Colin Beazley's Pirates chat: 09.15.26
powered byJotCast
This chat is available to members only. Please log in to participate.
Colin Beazley
12:01
Hello and happy Tuesday. Just got done covering the Pirates' Clemente Day of Service and have some time before heading back to the ballpark. Nine-game homestand, the final homestand of the year, gets underway tonight. Looking forward to taking your questions.
Pittfan
12:03
Hi Colin. Can you talk about the Salary Cap? Would just increasing the floor help the Pirates without a ceiling? That is to say, would forcing Nutting to spend more money help? Would the owners even consider that?
Colin Beazley
12:07
Hi Pittfan. Thought about easing myself in with a simpler question, but let's get this chat rolling with some salary cap talk.

I do believe spending more money would help the Pirates. I also believe the Dodgers would be even better if they spent more money, so take that for what you will. No one would get worse with higher payrolls (well, maybe the Mets...)

Jokes aside, I don't see a floor being instituted with a cap. The MLBPA proposed a soft floor (which they phrased as a "competitive integrity tax," which I found hilarious) to go with the current soft cap (luxury tax). But I don't see a floor coming without a cap. The players don't want a cap, so.
12:08
Maybe revamped revenue sharing could lead to higher payrolls? That's something I think will be addressed in the CBA, regardless of if a cap is instituted. That could certainly help the Pirates.
JC
12:08
Good Tuesday, Does a 3rd baseman and middle rotation lefty round out this roster…assuming we sign Lowe?
Colin Beazley
12:11
Good Tuesday to you, JC. Certainly not safe to assume Lowe is re-signed, though I'd definitely be in favor of it. If he comes back, third base would be my top priority. Heck, if he doesn't come back, third base is still probably my top priority, though I guess adding slug would be needed somewhere.

As for the second need in a Lowe world, rotation depth would be important. Maybe a veteran catcher? Should they add a corner outfielder, or is Esmerlyn Valdez a guaranteed 2027 opening day starter? There's a couple of different routes they could take, but I'd agree that bringing Lowe back should be Plan A.
Shoe dog
12:11
Another frustrating season but promising for the future. The future hopefully includes Cruz. Thoughts of a long term deal for him?
Colin Beazley
12:13
I'd broach the topic, but honestly, I have no idea what fair value is for him. Should he be paid like the star he's been since returning? Should he be paid like the guy who hit .200 last year? How many years is it worth signing him for?

I haven't heard much here, but I'm sure it'd be a complicated value to try to find a middle ground on. I also don't know whether he'd be interested in sticking around long-term. A ton of unknown here.
12:14
Alright, time to truly rip the Band-Aid off. Time for the most common Q of the day...
epiballo
12:14
Hey Colin! Thanks for the chats! Who do you expect not to be back with the Bucs next year. If it were up to the fans, Kelly and Cherrington would be gone just to start and Lowe would be resigned (which I hope they do). Any surprise roster changes?
JuniataKid
12:14
The goal was to make the “playoffs, full stop.” They didn’t for a lot of reasons. Injuries were partly to blame, but a horrible DH signing (Ozuna), too-late fixes to a lousy bullpen, bad lineups (I don’t know if that’s the analytics cabal or manager) and bad in-game decisions definitely cost the Pirates several games. Who do you think gets held responsible and what does that look like?
Greg in Greenville
12:14
Colin, there's no way they can bring Travis and Ben back right, it was playoffs full stop.
Bill
12:14
Kelly and Cherington back next year?
Duck from York
12:14
Don Kelly seems like a Relly nice guy, but do you think he will be manager next year?
Jeff
12:15
2 bullpen days in the 5 man rotation is discouraging. What other mlb teams have no depth to fill in? I’d say not many. That is a big red mark on Cherington and should be grounds for dismissal by a serious owner. What % do you give for a GM firing on Oct. 1st?
Colin Beazley
12:15
Yes, there's that many variations of "Will Cherington and Kelly be back next year?"
12:19
Frankly, I don't know. The Pirates' goal was to make the playoffs. They're not going to reach that goal. What does that mean?

You could argue it's grounds for a full tear-down. It's been seven seasons of Cherington, after all. They haven't made the playoffs. Something needs to change, right?

You could also argue this isn't a bad team and doesn't need a tear down. I don't think the Pirates are far away. A few tweaks, a better Skenes, and this certainly could have been a playoff team. It's clearly the best Cherington-led team. Is a tear-down needed? Or just a minor tweak or two? (Cont.)
12:22
If Cherington were fired, would the next GM want to keep the talent he's assembled (there is talent) or tear it down? If they want to keep the group, then why fire Cherington? But even if this is the closest he's gotten, why does Cherington deserve another shot?

It's somewhat similar with Kelly, except he's only in year 1.5. The players respect him and they certainly play hard for him. It's a good culture, even if it didn't lead to playoffs this year. There's certainly a better spirit around this team than last year. However, the players have also underperformed by a number of metrics. Is that his fault? (2/3)
12:27
I'll end with this -- the Pirates are in a good place going into next year. There's plenty of talent under control. This wasn't the only chance. Lowe is the only major piece with question marks for next year. You can see this group, without major tweaks, being a playoff team next year.

But it's also year seven. They're in a better spot than year one, but it hasn't been quick enough for anyone's tastes. Maybe it's time to tear it all down... or is it better to give this core, the best Cherington has assembled, another shot? But someone's got to be held accountable, right?

The CBA also plays a factor. Just a ton of different directions Bob Nutting could go. (3/3)
Rick in Orlando from Lebo
12:27
The Soto meltdown game was bad managing by Kelly. He should’ve had Ramirez or Weaver ready to go just in case. Especially after he walks three in a row! I love the guy since he’s a Lebo guy, but that was an excusable. Skenes could’ve gone at least one more inning. I think a few other games could have been lost because of Managerial decisions, but unfortunately, I think they have too many games and too many teams to hop over to make it into the playoffs unless they went out which will be impossible, especially since they’re playing the Brewers the next three nights. What is your take?
Shenandoah
12:27
Have any of the recent games put you over the fence on the question of Kelly's season  long managerial mismanagement?  Kely even admitted as much in recent post game interviews.  Hopefully the whole triumvirate is gone, but we know in the Nutting world nutting is impossible.
Colin Beazley
12:30
Semi-related Kelly questions...

I've defended Don Kelly plenty in these chats, and I still believe the most important role of a manager is keeping a team together and building an atmosphere conducive to winning. This team hasn't crumbled this year, even after that 5-15 skid. Kelly deserves credit for that.

That said, I did not and do not understand the Soto decision on Saturday. I wrote as much in Off The Bat. He stuck with Soto far too long. I don't mind pulling Skenes or even going to Soto in that spot, but there was no reason to keep Soto in long enough to issue four free passes in a row. Should have gone to Yohan or Weaver with the bases loaded and a one-run lead.
MarisstheCat
12:31
Assuming there is a 2027 season, do you see the Pirates (1) signing Lowe to a contract, (2) continuing with their current crop of catchers or signing or trading for one, and (3) dealing Horwitz .
Colin Beazley
12:33
(1) I expect they'll make the effort to re-sign Lowe. Hoping to learn more there this week. (2) I do worry a bit about the catchers group given we don't know what we can expect out of Endy Rodriguez. I wouldn't mind a veteran to go with Flores. Davis is a fine backup catcher. (3) I don't think a Horwitz trade makes sense. I'd guess his value isn't particularly high with this late season slump, but I do think he'll rebound.
demosthenes98
12:33
Why did Ryan O'Hearn bother to come off the injured list? Would it not be better to milk the injury than to play out the string for Bob Nutting?
Colin Beazley
12:34
Howdy, Demosthenes. Ryan O'Hearn wants to help the Pirates, so he's back. Simple as that.

But yes, Anthony Rendon has had the best job in sports for the last few years. $245 million for 257 games in Anaheim!
demosthenes98
12:34
Why did the Pirates put Braxton Ashcraft on the 15-day IL instead of the 60-day one? There would be no point to him returning before the end of the season. Does this decision save Bob Nutting money somehow?
Colin Beazley
12:36
Does not save Bob Nutting money. I haven't heard too much around the Ashcraft injury lately, but evidently the Pirates believe he could return by the end of the season. If that final series ended up mattering for a playoff spot, I'd want Ashcraft to pitch if he were healthy.

Of course, given they're now out of it, I see no reason to rush him back for a game that won't make a major difference. I doubt they'll push him if the result isn't crucial.
demosthenes98
12:36
I appreciated your colleague Chloe Jad's article about how a lost MLB season would impact North Side businesses. If that does come to pass, is there any chance that Bob Nutting would donate (or could be COERCED to donate) enough to keep those places afloat? He's a billionaire and has no need of or use for that money, while it would save the livelihoods of numerous real people.
Colin Beazley
12:38
I also enjoyed my colleague Chloe's article. If you haven't read it, you can do so by clicking this link. Highly recommend reading her look at what a lockout would mean for the North Shore.
Barrry
12:38
If we are serious about winning then wouldn't Lowe be extended now?   BC will spew his "we made a good offer"crap when he goes elsewhere.  IMO
Colin Beazley
12:40
Players have choices in this, too. I haven't heard much here, hoping to learn more. But if I were Brandon Lowe, why would I sign with the Pirates before I find out what every team is offering? It's good business to see what's out there.
12:42
That doesn't mean that Lowe is someone who is or is not looking for the highest bidder. I don't know what he's looking for in free agency. Could be any number of things. I'm just saying the Pirates haven't done anything wrong by not signing him tomorrow, while from Lowe's perspective, it makes sense to wait.
Dan N
12:42
Colin what was Cherringtons biggest failure this year ? Not acquiring a left handed start waiting until trade deadline
to bolster the bullpen …spending 20$ million on Ozuna and Soto…failure to get a right handed bat to offset their left handed lineup…I guess need I go on ?
Colin Beazley
12:45
With the benefit of hindsight, it has to be signing Ozuna. That said, I'll admit I liked the move at the time.

The Pirates spent a good chunk of payroll on a player who didn't produce offensively and hurt their defense (because he was established as the every day DH). Spending that money better, ideally on someone who would hit lefties, absolutely could have been enough to get this team into the playoffs.

That said, Ozuna also deserves blame for not doing his part and producing.
Ryan
12:45
Colin what do you think about the play of Rafael Flores i think he has looked good and should catch some games this week and next week
Colin Beazley
12:46
I've been encouraged by what we've seen lately. He's looked the part of a major league catcher and a capable platoon 1B. Not quite ready to proclaim him as the opening day catcher, but I definitely want to see more from him over the final 12 games and believe he can be part of the Pirates' future.
Floating around
12:46
Do you think the Pirates won't add any prospects to the 40 man the last couple of weeks (can easily place someone like Ashcroft on the 60 day) because of the impending lockout which means the newly added guys on the 40 won't be able to play in the minors if there is a strike,
Colin Beazley
12:48
Yes, actually. There are a couple of 40-man decisions they may have to make because of Rule 5 (Mitch Jebb/Lonnie White Jr.), but there's no reason to add someone like Connor Wietgrefe right now before you have to. He could probably help the Pirates, at a minimum filling innings, but it's better for them to keep him under control and playing baseball because they don't have to add him to the 40-man until 2027.

That said, most of the Pirates' top 40-man eligible prospects have already been added.
Load More Messages
Connecting…