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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 01.09.26
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Bob
12:29
Jason, your coverage of the Pirates is simply unparalleled, and I am genuinely grateful for it. You should be incredibly proud of the remarkable work you’ve accomplished. I wish you continued success beyond the PG!
Jason Mackey
12:29
Thank you, Bob. You're too kind.
Momo
12:30
Since Nick Gonzales gave up Dave Parker's #39, and explained his reasoning, that he shouldn't be wearing a Hall of Famer's jersey number, will the Pirates retire #39, or will they make another PR blunder?
Jason Mackey
12:30
I think they'll retire it.
Ben
12:30
Hey Jason, really sorry to hear the news about the PG. I’ve been reading the sports section every morning for about 45 years. Suffered through the current ownership largely because of the quality of the sports page. I hope that a buyer or competitor emerges and that you and your colleagues land there and are able to continue your good work. Thanks -
Jason Mackey
12:32
Thanks, Ben. I hope something happens as well. You never know. Four months in a long time. An eternity in a baseball season.
MK
12:32
Jason, appreciate all you do for Pittsburgh sports fans, and especially love your work on the Pirates beat.
Jason Mackey
12:32
Thanks, MK. Yinz are what make this great. I get to avoid working for a living. Tough to beat.
MK
12:32
pressed enter too soon. Knowing that the guys the we’ve brought in so far are “clubhouse guys”, do you expect any of these additions to have the positive relationship with Oneil Cruz that GMBC stated as an important thing to find for his development this year?
Jason Mackey
12:35
Another Cruz Q! I love it. It's a good topic. As I said earlier, read tomorrow. One solution will be detailed. I don't think O'Hearn/Lowe/Mangum specifically will be a Cruz babysitter. But I think of the quote about high tide raising all boats or something like that. Their tide is higher, their culture different. More will and should be expected of Cruz. Doesn't mean things click. But should be part of the calculus.
Brucelet
12:36
What do you think about the rumored Thomas Harrington for Josh Jung trade? I think I like Jung better than Bohm.
Jason Mackey
12:36
I don't love giving up Harrington. I'd prefer prospects were lower level -- and I'd give up more overall quality to do it. It would depend on where things stand with Bohm and other available options.
T
12:37
There is absolutely no reason for them not to offer Suarez a deal if they went after Okamoto. If this is the opening day lineup rn they are gonna be bad and Lowe will be gone at the deadline….
Jason Mackey
12:38
The stuff you read online about Okamoto -- at least in terms of some 4 year offer for $80 million or whatever -- isn't accurate. They were in early, not so much late. The two really aren't related. There's nuance with each. You can say they should sign Suarez, and that's fine. I agree with you. But it really doesn't relate to Okamoto.
Al
12:38
Jason, thank you always for the chat. Love the content. My question is you and others are agreeing they still need one more legit bat to complete the lineup. As fans we just look around and assume 3B is the most likely landing spot for said bat. Do you think that bat could be anywhere else on the diamond?
Jason Mackey
12:39
Umm, it could. I don't think it's likely. Most of their outfield playing time is committed. They don't want to block Griffin at short. Just makes more sense at third.
Jim
12:39
Happy New Year Jason, Definitely impressed and pleasantly surprised Nutting figured out how a wallet opens, that being said, sad to see we missed out on Okomoto. Triolo and Nick G are good players but I like most believe we need one more professional bat for third base full time. Does it look like a trade is the option there?
Jason Mackey
12:40
Yes, it does. That's my expectation. Said this earlier, they weren't as close as people think -- because of Twitter -- on Okamoto.
#WinterOfBen
12:40
Jim Bowden mentioned earlier this week hearing whispers of the Pirates being in contact with Cody Bellinger… Obviously not putting too much stock into that but curious to hear if you have heard anything like that?
Jason Mackey
12:41
I have not, and I don't expect it. I also didn't expect them to offer Schwarber. So, we'll see. But Cherington even say publicly "they'd remain opportunistic in the outfield." That doesn't sound like Bellinger.
Al
12:41
I also was curious your thoughts on the organization is viewing this year for Henry Davis. Is this his make it or break it year to at least show some offensive improvement.
Jason Mackey
12:42
Unless his defense is like Gold Glove good, yes. Like Henry, but you can't have a .556 OPS at any position. He has bought himself some time, though, by really growing as a defender.
Ryan
12:42
Off season will be a complete disaster if a legit third baseman is not addressed. When they traded a young promising arm in Burrows for a rental in Lowe that screamed they needed to go all in this year. If third baseman is not addressed this is still not a playoff team. Fans would completely buy in if they would get a legit third baseman if they do not Nutting and Cherington are pathetic (if we didn’t already know that)
Jason Mackey
12:43
Alrighty. You're certainly allowed to have your opinion.

I don't think the offseason has been a disaster. I also think they're going to add a third baseman. But you're welcome to feel however you want about things.
Matt L
12:43
I find it unlikely the Pirates would land Geno Suarez, but do you know if there have been any real talks about Bohm and/or Paredes trades?
Jason Mackey
12:44
I do, too, Matt. I can't say with certainty that there's been contact. But they make plenty of sense and would have to imagine have at least beeb discussed internally.
Starkey Limits
12:44
It appears that the Pirates are moving on from Cutch. Do you see another team signing him, becoming the 18th analyst for Sportsnet Pittsburgh or taking some time off?
Jason Mackey
12:46
I don't think either side knows what it's doing, to be honest. I know the Pirates aren't closing the book. Andrew disappears from public view in the offseason, but I can't imagine he's closing any doors.

Doubt he would become an analyst. He's told me that's not him. (They should use him as a funny, new-age storyteller and leverage his wit, but that's another discussion.)

Bottom line, we need to learn more about their offseason.
Chris
12:46
I like the Lowe trade, but Tampa ended up just receiving prospects. If the pirates could re-do the trade, would they be better off sending their own prospects instead of Houston? Then they’d still have Burrows to dangle for a 3B trade (Paredes?)
Jason Mackey
12:46
I don't know what you're suggesting, Chris. Pirates gave up Mike Burrows and got Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum and Mason Montgomery. I'm not Monday Morning Quarterbacking that.
Jimbo
12:46
Now that they have O’Hearn? Can he push Davis and Bart?
Jason Mackey
12:47
Like, physically? He could, but clubhouse fights won't help anything.
Chris
12:47
If the Phillies sign Bichette, they may not have enough money to re-sign Realmuto. Do you think the pirates would rather trade for Bohm, or sign JT?
Jason Mackey
12:48
Trade for Bohm. I don't see Realmuto being worth the money he would command. I also don't think he actually wants to leave Philly. Strikes me as a Schwarber move. Leverage what you can for as much as you can on that next contract.
Josh
12:48
Any chatter with trying to acquire Luis Robert? 38 HR’s in 2023 and a change of scenery could certainly help. Another right handed bat is a must with this lineup.
Jason Mackey
12:49
There was. I've heard the acquisition cost was prohibitively high. And now there's a greater need at 3B.
Pavs01
12:49
Thoughts on Willi Castro? Know they were connected early in the offseason. Not the best at the plate, but has been adequate enough aside from his stint in Chicago and can play both 3B and LF
Jason Mackey
12:49
Why? What's he doing that Jared Triolo or Nick Gonzales could not? Not worth it, IMO.
CT ART
12:49
Is Cruz the next Starling Marte or Gregory Polanco?
Jason Mackey
12:50
I mean, Marte's a 40-WAR player. That's not the worst thing. Polanco, let's hope not. And I don't think so. I see Cruz as more Tatis/Acuna -- to use O'Hearn's comps -- than those guys.
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