because of Kang's platoon splits.
Mark
1:08
Which Pirate has the biggest rebound in 2019?
Bill Brink
1:08
I'll go with Bell.
JMB
1:09
Any chance we see Moran get some games in at 1B this year to give Bell some days off and keep Kang in the lineup?
Bill Brink
1:09
He's played 21 pro games there, and I think third base was enough of an adventure defensively they'll want him to just focus on that.
Matthew
1:09
Cervelli is the closest thing we have to a fan favorite right now. Wouldn't trading him result in more lost attendance?
Bill Brink
1:09
Yes. And he's a good option for face of the team, too.
LA Matt
1:09
If you had to rank the finish of the NL Central teams right now, what would it be?
Bill Brink
1:10
Cubs Brewers Cards Pirates Reds
Mark
1:10
When is PirateFest?
Bill Brink
1:10
Jan. 26 at PNC Park.
Lightning round. Go
LA Matt
1:11
Any changes to the Pirate uniforms this year?
Bill Brink
1:11
Haven't heard much buzz in the lobby bar about that.
Wayward
1:11
How many minor league contracts you think the Bucs hand out to 2nd chance SP candidates?
Bill Brink
1:12
Probably two or three.
Clark
1:12
Vibranium or Adamantium?
Bill Brink
1:12
Vibranium because that one had Kendrick Lamar do the soundtrack.
Matthew
1:12
What do you see Pablo Reyes' role being next year? Seemed like the best callup we had.
Bill Brink
1:12
Could be a bit of a super utility role, would be my guess. Some third, some right, etc.
1:13
That's it for today. Great chat, everyone. Thanks for all the great questions. Next time we do this, I'll be on a lanai in Bradenton with a Jai Alai (actually probably not, we do these at noon) after a day at Pirate City.
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