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Bill Brink's Pirates chat: 6.7.17
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Sean
12:28
If this team starts to lose and its the trade deadline.. Do you just blow the whole team up and start from scratch? Cause obviously there window closed after that 13' season.
Bill Brink
12:29
Not necessarily. In my eyes, this season is somewhat of an aberration. They couldn't have planned on a DUI-related visa issue, a PED suspension and a cancer diagnosis. I think they can make some moves to re-tool for 2018 without doing a whole rebuild.
Josh
12:29
What are your thoughts on calling up Steven Brault pending severity of injury to Nova? Also maybe move Glasnow to the bullpen to let him build some confidence, much like the White Sox did with Chris Sale to start his career?
Bill
12:29
When will Steven Brault be called up?
Bill Brink
12:31
I thought we'd have more clarity on that next Monday, when Taillon (probably) will be ready to return, but we might get a better sense when we figure out what's going on with Nova. Brault is certainly pitching well. But so is Trevor Williams, whose past four starts, and specifically his past two, have looked nice. So the question is do they keep trying with Glasnow, or do something with him; or do something with Chad Kuhl, who has had his share of struggles but has also shown signs of improvement and promise?

Glasnow is 23, which complicates things. It's not like they can give up on him and send him to a relief role. He still might be a very good starter some day; he just hasn't been to date.
12:32
What other questions do we have today?
Guest
12:35
What is Meadows super 2 status date? We can't possibly be a better team with gosselin up. Frazier or Jhay to rover and meadows up.
Bill Brink
12:36
Super Two is any day now. But they won't call up Meadows unless he's going to play every day. So they could decide to put Frazier somewhere and then promote Meadows, or wait until there's an opening.
John
12:36
When'd you think we start arranging lineup again? Cutch is hitting well in the sixth spot
Bill Brink
12:37
I think they might leave him right there and see how it goes, rather than rush him back up. Hurdle talked about it this way, and I'm paraphrasing: "If he hits in the first inning, it's really good for us. If not, he gets an inning to see how the pitcher's throwing and attacking guys." That could be helping him.
Marvin
12:37
Do the Pirates expect that Kang will play this season?
Bill Brink
12:38
The way it was explained to me, the committing of a crime in the first place was the issue, not the fact that his appeal was denied, so in that context I don't think they (publicly anyway) have a good read on it or have high expectations.
Guest
12:39
I think J Hay excelled at subbing in on a daily basis at various positions to give guys a day off so Frazier could start at second, Meadows in left and Gosselin returned to Indy.
Bill Brink
12:39
Harrison is their best hitter right now, and they don't want Frazier playing defense up the middle, so I don't think that is likely.
John
12:41
Why does JHay get hit so much? He's not standing on the plate like Rizzo does either
Bill Brink
12:41
He had that one stretch where he got hit with a pitch in four consecutive plate appearances. You're right, he's not as close as Rizzo. Just one of those things.
JamesinNYC
12:41
Have you talked to Cutch lately looks to be warming up, hopefully?
Bill Brink
12:42
Spoke to him Sunday in New York, more about the offense in general than him specifically, but yes, he is in a better place. Sending the 0-2, 97-mph fastball oppo for an RBI single last night stuck out to me as a good sign.
John
12:42
Out of curiosity, this is assuming they reach their full potential, which spot suits Meadows and Bell the most? As in their long term lineup spot. Is Bell a cleanup hitter? Because his approach certainly doesnt look like one.
Bill Brink
12:43
I think Bell can hit wherever they want him to hit. I'm optimistic, I know the numbers aren't there. Meadows, too soon to know, we'll have a better idea once he's here.
IndyFan
12:44
Casey Sadler looked good yesterday for Indy. Where do you think he fits in mix this year or next? Reliever or starter?
Bill Brink
12:44
Indeed, struck out the side. Looks like they're bringing him along in relief for now, though a return to starting is possible in the future.
Josh
12:45
Do you really think David Freese could be moved? I saw some rumors he could be traded and it would logically make sense due to Harrison moving to third and move Frazier to 2B? And obviously all of this once Marte returns
Bill Brink
12:45
I think he could be, but I don't think they're in a hurry to do so.
OhioBuccoFan
12:45
Do you get any sense that some of the team chemistry and/or locker room chemistry was lost when the Pirates traded Neil Walker? Sometimes, you don't realize the impact on these moves until you look back later. It just seems like he was one of those glue guys holding the guys together.
Bill Brink
12:46
It would be hard for that not to have some effect. He'd been in the organization forever, he knew everybody, he was good. But I don't think the ripple effects from trading Walker (other than the fact that what they got in return was not good and is not currently helping them) is the problem this season.
Lightning round. Go.
12:50
No lighting round questions? I even said last week I'd do a longer one cuz I cut it short with the day game.
OhioBuccoFan
12:51
Chances that Hurdle and/or Huntington come back?
Bill Brink
12:52
Man, great question. We're into June and they don't have new contracts or at least their 2018 options picked up. Makes you wonder, right?
I can't put a percentage on it but I'd say less likely than I thought at the beginning of the year.
bljr the 3rd
12:54
4 blowen saves ...we have a ryan duren throwing 102....what is clint thinking???
Bill Brink
12:54
We might find out this afternoon. This'll be a good referendum.
12:56
That's it for today. Great chat, team, thanks for all the good questions. We'll do it again next week.
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