Bill Brink's Pirates baseball chat: 2.12.13

Tuesday, 12 February 2013 13:30

Written by Bill Brink

Gillen4: Seen Jay Bell yet? Would love to hear his review since being hired in the offseason and what he is focusing on this spring with the team.

Bill Brink: Passed him in the clubhouse this morning but haven't spoken to him in depth yet. Will be interesting to see how the two-pronged hitting coach approach works.

Andrew P.: What's the outlook on the back end of the rotation? With Liriano and Morton out, Sanchez probably not making it, who fills out four and five?

Bill Brink: It'll be Burnett, Wandy, McDonald and Karstens. Then Jeff Locke, Kyle MpPherson and Jonathan Sanchez will fight for the final spot. Andy Oliver, Justin Wilson and Jeanmar Gomez are also there, but really, it'll be between Locke and McPherson.

Jeff: Jose Tabata has severely underachieved since signing that big contract a few years ago. Do you think this is a make or break year for him?

Bill Brink: Yes, especially with the mess at the corner outfield. The Pirates want to give Starling Marte most of the starts in left field, leaving Tabata in right with Snider and Jones. Snider will have the inside track there, so Tabata will be fighting for time. His option status means he's likely to make the roster, but his playing time may be reduced.

robshelb: The three (or four) most important things we should be watching/looking for/worrying about during Spring Training are . . . ??

Bill Brink: 1. Battle for the final spot in the rotation, as mentioned above.
2. The progression of Liriano and Charlie Morton, both coming back from injuries.
3. Any changes to the way the Pirates condition in order to avoid a third collapse.

Jolly Rodger: When you discuss the 5th spot until Liriano returns you always discuss McPherson and Locke but not Sanchez; and you seem to have Karstens as a lock in the 4th spot. Do you think Sanchez was just a contingency in case they didn't sign Liriano and now don't see him as part of the plan? And if McPherson and Sanchez have strong springs, is Karstens really a lock to make the rotation?

Bill Brink: Sanchez still has a chance to make the rotation, at least until Liriano returns. His control issues and injuries last season make me hesitate to put him in the same category as McPherson and Locke. Right now, I find it hard to believe that Karstens could be healthy and not make the rotation.

Jim in VT: What is the organization's time frame for Tony Sanchez's arrival?

Bill Brink: If you mean arrival in the majors, it's impossible to pin. Martin is under contract for two years and they have McKenry as the No. 2. I spoke with Sanchez this morning and he said he understands his chances of making the roster out of spring are almost nil. He wants to perform well in front of the coaches and Hurdle and get to know the major league staff better so he's ready in case he gets a chance.

Hunter: If all the starters are healthy who would you say has the current edge on the 5th starter spot? Karstens, Locke, or McPherson?

Bill Brink: Karstens. Sustained success in the majors when healthy.

jersey joe: There is talk Snider has fallen badly out of shape, what do you see and what is your opinion

Bill Brink: No idea where that talk originated. Snider's in good shape.

Hunter: It sounds like Charlie Morton is pretty far along in his rehab. If he comes back early how will the Pirates handle him considering the rotation looks full and most take a little time to get back into old form? Could he go to the bullpen or do they force him into the rotation since he is out of options?

Bill Brink: The interesting thing about Tommy John is it's impossible to come back "early." It takes about a year for the hamstring tendon to turn itself into a ligament, like the one it replaced in the elbow. If you return to full workload before that time, you will re-injure it. Morton should be ready in June or July, and these rotation issues have a way of working themselves out. Last season we wondered how the Pirates would fit Burnett, Correia, Bedard, Karstens, McDonald and Morton into the rotation and three of them got hurt.

Mike: Who do you see as the 8th inning guy?

Bill Brink: We were chatting about that this morning. I could see, in the absence of a "set-up" guy like Grilli, it going by committee between Watson, Melancon and Hughes. Watson if there's a few lefties up, Hughes against a poor low-ball hitter, etc. Bryan Morris could also be in that conversation.

Jim in VT: Internally, are the collapses considered more physical than mental, or the converse?

Bill Brink: I talked about that with Gaby Sanchez at mini-camp (keep in mind he was only here for one of them). He said he didn't see a change in effort, approach or mental state during the collapse. It was more a lack of physical execution, both hitting and pitching, and they stopped getting some bounces on offense that they got in June and July.

Nick: Have you talked to Neil Walker? Is he completely healthy? And does it look like he will bat 2nd or 5th/6th?

Bill Brink: I'll get several Walker questions out of the way. Last I spoke with him, at PirateFest, his back felt good and he started swinging from both sides and normal offseason conditioning. I bet he bats in both spots depending on the opposing pitcher.

Hunter: If James McDonald struggles to start the year will there be much hesitation to pulling him out of the rotation? Can the Pirates risk running him out there for nine or ten starts if he looks like he did the 2nd half of last season?

Bill Brink: McDonald will get some leeway if he starts the season in the manner that he finished it last season, but I don't think he'll get nine or 10 starts. Not with the options the Pirates have in the rotation. Maybe six or seven.

TimF: When do Liriano and Charlie start throwing off the mound?

Bill Brink: Liriano won't throw off a mound for about a month. Morton is in the process of returning to the mound, but just to throw, not necessarily throw bullpen sessions.

Mike: Is Marte the main option at the leadoff spot?

Bill Brink: He's a candidate, but he needs to improve his plate discipline. Otherwise his on-base percentage will force Hurdle to move him down.

Mike: What does the FO see in Travis Snider?

Bill Brink: They see a former first-round pick who had major league success in 2010 who they have years of control over, and hope he can replicate that success with a new club.

Lets Go Bucs: Do you see McPherson as a candidate for the bullpen due to his shoulder issues, if Locke wins the 5th starter job, or will he go back to AAA?

Bill Brink: I think he will go back to triple-A. He had biceps issues in the Dominican rather than another shoulder issue, and he only made three starts at Indy last year. I could see him starting there and coming up due to an injury or to make a spot start if Locke wins the fifth spot.

JohnS: Any talk about the conditioning and overall expectations of Tabata? I know they seem to like Snider but I still believe Tabata brings more to the table.

Bill Brink: Tabata spend the offseason in Miami working out and appears in fine shape. The Pirates are going to give Snider the first shot in right field, forcing Tabata to the bench and to a limited role. He's a good average hitter when he focuses on his at-bats, but he can lose that focus easily.

Hunter: Does Justin Wilson end up in the pen or do the Pirates give him one more year in the Indy rotation to work on his control?

Bill Brink: Wilson could end up in the Pirates' bullpen. I think Hurdle would like him there to have another left-hander to use. But if the Pirates have seven relievers they like better, Wilson could get another shot at the rotation to see if he can improve his control and consistency.

Gillen4: So is Liriano going to be pitching with the rest of the pitchers with the cast on?

Bill Brink: His cast is off. He wears a velcro brace when throwing or doing activity. He will likely take another four weeks to return to full strength and health, so he will be behind the rest of the pitchers.

Lets Go Bucs: What about the RF battle? Indications Sands will be given a real chance, or is the job Snider's to lose? How does Tabata figure into the picture?

Bill Brink: The job is Snider's to lose, but Sands will have a legitimate chance to make the team in spring training. A bench spot will be hard to find, but if he impresses the coaching staff he could earn one.

Bill Brink: When I say the job is Snider's to lose, I mean he will get the majority of starts. Garrett Jones and Tabata will also get some time, but Snider has the inside track.

MStufft: (loaded question) 5 reasons why they will or won't break the streak in 2013.

Bill Brink: Five they will:
1. McCutchen-Jones-Alvarez in the middle of the order
2. McDonald will put together a full season
3. Grilli will pick up where Hanrahan left off
4. They surge in August
5. Burnett-Barmes-Grilli leadership

Five they won't:
1. Bottom of the order still suspect
2. No one will pitch to McCutchen
3. Mucho uncertainty in the rotation
4. Alvarez's inconsistency and strikeout total
5. Burnett does not match his 2012 production

Bill Brink: Gonna run to catch the end of workouts soon. Lightning round. Go.

Gillen4: Favorite dinner spot in Bradenton that isn't a national chain?

Bill Brink: Mr. Bones on Bradenton Beach. Phenomenal barbecue.

John: Making the trip down on March 1st. How was your trip and where did you stay the first night?

Bill Brink: Long but good. Stayed in Athens, Ga. for the night. Really nice college town.

Hunter: Is Harrison the leader for the "super-utility" role at this point?

Bill Brink: Yes, I see him reprising that role next season.

Ryphia: Wandy happy to be a Pirate?

Bill Brink: If he's not, he's a good actor.

Hunter: Is Wandy a good actor?

Bill Brink: We'll find out Sunday. I hear he's up for Best Supporting Actor in a 19-inning Road Game on Getaway Day.

Bill Brink: That's it for today. Sorry for the delayed start; I'll have wifi issues resolved before next Tuesday's chat. Thanks for all the great questions.