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Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 4.4.18
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Bill Brink
12:04
Hello and welcome to the first Pirates chat of the year. We're getting going a couple minutes late, so I'll wait a bit to start so you can get your questions in.
12:09
Here we go. Light day on questions, so if you've got one, send it in.
Austin
12:09
How good is this Pirates team and did we undervalue them? How good can they be?
Bill Brink
12:11
The four victories are in the bank, but I don't think that means this team's winning 95 games and the division. They can be quite good, but it will require a better second half from Nova, health from Polanco and Cervelli, production from Moran (not a grand slam every game but just solid production) and for the bullpen to figure itself out.
Austin
12:11
Are the Buccos gonna play today? And do you see Polanco in the 2 hole with Marte in the 3 being the norm, or will the lineup switch depending on the handendess of the oppositions pitcher?
Bill Brink
12:13
If the second game of the doubleheader is any indication, where Polanco batted lower against a lefty, I think it could depend on the opposing starter. As for weather-related questions I direct you to MLB.com's Adam Berry, the press box's resident weather guru.
Devin
12:13
Having seen the Pirates play a few regular season games what are the chances they are competitive enough to compete for or even get a playoff spot?
Bill Brink
12:14
The chance certainly exists. Taillon looked real good; Williams didn't allow a hit; Polanco and Bell look solid. The keys will be health, and the bullpen stabilizing. I don't want to read too much into four games.
BobbyToledo
12:15
I think, at some rate, the fans understand some of the moves the Pirates make, but it's when the F.O. tries to spin it passive aggressively on the fans and other reasons, that's when they offended and start to revolt. Will the F.O. ever learn?
Bill Brink
12:18
Good to see you again, Bobby. I understand the frustration in light of Coonelly's comments a few years back regarding attendance and putting a competitive team on the field. It's easy to know what he meant -- when the front office builds a winner, as they did in 2013-15, fans will support it -- but also easy to read it the other way (when fans come out, we'll build a winner) when frustrated with the front office's moves, or lack thereof. I think Huntington put it best: "I think as we’ve clearly shown, as we’ve put a winning team on the field, our fan base will come out"
Brendan
12:18
I can’t see Josh Smoker being a viable left-handed option out of the bullpen, small sample withstanding. Do you see them giving someone else a chance in that role, possibly from Indy?
Bill Brink
12:21
There aren't a whole lot of lefty options in Indy, and the lefty relief situation just got thinner with Brault moving into the rotation to take Musgrove's spot for a couple turns. Smoker came into a tough situation opening day and Kepler was all over his first-pitch curveball, but there's productivity in there, I think.
BobbyToledo
12:21
Why didn't Hurdle let Glansnow pitch three innings? Things almost went south.
Bill Brink
12:22
Neverauskas looked really good opening day and had a day of rest, and relief is still new to Glasnow, who in addition to control is still learning to harness the movement on his fastball.
Chris
12:23
36 degrees gametime temp without wind chill...over/under on actual attendance tonight...5K?
Bill Brink
12:23
Gonna be the die-hards out tonight.
Nate Leopold
12:23
Is brault starting over glasnow Thursday because Glasnow threw 40 pitches Sunday or because brault is ahead of glasnow right now in terms of the rotation
Bill Brink
12:23
My read on it is, both.
Sam
12:23
What options are there for the bullpen? Middle relief wise
Bill Brink
12:24
If you mean currently on the roster, then, Glasnow, Smoker and Clay Holmes. Kyle Crick, who did not make the team out of camp, could be an option as time goes on.
Sluggo
12:25
Do you think the Pirates will approach Josh Bell with an offer to buy out his arbitration eligible years like they did with Marte and Palonco and if so will he be receptive to negotiating?
Bill Brink
12:25
They might approach him, but he's a Scott Boras client, so he probably won't be too receptive to it.
BobbyToledo
12:25
Do you think the Pirates are monitoring the waiver wire for a 40-man roster castoff for a true fourth outfielder?
Bill Brink
12:26
Yes. I think they're probably keeping an eye out for someone who can play center field. I know Rodriguez and Frazier physically can do it, but they might like a true outfielder available if something happens to Marte -- remember, he gets hit on the hands and wrists all the time.
hot dogs
12:27
Which Pirate could eat the most hot dogs on dollar dog day?
Bill Brink
12:27
Harrison. He has the highest salary this season so he could buy the most hot dogs.
Chris
12:27
McCutchen batting .100 in San Fran...typical April for Andrew, or will Neil be proven right that he was past his prime and not worth the 💰💰💰anymore?
Bill Brink
12:29
I've seen one McCutchen AB this season on MLB Network so I don't have a good feel for how his approach has been. I do know that a one-week sample size will not justify the decision to trade him one way or the other.
Tyler
12:29
Josh Smoker has stuff but hasn’t produced at all. I get the small sample size but what was the point of getting Kevin Siegreist I’d he hasn’t gotten a chance? Does he get one soon? And also, what are the chances McCutchen resigns in PIT this offseason?
Bill Brink
12:31
He hasn't produced at all -- in two appearances, one of which lasted one pitch. They felt Siegrist's velocity wasn't where it needed to be and didn't think he'd be as effective at the major league level. He might be soon, but they felt better about Smoker out of the gate. I don't think they re-sign McCutchen but I'll never say never.
Devin
12:31
Is there any chance that the MLB bans the shift and forces teams to have 2 infielders on either side of second base or are we moving towards positionless baseball?
Bill Brink
12:32
Commissioner Manfred discussed this a few years ago and received a lot of blowback because of it, so I don't think so. I don't think we'll see position-less baseball because runners will still reach base, but these things have a way of correcting themselves over time.
Guest
12:32
Will Frazier replace Mercer at shortstop if this hand injury keeps him out?
Bill Brink
12:32
More likely Rodriguez will.
Nate Leopold
12:32
Should the pirates use their minor league depth in the infield to Aquire a lefty reliever? Hearn is the only lefty in the system who looks like he can have an impact at the MLB
Bill Brink
12:33
It's a good notion -- that depth, Tucker, Newman and Kramer -- looks pretty valuable and all three can't play at once. But I think if they're going to trade one of them, they will look for more in return than a reliever.
Chris
12:33
Does Austin Meadows become the fourth outfielder once we are safely past the Super 2 cutoff?
Bill Brink
12:34
With prospects like Meadows, the Pirates generally wait to promote them until there is an avenue for everyday playing time. They don't want him to come up and ride the bench, gettin the occasional pinch-hit or start.
Sluggo
12:35
Besides Austin Meadows what other position players maybe called up this year from the minors this year ?
Bill Brink
12:35
I expect Moroff, Luplow, Osuna and Bostick will all be up, possibly Kevin Newman as a September call-up.
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