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Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 4.10.19
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Bill Brink
12:05
Good afternoon and welcome to this week's Pirates chat. Apologies for the delay; the first Starbucks I walked to had no hot water and thus no tea, so that was a non-starter. We'll get going in a few minutes, so please get those questions in.
12:09
Thanks for the questions, and keep them coming. Here we go ...
RPKinsella
12:09
I personally think the Archer trade looks ominous.  He looks like a 3 or 4 and they paid to get a 1.  I get that they lost patience with Glasnow (though it’s frustrating to see what he’s doing now), but they are going to regret trading Meadows.  Did they undervalue these players, overvalue Archer or was there something behind the scenes where they felt they needed to move on from both Glasnow and Meadows (not to mention Baz).  Thanks.
Bill Brink
12:13
This is a great question without easy answers. I'll start with Glasnow and Meadows because those to me are the most clear-cut. I watched Glasnow on his entire ascent to the majors and ensuing issues, and though there was no questioning his work ethic or the time people put in with him, I did not see him putting it together like he has while in Pittsburgh. There were some in the farm system that were tough on him. The thing that jumped out to me was when he did not fully heed advice to pitch more like an athlete, then got sent down to do it, shoved, came back up and reverted to the old ways. But there was no denying the talent, so a new voice or a new presentation seemed to have unlocked that talent.
Meadows initially was going to be the one that hurt. He was going to be a major league regular either way. And Baz was a wild card, talented but young and far from the majors.
12:15
Archer has not had an ERA befitting a one for a couple years, but the innings totals and strikeout totals were still there. I believe a more diversified pitch mix, pitching from the stretch, health and better trust with Cervelli will give him a better year than last year. I think it looks more lopsided than it is because of Glasnow's success and Archer's August, but I still like the trade as much as I did at the time.
Johnny
12:15
would you say Cole Tucker has a chance to take over that SS hole by June?
Bill Brink
12:17
I think it's possible. The Pirates will want him to go through the league a little bit to see how pitchers adjust/keep him down until the Super Two period, but if he performs and Gonzalez and Newman do not, it's possible. I would say that's the very earliest timetable.
Morty
12:18
Speaking of Archer.  MLB doesn't see to be following precedent on his lengthy suspension?  Can we expect all suspected retaliatory actions to merit 5 games suspension.  Seems small for SP who goes 1 in 5 games, but it cost him over $230K which seems ridiculous
Bill Brink
12:19
With starters, that's the norm because it makes them miss a start. It usually gets higher if they throw up at the head, which Archer did not do.
Jimmy
12:19
How does the roster shake out once all the walking wounded start coming back?
Mr99%
12:19
As Diaz, Polanco, Dickerson and Chisenhall return from the IL, do you see Newman being a casualty?
Bill Brink
12:21
Similar questions so I'll address them both here. I see Stallings being the casualty for Diaz and Shuck being the casualty for Dickerson/Chisenhall, whoever's back first. Then it gets interesting. Newman could go, but that creates a thorny situation with Tucker and the Indy infield.
Mr99%
12:21
Any update on Dickerson?
Bill Brink
12:22
Not yet. The Clubhouse opens at 3:30 local time. We also speak to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk today for injury updates.
Jimmy
12:22
Regardless of service time issues, should Hayes/Tucker been given a chance at Tatis/Alonso treatment? I lean no because first time through AAA, but wanted your thoughts.
Bill Brink
12:24
I tend to agree with you. As good as Hayes and Tucker are, they are not the caliber of prospect as Tatis, who is considered one of the best in the game. And Alonso had some time in Class AAA.
Canyon swartz
12:24
Will bell continue his hot streak or just fizzle out
Bill Brink
12:25
Clint Hurdle would answer this by saying, "Keep showing up and you'll find out," and I think that's what we have to do. When he commits to an approach, he's on time, and when he's on time, he's dangerous, so I see no reason why not.
Jeff
12:25
Scouting Moran, why could t they see he has no quickness in his game on bases or in the field. He is a 1st baseman or DH....no?
Bill Brink
12:27
"Quick" is not something I would generally use to describe Moran, and the Pirates surely saw that as well. I think they thought he'd handle what was hit at him, and with some refinement on his first step and positioning, they could squeeze a little more out of him, but that has not been the case. Could be a 1B or DH at some point.
Canyon swartz
12:27
Will polcanco DH in the series in Detroit
Bill Brink
12:27
He might not be back by then, but it's possible.
Mr99%
12:27
What was your initial impression of the renovated club house @ Wrigley Field? Any feedback from the players?
Bill Brink
12:28
My favorite thing was that there are no longer mirrors on the pillars in the middle. Everyone is getting dressed/undressed after the game, so as reporters you try to be respectful and let give them privacy, face the other way and bam, now you're looking at them in the mirror. Players appreciated the space, for sure.
Bill
12:28
Once everyone is back and healthy do you see the bench consisting of the following players?  Moran, Diaz, Newman, Chisenhall, Melky?
Bill Brink
12:29
I just remembered who I forgot on the previous question about this: Jason Martin. He's probably a casualty as well when everyone is healthy. So, yes, that looks right.
Jeff
12:29
Any chatter about extensions with a Taillon, Williams, Bell etc? Many teams taking that approach now as players/agents seem to be in a mood to deal.
Bill Brink
12:31
None that I've heard where both sides have seriously engaged, which doesn't necessarily mean there hasn't been any. What's the saying? Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence? Anyway. Bell is unlikely because he's a Boras client and Taillon is unlikely because he'll be first-time arb eligible, and he's the union rep, and the union is making it a priority to push up some of the old arb benchmarks.
What other questions do we have today?
Mark
12:32
Hey Bill.  Yesterday, the Reds finally beat someone other than the Pirates.  Is tonight the night the Pirates beat someone other than the Reds?
Bill Brink
12:33
They have a good shot against Darvish, who's walked 11 batters in two starts so far. If they can be patient, they'll have opportunities.
SalemPirate
12:33
Kang, still rusty? It's early, for sure, but is it possible he's finished
Bill Brink
12:33
It is possible, even likely, that he's still rusty. It is not possible that he's finished.
Mr99%
12:34
Heard that tonight's game will be televised on MLB Network in the Pittsburgh market. Can you confirm?
Bill Brink
12:34
Can confirm. Friday's too, I believe.
Jimmy
12:35
More likely to continue, Brewers success, or Cubs/Reds...unsuccess?
Bill Brink
12:35
I'd say the Brewers success is more likely to continue, though I do worry about their pitching staff. Cubs pitching has nowhere to go but up.
SalemPirate
12:36
Brault's on thin ice. Mauer ready to replace him?
Bill Brink
12:36
He's pitched 2.2 scoreless innings, but I don't think they'll make that swap just yet.
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