You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 5.17.17
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat
Clint
12:32
What do you believe is the main cause of the lack of offense from Pirate hitters this year? Anything to point a finger at or is it just bad luck?
Bill Brink
12:33
The lack of power jumps out. Only 35 home runs, second to last in the NL. They also rank 12th in doubles. But the .262 batting average on balls in play is also the lowest in the NL, suggesting some positive regression in the future.
Guest
12:34
Hi Bill We have heard often from N Huntington that they build to be good every year and not have "open windows" that other teams do and this is why they don't make moves involving the prospects but 20 years of losing and three years of winning and now trending downward don't you think that is "open window" baseball?
Bill Brink
12:35
The window opened in 2013 and is closing now, but that was not by the design of the front office. What I mean is, the Pirates didn't pick 2013 to go all in at the expense of 2016 and '17. The good teams for that three-year period were constructed without major impact to the farm system.
Mark from PA
12:35
Meadows, Glasnow, Keller, Hayes, Henson to TB for Keirmeir and Archer. Who says no?
Bill Brink
12:36
I think Neal Huntington probably says no. I can't imagine a scenario where he would deal the No. 1, and No. 2 prospects plus a young controllable starter.
12:38
Lightning round. Go.
Charles
12:39
How do you think Cutch would react to moving down the order? Say 7th or 8th? Dot you think it would help him get back on track?
Bill Brink
12:40
I don't think it would be his favorite thing, put it that way, but if Hurdle wanted to put, say, Freese or Bell third and move McCutchen to fifth or sixth it wouldn't be the craziest thing.
Mark from PA
12:40
Pirates end season at .500, over/under?
Bill Brink
12:41
At this rate, it's looking like under, though help from Marte and possibly Kang in the second half could change that.
Les from St. Pete, Fl
12:41
Can we expect to see Meadows in Center Field soon? Wouldn't that make sense if the team isn't going any where this year
Bill Brink
12:41
He's still got a .593 OPS in triple-A. I think they'll want him to perform well there before they consider a promotion
Clint
12:41
Do you believe Glasnow can get himself under control or do you see him being demoted at somepoint?
Bill Brink
12:42
The Pirates seem to think the next steps in his development have to happen in the majors, so I would imagine he stays here and figures it out unless he shows them it absolutely won't happen without some time in the minors for whatever reason.
Les from St. Pete, Fl
12:43
Lot of fans seem to be tiring of Hurdle. Seems like he is burning out, and not making very good in game decisions. Is he at risk of getting fired?
Bill Brink
12:43
I don't think so. Marte, Kang and Taillon were all out of his hands, and he's doing what he can with the roster he has.
Mark from PA
12:45
Wouldn't defense be better with Harrison in left and Frazier at second?
Bill Brink
12:45
No, Harrison provides a better middle infield unit with Mercer.
Charles
12:45
What would you expect from a fully healthy Pirates team?
Bill Brink
12:46
Fully healthy, with Marte and Kang intact? At least .500 right now, maybe better.
SalemPirate
12:46
Glasnow to the Pen? Less pressure.
Bill Brink
12:46
Not yet. He's only 23, they want to give him some time.
SalemPirate
12:47
Ridding salary of Cutch and several others before season's end, does that allow some delving into FA bats in the offseason?
Bill Brink
12:47
You would think, right? Offense should be a priority going into next season unless things drastically turn around.
Kyle
12:47
How did we go into this season without a contingency plan of any kind? And why does it seem we are doing little to patch the holes left by Marte, Kang and Taillon?
Bill Brink
12:49
The Pirates love having depth, but the lack of outfield depth was surprising. No one could have guessed Marte would get popped for steroids but he and Polanco frequently miss games because of nagging injuries (Polanco's knee/shoulder/hamstring, Marte's back/hand/wrist from getting hit with all the pitches) so the lack of depth there was surprising.
Charles
12:49
What about Kang at short and Freese staying at third? If Freese keeps his bat and Kang is able to come back?
Bill Brink
12:49
They've got to get Kang in the country first, then through a spring training, before they can worry about moving positions around.
12:50
That's it for today, thanks for all the great questions. We'll do it again next week.
Connecting…