Colin Beazley's Pirates chat: 07.10.26
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epiballo
12:53
Hi Colin - thanks for the chats! I generally like Don Kelly, but it is maddening how he brings in a reliever who does well, and is replaced after only one inning. I know he wants to save their arms, but at what price? Blown games. Can you ask him about this?
Colin Beazley
12:54
Thanks for saying thanks, epiballo. Not sure I understand your question though. Relievers being used for primarily one inning isn't exactly a new thing.
Tom Bradley
12:54
The Tampa Bay Rays have the Best record in AL and lead the Division Yankees by 4 games. Their Payroll is very similar to the Pirates. They draft and develop well and do all the fundamental things correctly including game management. When on God Green Earth are the same Payroll Pirates going to learn and do the same? It's NOT a money issue. It's pure mismanagement from top to bottom
Colin Beazley
12:56
The Rays are the envy of baseball (from a front office standpoint). Plenty of teams have tried to do it, few have succeeded. The Pirates could certainly learn from the Rays, but there's a reason why every team wants to mimic what Tampa does.
Michael
12:56
Kelly has his strengths in getting players to play hard but his management of pitching decisions is atrocious. Why do you think that is? Does he have the capacity to change and quit going to the same bad script?
Not good
12:56
Can we admit the major reason Don Kelly has a manager's job with this team is because he's from here ?
Colin Beazley
1:00
Some Don Kelly questions today. He hasn't been perfect. I disagreed with his decision to go with Dennis Santana over Mason Montgomery yesterday and asked about it postgame.

That said, the bullpen woes aren't his fault. I don't think Santana should have been in that spot yesterday, but it's not like Kelly issued a walk, a single and served up that 3-1 fastball. It's not like Kelly is at fault for who Justin Lawrence was this year. You can only manage the pieces you have.

There's been some questionable decisions with those pieces, but the bullpen simply hasn't been as good as the Pirates need it to be.
Mike
1:00
Hi Colin, thanks for doing this. Always appreciate your time. Saw the Pirates made two call ups in Antwone Kelly and Thomas Harrington. Do you think this is a spot where Ashcraft goes 3 innings? Maybe 5? He hasn’t been limited yet. Wants to pitch in the ASG. Skenes went 5/78 last year Friday before the game. Going to the game tonight so curious about how it goes for Braxton
Tim
1:00
Saw the Pirates calling up Kelly and Harrington. Do you think this is a spot where they could piggyback Ashcraft?
Colin Beazley
1:03
Thanks Mike. It could be. But last year's Pirates were well out of contention by this point, while Paul Skenes was in the midst of a scheduled ramping down of innings.

I expect something closer to typical for Ashcraft, though I could be completely wrong. Kelly spoke of the importance of this series, so it'd be a weird spot and opponent. That said, Antwone Kelly was Indianapolis' scheduled starter and Mlodzinski should be available. I'd still guess no, but it would set up well for a piggyback if that's the route they want to take.
Michael
1:03
Who are the most likely candidates to be moved by the trade deadline? I fear Lowe may be in that position due to their unwillingness to try to sign him
Colin Beazley
1:06
Midseason extensions aren't that common in the last year before free agency. I'd expect Lowe to hit free agency for the first time in his career, and that's not because the Pirates are doing something wrong or even because Lowe's demanding it. That just seems like the path that makes sense.

If the Pirates sell -- which I don't expect them to, assuming the bottom doesn't fall out over these next three weeks -- Lowe and Gregory Soto are the two players on expiring deals who would be moved. But I expect the Pirates to buy if they're at or around .500, like they are right now.
KDub
1:06
Everyone talks about the bullpen being a mess and I don't disagree. But I think the lack of a veteran in the rotation is an issue as well. Especially since Ashcraft, Jones and to some degree Chandler are having their innings managed.
Colin Beazley
1:08
Mitch Keller's struggles have been major, while the Pirates haven't had a pitcher go seven innings since May 21. That adds up.
DaquidoBazzini
1:08
One of the many disappointments about the Pirates is the fact that they are really not that good at home. They are .500 at home and .500 on the road. What would you (or they) attribute tp the fact that PNC Park has not been that friendly of a home ballpark for this team?
Colin Beazley
1:09
Honestly, don't have an answer for it. The Pirates are better built for their home park this year, too, with a number of lefty swingers. Think it's mostly just their pitching not taking advantage of what should be somewhat of a pitchers' park.
epiballo
1:09
What roster moves will be made when Horwitz and Cruz return? Do you see Ozuna being DFAed?
Tom
1:10
Saw reporting the Kelly and Harrington are coming up - what would the corresponding moves be?
Colin Beazley
1:13
I'd rather not speculate on corresponding moves in general. I have asked around on the Kelly/Harrington moves, but haven't gotten specifics.

I will make somewhat of an exception for Ozuna. While he apparently has been dealing with a toe injury, which is why he didn't face Foster Griffin in DC, it doesn't seem like he has a playing role on this team anymore. He handles himself well and has been good in the clubhouse, but I don't know how you could justify sending down someone like Valdez or Callihan to keep Ozuna once the Pirates finally get healthy.
Mitt
1:13
Hi Colin, since GMBC said that there will be no trades until after the draft but there also were rumors that this years comp pick was available for trade for a reliever, would they be able to trade next years comp pick instead prior to knowing where exactly that pick would fall yet or is that against the rules?
Colin Beazley
1:14
My understanding is you can only trade current year comp picks. Could be wrong, but haven't seen anything that says differently.
D9Dave
1:15
Has Jake Magnum done enough to become a starter when all the Pirates outfielders are healthy and available?  Love the way this guy plays!
Colin Beazley
1:16
He has been very good, batting .360 in the past 34 games. I think he's earned his way into more playing time, either pinch-hit opportunities or more starts, but I can't see him starting over Cruz, Reynolds or O'Hearn (once Horwitz is back).
Tike Redman
1:16
Do you get the idea that Mlod is kind of driving the bus with his usage / schedule?
Colin Beazley
1:18
I cannot definitively say he is driving the bus. I cannot definitively say he isn't. Weird situation.

We asked Ben Cherington about this on Wednesday, and he said that Mlodzinski and Bill Murphy meet after each outing to discuss necessary rest, then Don Kelly can use Mlodzinski at any point once available. But it does feel a little too scripted.
George T
1:18
Hi Colin, I know we need better bullpen help but to get good help we need to give up something.  We have some thinking we can get good help by giving up this one or that one.  However they are only thinking what they want to give up. However they should be looking at it from the other side and if it’s worth the price or not.  These GM’s know we need bullpen help and could be asking for more than we would want to give up. We need to help this team this year but at what cost.
Colin Beazley
1:19
I think I see what you're saying. I agree the Pirates shouldn't mortgage the future for this year, but I do believe its worth trading *some* prospect capital for relief help. This team's not that far away, I believe.
Ryan
1:19
Good afternoon Colin what do you think about the play of Brandon Lowe i think he has looked good and should have been named to the all star game
Colin Beazley
1:20
Good afternoon Ryan. I've been very impressed by what I've seen from Brandon Lowe and absolutely think he was All-Star worthy. He's definitely having a better year than Ozzie Albies, in my opinion. That said, the local boy JJ Wetherholt also got snubbed at the same position. Lot of good NL second basemen.
Brian
1:20
Hey Colin, do we have any word yet on how bad/not bad of a strain it is for Endy Rodriguez? If they felt comfortable saying Rodriguez was "available" tuesday after the injury took place, it can't be disastrously bad right?
Colin Beazley
1:21
Hey Brian. From that initial report I'd guess it isn't that bad, but the Pirates have had a number of injuries that ended up being more severe than initially thought, this being one of them. I haven't seen or heard anything to make me think it's disastrous, but I also wasn't expecting it to require an IL stint at all.
Illinois Bucco
1:21
Why is Kelly and the Pirates  management so obsessed with pitch counts on starters and 1-inning limits on relievers who are pitching well (re: Soto last night)? It’s not working!
Colin Beazley
1:22
Addressed this a bit earlier, but this isn't a conversation if relievers come in and execute.
Tj
1:22
give me your dream player for this trade deadline and then also give me one that makes most sense
Colin Beazley
1:25
Dream player? Skubal. Skenes and Skubal for two months would be awesome. That's never going to happen.

Makes the most sense? If they sell, trading with the Red Sox for Garrett Whitlock or with the Mets for Luke Weaver. A right-handed setup man/closer would be a gamechanger for this bullpen, as it would lessen stress on the Sotos/Montgomerys etc of the world. Each has a year of control left and a large-ish contract, so some creativity/prospect capital will be needed, but it would be huge for this team.
George T
1:25
Hi Colin, I keep hearing about Termarr Johnson and we need to keep hoping he will become a good enough to be called up to the majors.  I have not seen he has done anything yet.  Is it time to move on from he.  It may be best for him and we may get some bullpen help.
Colin Beazley
1:28
Hey George. Termarr Johnson has been better of late (.777 OPS in June, .954 so far in July), but like the rest of the farm system (minus Hernandez and Florentino), he's someone I'd be willing to move to help this current team. That said, his value isn't exactly sky high. I doubt there are teams lining up to give the Pirates the help they want for Johnson alone.
Illinois Bucco
1:28
You’re right about Keller. He has not been the “same guy.” But there IS an answer: Return Mlodzinski as a starter and send Keller to the bullpen as a long reliever. Why won’t they do this?
Colin Beazley
1:28
I do not think that making Mitch Keller a long reliever is what's best for this team.
Ben
1:29
Hey Colin - I’m confused as to how the pirates are using mlodinski. He seems like the best bullpen option in any situation and they seem committed to keeping him in a bulk role when he could be closing games out for them. Using him the other night to relieve Skenes with such a cushion was especially egregious. Thoughts?
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