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Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 6.20.18
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Bill Brink
12:29
No, I don't think so. He'll be back at some point in the event of an injury or when rosters expand, or if they decide to move on from Rodriguez.
Morty
12:29
Can the Pirates cede 1B production just to give Bell more ABs?  Bell's lack of production and stalled development has  been one of the biggest disappointments of 2018
Bill Brink
12:29
I don't really see another way to go about it. They can't pull the plug on him now, midway through his second full season in the majors.
OHIO412FAN
12:30
As a true Pirates fan, it’s super frustrating to see the franchise put out a product like this for years and years. I’m an optimist, unlike some other Pirates fans are. What do you the Pirates need to do to change and WIN?
Bill Brink
12:30
More urgency. Patience with struggling players is a good quality to have, and don't mistake urgency for knee-jerk reactions, but urgency in seeking upgrades, both in the offseason and in season, could help.
Paul or Phil
12:31
I like giving Glasnow more high leverage situations. Are they giving up on making him a starter?
Bill Brink
12:31
At least for this year, it seems like it. He's been one of their better relievers recently, so taking him out of the bullpen and stretching him out doesn't make a whole lot of sense. We'll see what they do in the offseason.
Paul or Phil
12:31
Who will be the Pirates all-star representative?
Bill Brink
12:32
Looking like Dickerson right now. He was the only one on the most recent ballot.
Morty
12:32
What happened to the long ball  for the Pirates this year?  Early season showed promise but falling well behind the curve in relation to league?
Bill Brink
12:32
Yeah, they're below league average now after getting off to a hot start. I think it's more cyclical and they'll bounce back in that category soon.
Paul or Phil
12:33
Newman, Kramer, and Tucker. Who of those three should we most be looking forward to seeing in the future?
Bill Brink
12:34
I'll go with Newman because he makes contact, gets on base and plays shortstop, but I personally am intrigued by Kramer, who also plays short but hits for more power.
Sluggo
12:34
Do you think there is any chance that Gang may play 2nd base in the event Harrison is traded in the near future? JHay seems to be an attractive trade chip.
Bill Brink
12:35
The Pirates have stuck with him at third and short for now, and it doesn't seem like they're in a hurry to move him over to second, based on what Huntington said when we asked him about that Sunday. Kang has played there in Korea, but it's been a while.
Paul or Phil
12:35
Can Bacon Burt make a run at the great pierogi race title?
Bill Brink
12:35
Not if Cheese Chester has anything to say about it. #TeamChester.
Guest
12:36
Who has been the Pirates best pitcher overall this year???
Bill Brink
12:36
Believe it or not, it's been Richard Rodriguez. Six earned runs in 222/3 innings, 33 strikeouts and three walks, a team-leading 169 ERA+.
Paul or Phil
12:36
I hate to be attendance guy, but do u think upper management is getting the message?
Bill Brink
12:37
I can't see how they aren't. Huntington addressed it Sunday and I know Coonelly and Nutting aren't oblivious to it.
PhillyJake
12:38
Polanco has looked so close to putting it all together this season.  Think he'll get over that hump?
Bill Brink
12:38
I have to think he'll at least get to "productive major league regular" status. He's walking more than last year and has a .250 BABIP, 35 points below his career average. He also has a good attitude about his struggles when we talk to him.
Aaron Russell
12:39
Do you think the NL will eventually move to the GH like the AL?
Bill Brink
12:39
The owners talked about it recently, and realignment or expansion might necessitate it, but I don't know for sure.
Paul or Phil
12:39
Do u think Swaggerty will make it the majors quickly being a fast/contact guy out of college?
Bill Brink
12:40
Between him not having played a professional game yet and the crowded current outfield, I'm going to go with "I don't know," though you have to like the tools.
Lightning round. Go.
Sluggo
12:42
Do you think Mitch Keller will have chance at making the big leagues in 2019 ?
Bill Brink
12:42
Indeed I do. He'll need to get to Indy this year to do it.
Paul or Phil
12:43
Is the Cole trade working?
Bill Brink
12:44
Moran's looking like a major league regular and I see positive signs from Musgrove. It doesn't help the optics that Cole is a Cy Young candidate, but I think the return is performing decently well, considering the seasons Cole had before they traded him.
Guest
12:45
If the Pirates sell what do u think there infield and outfield would look like for the future???
Bill Brink
12:46
Some combo of Meadows Polanco Marte, and Bell/???/Newman/Moran and Kang in the infield. Maybe Kramer at second? Maybe Frazier? I don't have a good feel for that one.
Aaron Russell
12:46
How does Kuhl beat the Brewers today? Is the sinker/2-seamer a forgotten pitch?
Bill Brink
12:47
Not so much forgotten as less utilized given the success teams have had with offspeed pitches and fastballs up in the zone. The two-seamer helps a slider play, and Kuhl has both, so he can throw a few and be effective.
That's it for today, thanks for all the great questions. We'll do this again next week from New York.
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