You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Nubyjas Wilborn's Pirates chat: 08.21.19
powered byJotCast
ALB
12:06
Hi, Nubyjas. Is it somewhat depressing for you personally to cover a team like these Pirates? Do you envy the Atlanta reporters who have a first place team to write about?
nubyjas wilborn
12:08
I'll be honest. I enjoyed covering players like Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, Ronald Acuna, and so many others. Brian Snitker was also a dream to cover as a manager. That said, I enjoy covering the Pirates. There are a lot of great people in the org and I also respect the challenge of finding different angles. For example, I saw the team doing PFP's and other drills so I wrote about it yesterday.
12:09
Good afternoon, Pirates fans! I'm so honored to be here with you. Let's chat.
Ben
12:09
Will the Pirates trade Starling Marte this winter?
nubyjas wilborn
12:09
I don't see it.
Richard Mallary
12:09
I think I would like Clint Hurdle if I met him.  But I'm struggling to think of any team in any sport that went from a contender to possibly the worst team in its sport almost over night.  You can analyze each piece of the puzzle and see individual faults by ownership, players and office management, but doesn't the dimension of this collapse have to fall squarely on Hurdle?  He had (has?) a group of playes capable of contending - they proved that.  But I'm thinking it is VERY fundamental for a manager to be judged by his/her ability to rally a team when adversity arrives, and keep them in some semblance of how they finished the first half.
nubyjas wilborn
12:12
The Pirates have to fully evaluate what went wrong this season. But one of the glaring things I've seen is how often the Pirates fail and doing the fundamentals. They would be so much better if they did ran the bases well, played sound defense, threw to the right base, and got quality at-bats. Some of that falls on Hurdle.
Newman
12:12
That Mackey guy thinks Cole will be the long term answer at short. I think it’s more likely to be yours truly. Where do you stand?
nubyjas wilborn
12:14
Shouldn't you be resting before the game? But seriously, the bat has played and so has the glove. Right now Kevin Newman is the shortstop because he's earned it.
Bob Prince
12:14
I have been a fan of Clint Hurdle but he has to take some responsibility for the team's performance after the All Star break.  Reading stories about clubhouse issues, etc.  Does he survive?
nubyjas wilborn
12:14
I think he'll survive. I'm not certain that he should.
Rich from Indio CA
12:14
This current slide is almost exclusively on the pitching staff- both the starters and bullpen.  How can NH say with a straight face we plan to go with this pitching staff in 2020.
nubyjas wilborn
12:15
Maybe he sees something we don't. I'm not certain as to what it is, but he truly believes what he's saying.
Alan
12:15
Hi Nubyjas. Do you have a feel for how other organizations in MLB view the Pirates brass in terms of how they operate and the decisions they've made? Is there any derision based on the unwillingness to spend and sitting back and collecting revenue sharing checks?
nubyjas wilborn
12:19
Most people I've spoken to respect Neal Huntington as a general manager. The consensus is that he does as well as he can with the budget he has available. It's also no secret that the Pirates haven't spent on payroll.
Frustrated Fan
12:19
Do you think Bob Nutting understands the importance of an owner / CEO being front and center with the public when things go awfully wrong? Why has he not  made himself available to address the current situation with the Pirates?
Newman
12:22
If it turns out Hayes can’t hit, as recent evidence may suggest, what about me at third and Cole at short?
nubyjas wilborn
12:22
I'm sure your bat will keep you in play. But they're going to make every effort with Hayes because of his glove.
Raymond
12:23
Any idea what kind of young pitching is going to be brought up once rosters expand? Will Dario be in the rotation next season?
nubyjas wilborn
12:24
You've pretty much seen all of them. And Dario will have an opportunity.
JB
12:27
Is my future as a DH in the junior circuit? Hard to hide my inability to throw a baseball.  Keep in mind that Craig guy still has a lot to prove.
nubyjas wilborn
12:29
I haven't heard "junior circuit" in ages, which tells me that you're clearly not the real JB. Also, who's to say the DH won't be in the National League soon ;)
coworker to be named later
12:29
if you were in charge and could wipe out and replace the whole rotation except for one guy, which starting pitcher would you keep
nubyjas wilborn
12:31
Tough question. If you're asking me as a journalist, Chris Archer is the best interview. If you're asking as me being a GM, I'd say Musgrove.
Raymond
12:33
If Hurdle does get sacked, which he probably won't, who would you put on a shortlist for manager? If you had that power
nubyjas wilborn
12:36
Jay Bell, former Pirate and current manager in the Yankees minor league system. Tom Prince, current Pirates bench coach. Joe Espada, Astros bench coach, or Jeff Bannister.
Mark
12:37
IMO, the only pitcher who improved from last year is Brault, Vasquez is the same, and everyone else regressed.  Wouldn't you think that would cause the pitching coach's seat to warm up?
nubyjas wilborn
12:39
You'll have to ask why each pitcher regressed. Trevor Williams had injuries, Taillon as well, Musgrove and Archer entered the season off surgeries. I haven't gotten any inclination that the team is blaming Searge.
Patty
12:39
Are we keeping frank Coonelly?? Please say yes!
nubyjas wilborn
12:40
I'd be very surprised to see Frank go.
Raymond
12:40
Would love to see Bell or Bannister honestly! Those would go over well with fans. Andy Van Slyke (Tigers system coach I think) would be my dream candidate
nubyjas wilborn
12:40
Maybe Bell hires Van Slyke.
12:42
Let's finish strong, boys and girls! I know yinz have more questions.
Glenn
12:43
Who’s starting in RF opening day 2020?
nubyjas wilborn
12:44
Gregory Polanco, maybe...
Wayward
12:44
Although the catching situation is looking a little shaking I still think the positional core, including some of the AAA guys are pretty solid.  What are your thoughts?
nubyjas wilborn
12:47
I like Jacob Stallings as a backup catcher. His demeanor reminds me of Tyler Flowers with the Braves. He knows his strengths and weaknesses. Stallings is great with pitchers and could be a manager one day if he wanted. I'm not sure what happened to Elias Diaz, I can't help but wonder if he's fully recovered from the illness that caused him to miss spring training
Felipe
12:47
I like it here, but it’s clear I need to be used to get some starting pitching. Just send me somewhere decent. Your two cents?
nubyjas wilborn
12:47
They tried, but you're too valuable.
Glenn
12:48
What do u think about getting rid of Frazier who’s been a big disappointment and moving Moran full time to 2nd base?
Load More Messages
Connecting…