Michael Sanserino's Pirates baseball chat transcript: 3.20.13

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 13:53

Written by Michael Sanserino

Michael Sanserino: Good day from Disney World (kind of). The Pirates and Braves get started at 1:05 p.m. today, and we'll beat them by five minutes with this chat. Feel free to enter questions at any time. We'll get things started at about 1.

Michael Sanserino: OK, let's get things started...

Hunter: Clint Hurdle has always preferred to have two utility infielders and one being good defensively at SS. If the story is accurate, would the acquisition of John McDonald pretty much make him a lock for that role? If so who do you think has the inside track on the other utility infielder spot?

Michael Sanserino: More, than that, Hurdle likes having two guys who are capable of playing shortstop -- which is why Chase d'Arnaud was up yet hardly played toward the end of last season. He is certainly a lock as one of the team's utility infielders. I think Jordy Mercer has the inside track over Josh Harrison.

Biz: Do you know who the Bucs gave up for McDonald?

Michael Sanserino: The ever-popular Player To Be Named Later. That guy gets around.

marty34156: So, this John McDonald trade, any chance this guy actually makes the big club? Or is he just being added since without d'Arnaud Indy is pretty thin in terms of middle infielders.

Michael Sanserino: He is owed $1.5 million on a guaranteed contract. He will be on the Pirates' opening day roster.

JamesinNYC: Opening day right fielder?

Michael Sanserino: Tabata is my pick. But I think it's still possible the Pirates look to deal him before the season.

Guest: d'Arnaud to 60 day DL to open a roster spot for Johnny Mac?

Michael Sanserino: The leader in the clubhouse.... Should know for certain soon.

Guest: JMac pitching, JMac @ SS. Who bats 8th ?

Michael Sanserino: JMac

Sanoless: Was Gerrit Cole legitimately angered by being cut, or are the reports exaggerated?

Michael Sanserino: Depends on how you define anger. On a scale of Tony Dungy to Bob Knight, he was a 5. Certainly disappointed. Upset with the situation -- that he believes he is good enough to be a major league pitcher but frustrated with the things he can't control.

Hunter: Any chance the Pirates end up with Jones in RF and Sanchez at 1st sooner than later? How long will the leash be on Snider and Tabata considering Jones and Sanchez have a better overall track record in the majors?

Michael Sanserino: The Pirates don't really like the idea of Jones at right field and are much more comfortable with him at first base. It's more like he gets traded before he becomes the Pirates' every day right fielder.

BV: When should we expect the next round of cuts?

Michael Sanserino: As soon as tomorrow, I would guess. If we get to Saturday without any moves, I will be surprised. There are 43 players in camp (44 with John McDonald). There needs to be some movement.

JAL: Less than two weeks to opening day and Karstens has yet to pitch a league game.

Michael Sanserino: He needs to build innings at this point, and the Pirates want to get looks at guys they need to consider for the rotation. By having him pitch at Pirate City, they can kill two birds with one piece of granite.

marty34156: Who do you think ends up the 2 hitter? You think Pedro will be the clean up man from the get go?

Michael Sanserino: Whoever ends up winning the right field sweepstakes. Or Neil Walker. I think he thrives as the No. 2 hitter.

Michael Sanserino: Jose Tabata with a nice at-bat, ends with a line drive single to right field.

Hunter: Do you think the rotation is pretty close to being set in Hurdle's mind or will the last spot or two really come down to the last week's games?

Michael Sanserino: I think it's close to set, with McPherson as the favorite. But he will be tight-lipped as long as he can be.

Biz: What options are out there for a left handed stick off the bench other than Presley?

Michael Sanserino: Brad Hawpe is really the only guy who could do it. The options are limited, and the McDonald acquisition doesn't really help in that department.

JAL: Karstens threw 50 pitches in a minor league game and is scheduled to start Sunday against the Orioles. Is there enough time for him to ready for the opening of the season or will he be limited to 4 or 5 innings

Michael Sanserino: The Pirates believe he will be ready by the time they need a fifth starter. The off day after opening day buys them a little extra time. So they can use a four-man rotation for the first week of the season before inserting Karstens into the rotation.

Hunter: How is Liriano progressing and is there a time-frame on how long it would take him to be ready for MLB games?

Michael Sanserino: I wouldn't expect to see him any earlier than May, if even that soon. If spring training started today, he still wouldn't be ready to be a full participant. so he will need all that time to get ready still.

Michael Sanserino: Andrelton Simmons tags McPherson with a double to lead off the bottom of the first. It was about six feet away from a solo home run.

Nage: If Mercer makes the team ahead of Harrison, do you think: 1) he is ready to make 40 to 50 starts? 2) Hurdle will allow him to start once or twice a week? 3) do you think Mercer is ready to be a supporting piece to this team?

Michael Sanserino: Yes. No. Maybe. They're going to give Clint Barmes every chance to succeed this year and don't necessarily view Mercer as their long-term solution at shortstop. Consistency will determine whether he is ready for an enhanced role. And thus far, it's too soon to tell if he is there or not.

Wayward Eer: Is this last utility spot down to Inge or Harrison with the McDonald acquisition? Any thoughts to the player to be named level (A, AA)?

Michael Sanserino: I wouldn't think Inge at this point, or why else would they acquire McDonald? The bench is an interesting question at this point. I think a lot of it will be determined by who they settle on in right field. But figure three spots are taken: McKenry, Sanchez and McDonald.

As for the PTBNL, can't really say at this point. Hope to know more once the trade is official and the GM is willing to speak on the record about it.

Michael Sanserino: Kyle McPherson is getting lit up here. Five batters, four hits. A 2-0 Braves lead.

JAL: What do you think will happen with Jonathan Sanchez? Will pirates add him to 40 or let him go elsewhere?

Michael Sanserino: Most likely let him go elsewhere. Unless he dazzles in his next outing -- his decision date is Sunday. But as McPherson gets shelled today, I'm wondering if the Pirates are growing a bit more concerned with that fifth spot.

PhillyJake: If Barmes turned around and batted left handed, would anybody be able to tell by the results?

Michael Sanserino: Probably not in the first half of last season. But he got much better in the second half and if that trend continues, people should tell.

Michael Sanserino: Seven batters, six hits, 4-0 Braves lead.

Hunter: With the lefty bullpen options remaining in camp is Justin Wilson now a favorite to make the team?

Michael Sanserino: I think so. He has been strong this spring and can give the Pirates a lot of innings -- which is what they are looking for.

Fred in VA: Does the acquisition of John McDonald doom the chances of Brandon Inge making the 25-man roster?

Jim in VT: Does the McDonald move affect Inge's chances of making the team? Seems that Tabata, Sanchez, McKenry, McDonald and mercer/Harrison make the bench...so much for pinch hitting

Michael Sanserino: I think McDonald's acquisition is a big sign of how the team feels about Inge. And Jim, I would anticipate a left-handed hitter on that bench in some fashion.

JT: What is today's lineup?

Michael Sanserino: Marte (lf), Tabata (rf), McCutchen (cf), Jones (1b), Walker (2b), Inge (3b), Mercer (ss), McKenry (c) McPherson (rhp)

JamesinNYC: One of our multitude of AAAA outfielders going for McDonald?

Michael Sanserino: I would think that is a steep price.

Hunter: Is the competition between Locke and McPherson close enough that a start like this for Kyle could lose him a spot in the rotation?

Michael Sanserino: Well, it won't help. I don't think they will make any decision based on one start. McPherson has had the best "stuff" this spring and has impressed more of his teammates. But he hasn't been able to turn that into a string of quality outings.

JAL: Should we be getting concerned about 1st inning runs, last 4 games starter gave up a run or more

Michael Sanserino: I think so. It was an issue last year that does appear to have been corrected. It's early, but that's certainly not what you'd like to see if you're a Pirates fan.

Hunter: You mentioned above that you think Tabata has the edge at the moment in RF. Would that make Snider the lefty off the bench or do you think they'd acquire someone via trade?

Michael Sanserino: I think it's more likely Snider is the bench option. But I wouldn't rule out a trade -- whether to acquire a bench option or to send away an expendable piece.

robshelb: If neither Locke nor McPherson are up to the task, to whom does the team turn for a fifth starter during April??

Michael Sanserino: They are the favorites. I think Jonathan Sanchez has an OUTSIDE chance to challenge, if his next start is phenomenal.

Wayward Eer: If you had to venture a guess as to a position on the 25 man roster out of Spring Training potentially filled by someone not currently with the PBC what position would you think and why?

Michael Sanserino: I think the most likely option is a starting pitcher. Not sure if that is really likely to happen because they only need a stop-gap until Liriano and Morton are healthy and Cole is "ready."

DigitalDan: Last year there was quite a discussion on the blog about team chemistry and the guess that either plays no part or it might have been affected by McGehee's departure. Do you think chemistry plays a part or played a part? If, so what happens if Jones gets traded in the middle of the year since I have heard the announcers comment about 3 times during the season on how much he is liked and respected by the team

Michael Sanserino: That's a tough question to answer because it is a hypothetical at this point. Chemistry is a big part of a team's successes and failures -- just look at the megateams clubs have tried to piece together recently who have been below average or dreadful. To me, it's not about what happens when one piece leaves. It's about having the right collection of pieces. That is jeopardized when one guys leaves, but you never know what other players might be able to add to that mix.

Michael Sanserino: OK, Pirates have the bases loaded, no outs. I've gotta turn my eyes back to the game. Good questions today.

Michael Sanserino: Thanks for joining the chat today. Please tune in next week -- time and date TBA.