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Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 9.6.17
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Bill Brink
12:00
Welcome to this week's Pirates chat. Thanks for the questions, and keep them coming. Here we go ...
Dave
12:02
What's up with Cutch? I compared his July and August stats and his ISO dropped significantly (.345 to .061!!!) and he's struck out more. Doesn't seem so promising. Low BABIP is explained by that significant drop of hard contact too.
Bill Brink
12:04
Hurdle was asked about this the other day. His diagnosis was a more careful approach from pitchers (hard not to do when he had the kind of July he had) and better execution against him. I think it's a combination of some regression -- he was never going to keep that up -- and pitchers being more careful. That doesn't totally explain, though, such a drastic drop to the levels he hit in August, especially with a surging Bell hitting behind him.
Buc'nnutz
12:04
Lot of holes to fill in the off season. What would be your priorities and where can we find some players who can HIT?
Bill Brink
12:06
I would have said third base as recently as a week ago -- you have to prepare as if you're not getting Kang back if you're the Pirates, right? -- but Hurdle, unprompted, talked about how he liked Harrison bouncing around, so you might see a Harrison-Freese mixture over there to keep Freese off his feet a little more. I'm not sure Frazier can handle second base on an everyday basis, so maybe some help there, and for sure a legitimate fourth outfielder/possible corner guy if they trade McCutchen. And as always, a starter and bullpen help.
Chuck
12:06
The Pirates seem to have a glut of good pitchers at AAA Indianapolis including Glasnow, Holmes, Hutchinson and Kingman.  If in the off-season the Pirates trade for a position player like a third baseman, what AAA pitcher(s) or present Pirates' pitcher are most likely to be traded?
Bill Brink
12:07
The one to watch is Kingham because he's out of minor league options. He's also had a nice second half. They won't get much for Hutchison and I don't think they're going to give up on Glasnow.
Regarding present Pirates pitchers, Cole is the one I'd watch.
Dave
12:07
Why'd Polanco return? He had three hamstring injuries this season. Seems better off just resting him for the rest of the season. Of course he'll want to play, but I don't know how much it's worth it at this point. Also, can use his vacancy to give more ABs to Luplow. He could be a good 4th OF next season.
Bill Brink
12:07
He's still on the DL, eligible to come off at any time but he hasn't yet. We'll get an update on him from head athletic trainer Todd Tomczyk later today.
Dave
12:08
When Cervelli returns, does this mean Diaz will be a backup again? I'd hope they share playing time equally. Cervelli's injury prone and more playing time for Diaz helps him to prepare for the times where Cervelli's injured. (FYI I don't think Diaz is far superior than Cervelli. I'm just saying he'll be our backup next season and is a lot healthier than Cervelli is)
Bill Brink
12:09
It does mean Diaz will be the backup again, but seeing as the Pirates are out of it, I'd expect him to get more than a start a week or so for this exact reason you mentioned, to prepare him for next year.
Andy
12:11
I read that we are unlikely to call up Kingham. Why? Wouldn't we want to see what he can do in the majors? Isn't he out of options next season?Maybe we can't give him the starts but I'd still think he could start from the pen like Williams did
Bill Brink
12:13
My read on this is that Glasnow and Brault are ahead of Kingham in the hierarchy of pitchers they'd like to see get starts, and given Kingham is in his first full year off Tommy John, they might not want to put him in a relief role at the end of a season and add a different type of stress to his arm. But I agree, you'd think he'd be a guy they'd want to get a look at -- but they also might not want him thinking his future depends on one or two starts in September.
Andy
12:13
And would Brault get more starts? Or is 6 man rotation only for Glasnow?
Bill Brink
12:13
Depends on whether they bring back Nova right away -- no indication they won't. They were having those discussions last week and hadn't finalized them yet.
Bryan
12:14
Will we see Harrison traded during the offseason? I know there were rumors in the past.
Bill Brink
12:16
He does get more expensive next year, earning $10 million (about 10 percent of the payroll) although that payroll might not include McCutchen's $14.5 million salary. Teams will be interested, and I'd wonder how much his broken hand will affect his value. Any kind of hand or wrist injury saps power because they are so crucial to transferring the power generated by the body to the head of the bat, so teams might want to see him produce before trading for him.
HB
12:16
neal huntington and clint hurdle need us to go to games to increase spending money but why wasnt there an increase in money after the 98 win season when attendance was high?
furthermore why should Pittsburghers support an owner that rather upgrade his resort than his team and who also wont trade prospects for better players because they dont want to "mortgage the future" but with trade prospects to dump salary?
Bill Brink
12:19
The lack of more of an investment into 2016 was baffling at the time as well as now. It's somewhat chicken-and-egg, but you'd also think it's cyclical -- team plays well, resulting in increased attendance, resulting in higher revenue, which is used to upgrade the team, which plays well, which ... so the halt was puzzling. Maybe Nutting wanted to be like Daenerys and break the wheel. Regarding the Ramirez-McGuire-Liriano trade, no matter what happened, the franchise's recent history with payroll and finances ensured that the move would be looked upon poorly, and with good reason.
Jack
12:20
Tell us why us Pirates fan should be optimistic for next year and beyond? Farm system is not all that great, I think what you see is what you get with our players, and I think we can expect more frugality with the front office (and no changes in management!).
Bill Brink
12:22
If you're looking for an optimistic view, here it is: McCutchen isn't traded and he's good, or he is traded and Meadows stays healthy and is good, or Harrison/Rodriguez/Frazier ably handle  a corner. Cole stays and looks like 2015 Cole. Nova and Taillon provide 400 solid innings. Harrison and Freese handle third base, Bell continues to progress, and Polanco and Cervelli stay on the field.
Joe
12:22
Odds of a Polanco , Cutch, Marte outfield in 18?
Bill Brink
12:22
I'd say slim. Maybe to start the season but I don't think so to finish it.
Jeff
12:22
Luplow and Moroff part of next year bench or back to AAA with 4th outfielder brought in and Frazier healthy to begin next year?
Bill Brink
12:24
I think after this year they'll look for a fourth outfielder, so Luplow probably starts in the minors but could come up quickly. Moroff could be the final guy on the bench as a versatile defender up the middle.
Jeff
12:24
Brault reminds of Jeff Locke. I'd move along from him. Your thoughts?
Bill Brink
12:24
They are similar in that they're lefties who throw in the low 90s  but I think Brault has more upside. Better control, more of a third pitch.
Wil
12:25
I feel that we're not far off for next season. If Kung comes back and Gregory & Josh continue upwards, w/ Cutch, Marte and young guns we can compete with the big boys. Do you think mngnt will hang on to Cutch, Cole and the rest and give em a shot at going all the way?
Bill Brink
12:25
I think the best chance of that happening is they start the year with both those guys and the team gets off to a great start, banking some victories. They're in it at the deadline and they decide to keep them both and go for it.
Jeff
12:25
Are Bucs stuck at 100 million dollar payroll (give or take a million), or could we see 120 million like Cleveland.
Bill Brink
12:26
You could see $120 million; the question is whether ownership will permit $120 million. Another thing to consider is the Pirates' TV deal is up in two years. They'll need a strong product to negotiate a better one. Maybe that influences payroll.
Jordan
12:26
Indians signed Encarnacion to a 3 year/60 million deal. Would that even be on Nutting radar for Cutch?
Bill Brink
12:27
More importantly, I don't think that will be on McCutchen's radar. Given what other outfielders have gotten recently -- Hunter Pence, Jacoby Ellsbury, Adam Jones, all five or more years at $85 million or more -- I think that's what he'll look for.
12:28
What other questions do we have today?
Jordan
12:29
So Bill...that scenario, Cutch is gone. Couldn't happen here, could it?
Bill Brink
12:30
It would be a drastic departure from everything the Neal Huntington-led front office has done since arriving in 2007. It would be paying for the traditional decline years of a player. Off the top of my head, the highest free-agent contract is $39 million over three years to Liriano, and the highest contract ever in franchise history is Kendall's six years and $60 million. Now, McCutchen is a different cat. Dragged the franchise out of the losing streak and into the playoffs, fan favorite, good guy, etc. I won't rule it out because of those factors but I don't think it is likely.
Jeff
12:30
I'm betting a starting pitcher traded this off season. Best bet Cole or Nova?
Bill Brink
12:30
Cole
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