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Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 8.22.18
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Sam
12:33
Do you see any chance the Pirates pick up Kang's option for next year? He hasn't played in 2 years, but if he can actually play, it's a steal...
Bill Brink
12:33
At $5.5 million, no, I don't.
BobbyToledo
12:35
Well, has Marte, at the very least, given up on Hurdle?
Bill Brink
12:35
He gave up on two plays, for sure. I don't know if he did so because of the manager.
Ryan
12:35
I know the Pirates just signed Huntington and Hurdle to four year extensions, but why is Huntington never held to the fire for the pirates poor player development ? Watching the Braves and all of their young talent only makes things worse. All the pirates ever seem to promote are average to below average players.
Bill Brink
12:35
Nutting and Coonelly must have felt that Huntington was the best person to move the team forward. Otherwise they wouldn't have extended him.
Michael
12:36
I read articles that say the 2109 Pirates’ starting lineup is “set” except for the middle infield.  With the offense at times being offensive, and hitters disappearing for weeks at a time, how would there not be more consideration for change?
Bill Brink
12:37
I think we can fall into a bit of recency bias here. The offense has been nonexistent for six games, but it's been fine throughout the course of the season. It is set in the sense that there are currently players on the roster who play all the positions, but who knows? Cervelli has had head injury issues. Bell has taken a step back. Moran is a league-average hitter. What's on paper now doesn't necessarily mean that's what they'll roll with.
Wayward
12:37
I have always thought of Hurdle as a solid manager but when is he, or someone, held accountable for the poor fundamental play in all aspects of the game (base running, defense, situational awareness)?  This seems to be a hallmark if the bulk of his Pirates teams.
Bill Brink
12:39
You make a good point. On one hand, the players are the ones not executing, not Hurdle or the coaches. But does that mean the coaching staff needs to find a different way to relay information and teach, because what they're doing isn't working?
Clint H.
12:39
How many games will the pirates have to win to get 2nd wildcard?
Bill Brink
12:40
They're 63-64 and 6.5 games out. If the Cardinals (70-57) and Brewers (70-58) play .500 ball from here on out, which is unlikely, and everyone above them does too, the Pirates would need to win 89 games.
12:41
They'd need to go 26-8.
I think. I was told there would be no math.
Paul or Phil
12:41
I see the 2019 schedule has the Pirates at the Mets in late July. By that time can we expect Keith Hernandez calling a game where Newman and Kramer are the middle infielders?
Bill Brink
12:43
That would be a good assumption given what we know right now.
Martin Reynolds
12:44
Who has the more tools and/or potential, Martin or Reynolds?
Bill Brink
12:46
The prospect rankings think a little more of Reynolds, and while that's not the end-all, be-all, Reynolds is a switch-hitter with a little bit of a better arm, so I might lean toward him.
Sam
12:46
Now that it appears Brault won't be out of options at the end of the year, does he open the year in the bullpen next year? It's pretty crowded, and not as if he's performed great.
You didn't mention Kingham, who's out of options; does he open in the same role as this year's Brault and Glasnow?
Bill Brink
12:46
They could both get long relief roles, but you're right, it's getting crowded. They could also see if someone is interested at the end of next spring.
Joe
12:47
If a team is truly trying to win a championship and have the opportunity to claim someone on waivers, even if the intention is only to block your competition from having a chance at a player, why would you not do that?  Why let someone like Daniel Murphy and Matt Adams go by so that another team can claim them?
Bill Brink
12:48
I haven't asked anyone in the organization this yet. My guess would be some combination of taking on the payroll and balancing playing time. But those guys would help most teams, and if the Cubs and Cardinals got them, now they'll hurt the Pirates.
Paul or Phil
12:48
In your opinion, do u think the Pirates did well in the return they got from both Cutch and Cole trades?
Bill Brink
12:50
I think they did reasonably well for both. Possibly better for McCutchen given how the industry perceived his value, which is different than how Pirates fans perceive him. Crick looks great and Reynolds has potential. Musgrove was a great acquisition, but Feliz has bombed. Moran, tough to tell. Solid, but unspectacular, and of course we see what Cole is capable of.
Sam
12:50
In your opinion, is it right to take a home team away from a team, albeit for a wonderful event like the Little League World Series game?
Bill Brink
12:51
I go back and forth on this. I was there last year and it was awesome. I think everyone had fun, and growing the game sometimes can take precedent over one of 162. But I get the concern about losing a home game (Pirates got $$$ for lost gate, but they still had to travel) and the fact that it looks like it might be five teams (Pirates, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Nationals) who do this every year if they keep doing it.
depressed
12:51
The Pirates should fire Jeff Branson today and promote the Indy hitting coach Ryan Long as interim coach and then re=evaluate after the season. Agree? Too many inconsistent hitters on this team and too many regressions including Josh Bell.
Bill Brink
12:52
I don't know on that one. Without having spent time around Ryan Long this season, I don't know if he's behind some of the performance in Indy or not, or if that would translate.
Lightning round. Go.
Sam
12:54
bWAR, fWAR, WARP?
Bill Brink
12:54
bWAR because it uses RA/9, not FIP. I like FIP for what it is, but I think WAR should be based on what's happened, not what should have happene.d
Paul or Phil
12:54
Cervi or Diaz in 2019?
Bill Brink
12:54
Both.
Paul or Phil
12:54
Does Adam Frazier have a starting spot in 2019?
Bill Brink
12:54
Probably for a little bit, yes.
Josh
12:55
What is the reason for my power slump? The league catching up to my weaknesses?
Bill Brink
12:56
Is this Harrison or Bell?
I kid.
12:58
Tough to tell. Most of the plate discipline numbers are the same. Hard contact has decreased, but so has soft contact.
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