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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 06.17.20
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Jason Mackey
10:56
Hello in here. Thank you all for joining my weekly Pirates chat. We'll get started at noon. In the meantime, feel free to leave your questions. About the Pirates, MLB, music, whatever. Let's have some fun.
Jimmie
12:02
Since starting pitching seems to be the Pirates' greatest weakness, are there any starters on the market whom we might be able to trade for?
Jason Mackey
12:02
Alright, folks. Let's do this. Away we go.
12:04
At this point, Jimmie, I wouldn't look for that to happen this season. One, I don't think it makes sense for them long-term to give up assets right now when there's so much unknown. Two, I think teams are going to be less inclined to trade starting pitchers right now. I think they're going to be less of a commodity. That said, if they could add depth at all, I would not complain.
Stephen
12:04
Hey Jason.  Do you know if the Pirates had any internal debate about drafting Gonzales over Hendrick? I like Gonzales, but Hendrick could develop into a nice lefty power bat who may haunt the Pirates with the short right field fence at PNC Park.
Jason Mackey
12:05
Hi Stephen. Not to my knowledge, no. I think -- whether you agree or not -- they very clearly viewed Gonzales as a better player than Hendrick. Or at least maybe someone they feel would fit with them more, I should say. But if there was a direct debate over the two of them, I don't think it lasted terribly long.
(Thanks for the questions thus far, folks. Good ones. Keep 'em coming.)
RichE.
12:05
Does MLB's antitrust exemption have any impact on the current attempts at having a season this year? And in general, how does MLB function differently than NBA,NFL, NHL, because of that exemption? I know that if I was billionaire I couldn't create a professional team, put in it, say, Johnstown, and force MLB to let my team play in the league but I couldn't do that with the NBA, NFL, or NHL either.
Jason Mackey
12:11
To the first part, Rich, I don't see how it would. Two, on how it works and the impacts contained therein, check out this from Baseball America; it's worth the time: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/why-baseballs-antitrust-exempt...
12:12
But to finish up, they could easily play a season here, and we could make zero mention of the antitrust exemption. The idea we're sorely lacking is compromise.
Arriba21
12:12
Jason..were you surprised the Pirates didn’t draft a southpaw pitcher?  Also, do you have any idea as to who the Pirates may be looking to trade for to start at catcher or backup Stallings?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:13
Hi Arriba21. I'm not, honestly. I don't think they set out to draft all righties, mind you, although I do think they actively wanted to inject more pitching talent into the minor leagues (as they should). What they seemed to get were guys with tools or stuff, potential they can groom. I can't argue with that. The true test will be how they develop said talent.
Manny
12:17
Hi Jason. I think it’s time for Commish Manfred to Manfred Mann up and come to an agreement with the players.  If there is no season, do you see Manfred keeping his job?
Jason Mackey
12:18
I'm not sure right now, Manny. I've been a little Blinded By The Light. ... But no, seriously. I'm not a big Manfred fan. I think he's looked ridiculous during this time. However, we need to keep in mind that he works for the owners. It's not just him going rogue here, although I do think he could be handling this a heck of a lot better.
Ricky
12:25
How would you feel about the pirates possibly signing Yasiel Puig? I think he would be very productive for us this year plus Nutting could get him for a pretty cheap deal in a short season. Pirates also have a better chance to make the playoffs now with a shorter season which would increase even more with puig
Jason Mackey
12:26
I would love it, Ricky. Tremendous idea. Again, I don't know why they haven't done it yet. Especially in a shortened season -- shoot, even if they don't play, put him in the front office or something -- Yasiel Puig is the answer for the Pirates.
Bucsfan 7
12:26
Hey Jason, two questions, do you think there will be a 2020 season, and if there is a season, do you think Mitch Keller will have a breakout year?
Jason Mackey
12:28
Lemme take the second part of that first. If they have a season, yes, I think Mitch Keller is going to develop as one of the primary storylines -- in a good way. He was throwing well in spring and I think really starting to figure it out. I also like how this current group has handled Keller versus what the former one did with, say, Glasnow. They're encouraging Keller to be himself, not have him adhere to some sort of philosophy that has worked in the past.
Donna
12:28
Is Polanco projected to be the starting right fielder?  I haven’t heard any health/injury updates.
Jason Mackey
12:28
Yes, Donna. If they play, Polanco will be their starting right fielder. He'll probably DH some, too.
Tommac48
12:28
If the Pirates would put a competitive team together in the next couple of years and make the playoffs, what assurances would we Bucco fans have that the owner would pay to keep that team together and increase payroll?  After all, ownership disbanded the team after the 13-15 run.  That 15 team won 98 games and competed for the division.  2016 was the beginning of rebuilding,  again!  Your thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:30
I truly believe Nutting recognizes they screwed up after the 2013-15 run. I think it's one of the reasons they've hired Cherington -- who is way into player development, finding players, etc. -- and you've heard so much about a "sustained model for winning." I'm going to link a story I did in January below. In it Nutting talks about adding to payroll and takes blame for that 2013-15 and beyond era. So, again, yeah, I do think if/when this current group turns it around, you will see Nutting increase payroll. I don't think Cherington or Williams take their jobs without that assurance.
Jim M
12:31
Jason,  It seems like the players are viewing the stand-off as a practice round before the CBA expires at the end of ‘21. That’s understandable but it seems unreasonable to not give even a small concession for the loss of revenue due to empty ballparks. The prorated salaries are based on the fewer games only. Am I correct?   Don’t get me wrong. I think it’s understandable for the players to not trust what the owners say about losses on faith alone.
Jason Mackey
12:35
Hi Jim, the players believe they've made their concession. In a given year, they're paid xxx for the year, not by game. Now, they're accepting payment by game. And I mostly see where they're coming from. I also think this is the unfortunate byproduct of years of acrimony between the two sides, resulting in neither side wanting to give an inch. So, the players realize they're probably going to get screwed anyway, why should they concede anything? They're also tired of getting jerked around, which you can see given they said they'd accept a shortened season and the owners are seemingly still playing around.
GSMP
12:35
Do you think Nutting is one of the six owners against playing this season?
Jason Mackey
12:36
I do not think so. This actually just popped up on Twitter. I'll share a text I got a few minutes ago from a source: "Bob unequivocally wants to play baseball this year. Period."
GSMP
12:37
I can only find one undrafted free agent signing for the Pirates, a pitcher from Sacramento State. Did they sign any others?
Jason Mackey
12:46
Not to my knowledge, no. And the guy you're referencing is Parker Brahms, another righty. Was on a tear as a senior -- 32 strikeouts and no walks, 1.14 ERA.
Bucsfan 7
12:46
Hey Jason, do you think Mitch Keller will have a breakout year this season, if there is a season?
Jason Mackey
12:46
Got this one before, but the short answer is yes. I think Mitch will turn some heads ... if there's a season.
Vincent
12:46
What’s your opening day lineup with a designated hitter?
Jason Mackey
12:47
SS Newman // LF Reynolds // 2B Frazier // 1B Bell // RF Polanco // DH Moran // C Stallings // 3B Hayes.
Ricky
12:47
How do you think Adam Frazier does this year?
Jason Mackey
12:48
Very well. I thought he found a nice rhythm defensively. I like him in the No. 3 spot, at least for now or until someone else maybe finds their stroke. But I look for him to improve his offense a little more and play the same sort of steady defense. And I think the Pirates will probably flip him before 2021.
12:49
To the question before that, I forgot poor Jarrod Dyson: I'd bat him seventh, after Moran.
GSMP
12:49
It seems the team seems to prioritize right-handed pitchers over southpaws. Is that true or is there just a dearth of left-handed prospects?
Jason Mackey
12:49
I think it's more than latter. I don't think they have anything against lefties. I just think they're trying to get the best arm out there. And they should be.
Itsyoboi
12:49
Will we have a trade deadline this year?
Jason Mackey
12:50
I'm more worried about having a season. A trade deadline, I would think, might be a bargained thing. Maybe the players don't want it? If this takes awhile, and it's only 48 games, that might be tough. But if they figure this out and can play 65-70, then I can see a trade deadline making sense.
James
12:50
I mean, it's come pretty glaringly obvious the owners are at fault here, right? They seem to have no legal backing to their claim against prorated salaries, offering the same proposal multiple times, delaying negotiations, etc etc etc. Their effort to paint the players as the greedy millionaries finally seems to not being bought by the public at large, which is long overdue.
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