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Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 9.5.18
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Rick
12:28
Cole trade was at least partially motivated by trying to return enough quality to fill gaps in order to exceed the mediocre projection for 2018 (and beyond).  Has Huntington failed in this quest?
Bill Brink
12:29
In the quest of fielding a competitive team, yes, because they're under .500 and will miss the playoffs. The Cole return, as far as filling gaps, looks ... OK. Musgrove is great. Moran is solid-average, though he lacks range and power. Feliz hasn't worked. Reynolds looks very good, though he's a year or two away.
Oops.
Martin.
Who also looks good, though he's a year or two away. I always mix those guys up.
Rick
12:30
should Pirates consider trading Vazquez this offseason.  Seems like their most valuable and tradeable assets and Neil loves flipping relievers
Bill Brink
12:31
Given how up-and-down relievers are from year to year and the cost certainty his contract provides, it would make sense. Adding Kela and Crick gives them late-inning options as well. But he's handled the ninth, and if they want to contend, their bullpen is stronger with him in it.
MAZ
12:31
Do you see changes to the coaching staff in the off season?
Bill Brink
12:32
Possibly Joey Cora, given that the infield defense has not been good and there have been questionable sends/holds at third base. I am not reporting that, but that's the one I'm watching out for.
Tanner
12:32
Is there any pressure on Josh Bell next year with a guy like Will Craig having the gear he’s had? Do you think he feels pressured for the 2020 season job?
Bill Brink
12:32
Bell is not a guy who will worry about 2020 while 2018 is going on, and he's got time to get sorted out before Craig is ready.
Rick
12:32
Do Pirates project Frazier as 2B next year, 4th OF, or some kind of hybrid?
Bill Brink
12:33
To me, that depends on what they do with Harrison. If Harrison is back, hybrid; if not, my guess is Frazier begins the year as the second baseman.
Rick
12:33
Does SRod stay in organization in non-playing capacity?  He comes from family of baseball lifers and Pirates org can't seem to get enough of him
Bill Brink
12:33
I've heard that speculated and it wouldn't surprise me, but Rodriguez told us in St. Louis he still wants to play, so it might be a little bit.
Mike A.
12:33
As a follow up on Moroff...wasn't he their Minor League player of the year just 2 years ago?  That does not speak well of their development or their stable of minor league talent.
Bill Brink
12:34
In 2015, yes.
Rick
12:34
How do Pirate vets feel about infusion of young players in September?  Do they resent losing playing time to try to hit individual milestones or do they appreciate the break?
Bill Brink
12:35
No player will ever tell you they enjoy losing playing time, but they understand what the front office and coaching staff is trying to do. They will be respectful especially of Mercer, who hits the market this winter and is a longtime member of the organization.
OUbucn
12:35
DJ Lemahieu seems like a great fit for the Pirates going forward if they actually plan on contending for the next few years. Any chance they make a splash and sign him?
Bill Brink
12:35
Gut instinct, no, but if this year's free agent market is like last year's and he's around when pitchers and catchers report, perhaps.
Rick
12:35
Was Archer trade primarily a PR move?  Not only out of character, but suspicious given the timing of TV deal renewal and fan outrage of passive spending
Bill Brink
12:37
The front office has denied this. You are right, it is out of character, given they had better teams in 2013 and '14 and didn't make this type of move. They are not oblivious to attendance drops (they can't be because it impacts their bottom line) but I have never known Huntington to make a trade because of how fans will perceive it.
Skip Werkmeister
12:37
Do Pirates shop for lefty starter or is Keller in 2019 rotation
Bill Brink
12:38
At this point I'll say no and no. They have six guys for five spots next year, and while they could make a move, they won't go out of their way to get a lefty. And Keller won't be up at least until the Super Two time has elapsed, possibly June, and it also depends on his performance.
12:39
Lightning round. Go.
PhillyJake
12:40
A pitcher with Archer's pedigree and contract is out of character for any trade market.   It's the type of thing the Pirates strive for.  I'd argue that the trade is not out of Character.  Just rare to get someone like that.
OUbucn
12:41
Does Archer bounce back next year?
Bill Brink
12:41
I think so. He might bounce back this month, though evaluating players in September is tough given the diluted rosters at times.
MAZ
12:41
Does NH realize that his organization does not draft or develop players well?
Bill Brink
12:42
He probably has a better grasp than anyone of his organization's successes and failures.
OUbucn
12:42
Williams for Cy Young next year?
Bill Brink
12:43
NL competition is steep between deGrom, Kershaw, Nola and Scherzer, none of whom are going anywhere (Kershaw and deGrom might actually go somewhere, now that I think about it) and it'll take 32 starts of top-notch performance to be in the conversation. My guess is his strikeout rate keeps him out of the running, plus the fact that doing what he's doing for that long is really hard.
DuqRay
12:43
Does Bell stay at first base next year? Or is he the next Alvarez?
Bill Brink
12:43
Stays at first.
MAZ
12:44
Does the DH come to the N.L. within the next 2 years
Bill Brink
12:44
Manfred said this summer they've talked about it, but I don't know about two years from now.
Rick
12:44
What gets fans excited for 2019?  Anything this September?  This offseason?
Bill Brink
12:45
What Musgrove, Williams and Taillon are doing; the prospect of a full year of Vazquez, Kela, Crick and Santana; a healthy season from Gregory Polanco.
PhillyJake
12:47
I'd love one more bat!  What can they do to bring out Josh Bell's potential?
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