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Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 9.5.18
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Bill Brink
11:56
Good morning and welcome to this week's Pirates chat. We'll get going in a few minutes, but you can submit your questions now.
BobbyToledo
12:01
Why was Keven Kramer one of the last prospects promoted instead of one of the first? He hit .343 since mid May, has 15 homers and knocks in runners. He also plays second and third. It just seems like he would be the most valuable piece and could have been useful before now.
Bill Brink
12:03
It appeared the Pirates gave precedence to players with major league service time during their call-ups ... except they promoted Reyes. They spoke about giving Indy a chance to compete in the International League playoffs, which is not important in the grand scheme of things but is very important to the Indianapolis franchise and to a lesser extent the players and coaches.
BobbyToledo
12:03
Reasons why JHay and Mercer will be on next year's team and why they won't, if you would.
Bill Brink
12:05
Harrison on the team: Pirates concerned about Frazier's defense at second (which, barring the error on a routine grounder during Musgrove's start a few weeks back, has been much better). Not: Don't want to pay him $10.5 million with Frazier in the fold. Mercer on: He likes it here, Pirates might be one of the few teams to give him a major league deal. Not: He's 32, he's a league-average hitter and a league-average or below defender (the numbers have him worse than the eye test this year).
Rick
12:05
Will Pirates consider platooning Kramer at 3B with Moran?  I've seen enough of Column to know I'd like to see other options
Bill Brink
12:06
I don't think we're there yet. Kramer played third base in college, then picked it up again this year. They're going to work him at second and third, and maybe it's something they'll look at next spring, but the main problem is they both bat lefty.
BobbyToledo
12:06
Do you think the Pirates screwed up Bell with the whole launch angle thing? Obviously, he had no trouble launching the ball last season, but he certainly has this year.
Bill Brink
12:07
I don't. The Pirates' hitting coaches and players, when I've asked about launch angle, have spoken less about that and more about putting themselves in a position to impact the ball. It's as much about timing and pitch selection, for the Pirates, as it is about the bath path, so they say.
BobbyToledo
12:08
Where has Dickerson been the last few games? Did Hurdle forget what he looks like?
Bill Brink
12:09
I think the .194/.206/.224 line since Aug. 1 bought him Monday off and the Reds started a lefty on Tuesday, so that seems like a good time to get him a break. Hurdle has sat guys for three days before to help them break out of slumps, so even if he's not in there today I wouldn't be worried (though I will ask about it).
PhillyJake
12:09
I assume that Bell and Moran will have to earn their jobs next spring?
Bill Brink
12:11
Good question, given their production this year, but I don't think so. They are both young and talented and have remained durable, and while Bell isn't hitting for power, he's done other things well. The Pirates will want more from them, but I don't think they'll have to play their way into the lineup next spring.
Rick
12:11
Are we looking at next year's starting rotation or will Pirates make the usual mediocrity/cost cutting play by moving Nova and just reinserting Kuhl into his spot?
Bill Brink
12:14
What they do with Nova is going to be interesting. They need 40-man spots this winter, but he's a 180-inning guy they can generally count on. Kuhl should be good to go next spring but there are no guarantees with forearm injuries; forearm injuries can sometimes be tied to elbow issues (I'm not saying that is the case with Kuhl, we have no indication of that, but it's worth mentioning). Kingham is out of options, meaning he needs to be on the roster, probably in the bullpen. They'll need starting depth, and Keller probably won't be ready/service time considerations will be an issue early in the season.
OUbucn
12:14
Is it plausible to believe the pirates will add a free agent worth getting excited about in the winter to sure up the middle infield or is next year going to be dependent on how rookies play?
Bill Brink
12:15
I still find it plausible to likely that the Pirates get someone with some experience at shortstop. I think it's unlikely they go with a rookie there on opening day.
MAZ
12:15
Bill, I don't think Moran is an everyday player, do you feel the Pirates will try and upgrade with power at 3b?  Do you think Kang is an option?
Bill Brink
12:16
I don't see it yet because they just went out and got Moran. I don't see them giving up on him yet. I don't think Kang is an option at $5.5 million, but perhaps they decline his option and re-sign him at a less expensive, incentive-laden contract.
Rick
12:16
What are the realistic options for improving the middle infield defense this year?
Harrison has been an atypically poor defender and Mercer is what he is (ok glove & arm, no range).  The current crop of younger players don't profile a whole lot better
Bill Brink
12:17
This year, not much. Newman is generally solid, despite his bad error on Sunday. They could go get a dependable free-agent shortstop (Jose Iglesias would be a great fit) this offseason.
MAZ
12:17
Where do you see the future of Chad Kuhl?
Bill Brink
12:18
I think they'd like him to be a starter because the stuff is tantalizing. But he has options, meaning he might take Kingham's role as depth starter with Class AAA, or they may put him in the bullpen with a full rotation. He hasn't pitched in relief since college.
PhillyJake
12:18
I'd love to see Chad Kuhl as a late inning reliever!
Bill Brink
12:19
He has the velo and the stuff, but I don't think they're done with him in the rotation yet.
MjB
12:19
I'm a realist, more than most Pirates fans who do not understand the greater scheme of things.  This team has the starting and relief pitching to be successful long-term.  We have some offense.  We lack two big bats to make this team as good as any in the league.  Knowing we won't spend money on a Bryce Harper, who are the best bats available going into free agency?
Bill Brink
12:21
Matt Adams, Daniel Murphy, DJ LeMahieu, Machado, Donaldson, CarGo, Adam Jones, McCutchen, A.J. Pollock. But I don't see the Pirates being in play for them.
Rick
12:21
Higher attendance -- Pirates ~8K or this chat? :-)
Bill Brink
12:21
This chat. The people love me. They can't stay away.
Chris
12:21
Opening day lineup 2019? I got
Dickerson/Marte/Polanco/Bell/Cervelli/Moran/Kramer/Newman/Jamo
Bill Brink
12:22
I agree with the personnel except for the middle infield. I'd go Frazier (Harrison is a possibility but they might also decline the option) and a shortstop not currently in the organization.
Rick
12:23
sorry - meant next year for MI D
Bill Brink
12:23
That's where I think signing or trading for a shortstop will be crucial if they opt not to have one of their prospects (Newman would be the option) open the season there.
OUbucn
12:23
Would the Pirates possibly fast track Hayes to get him to the majors next year? He's beyond proven himself in AA but its not the Pirates style to rush players up the system.
Bill Brink
12:24
You're right on both counts. He'll begin the year with triple-A next year but I don't see the Pirates rushing him.
Mike A.
12:25
Would it be fair to say the Max Moroff era in Pittsburgh is over?
Bill Brink
12:26
The lack of a September call-up for someone who has a 40-man spot is certainly not a good sign.
PhillyJake
12:26
How will they retain Jocob Stallings seeing that he's out of options?  In all seriousness, his is an amazing story, in that he made it to the majors at all!
Bill Brink
12:27
The front office has talked about finding a guy who can catch and play another position, so maybe they work with him somewhere else, or make Cervelli more of a hybrid C/1B. Stallings has cleared waivers before but he's gotten much better since then.
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