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Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 6.20.18
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Bill Brink
12:03
Hello and welcome to today's Pirates chat. We'll get going in just a second. Thanks for the questions you've already sent, and keep them coming. Here we go ...
Mark
12:03
Bill, what is going on with Josh Bell?  He simply is not hitting in the clutch.  Does he need to sit a few games, or at least tonight against the lefty?  Thanks.
Bill Brink
12:06
It's not so much not hitting in the clutch as not hitting as well in general, compared to the last two seasons. The OBP isn't there like it was his first year and the power from last year isn't there either. Hurdle has said Bell needs to stop messing around with his swing, pick an approach and stick with it. He's swinging at more pitches outside the strike zone and making less contact on pitches in the zone, which is a tough place to be.
Retire 21
12:06
After a slow start in Indy, Jung Ho has been getting hot....3 hits last night. So, assuming they don't just want to platoon him with Moran, do they trade Freese or do they move Mercer. Newman is hitting .300 in Indy and could share SS with Kang?
Bill Brink
12:08
I believe they'll entertain, and maybe solicit, offers for Freese and Mercer, because Mercer is coming up on free agency and they have other options at third base, especially if Kang comes up and can play. When I asked Huntington Sunday about bringing up Newman or Kramer with Rodriguez not producing, he said they're looking at it but that they probably wouldn't if there wasn't everyday playing time, so a trade might have to come first.
ALB
12:09
Bill,  Jameson Taillon has been a bit of a disappointment. What have been his biggest problems and do you see things improving any time soon?
Bill Brink
12:10
I watch him pitch and come away with the impression that he's pitching better than the numbers indicate. I agree with you, the results have been disappointing, but I don't think drastic change is necessary. Last night he made one really bad pitch, a two-strike slider to Aguilar that was middle-middle, and paid for it. Two soft grounders from Cain turned into two runs and the Brewers spoiled a ton of good pitches with foul balls. That doesn't change the result, five innings three runs, and he'll have to adapt, but I think he's close.
GENE
12:11
Do you think we will see more Jose Osuna at first base since Bell has been slumping this year?
Bill Brink
12:12
I don't think so. I don't think the answer to Bell improving is to not play, so unless Hurdle wants to do a three-day unplug period, I don't think Bell will be the reason Osuna plays. Matchups here and there, a day of rest here and there, yes, but I don't see a timeshare.
Les
12:12
The Pirates pitching situation is certainly puzzling. Just when it looks like a guy is going to be knocked out of the rotation (Williams, Nova), they end up pitching a great game to earn another start. The bullpen is even more unpredictable! Is there anything Ray Searage and the Pirate organization can be doing to improve the consistency?
Bill Brink
12:14
There is, but it varies from pitcher to pitcher, so there's no overarching strategy that will help them all. Williams needed better pitch execution in big spots -- men on, two strikes, etc. The other night, he got it. Nova might have needed a healthy finger -- or the break the DL stint provided to straighten his foot out. Vazquez needs to not tip his pitches. Feliz needs a secondary pitch. It varies.
OHIO412FAN
12:15
Bill, I’ve come to the conclusion that the Pirates must decide by the deadline if making the wild card is realistic or rebuilding is. They basically have two options, carry on or rebuild. What do you see happening at the deadline for the Pirates?
Bill Brink
12:15
They'll decide well before then, if they haven't already. Unless they go on a run here, they'll likely be sellers. I can't see them trying to buy if they're around .500 come late July.
Wow, that was almost poetry.
Guest
12:16
If the Buccos think there contenders, what are there needs for their run???
OHIO412FAN
12:16
What should the Pirates be targeting at the deadline? Any specific players?
Bill Brink
12:17
IF they add, they'll want relief help. That's the main thing right now I see an opportunity for an external upgrade.
OHIO412FAN
12:17
If you had to be honest, do you think making the wild card is realistic for Pittsburgh?
Bill Brink
12:18
Realistic, yes. If their bullpen stabilizes with some new roles at the same time as their rotation hits its stride, they can win some games. Maybe not likely, but realistic.
Paul or Phil
12:18
Who goes when Kang comes up?
Morty
12:18
Assuming Kang reaches point of readiness, what roster move do you envision to get him back on the 25 roster?
Bill Brink
12:19
Depends on when he comes up. They could option Osuna, or cut ties with Rodriguez, but they'd have to feel comfortable with Kang at shortstop for the latter.
OHIO412FAN
12:20
I’ve been fed up with the starting lineup for quite some time. They don’t ever make the proper adjustments. In your mind, give me your projected starting lineup for how you think it should look?
Bill Brink
12:21
I actually like what they've got going now, based on who's producing and who's not, with Dickerson or Meadows second, Moran cleaning up, Cervelli fifth.
Paul or Phil
12:21
In the long run, who is the odd man out in this 4 man outfield? Do they entertain trading Dickerson?
Bill Brink
12:22
They will entertain trading Dickerson because he will be a year away from free agency this fall and they entertain trading every player who is a year away from free agency. That would be the easiest move, but he's been so good, and Polanco hasn't, I don't know that they could afford to. On the flip side, he's been good to the point where they might get a good return.
12:23
When I say "easiest," I mean "cleanest," because they committed to Polanco long-term, but the production this year hasn't been consistent.
OHIO412FAN
12:23
How likely is it that J-Hay, etc get traded?
Bill Brink
12:24
Harrison, Freese, Mercer would be the three likeliest. If they're out of it in July, I'd say fairly likely.
Rick Sunner
12:24
Will there be a deadline where the Bucs become sellers instead of buyers? (i.e. they fall 10 games below 500 etc...)
Bill Brink
12:25
I'm sure there will be, but they won't publicly declare it -- if we haven't reached it already.
Paul or Phil
12:25
If they’re still floating around .500 at the deadline, can we expect Jhay, Nova, and Cervelli to be moved?
Bill Brink
12:25
I'd say not Nova or Cervelli because the Pirates have, in most cases, avoided trading players who are under contract past the end of that year and both of them are here through 2019.
OHIO412FAN
12:26
What would a rebuilding process look like for the Pirates if they opted not to go for the wild card?
Bill Brink
12:26
They could deal some veterans, like Freese, Harrison or Mercer, if there's a market for them. That might free them up to promote Newman and get his feet wet.
Morty
12:26
Is the 4 man outfield working? It seems like each of the 4 needs closer to full time reps.  Is this too nuanced a situation for Clint who still seems to  want spot starts for SRod in OF?
Bill Brink
12:28
I think it's working as best they can make it work. Meadows has shown he belongs, but I think the team is at its best with a productive Gregory Polanco, and I don't think not playing him will get him there. But he's also protecting his hamstrings to the point where he's jogging to first and getting daily treatment, so everyday playing time isn't the answer anyway.
That answer kind of got to this question as well (not counting the recent foul ball off the foot):
OHIO412FAN
12:28
Why hasn’t Meadows been playing as much as he could be?
PhillyJake
12:28
Have we  seen the last of Adam Fraizer?
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