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Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 7.25.18
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Bill Brink
11:57
Good morning and welcome to this week's Pirates chat. We'll get going at noon. You can submit your questions now, and I'll get to them when we start.
Ryan
12:03
Bill, thanks for doing this - do you think NH will trade a BA Top 10 Bucs prospect for help at this deadline?  (Backdoor way of asking if we'll go for big upgrade or not)
Bill Brink
12:06
They've done it before -- I believe Robbie Grossman was in the top 10 at the time of the Wandy Rodriguez trade -- but not all top 10 prospects are created equal. They would only do it if it netted them someone young, controllable and inexpensive. It's more likely that they don't. They could trade someone far away from the majors like Lolo Sanchez or Steven Jennings, but I'd bet most of the big guys stay (unless they decide to trade from a position of depth and deal one of Tucker, Newman or Kramer, but middle infielders who can hit don't grow on trees, so I doubt it).
DJ Spin
12:07
11 game winning streaks are the time for wild eyes. How far off do you think this is value-wise, and is there a small chance Huntington could get more cavalier, with a moderate chance at the WC and a small-but-increasing chance at the division, given that he has a bunch of controllable talent already at the MLB level?
Whoops, I forgot to include the wild eyed trade idea: deGrom for Meadows, Keller, Kuhl, Mitchell/Sanchez, and a lottery ticket.
Bob
12:07
Do the Pirates go all in to kick the window open and pursue a DeGrom or knock on the window with an Archer deal?
Cos Nation
12:08
Number one trade chip, Meadows.  The team has Luplow, Martin, Reynolds, and Swaggerty.  Degrom makes them a contender.  What will it take if the Mets make him available?
Bill Brink
12:10
Skies are about to open up on some parades, I'm afraid. I will never say never, having covered this team for a while now, but it is extremely unlikely they trade for deGrom. Let's start with the fact that the Mets currently have a three-way power-sharing structure atop their front office between Ricciardi, Ricco and Minaya, with Alderson out dealing with his health, so even if the Wilpons OK a teardown that involves trading deGrom or Syndergaard, the person making those decisions might not be in the organization yet. Acquiring a pitcher of his caliber requires an incredible package which the Pirates might not even be able to assemble, and if they could, the track record of this front office suggests they will not.
Morty
12:11
Brault has been awfully shaky even in mop-up detail.  Does he get pushed out by BP addition?
Steven Brault
12:11
What would you estimate the cost is for Keon Kela, and do you think I'd be the odd man out of the pen if the Pirates brought in a reliever or two?
Bill Brink
12:12
Probably Sadler at this point, but if they make more than one move, it's possible.
Regarding Kela, he's young, controllable and consistently good, so his price will be higher than what people might think for a reliever.
HB
12:13
Were the pirates in on nathan eovaldi because it doesnt seem like the red soxs gave up much for him.
Bill Brink
12:13
They liked him a few years ago, so I'd have to imagine they checked, but I don't know to what degree.
Morty
12:15
Are there realistic positional upgrades for Pirates or will Neal ride and die with current middle infield?
Bill Brink
12:15
Whit Merrifield would make some sense but I think he'll cost more than the Pirates are willing to part with.
BobbyToledo
12:16
National pundits say the Pirates can't contend even with this streak, but aren't they forgetting the Buccos were in first place for the first month and a half? Even if they approach that level of play the rest of the way, they surely have a chance. A starter, a reliever and maybe a backup catcher? Is that too much to ask for to make a run?
Bill Brink
12:17
It might just be too much to ask for. They made those types of moves, in volume and scope, in 2015, when they were among the best teams in baseball. I don't know that they'll do it now given that even with their streak, they're four games better than .500 and six games out of first. But six games out with a lot left to play, including a bunch head-to-head against the Cubs, is not much, and if they made those moves they'd have a shot.
Morty
12:17
If Pirates carry hot streak into August will fans get over their collective disdain for Nutting and support team?   TV ratings suggest boost to this year's poor attendance maybe less 'bandwagon' than weak commitment to protesting
Bill Brink
12:19
I learned long ago never to try to speak for the fans, though it is important to my job, to an extent, to try to understand their thinking. My guess would be, they'd be happy that the team is doing well (the result) but not pleased with the trades of McCutchen and Cole and not signing a free agent (the process).
Austin
12:19
With the recent news of the pirate being buyers, do you think that takes out the possibility of Mercer, JHay, Nova, or Freese being dealt?
Bill Brink
12:20
At this point, I could see it only in conjunction with an upgrade elsewhere.
Ryan
12:20
Thanks for the response, and agreed.  Though past precedent indicates future performance, looking at this stretch in a vacuum, what's the biggest addition you think NH could make to the team?
Bill Brink
12:21
It'd be hard, but second base could use help. Harrison has a .234/.276/.324 line since June 1.
Dinosaur
12:22
What is the front office going to do in the next week to show the fans that they are interested in winning and winning now? I hope they don’t miss out on this opportunity that the players gave them.
Bill Brink
12:23
I'm fascinated by this week. I remember covering deadlines in the past where the Pirates stood pat despite having a good team, and without the GM calling the week before the break a big one, and without them winning 11 in a row. I have to imagine at least some bullpen help is coming.
Morty
12:23
Is Tampa far enough back to consider moving Archer (19 GB in division / 9.5 in WC)?  He's the evergreen rumor mill player who never seems to get dealt?
Bill Brink
12:23
That second sentence is a perfect description of Archer in trade rumors. I won't believe they move him until they move him, although they did just move Eovaldi.
Constanza
12:23
I have trouble keeping this straight. Kramer has the steady glove and Newman has the pop, or vice versus? Where does tucker fit in? Thanks
Bill Brink
12:24
Newman is the contact hitter without much pop who plays mostly short. Kramer has the pop and plays more second. They are both in Indy. Tucker is the switch-hitter with speed and shortstop in Altoona.
OHIO412FAN
12:24
Will Dickerson be back for the NY Mets series? When do you expect Cervelli to return?
Bill Brink
12:26
I'm not with the team in Cleveland, but based on director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk's comments this morning, sounds like Dickerson could be back soon and Cervelli hasn't had any symptoms for a bit, so both could be back soon.
Pusha T
12:27
What pitcher would the Pirates be most interested in (Sonny Gray, Chris Archer or J.A. Happ)?
Bill Brink
12:27
Familiarity with Happ and a lower acquisition cost might make him the one they'd be most interested in out of those three.
Chase from Boston
12:27
Who are the Pirates untaouchable prospects? Keller?
Bill Brink
12:28
He'd be the closest thing to untouchable. He's not only their top prospect but a top prospect in baseball.
The Man in the Clouds
12:28
Would you say that the same skies are opening up on the idea of Archer or Fulmer instead of deGrom? The Mets situation is so volatile that who knows what will happen, but obviously Huntington has been exceptionally conservative throughout his tenure. I just wonder if having most of the team locked in place, outside of SS and eventually LF if Meadows was moved, whether he takes a departure from that conservatism and just goes for it? We were apparently pretty in on David Price a few years back.
OHIO412FAN
12:28
What are the most realistic trade targets out there for the Buccos? Is Chris Archer a pipe dream or actually someone to consider?
Bill Brink
12:31
Regarding Archer, he's in a similar category, but not quite the same level, as deGrom. If Tampa hasn't traded him yet, they're waiting for a great package, and the Pirates' inclination has not been to offer those types of packages. That could change, but we have to go off of precedent. Fulmer went on the DL last week.
Dinosaur
12:31
What’s the update on Kang? I know the injury set him back but at what point does he get the call? And if he does get called up what is his role?
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