Three thoughts on the Pirates
1. All eyes on Glasnow
Tyler Glasnow has been ranked as the Pirates’ top prospect for so long that it is easy to forget he just turned 23 years old last month.
Thus, it is only natural that he has had ups and downs in his brief time in the major leagues this season, going 0-1 with a 4.11 ERA in five games, two including starts.
Glasnow will start Sunday against the Washington Nationals at PNC Park in the finale of a three-game series and it will be interesting to see how he performs.
His last three appearances have been out of the bullpen and he has allowed just two runs in seven innings. Glasnow was particularly impressive in his most recent outing, pitching three shutout innings against the Cincinnati Reds.
Glasnow’s start is certainly not a make-or-break situation. However, it should give the Pirates at least some indication as to whether he might be ready to begin next season in their rotation or needs to be sent back to Class AAA Indianapolis for more seasoning.
While Glasnow seems to have nothing left to prove at Class AAA after going 10-4 with a 1.96 ERA in 28 starts at that level over the past two seasons, the Pirates would like see him command his pitches better and show improvement in controlling the running game.
For his part, Glasnow says he is much more confident going into his first start since July 23, when he lasted just three innings against the Philadelphia Phillies, being pulled when he needed 75 pitches to get nine outs.
“I feel like I have my feet on the ground now,” he said. “The newness isn’t there.”
A strong finish by Glasnow would certainly provide hope looking ahead to 2017 when the low-budget Pirates figure to have a very young starting rotation.
If Gerrit Cole returns healthy after a lost season, Jameson Taillon and Chad Kuhl continued to improve after solid rookie seasons and Glasnow breaks through, then a potential liability would be a plus.
2. Heart-stopping figure
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Thursday that the Pirates have engaged Ivan Nova’s agent, Greg Genske, in contract extension talks in an attempt to keep the right-hander from reaching free agency in November.
A day later, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported the Pirates have stepped up the talks and are pushing hard for a deal.
The PG reported that Nova’s initial asking price was five years and $70 million. It is hard to begrudge Nova for aiming high, especially because the free agent market will lack quality starting pitching options.
However, the Pirates will not pay that kind of money to Nova. Nor should they because he does have a track record of inconsistency during his seven-year career that warrants such a risk.
Nevertheless, it’s hard not to wonder who handled the defibrillator paddles to restart Pirates owner Bob Nutting’s heart after he was informed of what Nova asked.
3. Good news for Stewart
Backup catcher Chris Stewart underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee this past week and is expected to be fully recovered by spring training. That was a positive development for Stewart, who feared he needed career-ending microfracture surgery.
It was also good news for the Pirates as Stewart has not only been a solid performer during his three seasons with them but one of the most-respected players in the clubhouse.