We are nearing the four-week mark of the baseball season already. Hard to imagine that we are so far in, isn’t it? We figured with some actual data and time to form reactions, we would open up our Pirates mailbag for the first time this season. You asked the questions, and we have the answers.
When’s 22 gonna start getting hits? – Mark Wendt, Wakonda, South Dakota.
Good question, Mark. It’s one that all Pirates fans want to know. Andrew McCutchen has just two hits in his past 25 at bats — hardly the MVP consistency that we are used to. McCutchen will be fine, but first, the Pirates need to put him on the disabled list. He injured his knee in spring training and brushed it off as no big deal. The truth is, it is a big deal. I don’t know if it needs a procedure or just rest. I’m a journalist and not a doctor for a reason. But too many times (Ryan Braun last year), we have seen an athlete try to play through an injury and hurt their production instead of resting it. It’s only April. Take the 15 days, get healthy and he’ll be back to the Cutch everyone expects him to be.
What is the status on Lambo, 1-21 isn’t what we need…is there any bat in AAA? – Charles Hileman, Kingwood, West Virginia.
Andrew Lambo is once again off to a slow start, but the fact of the matter remains that Neal Huntington loves him. I can’t vouch for Clint Hurdle, but Huntington loved Lambo enough that he dealt Travis Snider to the Baltimore Orioles, assuring that Lambo would make the team as a reserve outfielder and first baseman. But I’m with you, Charles. Give me Jaff Decker, who I suspect will make multiple appearances in Pittsburgh by year’s end. He was injured to start the year, and he’s hitting just .259 in Indy. Still, I’ll take him over Lambo. I’m afraid Lambo is a AAAA player.
Do you think the Pirates have totally disregarded Tony Sanchez as a major league catcher? Juli Cawley, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Hi Juli. We’ve received a lot of questions about Tony Sanchez in this week’s mailbag. Simply put, I don’t feel Sanchez has a future with the Pirates. They’re more than OK with having Francisco Cervelli and Chris Stewart for their defense, and Cervelli’s OBP. Sanchez is a great guy who committed himself this offseason and spring training to the game — the numbers have shown. But with the short term and long term (Reese Mcguire) taken care of at catcher, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least bit if the Pirates dealt Sanchez this year to let him continue his career with some other organization.
Why is Mark the Shark still the closer?? He needs to be demoted asap before it more into the season! Promote Watson! – George Santel, Pittsburgh, Pa.
He’s still the closer because Clint Hurdle is loyal to his guys, George. Not saying it’s right or anything, but that’s how he is. It feels all too similar to last year with Jason Grilli, though, doesn’t it? According to PITCHf/x data, Mark Melancon’s cutter velocity is down over three mph, which is a huge amount for a pitcher. It could be dead arm, or it could be something else. I was surprised that he wasn’t put on the disabled list last week while they sorted it out. Also, I don’t think it would be Tony Watson primarily as the closer. While it’s true that manager tend to shy away from left-handed closers, Watson’s splits over the years show that he is just as good against right-handed batters as he is against left-handers. That being said, expect hard throwing Arquimedes Caminero to get a shot, too, if Melancon would get pulled from the role.
Do you feel the Pirates will make a move for another starting pitcher like Cole Hamels , etc to add a veteran in the event that Locke, Worley or Morton ( when he returns ) struggles ? Is there a viable option in AAA that might fit the bill ? – Paul Boccadori
They may make a move for another starting pitcher, Paul, but it won’t be Cole Hamels. In the past, we have heard — and seen, thanks to the Astros — what it would take for the Bud Norris-type pitcher of the world. The Pirates won’t land Hamels. No chance. As for the second part of your question, yes, there is help in Indy. First, Casey Sadler is going to be this year’s Brandon Cumpton. He will get the first shot for a spot-start or as an injury fill-in, should they need it. Later in the year, Nick Kingham should make his debut in Pittsburgh. While he’s not a Jameson Taillon or Tyler Glasnow, Kingham could make an immediate impact for the Pirates.
If Neil Walker has the career year he is looking like he’s having, what will happen in the offseason? – Keith Hadley
Same thing that happened this past year, Keith. There will be talks and demands from fans for a long-term extension, but it won’t happen. The Pirates and Neil Walker view the situation differently. Walker wants to cash in for his first “real” big payday, but since he won’t be a free agent until 2017 when he’s 31, the Pirates aren’t going to want to commit that type of money to him. Sorry to say, but enjoy Walker in Pittsburgh until then, because he won’t be around after that.
