Michael Sanserino's Pirates chat transcript: 7.3.12

Tuesday, 03 July 2012 15:53

Written by Michael Sanserino

Michael Sanserino: Welcome to this week's chat. We will start at 2 p.m. Who brought the pizza this week?

Closet: I brought the buffalo chicken hoagie.

Macs: I make a killler pie MANGA {SP}

Michael Sanserino: Did you guys not read the intro post? Pizza. It's Pizza Tuesday. The food posts are a sign that we've started. Keep em coming.

Mike in Downtown: 13 HR's 33 RBI's from the catcher position through last night. Close to what management expected in the preseason or a little better?

Michael Sanserino: Definitely a little better. I think the front office expected to have about 20 HR, maybe a little less, from Barajas by the end of the season, and maybe 5 from McKenry. It has been McKenry's power production that has allowed the Pirates to outperform expectations at catcher.

Macs: Please don't take this wrong, but does CH have you guys check your Cajones at the door when you guys are in his office

Macs: let me expand on the last one Mike it got sent early, reason i ask is you guys seem to give him nothing but soft balls, is he that intimidating or are you guys just giving him respect

Michael Sanserino: Macs, I think that is a fair criticism. But in our (the Pirates' media contingent's) defense, I think we have a decent reading of our sources. We ask questions we know will get answers. Often Hurdle -- and others -- bristle when we ask pointed questions. That's not to say we don't ask challenging questions at times, knowing we might get scorn in response. But your opinion is certainly a valid criticism -- perhaps we need to be more direct at times.

chrisinbloomfield: Where did it really start to go wrong for Tabata? This year, he hasn't seemed like the Tabata that was called up from the minors.

Michael Sanserino: I think it started to go wrong at the end of last season when he was hampered by a string of minor, but pesky, injuries. He played scared most of the season, and that only increased when he tweaked his leg earlier this season. He is timid, and that is not a mindset for success.

JamesinNYC: Why Hernandez? Is that a sign that Tabata is short term demotion?

Michael Sanserino: Not necessarily. I believe the team will keep Tabata in Indianapolis as long as it takes for him to figure things out. We should know more about the team's mindset in the next couple hours, but I'm sure it has part to do with the offensive success they are currently experiencing with Sutton and Jones and part to do with the belief there is more for Marte to do before he is 100 percent ready to make his Major League debut.

rcbucs: How do you see the Bucs handling the leadoff spot with Presley, Sutton and Gorkys in the mix?

Michael Sanserino: I doubt we'll see Gorkys hitting leadoff. My guess is Presley gets the go against RHP and Sutton against lefties. Presley has impressed me with his at-bats of late -- he is making pitchers throw a lot of pitches, which is what you'd like out of a leadoff batter.

JamesinNYC: Mangia

Michael Sanserino: There you go, Macs.

SufferThePiratesFans: Leaving aside the question of whether or not it's a good idea (and at the price it'd take, it's almost certainly not), do you thinka Greinke/Hamels trade would be something NH would pursue?

Michael Sanserino: It does not fit his character. Whenever he talks about player acquisition, he talks about a 2, 3, 5, 10-year plan. A Greinke/Hamels trade would run counter to that.

rcbucs: How did Gregg Ritchie go from being a useless, clueless moron to the next Charlie Lau?

Michael Sanserino: That's only if you believe he was ever the former or the latter. I think too much was made of Ritchie's influence when the team was struggling. He was the would-be scapegoat that was never sent for sacrifice. He's not getting credit in the same amount of excitement.

Macs: Thanks guys

BillinScott: What do you think about the possibility of Rudy Owens coming up to the big club? He really has had a nice year in Indy

Michael Sanserino: He has. I think it all depends on how the Pirates come out of the trade deadline. If they deal arms, there is a very good chance Owens joins the big club. If they acquire an arm or two, that likelihood diminishes.

VinnieInSF: Of these players who are the Pirates most likely to trade for: Josh Willingham, Josh Reddick or Jed Lowrie?

Michael Sanserino: Willingham. But that's too much of a hypothetical at this point.

PolishHillHank: Who would the Pirates have to part with to get a bat like Josh Willingham or Bryan LaHair?

Michael Sanserino: Neal Huntington called it a "sellers market" Sunday on his radio show, so at this point, a lot. It really all depends on how the market progresses over the next three weeks. But their desire for a bat with multiple years of control will come at higher price than what they paid last season for Derrek Lee and Ryan Ludwick.

Closet: Let's get into All-Star snubs. Thoughts on Grilli? I think he deserved a shot, but I'm not surprised he was overlooked.

Michael Sanserino: In my opinion, he had All-Star numbers and deserved a nod over some of the relievers that made the team (See: Papelbon, Jonathan, 2012). But I, too, am not surprised he did not make the team. Setup guys who make the team are few and far between. Those that make it post unbelievable numbers. Meek made it a couple seasons ago, but I doubt he would have made it were the Pirates not required to have a participant.

BillinScott: Michael, What have you been hearing about Mark Appel with the deadline coming up?

Michael Sanserino: Nothing different than what I've always heard -- this deal will likely run close to the deadline.

Macs: Gerrit Cole, is he doing OK, are there any side effects?

Michael Sanserino: Seems to be doing just fine. Had a decent outing for the Curve last night -- has cleared all medical tests.

BillinScott: What are you thinking is the ETA for Taillon to join Cole in Altoona?

Michael Sanserino: If he can string together a few more consistent outings, soon. Perhaps by the end of the month. He struggled early last month, but has put together a few strong outings lately. He just hasn't been able to do a few in a row.

Macs: Mike, hard hitting question , Cherry Garcia or Chunky Monkey?

Michael Sanserino: Is that a real competition? Cherry Garcia, hands down. I also like New York Super Fudge Chunk. And Stephen Colbert's Americone Dream.

But Cherry Garcia will always win.

Dormonster: If Clint Barmes continues to struggle when do the Pirates decide to trade for a SS or find the solution within?

Michael Sanserino: I'm not sure if it will come to that, at least not this season. Barmes' production has really picked up in recent weeks. I don't think they will give up on Barmes by the end of the month, so if he does not produce toward the end of the season they will be forced to find answers within.

King Beavis: Do you think Theo Epstein would trade within the division?

Michael Sanserino: For the right return, yes.

rcbucs: As we all expect be in the thick of a pennant race come September, what position players do you foresee being called up?

Michael Sanserino: Marte, Hague, Mercer, Clement, Navarro, Hernandez, Tabata

BillinScott: With Tabata being sent down and Marte and the rest of the outfielders on the big club playing well. Is there a chance we could have seen the last of Jose this season?

Michael Sanserino: There is always a chance, but not a big one. When Presley was sent down, conventional wisdom was he would stay in Indianapolis as long as it took to fix his issues at the plate, even if it took until September. It took just a few weeks. I think the same is true for Tabata -- he could stay in Indianapolis for the rest of the season, but once he shows enough improvement, he won't stay there.

Michael Sanserino: Bit of breaking news: The Pirates have agreed to terms with 16-year-old 3B Julio Delacruz of the Dominican Republic. Baseball America rated him the 16th best signing in this year's crop if international prospects.

rcbucs: Do you think Theo would love to have Pedro and if he acquired him, would he tear down the light towers at Wrigley?

Michael Sanserino: I think any President/GM would be excited by the prospect of having a power bat. But it is not clear which Alvarez we've seen this year is the one that will stick around.

Guest: Any idea what's going to happen on Thursday re: Leroux?

Michael Sanserino: Not really. The front office has always been high on Leroux, but the bullpen is humming right now.

rcbucs: Any chance Sanchez would be brought up as a 3rd catcher option in September?

Michael Sanserino: It is possible if he finishes strong, so the club can better assess how to handle Rod Barajas' $3.5 million option.

BillinScott: Our bullpen is really right hand dominated. Any chance we call up a lefty or go after one via trade?

Michael Sanserino: Only if the lefty is an upgrade over the current stock. Team will not add a left-handed reliever just to add a left-handed reliever.

Macs: Sorry for the food question but answer this one quick, Pat's Geeno's or Primanti's

Michael Sanserino: Puh. Lease.

Michael Sanserino: Primanti's in a land slide.

Michael Sanserino: As for the food places from That Other City, Pat's over Geno's.

Macs: You can stay now

Closet: Chicago pizza or New York pizza? It is Pizza Tuesday...

Michael Sanserino: Chicago. Also not close.

Dan: Mike, too often I've seen that when the team's hitters struggle, it's because they're chasing pitches out of the strike zone. When they don't, they seem to stay within themselves and see the ball well coming out of the pitcher's hand. Does that seem so to you??

Michael Sanserino: Oh, absolutely. It's why slumps are so dangerous -- they make hitters try to play outside themselves and the problems only grow.

chrisinbloomfield: Any chance that Hurdle puts Cruz into lower leverage situations, given what we've seen recently?

Michael Sanserino: I think it is possible, but only if Hurdle is comfortable enough with having Jared Hughes in those higher leverage situations. Hughes has answered the bell so far this season, and Hurdle has gently nudged him into some of those late-innings roles. But Hurdle has not lost confidence in Cruz.

Guest: Geno's is better.

Guest: New York for Pizza.

Michael Sanserino: I respect all opinions. Even bad ones.

rcbucs: What's up with Bedard? Is it still his back bothering him? He has looked very Maholm/Duke like lately.

Michael Sanserino: He says he is healthy. But his performance this last month has certainly dipped. For me, it is about consistency. He has not been able to escape trouble the way he did earlier this season. Anymore, he has really good innings and really bad ones, and the bad ones hide the good ones.

JamesinNYC: Thin pizza from northern Italy or Naple/Sicily? I will take the thin.

Michael Sanserino: Hoping to get to the land of my ancestors in 2014, so I'll get back to you then.

BillinScott: Aside from Appel and I know this is a crap shoot sometimes. Looking at the pirates draft who gets to Pittsburgh the quickest?

Michael Sanserino: I like Barrett Barnes. He is playing well in State College and is a college pick. He signed early, too, so that helps a lot.

Michael Sanserino: OK, I've got to make the long drive from 34 Boulevard of the Allies to PNC Park. Thanks for all the questions today -- the serious ones and the fun ones. It's always a good time chatting here.

Michael Sanserino: If you have any additional questions, feel free to email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Next week is the All-Star break, and I'm not sure what our chat schedule is. But we will let you know soon.

Michael Sanserino: Thanks again!