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MLB trade deadline chat: 07.31.19
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Bill Brink
1:52
I just asked around and got a "nothing yet" back on Vazquez.
1:54
We're having fun talking possible trades, but if you're interested in some thoughts on trades that actually do or do not occur, we'll do a Pirates trade deadline recap podcast tomorrow. You can find it here: https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/the-north-shore-drive-sports-...
Adam Bittner
1:56
BucsFanMD
1:58
What are your thoughts on Jason Martin?  I thought he looked good during his call up earlier in the season.  Should we expect an outfield of Reynolds, Marte, and Martin for next season?
Bill Brink
1:59
Talented, and well thought of, though triple-A and the majors have been tough for him. I bet we see a lot of him in September and we'll get a better gauge on what he's capable of (though September is a bad time for evaluation because of the expanded rosters and 27 pitchers at each team's disposal). As the Pirates consider Marte's future and Polanco's health, they'll want to see what they have in Marin.
Martin*
Ryan
2:00
Out of line to expect a 2020 opening day starting rotation of (in no order) Archer, Musgrove, Williams, Taillion, Kuhl? What do you guys think of that group of 5 if they can stay healthy?
nubyjas wilborn
2:01
They have a chance to be good. I wouldn't rule out Agrazal or Keller either. But yeah, as Brink said the Pirates need answers at SP. I also wouldn't count on Jameson yet.
D.J. Spin
2:02
Do you guys have any read/guess about the Dodgers ownership group? Maybe given the potential dearth of LHP options (if Giants don't sell), Friedman ends up with a directive to get Vazquez. Just something I haven't seen discussed much.
Bill Brink
2:03
That's a great question, because Friedman, despite having a larger payroll to work with, has operated in somewhat similar fashion to the way he ran the Rays, with a keen grasp of the importance of surplus value and young, talented prospects. If Huntington does his job and asks for a boatload for Vazquez, the only way he gets it from Friedman might be if someone above Friedman makes the call.
Eric
2:08
Do you think anyone is held accountable at season's end for another year of losing?  Player development is very poor, as well as very poor scouting.  Who in their right minds recommended trading for Archer?
nubyjas wilborn
2:10
I don't believe that Huntington, Coonelly, or Hurdle are in jeopardy. However, there are fair reasons to critique player development. On the Archer deal, the Pirates "went for it" last season. It didn't work out then or now. It happens. But I'd counter that Neal has made more good trades than bad trades.
nate
2:11
Does management really think they are close to contending or do you think that is just what they are saying publicly?
Bill Brink
2:14
I think it's more the latter than the former. They know better than we do the risks facing Taillon, and possibly Polanco, and how much injuries can affect a season. I don't think they're being untruthful (if their team stays healthy, they could contend next year) but they are likely more realistic internally.
john jas02
2:14
Why would Huntington not trade Vazquez. He pitches every 3-4 days and the Pirates are delusional if they think they are playoff contenders next year?
Adam Bittner
2:14
Vazquez is under contract for four more seasons after this one at a very reasonable price. That's a lot of control. Enough that you can imagine him pitching for the next competitive Pirates team. Neal Huntington can't overlook that for the sake of making a big splash in the moment. If Vazquez is going to go, it has to be because the Pirates feel the deal is the best option for their long-term future and not simply 2020.
nate
2:16
is it dodgers or bust for a Vazquez deal?  Doesn't Minnesota need bullpen help?
nubyjas wilborn
2:17
Nah, there are several teams interested as they should be. The Dodgers have gotten the most talk because they have highly ranked prospects. My old friends in Atlanta could use him. So could the Nats.
Matty
2:18
Refresh our memories, when the Rays got Baz as the PTBNL last season, did the Pirates have a say in that? Or were the Rays free to pick anyone not on the 40-man roster?
Bill Brink
2:20
Generally, though not always, with players to be named later, teams will agree on a small pool of players (say, three) from which the other team can select. This allows a trade to get done in a short period of time while giving the acquiring team more time to scout the youngsters in question. It was also used to circumvent the waiting period for players after they were drafted, but a rule change (call it the Trea Turner Corollary) got rid of that.
Eddie
2:29
What do you think the opening day payroll will be next year?  Will the new TV deal they have to negotiate influence the offseason signings(or lack there of)
Adam Bittner
2:29
Arbitration is going to have a big impact on the number. The Pirates will have some prominent guys -- Elias Diaz, Adam Frazier, Jameson Taillon, Trevor Williams and Joe Musgrove -- eligible for the first time. The club also has to make option decisions on Starling Marte and Chris Archer, and big contracts for Francisco Cervelli and Corey Dickerson are coming off the books, so there are a lot of balls in the air that make a projection difficult before you even consider the TV contract, which is a real wild card because of the possible sale of AT&T Sportsnet. Bill broke that situation down over the weekend. I recommend checking that out while we're waiting for some news.
scott
2:29
off the topic of the trade deadline, Does David Bell get a multiple game suspension from last night? Especially after getting thrown out and then coming back on the field?
nubyjas wilborn
2:31
I'd think David Bell and Keone Kela are in a bit of hot water. Bell was ejected and shouldn't have been anywhere near the field. Kela not only started the whole thing but admitted to doing intentionally. Bell made physical contact with Hurdle and had been ejected rather often in his first season as a manager.
Mark
2:32
The Pirates have a chance to shed some serious payroll before the '20 season and they are already near the bottom.  The Player's union would have to take action at that point, right?
Bill Brink
2:33
The union already has taken action, filing a grievance against the Pirates and three other teams alleging improper use of revenue-sharing money. I don't know what else they could do at this point, considering that grievance remains unresolved.
rcc prof
2:35
Let's pretend for a moment: let's say the pirates trade one guy, Corey Dickerson, and keep everyone else, including Cabrera, and get rid of all their double A pitchers. Next year Huntington actually is allowed to bring in three pitchers (via trade or free agency) and doesn't screw it up, why couldn't the pirates compete for a playoff spot?
nubyjas wilborn
2:39
In your scenario, we have to start with finding out what they get for Dickerson. Also, how are the Pirates "getting rid" of their "double A" pitchers? I assume you mean the pitchers that haven't performed well on the big league level? The Pirates were let down by their starting pitching this season. Pitching still wins championships so yes if the Pirates got significantly better pitching they could compete.
Adam Bittner
2:40
Buccs 72
2:40
We know about the proposed or rumored Vasquez to Dodgers trade, what are you hearing about others such as Dickerson, Cabrera and Liriano?  Do you think NH is trying to peddle Archer?  The Yankees are supposedly desperate for SP, I doubt they would trade much for Archer but they might take his salary off the Pirates hands?  Possible?
Bill Brink
2:42
Dickerson, Cabrera and Liriano could bring back small returns, but nothing large. In Dickerson's case the Pirates might consider keeping him to try to re-sign him (though they can always try to re-sign him after the season when he reaches free agency, they won't have the five-day exclusive rights window). The Yankees' rotation needs help, but I can't imagine Brian Cashman looking at Archer's 25 homers allowed and the way he's pitching now and thinking that will play in the AL East.
Adam Bittner
2:42
Looks like the Reds are making a mid-game deal, too.
Bill Brink
2:50
Hey hey, everyone.
Don Orris
2:51
If the payroll will be much lower again in 2020, why wouldn't Nutting bite the bullet and reach a buyout with Hurdle and bring a new manager on board with a fresh approach? At this point imo the players have tuned Hurdle out and he is on collapse #6 in 9 years. His time has passed along with Ray Searage. Thoughts?
Adam Bittner
2:51
Bob Nutting's Pirates fired John Russell and Jim Tracy with time left on their deals. If they want to move on from Clint Hurdle, I don't think they'll be too worried about his contract. Performance and the working relationship with management will likely be bigger factors. As far as the clubhouse goes, his guys seemed to show some fight for him Tuesday night, didn't they?
Bill Brink
2:51
Doesn't prohibit them from attempting to re-sign him, but  the guess here is they don't, unless they decide to move on from Starling Marte. Dickerson has been good when healthy with the Pirates.
Adam Bittner
2:53
So the Phillies get a Pirates outfielder and it's not Starling Marte. Makes a lot of sense to me. Andrew McCutchen is still their long-term fixture. A rental of Corey Dickerson gives them a short-term band-aid who can hopefully help them contend in 2019 and still have options in the offseason. Interested to see the possible return.
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