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Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 6.27.18
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Bill Brink
12:46
None yet. He left the clubhouse without speaking to reporters. We'll talk to him and the trainer this afternoon.
PhillyJake
12:46
The biggest disappointment to me in a disappointing season has been Taillon.  I thought he'd emerge as as ace this year.  Hasn't happened yet.  Are my expectations off?
Bill Brink
12:47
No, the expectations are fine. I talked to him yesterday after his start Monday and between that and his recent outings I think he's trending in the right direction. He's throwing more offspeed pitches because he has more faith in his ability to throw them for strikes, and his slider has given him a non-fastball that can induce contact (oh no I did it again) when he's behind in the count.
Alex
12:48
I know the Pirates don't want to go into a full rebuild, but at this point it seems like the best course of action.  Their pitching isn't good enough to convince me they would even have a chance if they managed to make the playoffs.  The lineup is super streaky.  They have some assets that could bring back decent to good returns in Harrison, Dickerson, Nova, and Cervelli.  As a fan I would be more likely to come to games if they traded those guys and I could see Newman, Kramer, Kingham, Bostick etc.
Bill Brink
12:48
That's an interesting point, that maybe fans will come to see the young guys. That would also mean the Pirates were open with their intentions to rebuild, which fans might not love but would respect.
Scott
12:49
When do the pirates decide enough is enough and start selling since they are struggling so much right now?
Bill Brink
12:50
I think we're already getting there. I've heard they've have front-office guys out scouting other clubs' minor league affiliates, and there have been two reports in recent weeks about moving veterans.
Scott
12:50
Out of the players on the big league roster who gets traded first?
Bill Brink
12:50
My guess? Mercer or Freese.
Chew
12:50
Could you see the pirates netting any impact prospects from the players who are most likely to be traded?
Bill Brink
12:51
Not really, no. No high-caliber guys in the high minors. Maybe people like Oneil Cruz, high-upside guys who are far away.
BobbyToledo
12:51
What does Kingham have to do at this point to prove he deserves to stay with parent team? He struck 9 the other night and flirted with a couple more perfect games in AAA. Does it take arm trouble from a starter whose ERA is approaching 5.00 to get hurt for Kingham to finally stick?
Bill Brink
12:52
He's proven it. Huntington justified keeping Kingham down with the need to have a starter stretched out in case of injury, which is sound policy, but at some point the return on that and the performance issues in the majors have to intersect.
Chew
12:52
Does josh bell still look like the first baseman of the future, and is will Craig maybe starting to reach his potential?
Bill Brink
12:53
This year has been a step back from last year, though the past few weeks have been better. It's cast some doubt on the prospects. And though I haven't seen Craig play this year, his numbers look like he's rounding into form.
Skyler
12:53
Is the issue of the letter to PA regarding gambling simply an issue of optics and not reality? The Pirates aren't the first and certainly won't be the last team to have their hand out to tax payers.
Bill Brink
12:54
The issue isn't that they asked for taxpayer money. Most leagues will do so in the form of an integrity fee. The issue is that they asked for it to pay for improvements and upkeep for the ballpark, which isn't related to gambling.
BobbyToledo
12:54
Kevin Kramer has 18 extra base hits this month, including six homers. It seems to me, players like this for other clubs would have already gotten the call, but for the Pirates we get Sean Rodriguez -- owner of one hit this month. How can the Pirates justify this?
Bill Brink
12:55
They *can* justify it by pointing to Rodriguez's track record, Kramer's lack of experience in the majors, the need for his continued refinement. But I think we're past the point with Rodriguez where there are justifications that work.
Derek
12:55
Where do you fall on the idea of trading veterans? I personally don't understand the fan ire of it, as it's somewhat clear that the Pirates aren't going to win with this group of players, so why bother keeping them? It's like Jason Bay, Jack Wilson, Freddy Sanchez...just because they are the Pirates best players doesn't mean they are actually good players. I think it's just something else for the fans to complain about...
Bill Brink
12:57
I think in this situation it makes sense, given the contract status of the veterans they could move and the positions they play. My guess is fans don't like it because it acknowledges they're punting after they said they wanted to compete but didn't sign any free agents and traded McCutchen and Cole.
Derek
12:58
The problem with this particular set of veterans, however, is that this isn't Quintana, Sale, Frazier, etc. If they can't get a great return, it's not much of a "rebuild," even though NH seems allergic to that anyway.
Bill Brink
12:58
Right. They're not going to restock the cupboards here. But maybe they can get a piece or two.
PhillyJake
12:58
A lot of fans want the Pirates to sell, but what do they really have to sell?  Taillon?  He's about the last guy you should sell.  Marte?  Could bring back something different.  But then that's it, from what I can see.  Bell has potential, but he's not realizing it.  JHay is months from free agency, who's going to give up that much for a rental.  The bullpen is in tatters.   Everyone else is either someone to hold on to because they're young or won't bring back anything.
Bill Brink
12:59
Also that. Harrison, Mercer, Freese would be the ones that make sense. I don't know what the answer is with Dickerson. They need Cervelli next year Nova's a maybe.
Derek
12:59
Speaking of Oneil, I believe at the time of trade I saw it's pronounced "Own-Yell." That the case? Hopefully it's a need to know thing for the future, when we are talking about the biggest SS in league history.
Bill Brink
1:00
I've heard it both ways and don't know which is correct. I'll find out by the time he reaches the majors.
BobbyToledo
1:00
I think Cervelli may fetch a good prospect, especially to someone like the Nationals who need help at the position.
Bill Brink
1:00
If he recovers from his concussion, he probably wood, but I'd be concerned about catcher depth if they move him.
Bill
1:01
I know this may be a tough question, but when could you see the pirates contending again? 2021? When Mitch Keller has had a few years in?
Bill Brink
1:01
Maybe 2019, if things break right, or 2020.
Alex
1:02
I saw recently someone reported Gunnar Hoglund went to college orientation.  Do you have any info on his status with the Pirates?
Bill Brink
1:02
I saw that report as well and am currently trying to get more information. He was quoted on the record in the Tampa Bay Times as saying he'd agreed to a deal, so you have to wonder what happened.
Shannon
1:03
Assuming Nova continues pitching well, would it seem more realistic to keep a veteran in the rotation as opposed to possibly trading him for (probably) small return? Or could he be a huge piece for a contender in need of SP?
Bill Brink
1:03
I don't think he'll be a huge piece, but if he pitches well he could bring something back. I'd bet he and Cervelli stay because the Pirates don't usually move guys with a year and a half left. He could go in the offseason, though.
GSB
1:03
I wonder if they keep playing Sean Rodriguez for these 2 reasons besides being the only backup shortstop: he is one of the highest paid players on one hand, and hoping he improves his trade value? He’s a great guy just not producing. Currently he would seem to have zero trade value and if the Pirates DFA him they eat his salary.
stan9192
1:03
I thought it was curious a couple weeks ago that Huntington said he was willing to add at trade deadline, but they keep giving inferior players  (Sean Rod, Neveraskus) and others high-leverage playing time.  It looks like the team is TRYING to fail so they can sell or release (was it Nicasio last year?) their high-payroll veterans at or before the deadline.  Too much Oliver Stone conspiracy theory?
Bill Brink
1:05
They're paying him either way. As far as trade value/trying to lose, I don't think that's the case. Trade value would make more sense but they have to know they won't get anything.
Jim
1:05
With the yearly DH scuttlebutt surfacing, where do the Pirates stand on the issue? Personally, I'd like to see it only because it may lead Brown, Walk, and Blass to retire out of pure rage.
Bill Brink
1:05
Someone asked Hurdle about it last week and he basically said he hadn't given it any thought and he'd wait to hear what the owners decided.
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