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Nubyjas Wilborn's Pirates chat: 02.06.19
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nubyjas wilborn
12:30
Greetings, ladies, & gentlemen. I hope you're well on this rainy day in Pittsburgh. Let's get rolling.
Hank
12:30
With Steve Blass turning off his mic at the end of the year, whom do you see as a replacement for him? I really like John Wehner, just wish he wouldn't put an "h" in the word strike.  He says "shtrike."
nubyjas wilborn
12:31
Ironically, I just got off the phone with John for a story I'm doing this week. Pirates haven't said much. And likely won't until the end of the year, but Wehner would be a great choice.
Richard
12:31
Hi! Thanks for taking time to do this!!! I think the Pirates are only two pieces away from having a chance at contention. One of those pieces is a starting pitcher. Given how slow the free agent market has been these last two years, I don't see any reason why the Pirates can't go out and get someone decent for a 2-3 year deal at a fair price. With an addition like this, the Pirates would have the best pitching lineup (starters, relievers, closers) in the NL Central division. Given this, who would you target for a starting pitcher for the Pirates.
nubyjas wilborn
12:32
Richard, thank you for reading and following. I think the Pirates want to see what they have in Lyles before they make a move. I'd maybe go for Keuchel
Dean
12:33
Will this team ever try to make a meaningful signing? I love baseball but feel like spending $ on the Pirates is justifying the the owners destruction of this team. Give me a reason to actually want to spend any $ to help the most pathetic owner in all of sports!
nubyjas wilborn
12:34
The pierogi race is fun :) Nah, but seriously, I like Josh Bell, the top 4 of the rotation is strong, and the back end of the bullpen is too.
Bob
12:34
Why must the ownership commence with the dumpster diving again?
nubyjas wilborn
12:34
one man's trash is another man's treasure.
Sweeney
12:34
Assuming the NL does adopt the DH, starting in 2020, does anyone currently in the Pirates system fit the mold? Or will they find an out of house solution?
nubyjas wilborn
12:34
Kang.
Adam in Boulder
12:34
The Pirates have not won the division in 27 years, and haven't qualified for the play-in game in four years, and yet they've added zero players of note in the offseason. #1 What excuse do they have for standing still while teams that finished ahead of them improve their rosters, #2 By what year do you think they'll win the division?
nubyjas wilborn
12:37
excuses are tools of the incompetent, Adam. ;) But the team seems to be convinced they can win without spending tons of money and developing within. 2. If Hayes, Keller, & Tucker are good as advertised maybe soon
MjB
12:37
OK...I am a realist.  We are not going to sign the big name FA's remaining.  However, like last year, there are players out there who can make a huge difference.  I remember Cain signing with Milwaukee late last year and thinking, that is a game changer.  Of Keuchel, Hellickson, or Gio Gonzalez, all of whom would greatly benefit the Pirates, who would you see the Pirates legitimately pursuing?
nubyjas wilborn
12:38
I covered the Braves before I came here, I saw a lot of Gio, trust me, he's not better than anything you have in your top 4, that said, maybe Keuchel
12:39
Jeremy Hellickson is off the market now
Adam in Boulder
12:43
Which infielders do you see starting the most games for the Pirates this year? I'm assuming Josh Bell, and then...?
nubyjas wilborn
12:47
good question, Adam. I'd assume Bell, after that, it's in flux, Wish I had more...
Mark
12:47
Nubyjas, every organization has a Hayes, Keller, and Tucker.  The Pirates don't have anyone on their major or minor league roster where the opposing team pitches around or hope they avoid a certain pitcher.  They're not winning this division anytime soon (unless the Cardinals and Cubs move).  Thanks for the chat.
nubyjas wilborn
12:47
every? Are u sure?
ke'bryan mays hayes
12:48
Have you heard anything about Neverauskas's offseason? The guy throws 100mph and has nice curveball and slider, but gets hit hard for whatever reason. Curious if he's trying anything new to put those tools to better use.
nubyjas wilborn
12:49
very little to be honest, the team still likes him, but he's got to show some improvement in control.
Alex
12:54
Do you see Nick Franklin making the team as a utility man, or just AAA depth?
nubyjas wilborn
12:55
he has solid shot as a utility man, & frankly those positions are becoming more valuable as teams continue to add more pitching to 25-man rosters
Alex
1:04
Who would you say are the biggest "x-factors" for the Pirates in 2019?
nubyjas wilborn
1:06
Can Chisenhall hold down left until Polanco comes back? What will Polanco look like when he returns? Is Archer capable of a full season of success? And which one of the young kids is ready to play?
Mike
1:06
If Kang hits like he’s done in the past is there any shot he moves back to SS? Moran showed signs of good offense in September, and those bats together would be big.
nubyjas wilborn
1:08
I attempted to ask him this during PiratesFest & through his interpreter, he said he'd play anywhere. I'd expect him to get some reps there during spring to see where he is. If he can & Moran can be good, you find a way to get both of them in the lineup as much as possible.
MAZ01
1:22
Is Cervelli off the market? Too bad he wasn't dealt to a contender.
nubyjas wilborn
1:22
as of now, yes..
ke'bryan mays hayes
1:23
Have you talked to anybody in outside sales at the team? They had to have been on meltdown watch after Huntington & Coonelly's Piratesfest Q&A. Trying to imagine cold calling somebody about a season ticket package right after my boss said that bidding on a free agent automatically means overpaying them.
nubyjas wilborn
1:23
I have. They're making it work the best they can.
Nutting & his Clowns Suck
1:24
This team has done nothing but cut close to $ 40 million from payroll over the past 2 years despite all time high revenue streams from Disney etc.  t
nubyjas wilborn
1:24
gotta phrase in the form of a question, Clowns
1:30
are all hearts and minds clear
Alex
1:35
Pirates seem to have deep bullpen depth. What's your prediction on the opening day bullpen?
nubyjas wilborn
1:38
Vazquez, Kela, Brault, Kingam, maybe Frankie,
Scott Stout
1:38
Do you feel there is really a collusive element among the owners regarding free agency or is this a new paradigm we are seeing regarding teams not shelling out big bucks for free agents after the steroid/amphetamine era since players are not producing at ridiculous heights into their 30s AND teams are finding more value in buying out arbitration years and some free agency, thus creating a less dynamic market?
nubyjas wilborn
1:39
I don't to go that far, but there have some reasons to believe something has drastically changed
Mike
1:48
As a Pirates fan, really all that I can hope for is that  there is a strike when the next contract expires and are are salary caps (and salary floors).  Unless that happens, I cannot imagine the pirates even making the single game wild card.....  At this point, the only team that we are competing against is Reds to see who finishes last in the division.  I think that it will be the Pirates.
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