Colin Beazley's Pirates chat: 07.21.26
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Colin Beazley
12:04
Hello from New York! And welcome back to another edition of my Pirates chat. You may have noticed its Tuesday. We'll be shifting my mailbags/chat times to Tuesdays moving forward whenever possible so we're not as weekend-focused. Looking forward to answering as many of your questions as I can.
JR
12:05
How does the roster look when Cruz, Horowitz, Rodriguez and Griffin come off the Injured list. Magnum, Valdez and even Callahan have certainly earned a spot. So who goes whether by trade or reassignment or release?
Colin Beazley
12:09
Frankly, it's an interesting dilemma to have and one good teams deal with in most years. Mangum and Valdez aren't going anywhere. Rodriguez's return should move Henry Davis back to the No. 2 catcher role, so that'll be an easy move. Mangum will move back to the fourth outfielder (or will he be the fifth with Valdez?) Reynolds may be the only 100% certain every day starter, but Valdez/Cruz/O'Hearn will still play plenty.

It's a great problem for a team to have.
demosthenes98
12:09
Paul Skenes (future Yankee) remarked that an All-Star Game with no Pirates players is "a little weird." Is it, though? Given that MLB requires every team to have an All-Star whether they merit it or not, is it not weirder that unworthy players have been in the game for many years of the Bob Nutting era (error)?
Colin Beazley
12:11
Good morning (or afternoon), Demosthenes. See a couple other questions that I'll do my best to answer for you in a few minutes.

It was a little weird, mostly because all 29 other teams had someone actually playing in the game. I personally like that every team is represented, regardless of their record. It does lead to plenty of "unworthy" selections... but it's also an exhibition game. I'm in favor of players getting to call themselves All-Stars for the rest of eternity.
Gfed
12:13
Any inside on potential trade rumors?
Colin Beazley
12:14
Nothing to add to what's already out there, but I'm certainly asking around. It's my job to tell you guys what  credible rumors I hear, so I will certainly do that.
Jerry Everly
12:15
Could O’Niel Cruz be on the trade block for a reliever?
YinzerWally
12:15
Cruz has had two lengthy injuries going from 3rd to home.  He forgot sun glasses on opening day.  The defense and base running are not elite by any means.  It’s probably the time to trade him and secure relief pitching or power 3b.  It’s time to accept these things and move on.  Is this probable?
Colin Beazley
12:19
I do not think Oneil Cruz will be traded, no. I also do not think the Pirates have much interest in trading him. They picked up the phone last year when teams were interested, but that is far different from actually shopping him.

I've seen a lot out there about the Pirates potentially moving a major league piece, generally Cruz or Spencer Horwitz, for bullpen help. Could they? Sure, and it would help with the playing time question I got earlier. But that's also not how the deadline typically works. You want more talent on your major league roster, not less.

I expect them to act like a typical buyer and ship off prospects for bullpen help, as that's what buyers do in this situation.
demosthenes98
12:19
I like how you did your most recent chat from a train. Do MLB teams ever travel by train anymore? It seems as if, at the very least, it would be a good option between Boston, NYC, Philly, Baltimore, and DC.
Colin Beazley
12:21
Alright Demosthenes, let's get to answering your Qs. Always appreciate the interest.

Reached out to a team employee who said they do it "sporadically." Boston to NYC or vice versa would be a flight, but NYC to Philly definitely would be a train (and is a route I've taken from Villanova many, many times). DC and Baltimore are train options, too. I'd imagine the New York teams do it more.

My Amtrak experience from Pittsburgh to Philly was great. Definitely something I could see myself doing again.
demosthenes98
12:21
In the article you wrote a week ago about the MLB salary cap debate, you say that MLBPA executive director Bruce Meyer "said if owners were really so interested in listening to fans, why don't they listen to 'Sell the team' chants?" Since Bob Nutting therefore doesn't listen to fans, why should fans listen to anything he says that isn't "I'm selling"?
Colin Beazley
12:22
I don't have much of an answer there, but I did find that comment from Meyer interesting.
demosthenes98
12:22
Re: the "Paul Skenes, future Yankee" thing--what's more of a disservice: a journalist speaking truth, or the certainty that Bob Nutting will let Skenes get away?
Colin Beazley
12:25
From a journalism perspective, it's unprofessional. (Also fairly sure it was a content creator/vlogger, so I've gone with media member instead of journalist.)

But I agree it's a major issue that teams like the Pirates have little to no chance of signing their stars to long-term deals unless they bet on them early like they did with Konnor Griffin. Is the answer a salary cap? Or more revenue sharing? Or every team having ownership like the late Peter Seidler and the Padres?

I don't know the answer. Players should be able to play where they want -- and if they want to stay in the market they developed, they shouldn't have to take a Jose Ramirez deal to do so.
12:27
^^ For what it's worth, that isn't me saying Paul Skenes wants to stay or wants to leave. But I don't get the sense he's counting the days until he's a Yankee/Dodger/Met/whatever. He wants to win and wants to do it in Pittsburgh.
demosthenes98
12:27
Who was in the right in last night's confrontation between Jose Caballero and Dennis Santana? Was it the player for the team that spends lots of money and tries to win every season no matter what? Or was it the player whose paycheck is signed by Bob Nutting?
Colin Beazley
12:32
Not sure I see the correlation between the ownership groups they play for an a moral/baseball dilemma.

I don't love what Caballero did, but it was also 100% legal. Santana did his job and won the battle, then let his anger get the best of him. Sometimes that happens in sports.
#1 Pirates Fan from Maine
12:32
Hello Colin, Thank you for your coverage of the Pirates.  In addition to filling the OBVIOUS NEED since 2025 for relief pitching, how much longer will Pirates continue to roster a DH with a .208 batting average and a catcher with a .167 batting average.  RafaelFlores is hitting .333 and deserves to remain with the Pirates.  The success of EsmerlynValdez shows additional players such as Flores from AAA should be given a chance.
Colin Beazley
12:34
Rafael Flores is 4 for 12 -- as much as I like the guy, that's not enough of a sample to say he needs to stay once Endy Rodriguez comes back. That, of course, can change if it comes in more at-bats and his defensive work improves. But I agree that I've been very impressed with the players that have come up from Triple-A. Hoping to write about that soon.
Anthony
12:35
With 17 games in a row starting on Friday, do you think the Pirates will move to six man rotation at least through that stretch?
Colin Beazley
12:37
It might be something worth considering. I'm a little worried that Braxton Ashcraft might be fatigued. He said "everything felt good" postgame and his velo is there, but he's never pitched this much before.

I'm not sure a six-man rotation would work when you want Paul Skenes to keep pitching every five days, but it could be a way to manage workloads. That said, it also means going with a seven-man bullpen. Maybe it's the answer, but it would require a lot of creativity.
Retire21
12:37
I find the one inning “starter” annoying in terms of setting a starting lineup against it. What do managers think…..I guess they all do it.
Colin Beazley
12:38
If it works, they'll do it. So far, the numbers say it works. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Pirates try it more often, especially as their arms deal with righty/lefty splits.
Retire21
12:38
I know he’s be a loaner but did you trade Lowe if you had to get a reliever in return?
Colin Beazley
12:39
Absolutely not. Keep your studs. Pirates need more Brandon Lowe, not less.
Leemarvinwannab
12:39
Cruz was well on his way in breaking the strike out record when he got hurt. In two years he'll be gone anyway. Now is the time to get maximum return. Tean hitting is NOT the problem. Pitching is. I don't understand the hesitation to win now?
Colin Beazley
12:42
Cruz was also well on his way to a 30/30 season, a 3-WAR year and career-best numbers. If he's doing that, who cares about the strikeouts?

I read an interesting article in The Athletic two weeks ago about the strikeout record. Four players were roughly on pace to break the record (not counting Cruz) -- Kyle Schwarber, Nick Kurtz, James Wood and Zach Neto. Those are four of the best players in baseball.
12:43
The game has changed. There's a place for the Jake Mangums of the world, but strikeouts simply don't matter that much when you do the other things well (i.e. hit the ball 450 feet). Trading Cruz does not help the Pirates win now.
Gene
12:43
How do you think they will address the closer position going forward.
Colin Beazley
12:44
They need to acquire one, simple as that. I don't hate a bit of a closer-by-committee approach in general, but the Pirates currently have a committee of none. They need a ninth inning man.
PhilinCT
12:44
Mr. Beazley, glad to have this opportunity with you. Two questions: (1) Right now, do you think the Pirates see Nick G. as a long term asset? I like what he brings to the team. (2) Has M. Ozuna had a 3-0 count at all this year? The man seems determined to swing at 2-0 pitches regardless of where they are or the situation. Thanks for you time and insight.
Colin Beazley
12:49
Hey Mr. PhilinCT, thanks for chatting.

1) Pirates are certainly impressed with what Nick G has done this year. Given he hasn't hit arbitration yet (but will next year), he's one that should be around awhile. I do wonder what his long term home is, but there's room for him with a .770 OPS.

2) Baseball Reference says Ozuna has drawn four four-pitch walks this year. Historically, hitters have hit around .350 on 2-0 pitches, so I'm all for swinging when you've got a hitter's count. Yes, even Ozuna.
Hondo from Zeli
12:49
It’s the most talked about issue in Pittsburgh Sports - the Bucs bullpen as a whole is unreliable as a group and terrible individually for a few individuals. Why not release the underperformers and bring in AAA pitchers. Can’t do much worse. The current core is costing the Bucs a realistic shot at the playoffs
Colin Beazley
12:53
Hondo asked the same question twice, including moving Mitch Keller to the bullpen in the second question. I still don't think that's the answer. I'm looking forward to seeing what Keller did with the break... whenever the Pirates play baseball next. We'll see if they play tonight.

Issue is there's not much reliable relief in Triple-A. Noah Murdock will get an opportunity. Brandan Bidois will be back at some point. Beau Burrows and Justin Meis don't seem to be trusted for a big league look. Maybe the answer is all starters and rolling with a bullpen of Wilber Dotel, Antwone Kelly and Khristian Curtis.
Michael Howard
12:53
Has anyone asked Skenes or written about his drop in velocity?  He used to regular hit 99-100 and now he's 94-97 on his fastball.  Is it just fatigue?  Injury?  Can he get it back?
Colin Beazley
12:54
He's said he dialed it back a bit to stay fresh over a long season. His fastball is still in the 95th percentile (a dip from 99th), per Baseball Savant, so it's not like the dip in velocity has made it ineffective.
Jimbo
12:54
Pirates are going to have a lot of tough decisions come trade deadline. Do you think they will hold onto Lowe ? He’s having a career year in Pittsburgh, have you heard anything that he wants to stay? Or is it a show me the money?
Colin Beazley
12:56
Trading Brandon Lowe at the deadline, even with just months remaining, would be insane. You don't trade someone like that at the deadline while you're contending.

He likes Pittsburgh, but I haven't heard anything significant re: talk on a deal. He's never hit free agency, so I'd expect him to do that for the first time. He'll have suitors, but the Pirates could afford him.
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