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Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 8.8.18
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Bill Brink
1:32
Hello and welcome to today's Pirates chat. Thanks for the questions, and keep them coming. Here we go ...
Steelmike58
1:32
Why have we not seen Adam Frazier in the lineup the last 2 games when he was one of the hottest hitters and we were struggling scoring runs?
Bill Brink
1:33
I'd say facing lefty Kyle Freeland Monday except that Frazier hits lefties well. He's in there today against righty German Marquez. Good as Frazier's been, Harrison's still the starter, so that plays into it as well.
Steelmike58
1:34
Bucs have not executed on multiple run opportunities the last 3 games with runners in scoring position and less than 2 outs, what is the fundamental problem with not being able to atleast move runners and manufacture runs?
Bill Brink
1:35
The fundamental problem changes from at-bat to at-bat. It could be trying to do damage because they see a pitch they feel they can drive, it could be overaggression when a fly ball or ball to the right side will do, it could be the pitcher executes.
Wayward
1:35
How much does the new SS play?
Bill Brink
1:36
Unclear as of yet. He's in there today. My guess is he'll be in there against teams who put the ball on the ground, or with starters who generate a lot of ground balls, or as a late-inning defensive replacement in close games.
Steelmike58
1:36
Will the Bucs have $ to spend over the off season to upgrade their infield and do you believe they will use it?
Bill Brink
1:38
Seems like they should. Roughly $11 million coming off the books in Rodriguez and Mercer, more if they decline Harrison's option. Whether they use it or not depends on what their thoughts are on Newman and Kramer, though I'd bet they'll bring in some help.
Bill
1:38
Nice to seem them acquire a LH reliever who has decent numbers... why send him to Indy and not replace Neverauskas with him?
Bill Brink
1:40
I asked Hurdle this morning about Boshers and Hurdle said he's still gathering information about him. Could be they put in the claim because they'd liked him in the past, as Hurdle said, but maybe want to get their hands on him, but the way Neverauskas has pitched this year, seems that could have been done in the majors. Also could be logistics.
Steelmike58
1:41
Love the effort / personality of Dickerson and Musgrove, do you see the Bucs getting behind these players by signing Dickerson to a LT deal to provide leadership and stability for the future? These guys are fun to watch and love what they stand for.
Bill Brink
1:41
I think it's more likely now than it was before they traded Meadows. He's seemed to thrive here, though after two years like he's had, free agency might be alluring.
Steelmike58
1:42
What is wrong with Moran, all of a sudden he has absolutely no power/exit velocity? He has size/strength but he hits like he can only hope for singles.
Bill Brink
1:43
We were just looking this up last night, I think it's 16 consecutive singles for him. He showed power in the minors and when he connects with one he can send it, but it's been some combination of soft contact or hitting balls at guys. Little bit of a rut, but I don't think this is who he is long-term necessarily.
Littlelucy
1:43
Do you think Ivan nova will be a pirate next year
Bill Brink
1:44
I'm torn on this one. Given his contract and performance I don't think they'll move him, but if they're competitive and have five starters who are better (maybe eventually Keller) that time might come. I'd say on opening day yes; less certain about the end of the season.
Mike
1:45
Is it concerning that the pirates starters aren’t striking out as many batters as other teams? Are we trying to buck the trend of strikeouts pitchers nowadays?
Bill Brink
1:46
It would be concerning if the Pirates' rotation was constructed to strike people out, but that's not really how they're built. Taillon and Kuhl can strike guys out at times, but Musgrove, Nova and Williams don't rely on that. Archer strikes a lot of guys out, so that will be interesting to watch.
Steelmike58
1:47
Glasnow all of a sudden is all over the zone and has only a couple walks in 7 or 8 innings of work for the Rays, what has changed that he could not do that for us (mechanics, change of environment, new coach, etc). The trade had to be made to get Archer but interesting that he is showing some results right out of the gate that the Bucs did not see.
Bill Brink
1:48
I haven't watched him pitch since the trade, I've only seen the box scores, so I don't have a good answer. It's a short window. We saw him put together a few innings or outings like that in Pittsburgh, but not sustain it. As time goes, we'll probably get a better idea of what the Rays are doing with him.
Steve D.
1:48
Does Hech or Mercer play a little 2nd base?
Bill Brink
1:49
Probably Hechavarria, despite not playing it since 2012, because he's more athletic, which should aid his transition across the diamond.
Casey
1:49
Can you put together what you believe could be the starting 8 positional players for next season?
Bill Brink
1:51
Cervelli Bell Frazier ... oh man we're already in trouble. I don't think Newman or Kramer start the season in the majors, because of Super Two if nothing else, so who plays the middle infield, shortstop specifically? Maybe Mercer comes back on a one-year deal until they call up Newman? ... Moran Dickerson Marte Polanco.
Steelmike58
1:51
Will Kuhl be back this year or is he potentially setting up for surgery on his arm? We really could use him right now as the 5th starter.
Bill Brink
1:51
The current plan is for him to avoid surgery and return. He is not yet throwing but he's close. Could be in September.
Joe
1:52
I am having a hard time understanding the Archer trade. We are not making the playoffs and if by some wild chance we do, we aren't going far.  So this has to be a long term play.  I do not have a problem whatsoever with trading your best prospects, but to me, Archer is way overrated and too much of a risk for Glasnow, Meadows a significant PTBNL.  Archer is three years removed from a top of the rotation year.  Why is Archer better than the potential of Glasnow?
Bill Brink
1:54
Archer is a two-time All-Star with three consecutive 200-inning seasons and three consecutive seasons of 233+plus Ks who is under contract at a reasonable rate past this year. Take the name and prospect pedigree off Glasnow and he was a righty middle reliever.
Bill
1:56
Does the 10 day down in AAA rule apply to Boshers since he was just added to 40 man?
Bill Brink
1:58
He was on Houston's 40-man before the Pirates claimed him off waivers, and he wasn't in the majors, so that shouldn't apply.
Steelmike58
1:58
AT&T broadcast last night showed our OF has the highest # of assits in the league, that's great, but where does our infield defense rank, it feels like it is in the bottom 5 in the league?
Bill Brink
2:00
It's not good. 29th at first base, 16th at second, 20th at short, 25th at third, according to Fangraphs.
Steve D.
2:00
is it the NH MO to simply give the job to Newman next year?  i can see that happening, honestly, i hope they would sign a Mercer/Hech type to keep as backup or until he's ready incase he struggles out of the gate.
Bill Brink
2:00
I don't think they will have Newman on the opening-day roster, if only due to service time considerations, so they'll need someone else until Newman is ready.
Mike
2:01
Any chance you see the pirates going after sonny gray this offseason? Down year but tons of upside?
Bill Brink
2:02
Could be a good buy-low, Huntington and Cashman have done plenty of deals and getting him out of the AL East and into PNC Park would be good, but the Yankees might not be willing to part with him.
Americangypsy
2:02
How would you rate Neal Huntington's moves this season?
Bill Brink
2:03
I would rate the trade deadline very highly. He acquired two impact players who can help this year and in future seasons without giving up Keller or Hayes. He made the kind of deal he hasn't made since they began contending in 2011.
Mike
2:03
I’ve heard conflicting reports about the third player in the archer trade. Who do you think it could be?
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