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Nubyjas Wilborn's Pirates chat: 08.07.19
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nubyjas wilborn
12:06
Good afternoon and welcome to the Pirates chat. Let's chat.
Kevin
12:06
I like an outfield of Dickerson - Marte - Reynolds a lot more than Reynolds - Marte - Polanco.  Was it a matter of money that the Pirates let Dickerson go?
nubyjas wilborn
12:07
It wasn't just money. The Pirates only saved a couple million. They want to give those reps to guys like Pablo Reyes and Jason Martin. Also, the Pirates could still sign Dickerson in the offseason if they so choose.
rcc prof
12:07
I am curious. I know the PNC lease goes another decade or so. And I know Nutting can decimate a contending team better than he can build one. I believe he is 0 for a decade or more. My question is, is Nutting just hanging on until the PNC lease expires so he can relocate the team? Perhaps Vegas?
nubyjas wilborn
12:08
I don't anticipate Bob selling the team or the team moving.
Richard
12:08
Cole Tucker became a highly recognizable, positive image of the Pirates in his short time here.  Great personality. However, his hitting in Triple A continues to be pretty weak.  The last posted round-up of Pirate's leading minor leaguers didn't even mention him. With all the infielders already on the team ( Pablo Reyes at 2nd base last night!) and a couple of strong possibilities elsewhere in the system (Hayes/Kramer), do you see a place for Cole Tucker (1) on the team this year and (2) beyond?  Simpler question, assuming no personnel additions, who will make up the Pirates' infield roster in 2020?
nubyjas wilborn
12:09
Tucker's hitting left a lot to be desired. However, he isn't a prospect anymore by MLB standards. He's now a rookie because of how many games and plate appearances. Kevin Newman and Bryan Reynolds also graduated from being prospects.
12:10
I do think Tucker will be around, however he might have a hard time winning short stop from Kevin Newman. It's too early to say what 2020's infield will look like.
Guest
12:11
Why doesn’t anyone talk about the Pirates failure to draft and develop pitcher?. Look at the current staff. Almost all of them came here from other teams. This is the 😂Pirates biggest problem.
nubyjas wilborn
12:11
It gets discussed all of the time. And it is a fair critique.
Dave
12:12
5 words or less: difference between Braves rebuild and Pirates. Keep up the great work.
nubyjas wilborn
12:12
Acuna, Albies, Soroka, Swanson, & Freeman.
ke'bryan mays hayes
12:13
I don't see how they can possibly go into 2020 with the catcher position staffed as is - and yet I feel that's exactly what they're going to do.
nubyjas wilborn
12:17
I like Stallings as a backup. I want him on my club. Elias Diaz is also a solid backup. I don't want either as my starter. But this is a larger baseball issue. I was talking to an old school scout about this before yesterday's game. Other than Realmuto, Yadi, Grandal, Posey, Wilson Contreras, how many good catchers are there? Back in the day, catchers were often the face of the franchise. Not so much. And other than Kelbert Ruiz in the Dodgers org there aren't many upcoming prospects that people are excited about.
Thomas
12:19
So who are the top 10 prospects in next years draft?  Hopefully the pirates can go about .300 the rest of the season and sneak into top 5.
nubyjas wilborn
12:19
Emerson Hancock, RHP, Georgia, Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Arizona State, J.T. Ginn, RHP, Mississippi State, Patrick Bailey, C, North Carolina State,
those are a few...
Jeff
12:19
I start with the owner who doesn’t know if a baseball is blown or stuffed. Where do you start Nubyjas?
nubyjas wilborn
12:21
That isn't true, Jeff. However, it is fair to question if Bob Nutting will ever spend enough money to field a championship team.
Dan
12:21
If there was a hockey like expansion draft this year in baseball, who should the Pirates protect? One starting pitcher, one reliever, one infielder, one outfielder and one catcher.
nubyjas wilborn
12:21
Musgrove, Felipe. Bell, Reynolds, & Stallings.
Jacque Strap
12:21
No question, just wanted to say God bless you for continuing to do these chats, and cover this sorry excuse for a baseball team.
nubyjas wilborn
12:22
I enjoy the chats and interactions. And covering the team is actually pleasant. The players are all good guys who are trying their best. It hasn't been enough, unfortunately, but the effort is there.
12:23
Let's get some more questions...
ke'bryan mays hayes
12:29
Huntington seems to think he can get the team into the playoffs next year, or at least that's the public stance. I can sort of see a path, but it would require an opening day payroll of $100 million to improve the catcher position and sign a top of the rotation pitcher. On top of that, you're crossing your fingers for better injury luck w/ healthy Polanco, Kuhl, Santana, and especially Taillon. Do you think it's more likely that 1) they spend the money 2) they stand pat and just suck again or 3) tear it all down and enter 2020 as rebuilders.
nubyjas wilborn
12:30
can I say 1.5? I think they'll spend some money this offseason but maybe not *that* much. Keep in mind that several players start arbitration this off-season that will change payroll.
Dan
12:31
Have there been any recent updates on the Dominican facility the Pirates built?
nubyjas wilborn
12:31
Not recently, but the team is performing well down there based on reports I've seen.
Buccs 72
12:36
So you really believe that the Dickerson give away...er...trade wasn't driven by the $ 2.8 million payroll savings?  Bear in mind the Pirates waived a pitcher having a decent season a couple of Augusts ago to save $600K in payroll
nubyjas wilborn
12:38
They didn't give him away. They got a prospect and more importantly, international slot money. The Pirates could very well turn that 250k into two or three Latin American prospects.
Richard
12:38
You say it's too early to guess who the 2020 infield will be.  Sissy answer.  No one is going to hold you accountable.  Take a shot - using only existing players in Pittsburgh and Indianapolis.
nubyjas wilborn
12:42
Richard, do you kiss your mother with those lips? Such unnecessarily harsh and homophobic language. It's also easy to speak that way with a fake screen name. However, to answer your question there are too many variables and I since I use my real name I am accountable. I think Frazier will be at second and Bell at first. Outside of that, I am uncertain. Newman could hold off Tucker at short. Moran could hold off Hayes at third. Hayes and Tucker are better defenders. Newman and Moran are more proven hitters. Next spring will be fun to see how they battle it out.
Mike
12:42
Mike Tomlin always talks about the Steeler's standard being the standard. Great concept for a team that is almost always near the top. What's the standard for the Pirates?
nubyjas wilborn
12:43
Good question. They say they want to be great. And there are a lot of talented and hardworking people in the Pirates org. However, I'm not certain if the investment is there to truly be a World Series contender.
Chris
12:43
Do you see any changes to the coaching staff next year? I'd like to see Uncle Ray gone.
nubyjas wilborn
12:44
I don't as of now. But I'd have to imagine this collapse will make the front office evaluate everything they did wrong this season.
ke'bryan mays hayes
12:48
Happy birthday
nubyjas wilborn
12:48
Thank you!
Chris
12:56
Not that it matters to Nutting, but I think he would score a much-needed PR win if he were to clean house in the front office.  I think they need a new direction.
nubyjas wilborn
12:57
It would but I don't see it happening.
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