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MLB trade deadline chat: 07.31.19
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Eddie Shack
3:37
Does NH get like a 15% cut from Spend Nutting when he dumps a salary like he did with Dickerson?
Tracy
3:37
Adam, Nubyjas. I completely understand your point about the return for Dickerson. But seriously, at some point doesn't the front office need to do some PR work with the fan base? This trade is not going to go over well. It's just going to create more anger and mistrust.
Bill Brink
3:40
I'm still kicking this one around in my head, to be honest. For two months of Dickerson, the Pirates saved $2.8 million got a player and got the opportunity to spend more in the international market, which (I know you won't want to hear this, but it's true) has an increased urgency under new scouting director Junior Vizcaino. On the other hand, they have a history of salary dumps (Liriano, Nicasio, Morton) so in that context this looks bad, especially because Dickerson was hitting well, has hit well when healthy, and hit .300 while winning a Gold Glove last year.
3:41
Maybe this means more playing time for Jason Martin; maybe that money will actually be used, like when the money saved on Liriano went to Nova. But yes, in the context of the perennially low payroll and lack of spending, it won't go over well.
And you could argue they should have gotten more for Dickerson, though front offices (especially Matt Klentak in Philly, a young analytically savvy GM) don't love giving up much for rentals these days.
Chuck Tanner's Burner Account
3:42
How far away is KeBryan Hayes away from the big club ? Is Adam Frazier a candidate to be moved to make room for some of the young talent at the big league level ?
Nubyjas, what's the #1 priority for the Pirates the balance of this season besides winning games ?
nubyjas wilborn
3:44
Hello, Chuck. There is interest in Frazier and that is a possibility especially as Kevin Newman has emerged as a real player. They still like Cole Tucker.
3:45
To answer your second question it would seeing what they have in certain prospects.
Scott Deel
3:46
Adam seriously you sound like a Nutting apologist. Oh boy some 'international money' let me jump up and down right now. What about the $50 BAM money each owner pocketed? Where the heck did that go? Exactly all in Nutting's pocket. Certainly not to help the team bring in quality players. All this Dickerson deal was was a salary dump. Stop shilling for the organization please.
Adam Bittner
3:46
Scott, I'm not telling you to be excited about the team getting some extra international bonus cap space. I'm explaining the difference between acquiring it and simply dumping salary. There is no practical reason to trade for the space unless you intend to spend it. Acknowledging this in a nuanced way is not the same as dismissing management and ownership's shortcomings.
HitEmWithTheHein
3:54
The pirates got international pool money for Dickerson. Who recently came to the team from this pool?
Adam Bittner
3:54
The short answer for the Pirates is no one, though other prominent young stars around baseball have been acquired through this process. The Braves' Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies. The Blue Jays' Vlad Guerrero Jr. Can the Pirates sign and develop guys like that? That's a valid question. Their track record at the moment suggests the answer is no. They also can't stop trying, and if acquiring bonus pool money helps in that pursuit, then it's useful.
Richard
3:57
Is it a 100% definite that Francisco Cervelli and Corey Dickerson will be gone next year?
Bill Brink
3:58
We know the answer on Dickerson (though he'll be a free agent and could re-sign) and the guess here is that the answer is the same for Cervelli. His future behind the plate is in question and it will be hard for the Pirates to pay for, and rely upon, him.
Adam Bittner
3:59
Woj from W Mifflin
4:01
Pretend u r Nutting.  Give me 3 reasons why I should renew my Pirates season tickets for 2020.
Bill Brink
4:03
1. Josh Bell hits balls into the river 2. Ke'Bryan Hayes might be playing Gold Glove-caliber defense at third base as a rookie 3. The ballpark is beautiful.
Adam Bittner
4:03
It looks like Felipe Vazquez will remain a Pirate.
4:04
The deadline has passed, but deals often are announced after 4 p.m. So stay tuned.
Dean
4:05
Does the PTBNL pool have to be set right now or could it/the player be determined on Dickerson's performance?
Bill Brink
4:06
Generally the PTBNL pool is agreed up on at the time of the deal, and I've never heard of a situation where it was contingent upon performance.
Richard
4:07
From a distance, Francisco Cervelli looks like the kind of guy who could have a career in coaching/management.  Are in agreement and, if so, has any such conversation gone on within the Pirates organization?
Rick Sunner in Orlando
4:11
Have the Bucs dangled  J. Bell or Craig out there as bait? Only 1 should be kept at this point.
nubyjas wilborn
4:11
He's said that he wants to be in a front office one day. To be honest, most players who've made as much money as Cervelli don't want to coach because you're working as hard as a player in many ways for not nearly as much money. I could see Cervelli start as a special advisor and do some spring work with players.
Bill Brink
4:12
I have to imagine opposing teams can do the same math we can on Craig and probably have inquired, but the Pirates have no need to be hasty there.
CampHillguy
4:12
Do you think it’s surprising Liriano and Melky weren’t traded?
Bill Brink
4:13
Yes. You figure they'd have gotten something, anything, for Melky. Liriano maybe less so considering just how beat up this pitching staff is and maybe keeping Liriano and not getting anything in return is worth more than having Geoff Hartlieb's and Montana DuRapau's arms fall off.
Gator Gal
4:15
How is it that the Dodgers are year-in, year-out one of the best teams in the league, but they have all those high-end prospects... and the Pirates finish poorly and do not?
Adam Bittner
4:15
Part of the problem is that the Pirates have not actually "finished poorly" in recent years. They've been mediocre, which means they've been toward the middle of the draft order and not getting consistent access to the top five or ten prospects in a given draft. That makes a difference over a period of years. So, too, does failing to draft and development impact guys with the picks you are given. Put the two together and the results can be uninspiring.
Buccs 72
4:15
Let's be real.  International pool money cap space only counts if you SPEND it.  I wouldnt trust BN to spend the money.  Why acquire it? So they can say they did at the time these deals are made.  Am I being unfair?
Bill Brink
4:16
It is entirely fair to criticize Nutting and the Pirates front office for not spending on the major league payroll. This is a different area entirely. Similar to my answer earlier about Huntington spending everything he can, international scouting director Junior Vizcaino will spend every cent he has to bring in talent.
Mike
4:19
Aren't you making the assumption that team mangament is trying to build a winning team? What if that assumption is wrong. What if they are trying to win just enoutgh to make a profit?
Bill Brink
4:20
I operate under the assumption that from Huntington on down the Pirates are trying to build a winning team. Their jobs depend on it (or they should; doubt Nutting would want to pay two GMs or managers). If we are to wonder about doing just enough to make a profit, we must look at what has been allocated to Huntington, and that falls on ownership.
rcc prof
4:23
Adam, I don't like the Dickerson trade at all. In one of your answers, you asked, can the Pirates sign the likes of Acuna, Albies etc.? A better question would be is there anybody in this darn organization capable of finding such players????
Adam Bittner
4:23
That is a completely valid question, and explaining the logic of the move is not the same as endorsing the Pirates' scouting and development. They could easily screw up any signings they make. What is the alternative, though? Throwing their hands up and giving up on acquiring talented international amateurs? Obviously, the answer is no. They must keep trying, as this is one of the few areas where they can compete with larger markets on a relatively even playing field.
thomastown
4:23
Doesn’t keeping Melky and trading Dickerson basically confirm that was a salary dump.  Melky’s not making much money.
nubyjas wilborn
4:24
Depends on what they do with the $250,000 in Int'l pool money and who the PTBNL is. I know pool money isn't "sexy" but it could turn into a good player or two.
CampHillguy
4:27
Adam, why do you suggest the Pirates being in the middle of the draft order (the Dodgers draft in the bottom of the draft each year) or player development as the Pirates’ main problem?  The main problem is that our Bob Nutting won’t allow a competive Prates payroll. Why do you ignore this obvious reality?
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