You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 8.16.17
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat
Shawn
12:49
Hi Bill, with the recent investment by Disney into "BAM tech" giving every MLB team $50M, do you see the Pirates spending that money on payroll or using it to "offset decreased ticket revenue"?
Bill Brink
12:51
Great question. (For some background on this, everyone, check out these stories: https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/08/disney-will-pull-its-movies-from-netfl... ... https://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/09/how-disney-mlb-advanced-media-deal-set...) ... It's impossible to track which revenue dollars are spent where, it all goes into one big pool, but it would make sense to think an increase in revenue would correspond with an increase in expenditure on the major league product, especially with Cole and McCutchen still here next season. If it doesn't, that will send a signal from ownership to fans, and fans are smart these days. They can do revenue math.
Mark
12:51
Bill, I believe it was you or Stephen that said lack of depth at catcher (in case of injury) was the reason they keep Stewart around.  I just can't see a young guy doing any worse.  Stewart adds no value.  Why can't Diaz start every 3rd game to give Cervelli a rest?
Bill Brink
12:52
We've both said it at various times, and it's a matter of having bodies capable of going behind the plate. Huntington and Hurdle remember the 2011 season when they ran Dusty Brown and Wyatt Toregas out there, and would prefer Stewart, an experienced catcher and good game caller, to whomever they'd promote from Altoona if Diaz and Stallings get banged up.
Harry
12:53
Why do you believe Hurdle won't give Jose Osuna more playing time?  He is--based on the number of plate appearances--much more productive than Polanco or Jaso, and he's got legitimate power.  This question was brought up to John Wehner (shoud Osuna play against righties?) during the pre-game show last night, and he believes they should give him the shot.  Thanks.
Bill Brink
12:53
His .298 OPB isn't helping matters, and his best position, first base, is already taken by Bell. Those are the main reasons I see.
J. Bell
12:54
Am I destined for a future DH role or is there a realistic chance nice that I can improve my atrocious arm?
Bill Brink
12:54
It hasn't shown much improvement since he moved into the infield, has it?
Steelers fan in Houston
12:55
How shocked would you be and how much help would he be to Pirates if they traded for Giancarlo Stanton, who has cleared waivers?
Bill Brink
12:56
The scenario here involves Loria, in one final jab to the Marlins fan base he has wronged so often over the years, agreeing to pay all of Stanton's salary while asking for no high-caliber prospects in return.
I'd say unlikely.
Doug
12:56
Is the Pirates lack of success the last 2 years as simple as the Pirates bet on the wrong players? The organization put all their stock in Kang, Marte, and Polanco and one can't get into the country, one was suspended for 80
Bill Brink
12:57
That's part of it, and it extends past those three. After winning 98 games, they thought Juan Nicasio, Ryan Vogelsong and Jon Niese could handle the rotation, and that didn't work out. They thought Glasnow would learn on the job, and that didn't happen.
Wayward
12:58
I don't want to be too optimistic but I think if the Bucs get a regular 3rd basemen, a couple of bullpen guys and some luck with health, next year could be pretty positive.  Lots of young arms, including a couple that could move to the bullpen, and with Freeze, SRod, Diaz and Frazier the bench isn't too bad.  Am I nuts?
Bill Brink
12:59
No. I see next year (if they keep McCutchen) as a season in which the Pirates can contend. Maybe they have Marte all year, maybe Polanco stays healthy, maybe Kuhl or Williams or Glasnow or Brault or Kingham takes the next step, hopefully they don't lose Taillon for five weeks.
Doug
12:59
Why wasn't Meadows called up when Marte went down with his suspension? Wasnt he a better option offensively and defensively then what we all witnessed?
Bill Brink
1:00
Defensively, almost certainly. Offensively, maybe, but at that point the Pirates either did not deem him ready or did not want to start his service time clock.
Jamie
1:00
In 20 years does the Nutting family still own the Pirates? I think I already know the answer but I'm hoping for a miracle from you.
Bill Brink
1:00
If I could work miracles I'd be rich, or an Olympic skier, or a movie star. I don't know if I'd be monkeying with MLB ownership groups.
1:01
No, I should probably do something philanthropic with my miracle ability.
And also be rich.
Lightning round. Go.
(To answer your question, I think so. I remember a quote former colleague J. Brady McCollough included in a profile of Nutting that was something to the effect of, "When a Nutting owns something, he intends to own it forever."
Mark
1:02
Are Huntington and Hurdle back next year?
Bill Brink
1:03
Still a great question. It's Aug. 16 and they haven't even exercised their options, which makes you think both sides might have other ideas, right?
Wayward
1:03
Next years starting 3B is?
Bill Brink
1:03
Freese
Jamie
1:03
Is Josh Harrison traded in the off-season? His numbers have plummeted since middle of June.
Bill Brink
1:04
Don't think so. They don't have someone who can handle second base defensively, and his contract gets more expensive next year. Maybe they move Newman to second but I doubt it, because they think he can play short in the majors.
1:05
That's it for today, thanks for all the questions and thanks for your patience at the beginning. We'll do it again next week.
Connecting…