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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 01.15.26
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Jason Mackey
12:31
I haven't seen him. He really wasn't that type. He was working in some capacity for Milwaukee. But he's definitely the hole up with family and disappear a little kinda dude.
team
12:31
Jason, what's the word on Cutch? Will he play for the Buccos this season?
Jason Mackey
12:33
We don't know. They're trying to do more this offseason. He's weighing his options. It's also hard to say because Nutting has ultimate say, and nobody knows how he feels about it at the moment.
He said previously Cutch should retire a Pirate, and maybe that holds true. Just saying he hasn't talked since May, so I can't cite his latest comments on it.
Global
12:33
Jason, are there any international players the Pirates may be trying to sign?
Jason Mackey
12:34
They've signed Vladimir Guerrero's nephew, Wilton Guerrero Jr. That's their big one. Working on a piece about this, actually. They've added two of Baseball America's top 17.
draf
12:36
What's your take on Seth Hernandez? Is he the real deal?
Jason Mackey
12:37
I honestly haven't seen him up close, but I'm not sure that matters. You hear a lot of really great things. It's certainly possible.
Grateful Dead
12:37
I know you sometimes post about the Dead in these chats, so I wanted to mention that I'm sorry Bob Weird died. I'm only a minor Dead fan (saw 2 shows back in the day), but Weird was always my favorite member. Was he the last founding member to be alive? End of an era sadly. :(
Jason Mackey
12:38
Nah, the two drummers, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, are still alive. You also don't have to offer condolences. I'm not a family member. I just love the music and what they're about. Honestly, it's been cool seeing mainstream people learn more about Bob Weir and what the Grateful Dead were about. Wasn't just a bunch of stoners playing looooong songs with no words.
Golliwog
12:39
Do you think there is any chance that the Pirates sign Eugenio Suarez to play third? If not, what do  you see as viable options they might acquire.
Jason Mackey
12:39
I don't, sadly. Alec Bohm makes sense. Isaac Paredes. Josh Jung, as well. Cost on Jordan Westburg could be a little high. I think Suarez will get three years at a number the Pirates don't want to pay.
Pirates 2026
12:40
Mr. Mackey, is there any reason for optimism as a Pirates fan this season? Seems like it's gonna be another long, boring summer. I keep thinking I'll cancel my season tickets, but going to the ballpark is enjoyable for me in many ways. However, the losing and disinterested ownership has got me questioning whether I want to spend my money on games any longer. There are many home repairs I need to make and cutting out season tickets would make those projects more possible. I don't see much on the roster that gives me hope. I hate to be considered a fair weather fan, but tix are pricey. Any chance our bullpen could help us win a few games this season? Which guys do you see filling our bullpen come opening day? Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:41
It's not my job to sell you on the Pirates. Nor am I here to balance home repairs vs. baseball income in YOUR life.

I think the Pirates could actually be good this year.  I like some of the moves they've made. I think they have a very good starting staff, and I don't hate the bullpen. I can't give you a complete rundown of everything they're doing because I have a solid 50 questions in the queue. But I'm optimistic.

You're also free to disagree with me.
Cullen
12:42
Jason, your reporting during the rebuild that the money saved while the payroll was $50 million would be invested into the team during our window. I'm curious what the team considers a "baseline" payroll and how the money saved during the lean years applies to the baseline payroll vs what they expect to spend in a competitive window? I know the reporting has been that we could possibly see a payroll up to $110m, is that all from dollars saved during the rebuild?
Jason Mackey
12:44
That's what they told us, right? I don't remember the exact phrasing. And they contend that they're not making a bunch of money, if not losing it, now. I wish I had hard-and-fast answers to that. Their books are closed. As such, it's impossible to say, "Well, this ______ savings has been re-appropriated to 2026." But they are spending more now. I think $105-$110 M is a fair range at this point.
Dave Kerwin
12:44
I still think the Pirates should be willing to overpay to land Eugenio Suarez. It’s a combination of need and demonstrating to future FA classes that they’ll be a competitive destination. I also feel they can’t afford to trade other assets to address 3B (at least while Suarez remains available). Is it defensible for the front office to think otherwise?
Jason Mackey
12:45
I agree with you, Dave. And I don't have any interest in "defending" them. My own analysis is this: If they don't sign Suarez but instead trade for Alec Bohm and extend Konnor Griffin, I'd be perfectly fine with that. You test it on Bohm. If it doesn't work, you move on. Or, if it does, maybe you extend him. Griffin is money very well spent. I like Suarez, but the age/defense/low average does give me some pause.
not softball
12:46
I see that there's a women's pro baseball league starting up this summer. Not softball, but actual baseball. As a feminist I think this is good, but as an MLB fan I wonder - do you think the new league will pull fans away from MLB and to this new league further reducing the already dwindling MLB fanbase?
Jason Mackey
12:47
The MLB fanbase hasn't been dwindling. There are numbers to support that. And more baseball played by more folks, male or female, I struggle to see how that's a bad thing.
Bill Lauris
12:47
Hello Jason, I'd like to see Henry Davis be given a chance to be the Bucs full time starting catcher. Do you think that will happen? If so, does Rafael Flores Jr have a chance to be his backup.
Jason Mackey
12:48
I do think he'll be their full-time catcher, Bill. But he needs to hit.

I also think Flores will impact the MLB team in 2026. Or at least be given a chance, too. Part of why I was saying I think it makes sense to explore a Joey Bart trade.
not softball
12:48
follow-up - Do you think we'll see a female player in MLB in our lifetimes? I think it's conceivable and would be pretty neat. Any idea what position she'd play? Has any woman ever gotten close to breaking the MLB gender barrier?
Jason Mackey
12:49
This is a rabbit hole I was not prepared to go down, honestly. I would also not rule anything out, though I don't know of anyone who has come close to breaking the gender barrier -- meaning MLB -- as a player. That might require more research.
Dave Kerwin
12:49
Any chatter re a long-term deal for Griffin? Is this more realistic in the first few months of the season, after he spends time at AAA or if he breaks camp with the big league team?
Jason Mackey
12:50
It's most realistic in spring training, February-March. That's my understanding. So, no "chatter" now. But I expect it to be revisited then.
Ronnie
12:50
What is the status on third base for the Pirates? What position will Sanchez play with the signing of Lowe?
Jason Mackey
12:50
He's only 18, Ronnie. Long way off. They're gonna trade for a 3B.
Ethan
12:50
How aggressive are the Pirates on the trade front? Gonna have to have some uncomfortable conversations about trading Hernandez/Florentino-esque prospects if they're serious about maximizing the Skenes window
Jason Mackey
12:51
I would be flat-out stunned if they traded either of those two. I would call them aggressive but not stupid. Might just need to wait out the Phillies for Bohm after Bichette is done. I know fans want answers. I get it. But there's a lot of stuff that's still TBD around the game. It's OK.
Cullen
12:51
I have to say I was pretty down on the team after how last season ended. I had basically no confidence they would be able to pull off moves to make this team competitive and honestly I've been pleasantly surprised. Obviously still need to add at 3B or LF + another SP but if they can do that I can confidently say that the Pirates will have earned my business back and will very likely be making the trip to Pittsburgh for opening day. Frustrating it took Ben being threatened with his job but this is literally all Pittsburgh fans wanted, were not asking for anything crazy...
Jason Mackey
12:52
Probably a common sentiment ...
.
12:52
Mackey, man oh man. I'm so bummed about Bobby Weir. Ever since he passed I can't stop listening to Aoxomoxoa and when BW's guitar riff hits on China Cat Sunflower I can't stop crying. For my money Weir was the greatest guitar player of all time, with all due respect to Hendrix and Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Slash, etc. Can you say a few words about what Weir meant not only to the Dead but to the rock music scene as a whole? Specifically I'm wondering if we'd even have rock music today if it weren't for what Bobby did with the Dead. Thanks. Rock on.
Jason Mackey
12:53
Ha. I think we would still have rock music. And Bob Weir is definitely not the greatest guitar player ever. But I loved more than anything his willingness to keep going, to carry on the music for another generation, to pick up new fans along the way. Bobby never stopped.
Kevin
12:53
Hi Jason,
I felt at the beginning of free agency Paul Goldschmidt might have been a good guy to sign as a platoon 1B, a potential DH and a good veteran. He’d probably be in the Pirates’ price range. Still has a great glove. I wonder even with O’Hearn’s signing if he might not be a bad guy to have around, especially if the OF is O’Hearn-Cruz-Reynolds. Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:53
Nah, too crowded over there, IMO. They need someone who can play third base. I think it's be tough as it is to juggle at-bats for 1B/DH.
JollyRoger8
12:53
Jason: As a diehard Pirate fan living in Southern California, the main reason I subscribe to the PG has been you and your teams coverage of the Pirates. I hope that you will find another platform to continue your excellent journalism if the PG does in fact close in May.
Jason Mackey
12:54
Thank you, JollyRoger. Better yet, my hope is that something changes, and the P-G doesn't close. Can still happen. But thank you.
PEDs
12:54
Saw the story about the CDT (Comprehensive Drug Testing) people showing up at Cutch's house for a random test the other day. Ridiculous in my opinion, but I'm wondering how that works exactly. Like MLB makes each player's home address know to the CDT and they can just show up - but how do they gain access to gated communities? How do they know if a guy is home or not? Do they have marked vehicles to signify who they are?
Jason Mackey
12:56
A lot of questions that nobody will be providing me answers to any time soon. I know I see the CDT people in the clubhouse. I have no need to bother them, so I don't. Maybe you have to provide a code? They surely have your number. I'm also guessing. Not exactly the type of thing they're going to ensure reporters and the public is aware of, ya know?
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