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Colin Beazley's Pirates chat: 03.06.26
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Colin Beazley
12:00
Hello from Dunedin! And welcome to my first ever Pirates chat. I’ll be here up until first pitch of Pirates-Blue Jays. Looking forward to chatting and answering as many questions as I can. Fire away…
demosthenes98
12:00
Congratulations on doing your first PG chat! Since it's your first and since you're the Pirates beat writer, I have to ask--what's your stance on the designated hitter?
Colin Beazley
12:02
Figured I had to start with this one. I miss when the American League and National League were distinct, but I also can't ignore that it's helped add offense to the game. I miss seeing pitchers try to hit and I miss the strategy aspect of it, but I also don't miss the near-guaranteed strikeout.
Mike
12:02
I get Cruz will be the starting CF, I would take flyers on him and see what they can get. I would start Mangum, better defensely, can steal bases with a batting avg of 275-280.
Colin Beazley
12:04
I see what you're saying, but Cruz has so much more upside than Mangum... and the Pirates could really use that upside. I think there's a point where they pull the plug on Cruz as the every day CF if he struggles and Mangum produces, but right now, I say give Cruz the shot and see if he can become the player he occasionally threatens to be.
Kathy
12:04
Hi Colin, Hope your week is going well.  Have a question on Cutch.  Do you know if the Pirates ever talked with him?  I think it's terrible how they are treating him after all the years he played here.  Thanks.
Colin Beazley
12:06
Thanks Kathy, it is. I love being down here for spring training.

The Pirates have said all along that they've kept Cutch informed throughout this process. Could they have done better or been more transparent? Probably. It's also clear Cutch didn't like what the Pirates were saying, which may have added to the frustration. The Pirates didn't handle this as well as they could have, but from a strictly baseball perspective, I don't entirely blame them from moving on.
Richy
12:06
Do you think a trade for a 3 rd baseman is still likely?
Colin Beazley
12:08
I think they're always looking at all ways to improve the team, but I haven't seen the type of exciting move fans want (Paredes, Bohm, Jung etc) as likely since the Ozuna signing. If Callihan can hit and can handle third, I wouldn't be shocked if they try a Callihan/Triolo platoon.

That said, Callihan is very, very far from proven. No idea how he'll adapt to a new org or to major league pitching, and definitely not an MLB lock.
sxm319
12:08
I have had Bucco Fever since early in the 4th quarter of that Steelers/Texans nail-biter. Any recommendations to help manage this until 3/26?
Colin Beazley
12:08
Watching spring training baseball and reading this Pirates chat!
Bob
12:09
Any chances they sign a hitting 3B man? Are any out there? Triolo is not a good hitter.
Colin Beazley
12:11
There's not a free agent out there that is significantly better than Triolo. As of now, I'm not expecting any drastic changes to this team before the season, barring something unforeseen like injuries etc
eyrich
12:11
Nice piece on Cruse. Like him, you too are improving, especially on social media!  Any insights on how the boys spent the off day...eating fish, golfing, resting, bonding?
Colin Beazley
12:14
Thank you, eyrich. Appreciate it. It's been awesome to see how many people follow along on Twitter and enjoy the videos I've been posting.

Not sure how the players spent the off day, though I did heard some rumors of a Tuesday night poker game. As for the Post-Gazette boys, Noah and I went to the beach, then to dinner with a couple of Pirates media friends at Arte Caffe. Unbelievable Italian restaurant in Bradenton. One of the best all-around dining experiences I've ever had, even with an article about the Callihan-Nicolas trade sandwiched between a cold cuts plate and pizza.
Dizzle
12:14
Is Jason Mackey still with Post-Gazette? I have not seen an article from him or his weekly mailbag/chat in maybe a week or so??
Colin Beazley
12:15
No Dizzle, he is not. Jason accepted a role working for the Pirates and published his first article for them yesterday. I'm excited for him and his opportunity and certainly wish him well moving forward -- he was great to me as I've worked with him over the last couple months.
Dan N
12:15
The Pirates catching situation isn’t going to scare any opposing pitchers….Do they take Endy north with them instead of Joey Double Play Bart ? If Griffin goes to Indy the bottom of the order isn’t great…
Colin Beazley
12:18
To me, I don't really see there being a "catching battle" this spring. I'm expecting Davis/Bart to make the team and Endy/Flores to start at Triple-A Indianapolis, where they can both get reps and continue to develop (well, development for Flores and getting back to 100% for Endy after the injury-plagued few years).

It has caught my eye this spring. Spring training results don't matter and we're still only halfway through spring, but none of the catchers have done much offensively so far. Certainly something I'll continue to monitor.
JollyRoger8
12:18
I don’t see how the Pirates could leave the Password off the opening day roster. He has nothing left to prove in AAA. This spring he has shown his power, his speed, his defense and powerful arm. He is the most complete OF that they have period! Don’t waste AAA at bats. I’m sure Kelly can find a way to at least rotate him in the OF to get at least 3-4 games a week. Thoughts?
Colin Beazley
12:20
Thanks for your patience JollyRoger, sorry for the delay in getting to you.

I've been very impressed by Password... but I don't see a role for him in the majors. It works against lefties, when O'Hearn will play first, but that's not enough ABs. You could try to get creative, but O'Hearn/Reynolds/Cruz/Mangum all need to play. These things have a way of sorting themselves out.
Phil
12:20
Got to admit, Colin, I haven't participated in a Pirates chat for years. And, to be honest, read very few Pirates articles over the years...just the box scores to see how many sub .200 hitters Cherington had collected. But it's different now. I try and read everything I can about the Pirates and am very excited about seeing what Griffin, Garcia and others are doing. Griffin is the first real phenom I've seen since Bonds. Do you think he makes the ML roster, or will Cherington find an excuse to send him down? I still don't trust Cherington despite this year's effort.
Colin Beazley
12:23
Thanks for being here, Phil. I also haven't participated in a Pirates chat -- first one!

There is a lot of optimism around camp and Griffin's a big part of it. I genuinely have gone back-and-forth between he'll make the team/he won't make the team countless times this spring. As of now I lean towards the Pirates being careful, treating him like a typical prospect and having him start in Indianapolis, but he's also made very clear over the past few weeks that not a typical prospect, regardless of batting average.
Guest
12:23
When should fans expect to see the first round of roster cuts?
Colin Beazley
12:24
I'm expecting them to be sometime this weekend. With a number of guys away at the WBC I'm not expecting anything drastic -- probably just some of the non-roster pitchers and a few of the further away prospects.
CAJ from Ellwood City
12:26
Over/Under 16.5 wins for Paul Skenes?
Colin Beazley
12:29
Hmmm, that's a good line. I'm going to say under because just four pitchers -- Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Freddy Peralta and Garrett Crochet -- went over that line last year, and three of the four played on 94+ win teams (Crochet's Sox won 89).

I think the Pirates will be better this year. I'm also pretty confident Skenes won't end the year 10-10. But given where baseball is and where the Pirates are, I think 12-15 wins for Skenes is more likely.
FirstTimeLongTime
12:29
Hey Colin - any rumblings about adding another bat to that 3B spot? Also read that Gonzalez has taken some practice there, any word on how he's looked?
Colin Beazley
12:32
Hey FirstTimeLongTime, thanks for writing in.

Touched on this earlier, but I'm not expecting another significant add at 3B. Gonzales and Yorke have both taken 3B reps this spring. They've been fine. I'm expecting Triolo to be the starter given his glove is by far the Pirates' best in that spot, even if Gonzales has been a slightly more productive hitter.
Dave
12:32
What about trading for Peredes of Houston?  They have a glut of infielders
Colin Beazley
12:34
I wouldn't hate it, but I don't see that type of addition as likely at this point in the offseason. His teammate Jeremy Pena also suffered a finger fracture at the WBC, which clears up the glut for the moment. He'll be healthy for the season, but the Astros aren't in the same rush to move him now.
Jersey JR
12:34
How do you think the situation at catcher plays out?
Colin Beazley
12:35
Touched on this earlier. I'm expecting it to be Bart and Davis to start at least, with Davis taking the majority of the starts for Skenes and Chandler. I'd expect Davis to start 2/3 of the games... but at some point, he does have to produce more offensively.
Guest
12:36
The Pirates recently lost Suwinski to the Dodgers. Callihan needs to build back-up after a gruesome injury last season. Could this trade be as simple as adding back a lefty handed hitter to the organizational depth? Nicolas is still trying to put it together. With others stepping up and roster flexibility made Kyle expendable.
Colin Beazley
12:39
That's a big part of it, though I have heard that the Reds wanted Nicolas for awhile and the Pirates have wanted Callihan for awhile. Think the Reds GM said that at his post-trade availability... we haven't spoken to Ben Cherington yet.

Callihan fits a profile the Pirates like as a left-handed bat with some versatility. He's also under team control and has minor league options left.

Nicolas is also one of several right-handed relievers the Pirates have who were competing to make the team. I think Nicolas turned a corner last season and I considered him as likely to make the Pirates, but he's not quite irreplaceable.
Uncle Leo
12:40
Hello Colin! I think the pirates are going to trade reynolds by mid June. Given the outfield backlog, his decline from last year, and the payroll factors (to include trying to sign griffin) it seems hard to believe that they will keep him and his contract. As soon as he puts some positive distance between last year and now, and if the team is around .500, I think there is a good chance he gets traded for a 3b and low prospects. Thoughts? Thanks -
Colin Beazley
12:43
Hello Uncle Leo!

I would be shocked if Reynolds is not a Pirate by mid-June. To me, that would mean the Pirates are out of contention by then, which I'd be surprised by. They'd also be selling him near his lowest value if they're dealing him midseason coming off an off year -- would be a pure salary dump.

As for payroll and Griffin, I think the Pirates understand that they'd have to pay him more now to afford him later for longer. They don't have to trade someone/cut payroll from somewhere to offer Griffin an extension.
62 Stack Monster
12:44
Hello Colin!  If Password and Griffin make the team or are called up, who is let go?
Colin Beazley
12:47
Hello 62 Stack Monster! Password is on the 40-man roster, so the Pirates wouldn't have to cut anyone if he were to make the major league roster.

As for Griffin and who could be moved, I'd rather not speculate on players losing jobs. I will say I wouldn't be shocked if RHP Ryan Harbin is moved on to the 60-day IL, as his injury was compared to Oviedo and Mayza last year, which knocked them out for months. That would open up a spot.
I've got time for a few more questions if anyone wants to get some in the queue... about 20 minutes to game time here
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