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Pirates opening day: Live pregame chat with insider Colin Beazley
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Colin Beazley
11:32
Good morning from New York. Happy opening day. Clubhouse just ended, so I've got some time to talk all your pressing start of season Pirates questions. Awesome for baseball, real meaningful baseball, to be back.
Aces High
11:33
Happy Opening Day!! With all the optimism for this year's team, is the left side of the infield really playoff caliber? And the 7-8-9 hitters need to contribute. Does the bottom of the lineup not scare GMBC, as his job cold be on the line if they miss the playoffs again?
Colin Beazley
11:36
Happy opening day indeed, Aces High. At least on paper, the left side of the infield looks like a weakness for this team. Jared Triolo's defense is an attribute, while Nick Gonzales should take a step forward offensively, but few pitchers will fear that part of the Pirates' lineup. But any team not spending $300 million will have weaknesses, especially those teams that spend a third of that. The Pirates will need their bottom third of the lineup to contribute and both Triolo and Gonzales to hit, but they don't necessarily need both to hit .500 to be a playoff team.
11:38
And yes, I'd say playoffs are the expectation. I don't know what it would mean for Cherington et al. if the Pirates have a winning season without playoffs, but there's need for progress this year and pressure to improve.
Leemarvinwannab
11:38
Average offense + below average defense + middling pitching = 79 wins... what say you?
Colin Beazley
11:41
I disagree with the assertion the pitching is middling — the Pirates could legitimately have one of the best staffs in the majors this year. Heck, they finished seventh in ERA last year, and that didn't include Bubba Chandler, had Braxton Ashcraft out of the bullpen largely, and didn't have any Jared Jones. There's real upside there.

I don't disagree with your offensive and defensive evaluations, but average offense would do wonders for this team if the pitching is as good as it was last year. I predicted 83-79 in our season predictions, which went online yesterday and was in print today.
Wayward
11:44
Colin, how many pitches for Paul today?
Colin Beazley
11:47
Don Kelly didn't give an exact number when we asked pregame, saying he was meeting with Skenes and coaches later. I'm anticipating 75-80 today, which would continue the ramp up from 65 in his last spring outing. Kelly did say that he wouldn't be pushed as hard as he would be in the middle of the season, so I don't expect much higher than that.
Jim in VT
11:47
Whats your expectation as to Griffin's promotion date?
Colin Beazley
11:51
I don't expect Konnor Griffin to spend much time in Triple-A. There's incentive for him to be promoted by April 9, which would allow the Pirates to earn a PPI draft pick if Griffin were to win rookie of the year (or finishes top-three in MVP voting in the next three years). That said, that also doesn't give him much time to work on things he struggled with this spring. I'm expecting we'll see Griffin soon.
Jim
11:51
Great day for baseball, Colin. Question abut J Garcia in AAA. If he rakes this April and May, how do we justify keeping him down, could you see a trade to open some space for him?
Colin Beazley
11:55
It is a fantastic day for baseball, Jim. Opening day would be great regardless of weather, but it's a really nice day in New York (not quite as nice as the 70 degree day in Pittsburgh, but).

As for everyone's favorite Password Jhostynxon, I don't think he'll be promoted if the Pirates don't have a role for him, one that gets him enough playing time. If Reynolds/O'Hearn/Cruz goes down with an injury, we'll see Garcia. And if he rakes, that gives the Pirates some options for what they do with him. Sure, that could be a trade, but likelier is that the Pirates applaud his success then wait until they need him. And over 162 games, they'll need him at some point.
Jim
11:59
Think the Bucs will do something for Cutch when he comes back with Texas?
Colin Beazley
12:01
I'm sure Cutch will be recognized and celebrated when he retires or when he returns when a team. I'm sure his number will be retired at some point. But the Rangers don't play in Pittsburgh this year, as the Pirates are headed to Dallas in April. I don't think much will happen for McCutchen at a series away from Pittsburgh, but he'll definitely be celebrated down the line.
Buctober
12:03
What's your favorite away ballpark?
Colin Beazley
12:06
Ooh, a non-Pirates baseball question. Wrigley and Fenway are special, though I prefer Fenway of the two. Also like Dodger Stadium, so I guess I just like the old ones. I'm a big fan of baseball played how it's meant to be, old ballparks with soul, ideally in neighborhoods.

Also liked Kauffman and Target Field more than I expected to last year. Kauffman I'd been to as a fan, while Target Field was completely new. Neither are best ballpark in baseball territory, but I do like both.
TM
12:06
Do you think Pham should have came back or are you happy with the pirates offseason moves
Colin Beazley
12:08
Breaking news as this chat has happened: ESPN reports Tommy Pham has signed a minor league deal with the Mets. Has an opt out after a month and a lot of incentives.

I think the Pirates have upgraded their outfield, though they could use Pham's defense. Glad he's getting another opportunity, but I'd rather have O'Hearn and Mangum than Pham.
Tired of same ol
12:09
is next year Skenes' last as a Pirate?
Colin Beazley
12:11
I'm more optimistic than some of my colleagues on this. If the Pirates are good in 2027, I can see where they justify running it back in 2028, especially if Griffin/Chandler/Ashcraft etc develop as the Pirates think they can. The Lowe trade and the Ozuna signing were win in 2026 moves, but it's not like this is the only window of contention.

But I don't expect the Pirates to take Skenes into his final free agent year. They would be doing themselves a disservice if they let Skenes leave for free after 2029.
Jim
12:12
As far as Skenes, is it realistic to think they could offer aocntract that buys out his arbitration years and maybe add one more year to delay free agency, maximize his value when they do, gasp, have to deal him?
Colin Beazley
12:13
I think the ship has sailed as far as a Skenes extension. The time to buy out a young player's contract is when they're unproven or they have their pre-arbitration years. Skenes is going to get paid starting next season and doesn't need to sign away any free agent years to do it.
TM
12:13
Who is your sleeper that we should watch out for this year
Colin Beazley
12:14
For biggest surprise in our Pirates predictions, I said Brandan Bidois. Reliever starting in Triple-A Indy, but he was stellar last year and showed some nasty stuff in spring. I think he gets up sometime relatively early and could be this year's Isaac Mattson, where he comes up and sticks.
Tired of same ol
12:14
Are you a Philadelphia fan in terms of sports teams since you went to Nova?
Colin Beazley
12:17
Haha no. I grew up in Los Angeles, so my pre-journalism loyalties were out there. See sports a little differently now that I write about them, but a couple of fandoms (in no particular order): the Lakers, USC football, Villanova basketball and the Green Bay Packers.
BondsBonillaVanSlyke
12:17
What do you see happening for Endy, Password, and KG getting to the team.  Not for them, but what has to happen beyond injuries for them to be needed.   Likewise, if there aren't injuries, how do the Pirates manage the workload for the Young Bucs : Chandler, Barco, Ashcraft
Colin Beazley
12:20
Ok beyond injuries:
  • Endy: If he hits and Joey Bart doesn't, I think they can create a role for him. Think a Bart trade is possible, especially if he continues to hit lefties. Endy can play his way up.
  • Password: Needs a spot. This is more dependent on the Pirates starters staying healthy and productive, though I don't think any of the three outfielders will be benched any time soon.
  • KG: I think he can be up and be up soon. As soon as they deem him ready, he can play shortstop and the Pirates can slide Triolo over to third.
The Pirates will have to be careful with Barco and Ashcraft (Chandler's just young, but is more built up). I'd expect some shorter mid-year starts for Ashcraft to keep his innings down. Maybe even a little time in the bullpen if they deem it necessary, where they can have someone like Barco/Harrington/Dotel come up for a start or two.
TM
12:20
favorite ball park food
Colin Beazley
12:21
At PNC Park I go for paninis on the club level, though chicken tenders are consistent. Far better options at most other ballparks, though.
Tired of same ol
12:21
Whoever was involved in selecting Henry Davis as the 1st overall selection a few years ago should be fired.  He's an inept hitter.  The first time I saw him swing a bat a couple years ago I could tell he wasn't going to be able to hit.  It's a very ugly swing that doesn't stay on an even plane through the plate.  What say you?
Colin Beazley
12:23
I'm not going to get into swing logistics or mechanics. All I'll say is Davis has some optimism, as do others in the organization. The homer he hit to right-center was a good sign, though I wouldn't go as far as calling it a potential turning point in his career.
TM
12:23
What was your favorite pirate memory last year
Colin Beazley
12:25
Them sweeping the Mets was a fun weekend, but my favorite was the Skenes-Yamamoto game in LA where Skenes dominated the Dodgers for 6+ innings. One of the best performances I've seen on a baseball diamond (and Skenes was better in Philadelphia, but we know how that one ended).
TM
12:25
Who do you think will be NL ROTY
Colin Beazley
12:25
I predicted Bubba Chandler.
We'll close this out with several questions from Demosthenes, who got a few in at the buzzer...
demosthenes98
12:25
How did the clubhouse react when Konnor Griffin got sent to the minors? Did they see through the Bob Nutting trick the way the fans did, or were they deceived?
Colin Beazley
12:26
I didn't exactly go through and do a survey, but I think there's confidence that Griffin will help the Pirates at some point this year, likely soon.
demosthenes98
12:26
Another Griffin question (last one for today, I promise): who made the final call on sending him down? Did Ben Cherington and/or Travis Williams figure out what Nutting would want without having to be forced? Or did Nutting personally intervene and put Griffin in the minors himself?
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