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Nubyjas Wilborn's Pirates chat: 09.18.19
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Ron J
12:59
I enjoy your writing . don’t u think they have to clean house & start over .
nubyjas wilborn
1:04
Hello, Ron, thank you! This has been one of the toughest 2 month stretches I've seen a team go through. For background, I covered the Atlanta Falcons during the Mike Vick era and when Bobby Petrino left. I still haven't seen anything as chilling as the details that are coming out. That said, I do think it's important for Bob Nutting to evaluate what is good and bad in the org. Rick Eckstein and Jacob Cruz have done an excellent job at improving the hitting. Kevin Newman and Colin Moran are now big-league hitters. Bryan Reynolds is legit and Josh Bell is a star. Starling Marte is a great talent as well. I don't think you have to blow it up when you have that foundation. However, Bob has to ask if Neal Huntington and Clint Hurdle are the men to lead.  Right now it looks bleak, but time has a funny way of providing clarity. It wouldn't be wise to make a choice today.
ALB
1:04
Assuming Vasquez won't is gone, the Steelers and the Pirates have both lost their best players, perhaps for good. How much damage does this do to the Pirates'
ability to rebuild?
nubyjas wilborn
1:06
I'm not sure what the Steelers have to do with Pirates and vice versa. Honestly, I still feel awkward discussing this from a baseball POV. But its very damaging to the Pirates. Vazquez was the best left-handed closer in baseball and maybe the best overall. Vazquez was under a team-friendly deal and was the most attractive trade chip. The Pirates can recover without him but it will hard.
Alan
1:07
With no prospects of any promise in the system, the loss of their only consistently good pitcher to a potentially career ending injury, their only legitimate trade asset rotting in jail, and the acknowledgment that the team won't be involved in free agency for anyone of real value or impact...is there any hope that this team will be relevant in the next 5-7 years??? How many simulations do you need to run before it shows a playoff berth in that time period?
nubyjas wilborn
1:11
Alan, it looks ugly right now. I quite frankly don't fully know what to make it of it all. Maybe Chris Archer comes back to being close to the guy he was 4 years ago. Maybe Trevor Williams and Joe Musgrove find consistency. Maybe Steven Brault takes a leap and is a good leftie starter. Maybe Mitch Keller is the real deal. Can Bryan Reynolds & Kevin Newman repeat or improve? Will Gregory Polanco play again and what will he be. My head hurts typing this and I don't have to make the decisions. I can't imagine how it is for Neal. I used a lot of words but today I don't see how they make the playoffs in the near future unless all or most the aforementioned things happen.
Jerry Glanville
1:12
Is there a way to access the -actual- attendance of fans rather than these contrived numbers. It has to be under 750 er..7500 or some nights
nubyjas wilborn
1:13
I guess we could count by hand, probably wouldn't take long based on the crowd I saw last night. Other than that there really isn't.
Rick Sunner in Orlando
1:13
Can the Pirates' season get any worse with the Felipe horrifying news? Not only does it further decimate the pitching staff this year, it kills any chance to get some starting pitching help next year. We know Nutting won't pay for anything over the winter so should we expect another 90-100 loss season next year? Where is the hope for this franchise without the obvious answer of Nutting selling the team? This really saddens me....
nubyjas wilborn
1:15
Only if somebody dies or gets shot. This is awful. That said, I do think that Bob will have evaluate his spending. It can't go on like this. The Pirates have to make changes if they're going to contend.
OHIO412FAN
1:17
Nubyjas, what is the Pirates approach and To Do list in the offseason?
nubyjas wilborn
1:18
They need to look at the catching position, they need more starting pitching, bullpen help, and now a closer. Other than everything is fine. lol
Bob Frank Neal and Clint
1:18
Good afternoon Mr. Wilborn.  Do you think all of our fans in Bucco Nation will remain loyal to us next year if we are all still present and doing our jobs to bring this town a championship like we always do.
nubyjas wilborn
1:20
I know this isn't Jimmy T, Dan, or Brian, because they would've used commas. There are a lot of good fans out there who still will support. However, a lot of those fans are hurting. It's one thing to have a losing ballclub. It's another to have the latest events come out. Trust has been broken and it has to be earned back. I hope you guys are ready to work.
CampHillguy
1:20
As the season lurches to its end, it is an apt time to evaluate the trades and player acquisitions by NH since the all star break of last year. 1. Meadows, Glasnow and Baz to Rays for Archer - Grade: F. 2. Ivan Nova and his $9.5M contract to Jays for $250,000 in international bonus pool $$s (Nova would currently lead Bucs in wins and innings pitched and be first or second to Musgrove in ERA and WAR) - Grade F. 3. Jordan Luplow to Indians for Gonzales ( luplow WAR over 1 higher than Gonzalez)  - Grade F. 4. FA signing of Lonnie Chisenhall (need I say more) - Grade F. 5. FA signing of Cabrera ( decent veteran bench player) - Grade C. 6.  FA signing of Jordan Lyles (ERA in low 5s as starter and horrible over last 8 starts with Bucs) - Grade D. 7. FA signing of Liriano ( decent bullpen piece) - Grade C+. 8. Trade of Dickerson ( and 3M of his remaining salary) to Phils for $250,000 in international signing bonus ( Dickerson hit lights out for Phils until he broke his foot last week) - Grade F. Should NH be back??
nubyjas wilborn
1:24
It's unfair to grade any of the trades involving pool money yet. We won't know the outcome for a few years. Erik Gonzalez missed 60 games with a horrific injury its also unfair to grade that. Lonnie was a fail, but a relatively cheap fail. The Archer deal looks awful. Neal has fails, but he also has wins ie the getting Bryan Reynolds in the Cutch deal.
Phillyjake
1:24
Is this team jinxed?
nubyjas wilborn
1:25
things aren't good.
Buctime
1:25
Do you feel all of that has happened, on and off the field, increase the chance Nutting selling the team ?
nubyjas wilborn
1:25
No. I don't see him selling.
Jerry Glanville
1:25
Why will a terrible NFL team go 0-16 but a just as terrible MLB team go 65-95?
nubyjas wilborn
1:25
because it's really hard to go 0-162.
OHIO412FAN
1:25
Can we expect the farm system to be better next year? They are a middle pack ranked system as of right now.
nubyjas wilborn
1:26
There is young talent coming up from the DSL so yes.
Jon Snow
1:27
I had a feeling that they would trade Kela this off season. Do you believe he will now stay and be the closer.
nubyjas wilborn
1:28
May not have a choice. Keone has the shot now he's gotta score. He has the ability.
Alan
1:28
Can Allegheny County evict the current tenant of PNC Park?
nubyjas wilborn
1:28
I'd have to ask one of our legal reporters, but I'd imagine it wouldn't be easy.
Jdan
1:32
I'm a (very) long term Pirate fan and, even through the tough times, continued to listen, attend and watch Bucco games. This season has tested my desire to continue supporting this organization......at what point does Nutting realize this is a **it show that needs to be blown up.....fights between coaches and players, fights in the clubhouse, a steady stream of negative behavior that has to reflect poorly on the culture of the organization and the control that those in leadership positions have over the team......what does it take for a total house cleaning?
nubyjas wilborn
1:35
I think it's important not lump the horrendous accusations against Vazquez with "team drama" what he's accused of is heinous. I'm still shocked by it. I thought the worst issue ws going to be the fights. Those altercations can be worked out. They also shouldn't have happened. I don't know how the Pirates address it but they have to keep the issues separate.
Jon Snow
1:35
I know they shut Polanco down but will he need another operation or just rehab. Any background noise
nubyjas wilborn
1:36
Not yet, we talk to the team doctor today.
Mike in MD
1:36
Hello Nubyjas.  First, I do think that you do good work.  Now I have to ask about the disturbing situation.  Based on what was published today about Vazquez admitting to the sexual encounter, are you surprised they have not already cut him?
nubyjas wilborn
1:37
Thank you. They have to be careful how they handle cutting him, which they will eventually, If they do it now they'll have to pay him. Would you want to pay him with what we know now? They have to let this play out.
1:38
I have to log off now. Take care of yourselves and each other. God Bless.
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