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Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 5.23.18
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Bart
12:37
I would say it’s basically set in stone that Kontos gets DFA’d once Musgrove is activated Friday?
Bill Brink
12:38
That would make sense; Kontos has a track record, but he's just not getting outs, striking guys out or keeping runs off the board. Other than Marte, that's all I see in the near future.
Chris
12:38
How is Kontos still on a MLB roster? Dude ranks dead last in ability to get swings and misses. Maybe he has a dossier on Clint or Neil? DFA him already!!!
Bill Brink
12:39
I think we're heading in that direction. He's allowed runs in five of his past six games.
BobbyToledo
12:40
One of the things I have observed is that the Pirates dictate how the pitchers pitch and how the batters bat. So, it seems pretty obvious when someone new to the team excels such as Dickerson or Frazier when he first arrived, because they haven't had time to be forced the "Pirates Way" yet. I also think that's why Kang did well, because he was see ball, hit ball. The same with Cole. He was awesome when he was first unleashed and then he was beaten down by the Pirates Way: no curveballs, pitch to contact -- when he has much more of a Nolan Ryan mentality that we are seeing in Houston. Why are the Pirates so rigid in their offensive and defensive strategies?
Bill Brink
12:42
They put their strategies in place to try to win with the resources they have, to try to maximize the talent they have. More often than not, it works. Example: Having starters who have struggled look at each inning as a "start." Don't think ahead, just worry about the next three outs. That'll get a pitcher on track, but when you have someone like Cole, who's more talented than the model (he's thinking about the third time through the order, he's remembering what a hitter did to him two months ago, he's setting them up for three starts from now) it can hinder their ability. I think the problems are more individual (Cole, for sure) than organization-wide.
just me
12:43
In regard to Musgrove, what makes the Pirates think he's the answer for a starting job in the rotation?  He never pitched well for the Astros, not sure what they see in him.
Bill Brink
12:44
He pitched well as a starter in 2016, his rookie year. Three starts roughed up his ERA, but he was solid. He told me in spring that he plans to translate some of what worked in the bullpen (attacking the hitters more) into the rotation this year.
just me
12:46
Does Kang have a future with the Pirates, if so what is it u think?
Bill Brink
12:47
I think he does at least as a bench guy. Righty power off the bench wouldn't hurt, and if he could get back to playing shortstop (big if), that would help. It could be more than that, but given how much time he missed, that's where I'd start.
Lightning round. Go.
just me
12:49
Is Bell gonna turn it around at bat?
Bill Brink
12:49
Think he's too talented not to -- if he commits to an approach.
just me
12:50
Could they send Polanco to the minors for a wake up call?
Bill Brink
12:50
They physically could, but I don't think they will.
BobbyToledo
12:50
What if Meadows is still hitting .400 and has at least 4-5 homers by the time Marte is healthy?
Bill Brink
12:50
Don't think it'll matter.
12:51
That's it for today, thanks for all the great questions! We'll do it again next week.
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