JotCast | Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 7.26.17

Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 7.26.17

Bill Brink

2:04

Good morning (afternoon I guess in Pittsburgh) and thanks for stopping by today's Pirates chat. Thanks for the questions you've already submitted, and keep them coming. Here we go ...

Al In The Swamps of Jersey

2:04

After last night's loss is the state of things still so tenuous that how the team does over the next 4 games could determine whether Cutch stays or goes?

Bill Brink

2:05

I don't think the next four can sway them to trade McCutchen. Their recent play and the market for outfielders makes it seem like he's staying.

2:05

could the pirates look to the orioles for what we need we can trade for machado and gausman who could probably turn it around with the magic of the pirates pitching coaches it would cost alot but he makes the team competitive for the next two seasons

Bill Brink

2:06

Machado and Gausman would help almost every team, which is why they would cost an arm and a leg and the other arm and the other leg. Orioles could trade Machado, but Gausman's young and controllable. Don't see it.

sean from cumberland md

2:06

Best guess, who comes out of the starting rotation if we trade for a starter? After Tallions performance last night could it be him?

Bill Brink

2:06

Don't think it'll be Taillon, with his upside and (albeit brief) track record.

Guest

2:07

do you or anyone else believe that the Pirates will only do whaNutting allow them to do ?As long as he runs the show I believe mediocracy will rule this team. What do you think?

Bill Brink

2:07

I believe -- I know -- that the baseball ops people can only work with the budget he sets. That is the case with every team. The Pirates have succeeded under such a budget (see 2013-15) but it's harder to do, and hard to sustain.

Avogel549

2:07

when polanco comes back does brault get sent down? He had a good outing last night and I'd like to see him stay up.

Bill Brink

2:08

Possibly. Or they might re-balance at seven relievers and five bench players at some point prior to Polanco's return.

Mark from Curve Country

2:09

Would the team be interested in acquiring a multiplayer package to address a number of areas, or looking at more one player deals? I'm thinking specifically about a deal for Jay Bruce (move Polanco to LF if there's a postseason), Neil Walker (he's supposed to back soon and either he or Harrison could go to 3B), and Josh Edgin (short term bullpen help, possible Watson replacement longer term). What would it take to get those 3? Drew Hutchison and a 15-20 organizational guy, with the Pirates taking on some remaining salary (they still have the extra cash from Marte, Kang, & Hughes).

Bill Brink

2:10

The premise is sound. Bruce makes the most sense to me, but he won't be cheap. It'll take more than a starter already into arbitration who didn't make the roster out of spring and an organizational guy. And the Pirates need help now, not in a few weeks when Walker's back.

BurghBall

2:10

Off topic, but, nomenclature curious here. Is there any fundamental difference between the following: purchased the contract of, recalled, promoted? And the converse: outrighted, sent down, optioned?

Bill Brink

2:12

Good question. Recalled applies to someone on the 40-man roster; purchased the contract of, or selected, refers to someone who is not (goes back to the days before the current player development contracts with minor league affiliates, when teams would literally send money to the minor league team when they promoted a player). Optioned refers to a player remaining on the 40-man roster but sent to the minors; outrighted means a player has cleared waivers and been removed from the 40-man before being sent to the minors.

Aging Fan

2:12

It seems as if Newman is more highly regarded than Tucker? Do they have different strengths, weaknesses, position flexibility?

Bill Brink

2:13

Well, Newman is older and closer to the majors. Both can stick at short. Newman has excellent contact skills. I'd say both are quite promising (easy to say after they were both promoted, I know).

Hank

2:14

If the Cubs would have offered those top 2 prospects for Gerrit Cole, instead of Quintana, do you think the Bucs would have pulled the trigger? Would you have?

Bill Brink

2:14

I don't think the Pirates would have done that to a division rival when they still think they can contend next season, no.

Mike

2:14

Bill - with Taillon and Nova's recent struggles is there even more pressure on management to add a starter before Monday? Could they entertain the idea of a 6 man rotation moving forward?

Bill Brink

2:16

Hurdle's not a fan of six-man rotations, so I don't see that happening. I don't know about pressure. I think their recent track record says they can improve. But it might make them think harder about it.

Mark from Curve Country

2:16

Any idea what type of starting pitcher, maybe a couple examples, the team might add? I can't see them standing pat.

Bill Brink

2:17

Lynn, Hellickson, Richard, Holland, Estrada, Anibal Sanchez if the Tigers kick in some money for next year's option.

Dan

2:17

Also why did Rivero trade rumors start? Did the Dodgers actually ask his price?

Bill Brink

2:18

That deal was mentioned in a predictions column about the trade deadline. Whether they actually asked or not, it's not going to happen.

Dan

2:18

JD Martinez albeit a rental, was too cheap in my opinion. Doesn't seem like there are teams who want to pay high price for an outfielder. Or are there?

Bill Brink

2:19

The deal was fair, it's the perception of Martinez that was too high. The Diamondbacks got two months of a good hitter who mashes lefties but plays bad defense. And no, it doesn't seem like there are many teams who want to pay for a top-shelf outfielder.

BobbyToledo

2:19

What's up with the hamstring injuries? Polanco multiple times this season, Meadows, and others. Lack of training, or something else?

Bill Brink

2:19

Good timing, we just talked to Todd Tomczyk about this this morning. It's not lack of training or laziness, he referred to it as more the type of training they're doing and put the onus on the strength staff to develop a better program. I'll have more on that in today's notebook.

Chris

2:20

How much will PR influence the deadline? Pirates pitchers struggle to go 6 innings, Polanco hurt, Marte inelligible. NH cannot seriously think they can make a WS run even if they somehow win division. Is there still a chance they sell?

Bill Brink

2:20

Still a chance they sell. I don't think they sell everything. Could they deal Watson and/or Nicasio? Sure. They might buy and sell.

Buc'nnutz

2:20

With Kang gone for this year, do the Bucs have any hope to see him in uniform again or should they be looking for a permanent replacement? anyone on the radar?

Bill Brink

2:21

they have to operate as though he won't return. It's the only prudent way to do it. And without any third base prospects in the system who are anywhere close, they will be looking elsewhere.

jack

2:21

taillon and nova's been poor recently. why is it? stuff's worsened?

Bill Brink

2:22

Up in the zone too much (particularly troublesome with sinkerballers who don't pitch up in the zone that much), and the NL is adjusting after seeing them for the second season.

jack

2:22

how's polanco? do you think 10 days will be enough for him to comeback?

Bill Brink

2:23

Hitting, throwing and riding an exercise bike, but not running yet. Might need a few more days.

RAS

2:23

Is Taillon physically OK.....?

Bill Brink

2:23

He said he was.