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Post-Gazette Pirates chat: 12.05.19
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Pirates Insider
11:12
Good afternoon folks and welcome to our Pirates chat. I'll be your host ... let's just call me Jerry Garcia, formerly of the Grateful Dead. Thanks for stopping by. Leave your questions now. I'll be back at noon to answer them. Peace.
12:01
Alright, folks. Dark Star is playing. Some late 60s area Dead goin'. Let's do this.
Madlock
12:01
There seems to be a sense of players being positive about the resent selection of GM and head coach. Were things even worse then they seemed in the clubhouse last year? I thought it was more of a player issue but it now sounds like both Huntington and Hurdle lost the respect of most if not all the players.
Pirates Insider
12:02
I think you would be accurate with that assessment -- and I don't think it's anything against Clint or Neal. I think they were terrific guys for the time. They did some great things and should always be remembered fondly. They're good people. But it was time. The organization needed to go in a new direction. Things around the team weren't good. It wasn't fun. They were defeated, and, in hindsight, I think they knew it.
Rich from Indio
12:02
I think its time to blow them up.  Trade Bell to the Am league and Marte to the Mets or anyone else.  Gets some MLB ready minor league pitchers and a power hitter.  Right now we are stuck in not quite good enough land and they need to take a different path.  Your opinion?
Pirates Insider
12:05
Marte to the Mets is out. I also wouldn't move Bell, although I would listen to offers on Marte and Bell. I'd probably take something on Marte because he's coming off a really good year. Here's what I'm at with these guys: I don't think they need to a total rebuild. I think they need to 1. Get more out of the major league club. Pitching, power, defense, fundamentals. There's a lot there. 2. Develop what they have better. This means Hayes, Tucker, Holmes, even Moran, maybe Feliz, etc. Find a pitcher or two who surprises people. Then they work on acquiring more talented. Can do that through better drafts, plus maybe a Marte deal. Having an organization as deep as Cherington probably wants will take some time, but I do believe they can play winning baseball next season.
South Jersey Buccos Fan
12:05
What do think our starting INF will look like next year? I can see Cherington moving Moran , and Frazier.
Pirates Insider
12:06
Right now, I'd still go Moran at third, Newman at short, Frazier at second, Bell at first. I think Hayes is very close and could make a Cole Tucker-type appearances early on. Maybe he sticks. Gonzalez is a utility type. Tucker needs to hit, but could easily earn PT. I think Shelton will bring more of a rotation-type approach, something they did quite a bit in Tampa. Not the same eight + 1 every night.
Wil H
12:06
What are your expectations for this new front office at the winter meetings? With how little time they've had to prepare since Ben/Derek being hired, I'm keeping my expectations muted, but I'd like to be proven wrong!
Pirates Insider
12:14
I'm not expecting them to make a lot of noise, honestly. I could see them adding a catcher. I'm looking at Jason Castro a lot more now that Shelton is in charge. Maybe Austine Romine. They could also wait. Maybe someone else tries to get Marte, but I'm not necessarily expecting that to happen. ... Coaching staff will probably wait until after. ... I suppose they could make a depth add on the pitching side, although, again, I'm not expecting anything sexy.
Matt
12:14
What seems to be the possibly free agent acquisitions the team may be looking at? We know catcher as they let Diaz go, but what other positions seem to be on the radar? Who might be the players they want to approach?
Pirates Insider
12:17
I could see them diving into the discount bin on a starting pitcher. Right now, after trading Agrazal, their rotation is a little thin; they don't have much help in the minors, nor do they have much certainty with Chad Kuhl. Maybe a Drew Smyly type or Wade Miley from Houston. Depth options.
Tom
12:18
is any indication that the pirates will try to get Cory Dickerson back
Pirates Insider
12:19
No indication, but I would have to believe they'll entertain it. Makes a bunch of sense, provided they can afford him. As I understand it, Dickerson had zero interest in returning had things stayed the same. With so many changes, and with Dickerson having a history in Tampa, I can definitely see it making sense.
12:20
OK, just checked. Dickerson and Shelton were together for one year. Thought it was two. Still, there's something.
Jim
12:20
Trade Marte to get assets and use the $ to sign Pillar? Is this a terrible idea? (even if not reasonable)
Pirates Insider
12:22
If they can make it happen, I absolutely would not be against that.
Scott
12:25
With the sad Felipe Vazquez story, does that mean the pirates may look to add an arm via free agency for the bullpen. I know Edgar Santana will be back and Nick Burdi but is there a better option that they could ink to a cheap deal to help out our new closer, Keone Kela
Pirates Insider
12:26
They might add something there, but it wouldn't have anything to do with the Vazquez mess. Their bullpen last season was bad. And injured. If they can get someone on the cheap, absolutely I think they will and should. That said, if you're telling me they could have Kela, Crick, Burdi, Santana, Rodriguez, Feliz and Stratton all healthy? That's pretty solid.
*Healthy and productive
Thomas
12:26
I think there’s no coaching position more important to hire than pitching coach. What are some names you’ve heard may possibly be in consideration.. I know this may be a dead end question considering Derek Shelton was introduced just yesterday
Pirates Insider
12:27
It might be. I've heard Stan Boroski's name thrown out there, although not from anyone affiliated with the Pirates. At this point I would consider that someone they should talk to and nothing more. Has been Tampa's bullpen coach since 2011. From close to hear. Dealt with a lot of analytics and development-type stuff. But I agree with you: Hugely important here we're discussing.
Far out man
12:28
Pirates seem to be in a holding pattern on direction under Cherrington.  With new manager in place can we expect to see some movement in any direction?  What's your take on the short term plan?
Pirates Insider
12:28
I don't think they're going to lay out a marker any which way, honestly. Does them no good, unless they're going to completely strip it down and be transparent with their fans, earning some goodwill. But I also don't think that's a route they're gonna go.
Mark
12:28
Nubyjas, you don't fool me with that Jerry Garcia business.  Mackey is too smart to give himself away like that.  I saw billboards promoting Ticket sales.  Do they think fans are excited because they hired new management?  Shouldn't they get some players before asking fans to buy tickets?
Pirates Insider
12:29
Who are Nubyjas and Mackey? ... I would imagine the team is trying to promote itself. Every one of them does it. What do you want them to do? Ask people not to come?
Far out man
12:29
Lots of speculation on tear down vs retool at MLB level.  Could we see both -- ie deal the most tradeable assets for prospects and supplement with mid to lower tier FA acquisitions?  Seems like acquiring potentially useful pieces like Castro, Calhoun, Smyly are worth considering even if Marte and Kela are dealt.
Pirates Insider
12:30
I don't expect them to deal Kela, first off. You should want to win the games you're close to winning, and he gives them the best chance to do that. If he goes, who else closes? But to your earlier point, yeah, I think you very likely could see something of a hybrid here.
Far out man
12:30
Next to Marte, Josh Bell seems like the most valuable trade chip they own. Does his formidable bat outweigh his defensive liabilities to the right AL club?  Given remaining controllable years, could he net a big enough return to justify the inevitable yinzer outrage?
Pirates Insider
12:31
Sure. I think if some team is willing to get stupid on Josh Bell, the Pirates would be making the right move to do it. But again, they would have to get really stupid; I don't think that's going to happen, especially considering how uneven Bell's season was. (Read: another team might be scared off by his second-half struggles.
Gru
12:31
Where does Marte go now that marisnick went to NYM
Pirates Insider
12:33
I could see the White Sox making some sense. They have the prospects to it, and they seem to be turning their focus to 2020. Might be willing to overpay. Also, Toronto. Been a revolving door in CF there. Marte would solidify that.
Uncle John
12:34
I believe unloading Marte would be a smart move, since the chance of fielding a winner anytime soon seems unrealistic. It will also be a pleasure not to have to watch such a talented but undisciplined player game after game. With that said, what is he likely to bring in return?
Pirates Insider
12:35
Marte never gets a fair shake here. People always want to bring up what he does poorly. Yeah, he has some lapses. He's not the first baseball player in history to do stupid [stuff]. He also makes some instinctual plays that are flat-out incredible. Anyway ... they have to get back pitching. If that's a couple years away, so be it. But I'd want at least two good arms. If not, wait.
Jack
12:35
In you opinion why doesn't Nutting sell the team if he can't afford to spend what is necessary to be competitive?  I realize he is not losing money but I do not think he is making a ton either.  More ego owning a team but despised by his fan base??
Pirates Insider
12:37
It's a valid point. Nutting and the Pirates can push back on the narrative about how much he and they make. Independent of that, Nutting could spend more of his own money or bring in other owners with more power. He's also worth more than $1 billion. I'm pretty sure he could figure out a way to jump payroll by $25-$30 million for a season or two. But I do understand not throwing around stupid money in baseball; you don't necessarily have to if you're doing the other stuff right. The Pirates' problem recently is that they haven't been doing the other stuff right.
Drayno
12:37
Any names you hearing the Bucs may target this winter?
Pirates Insider
12:38
Not so far, no. Sorry.
Ryan
12:38
I saw something about tajuan walker possibly being a target. I think he would be a very good addition
Pirates Insider
12:38
If you could link the report, that would be helpful. Then, if it's credible, I'll be more than happy to discuss it. If it's somebody randomly throwing crap out there, I'm not wasting everyone's time with it.
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