Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager shared thoughts on Jose Fernandez, Tyler Glasnow & more on his weekly radio show.
Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington on his weekly radio show with Greg Brown on 93.7 The Fan. It was a wide ranging conversation highlighted by some iluminating comments on Tyler Glasnow. Here is a recap of his comments.
On the tragic passing of Miami Marlins SP Jose Fernandez
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]It is one of those things that takes your breath away..his energy, his love of the game, the story of how he got here…becoming one of the best pitchers in the game…he seemed to have everything going for him. One of the bright lights in our game. Clint tells the story about getting to know him and the connection that they made…it’s an unbelievable tragedy. one of those sad stories that you hope never happens, but it has, and it’s going to impact a lot of people for a long time.[/perfectpullquote]On what made the club decide to move Tyler Glasnow back into the rotation for the final stretch
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] There was some good discussion in terms of what’s best for Tyler and for the organization. As we looked at next year and the positives that Tyler took from the pen – the aggressiveness, the simpllified approach – we felt it would be good to give him two opportunities to build on it. [/perfectpullquote]On concerns about Glasnow’s diminished velocity
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]There was concern, and as we talked about it, it was just getting out of his routine. it was just that he had been up in the bullpen, made an appearance on the 11th, one on the 16th, and then had to go three innings. As good as his velocity was in the 16th, we feel it was fatigue and getting out of the routine.[/perfectpullquote]On Starling Marte‘s status
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Continues to be day-to-day, but we are running out of days. Still muscular in nature; still ocks up on him; he’s just not able to work through it. He’s a guy who plays through pain, but the back is not cooperating.[/perfectpullquote]On contract negotiations with Ivan Nova
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]I still prefer not to respond, because when we respond, the next time we don’t respond people can insinuate one or the other things. We respectfully like to neglect to comment, but we are interested in having Ivan Nova stay with the Pittsburgh Pirates and he has been public about his desire to stay.[/perfectpullquote]On if the team will ever go beyond a three-year extension for a starting pitcher
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Hard to say never, history tells us that four and five year deals for pitchers don’t typically end well. But, we work hard not to have absolutes. We want to take each situation in and of itself, but again history teaches us some pretty good lessons.[/perfectpullquote]On the team’s sudden left-handed heavy bullpen, and if that was by design
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]No, I have joked that Clint’s wanted 2-3 left-handers in the pen for the six years he’s been here and now by the law of averages he has them. We were anticipating getting Neftali Feliz back; getting A.J. Schugel back. We didn’t anticipate Jeff Locke being down. So, we needed guys to eat innings; as we looked externally, we felt like we needed guys who are experienced reliever to come in in the middle of an inning or go on back to back days. [/perfectpullquote]On Drew Hutchison‘s best role on the 2017 club
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]We gave up a significant sum to get him as a starter; we knew the market will be thin so we wanted to pursue him. We still believe he can start, but also want to see how strong of a rotation we can put together for next season. We will want to see if he can evolve to be a part of that.[/perfectpullquote]On Trevor Williams and his chance at starting for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2017
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]He’s in a bit of a different situation in that he’s option-able, and that’s a tough position to be in as a young quality starting pitching candidate. As I said, we need 7 or 8, and you may have to keep a guy like Trevor down there for depth. He will absolutely have a chance to earn a starting job next season. We will consider him for that and the bullpen as well.[/perfectpullquote]On the progress seen by Mitch Keller
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]He’s made great progress; and we try to give young pitchers a full season in the South Atlantic League; rather than moving them halfway. But, he was just so good. Had about a four start stretch where he was mortal, and that’s tremendous for a player to go through some adversity. Down the stretch, we sent him to Bradenton to get that playoff experience and the experience of helping a good team. Great head on his shoulders, developing an ability to recognize swings, but already has that explosive fastball/breaking ball combination.[/perfectpullquote]Huntington also had a revealing comment on Nick Kingham. Huntington likened him to having a “Jameson Taillon-like” track in 2017. That being, starting at a high level and being an MLB depth option.
Overall, these were very illuminating comments from the Pittsburgh Pirates general manager. The Pirates’ brass is clearly starting to turn an eye towards 2017, regardless of the club clinging to breath in the NL Wild Card chase.
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