Colin Beazley's Pirates chat: 07.28.26
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soggy
12:43
Good afternoon CB.  Realistically, what trades would you make before the deadline??  Obviously a RP. How about a 3B?  Thank you
Colin Beazley
12:45
Bullpen questions. Writing about this more in-depth for Thursday, but I do expect a move for someone proven. Not a Miller, probably, but someone like a Morejon or Weaver would be a major upgrade.

I wouldn't want to trade from the major league core, Oneil Cruz included. I'd be willing to trade from the periphery. I would listen on any prospect... with the exception of Seth Hernandez.
The Eman
12:45
would SD go for a straight up Miller for Cruz deal?
maz01
12:45
Is Carmen Mlodzinski, Reinold Navarro & Wyatt Sanford offer for Mason Miller a realistic offer?
Colin Beazley
12:48
I don't think San Diego would do a Miller for Cruz deal, mostly because Cruz doesn't have much control left. But I do think both teams would be uncomfortable with that.

As for the latter, I don't think that gets it done either. Padres traded four prospects, including a top-five prospect in baseball, for Miller. Navarro and Sanford are the type of talent that would have to be in the deal, while Mlodzinski would be an immediate starter for the Padres, but I still think they'd want another worthwhile prospect.
Hopper
12:48
Do you by any chance know anything about Wyatt Sanford’s injury?  And do you think the trade for J-Rodriguez signals they are gonna trade Garcia?
Colin Beazley
12:49
Haven't heard on Sanford, sorry. And no, I think the Johnathan Rodriguez trade is simply a minor, why not deal. If the Pirates end up needing a 40-man spot, he could be on the move again.
Bill in Charleston
12:49
It has probably been reported somewhere but I don’t find it in the PG. What is the final count of unsigned ‘26 draft picks?  Did we miss out on any last minute signings that had been expected?
Colin Beazley
12:51
My fault, Bill, I meant to include that in Bucs Bites yesterday. Pirates signed 18 of 21 draftees, missing out on their 15th, 18th and 19th round picks. Those were seen as the most difficult signs anyways.

It'll be interesting to see where Grant Govel and Malachi Washington end up being selected after another year of college (Govel) or time at LSU (Washington). Not a shock at all that either didn't sign.
William
12:51
Why can’t pirates hitters adjust to junk ball pitchers? Other teams do. These junk throwers struggle against other teams but look like aces against the pirates. Yesterday was a prime example.
Colin Beazley
12:52
It's wild, William. Not sure what Merrill Kelly was doing so well -- he's not even left-handed.
Uncle Leo
12:52
Hello! It seems like the Pirates did better last year with a tag team effort between starter and long relief than what we are seeing this year. I realize burrows and Ortiz are gone, but why not use dotel, Harrington and the guy who pitched the second game against the Yankees in the same capacity as mlodinski and expect them to make 3 or maybe even 4 inning outings in tandem with Jones, Keller, and what seems to be a tiring ashcraft?  Skenes is having a hard time getting to 7 innings too. With such  terrible bullpen, might need to change the approach…
Colin Beazley
12:53
It works well when the Pirates can use Mlodzinski. It worked with Dotel, while Khristian Curtis was impressive against Cleveland. I wouldn't hate that approach.
Epiballo
12:56
My gut tells me the Pirates will not make a splash move; what does your gut tell you?
Colin Beazley
12:58
Splash move is tough to define. Mason Miller would certainly qualify, but does Luke Weaver? Does Ryan Zeferjahn?

They need to make a move. I think they will make a real upgrade. I don't know whether it'll be a "splash."
Dysen Gould
12:58
Good afternoon Colin, with team struggles against  LHP and Ozuna still not producing how he should be. The team is almost 10 games under .500 when he starts. And hes only batting .218 against LHP... do they (obviously after prioritizing pitching) try to acquire a Right Handed bat to help against LHP
Corey
12:58
Aside from the obvious bullpen need, I really think we could use another RH bat against lefties. Especially if Valdez is out for some time. Any thoughts/names we could be interested in.
Bucco
12:58
Also do u think the pirates could make a push for Jo Adell?
Colin Beazley
1:01
I think its a secondary need, but it is something the Pirates are monitoring. I do think the bullpen is a more major need, though.

Honestly, I like the Angels as a trade fit. I think Adell could help -- his platoon splits are major. I spent some time in the press box yesterday debating an Ozuna/prospects haul (Angels need catching depth: Plaz? Carmichael?) for Adell and Zeferjahn.

Only issue is the Angels are the Angels. You never know what they'll do and if they'd consider adding payroll. If the Pirates have only so much payroll space, I'm not sure they'd add Adell.
Brad
1:02
Good morning, what is with the wolf thing? Also what’s more likely the pirates trade for Miller or we trade Lowe or Horwitz from the major league roster to get BP help?
Colin Beazley
1:03
It's the Wolf Game.

Brandon Lowe isn't going anywhere. I could see them listening on Horwitz, but that doesn't mean they want to move him. But considering I don't think they'll get Miller, I guess he's the most likely by default.
Ryan
1:03
Good afternoon Colin if Valdez is out is there a chance Horwitz is back because he was in the dugout yesterday
Colin Beazley
1:04
I think Horwitz could be active, but Pirates would need an active outfielder for Valdez. That would likely be another move.
SC Yinzer
1:04
With the historic offense the Pirates currently have, and the likelihood that our very good young starters will likely not re-sign here when their contracts end - if they could take a huge swing on a deal involving mostly prospects - why would they hold anything back at this point?
Colin Beazley
1:06
Because they're set up to be good for more than just this year. For a small market team, you hope to have sustainable success the way the Brewers have.

But you also have to give up future assets to make the most of the chances you have. Got to find a balance between going all in and not setting yourself up for a long, long drought.
Bucco
1:06
Do u think termarr Johnson still has any value if traded?
Colin Beazley
1:07
Likely not much. He's still very young, but batting .197 in Triple-A doesn't make you a centerpiece in a deal. At 22, he still has some value... but not the same as before.
Tommy Norris
1:08
Does Hank Davis finish the year over .200? I can’t believe pitchers actually walk him
Colin Beazley
1:08
Henry Davis is batting .268 with a .790 OPS in July. It's been a good month for him.
Fred Donkerson
1:08
How’s Cutch been doing for the Braves AAA team? Do you see him working in media and being the 18th Sportsnet Pittsburgh analyst?
Colin Beazley
1:09
Cutch is batting .313 in five games at Triple-A Gwinnett. I don't think I see him going into media.
Mark
1:09
What do they do with Mangum with Cruz is back.  Like to see him stay in the lineup.  Other than the power drop off, don't think there is any dropoff between the two.  Mangum may actually have more val
Colin Beazley
1:10
Cruz is a major upgrade on Mangum, and that's coming from someone who thinks Mangum gets too much criticism. Mangum will go back to being the fourth outfielder, which I think is a perfectly fine spot.
Tom Raymond
1:11
Hello Colin, Last week I asked here how the Pirates  with a very disappointing starting Staff, lousy bullpen, fundamentally unsound play all over, and a poor Manager and Coaching staff has any hope of getting to the Wild Card. You answered they were sitting 3rd at the time. But you did not answer the question. Plus they are not 3rd anymore.  take another crack at it?
Colin Beazley
1:11
They are once again in the third wild card spot. I'm just saying things aren't as bad as you seem to think they are. If this is a bad team with all the problems you say they have, how are they in contention?
maz01
1:12
Colin, do you think the Pirates should have gone all out to sign Grant Govel, Malachi Washington& Andrew Duncan, it seems when the Pirates are unable to sign high upside lower picks in the draft, it comes back to bite them like Walker Buehler for example, and maybe last years 2nd rd pick.
Colin Beazley
1:13
Late round draft picks are a crapshoot, so it's worth taking a few gambles on players who may not sign. The Pirates didn't have enough space left over for those three (and both Washington and Duncan announced immediately that they'd not sign, hoping to boost draft stock for the future). No harm, no foul with them not signing... but it is worth watching their futures.
nervousnelly
1:13
Colin could you be more specific about what you meant regarding your pessimism per the Valdez "reaction". Are you referring specifically to his grimacing when examined immediately after the indicment? Or something more than that? Because there are other reports he wasn't braced and was in good spirits post game?
Colin Beazley
1:14
Just the clear pain and how upset he was. I saw the same thing in the clubhouse. Guess we'll find out soon.
1:15
Lot of really, really good questions today, including about 20 that I didn't end up being able to get to. Unfortunately I've got to head out. But thank you all for participating! And if I didn't get to your question, feel free to send me an email cbeazley @ post-gazette and I'll do my best to respond to it.
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