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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 01.20.21
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pdog129
12:29
Jason - thanks for the response to the question about supporting/caring.  Some of us love baseball.  Some of us enjoyed the good years back in 2013-15 (if I have the years right),  Not supporting simply gives Mr. Nutting the fuel that he needs to move the team.  Does anybody really want to lose the Pirates to Las Vegas or wherever.  Yes, I am frustrated but I finally see some plans for the future.  2021 and 2022 will be rough.
Jason Mackey
12:30
I appreciate your attitude, pdog129. Yeah, I'm definitely not saying you should be happy and that everything is great. It's not. They've made mistakes. They should spend more, etc. But I don't think anybody here would appreciate being told what they do doesn't matter or is stupid or it's a waste of time to watch Pirates games, etc. I wish I could show people how well Pirates stories perform on our website, yet people like to insist that nobody cares. It's wrong.
Danny
12:30
I agree I think they should trade Frazier. My question was more of would other teams be willing to give up young assets as opposed to just signing one of the guys I listed?
Jason Mackey
12:31
i think they would, Danny. I just think it's going to be a different type of guy. You're going to get less of a prospect, and that's OK. There's so much uncertainty with all of these guys. I still want the lottery ticket.
Ricky
12:31
I know everyone thinks the pirates will be horrible this year. I disagree..... I think if we signed puig we could easily compete in this horrible NL central. They will always have a chance with him in the lineup
Jason Mackey
12:31
He's gotta be worth, what, like 25-30 wins by himself, right Ricky? I don't know what Ben is waiting for.
Pirates Prime
12:36
Do you see us possibly signing Mitch Moreland?
Jason Mackey
12:38
I do, actually. I don't think that one is completely absurd like some things that have been mentioned. If you look at their first-base options behind Colin Moran, it's not much. It's basically just Will Craig. They're going to need someone to play the position, and Moreland -- for not a ton of money -- would accomplish that. I also don't think this new regime would trust Will Craig to carry Gatorade cups at this point.
Pirate Fan
12:38
Who's the player most likely to sign any extension by Opening Day...assuming that's in April.
Jason Mackey
12:39
Hmm ... the easy answer, I guess, would be Ke'Bryan Hayes. But I'm actually going to go with Mitch Keller here. I think Hayes will resist, even though this would be a big PR move for the Pirates. I think Keller, given what he's accomplished and how much he has yet to prove, would make a lot of sense. He should be anchoring this rotation for years to come.
Percy
12:39
Looks like GMBC has stockpiled a lot of young pitching through last years draft and trades. Any chance he surprises us and drafts that catcher from Miami over Rocker?
Jason Mackey
12:40
That's an interesting question, Percy. Yeah, I think there's a chance. I think this college season will dictate a lot of that. It's not often you're staring right at a position of need, with a player who only comes along ever so often in Del Castillo. I think that the Pirates WILL take the best player available, although I'm not 100% sure it will be Rocker.
Justin
12:40
Do you get the idea that the Pirates' plan is to attempt to become Tampa North?   As long as a team is unable to spend a lot, I don't know what other valid option a GM would have.
Jason Mackey
12:42
If that's what you want to call it, sure. I think Ben Cherington would probably like to use the White Sox, Padres or Blue Jays as a comp instead -- grow the farm system, suck for a little, then go for it when your window opens. But much of what the Pirates are trying to do here is very Rays-like, absolutely. And, to be fair, I don't think that's a bad thing. I think you can win a decent amount of baseball games if you're smart and innovative. I think the Pirates' biggest issue since 2013-15 is that they weren't smart and innovative.
Johny
12:42
Heard the pirates have interest in Mitch Moreland? Any truth and where does he fit if so?
Jason Mackey
12:43
Have not heard for sure, but I don't doubt it. He would fit as a backup option behind Moran, an occasional DH and an outfielder in a real pinch. Depends on what he costs, but I've certainly heard worse suggestions.
Percy
12:43
Do u see Stokes Jr making an impact on the roster this year?
Jason Mackey
12:43
I'm not sure. I'd like to see him play first. I do think he will be given a chance. I also talked to an NL scout recently who really liked him. I do think there's something there, but if it comes out, I think that will be a better question for February and March.
Percy
12:43
With the Mitch Moreland news, does that mean Moran could be moved?
Jason Mackey
12:45
What news? It's been reported they have interest. That's it. They have interest in a lot of things. All teams do.
Percy
12:45
Being Inauguration Day and all, will this term still be in office when young Polanco makes it to the bigs?
Jason Mackey
12:46
It's tough to say, Percy. The guy is 16, and they just signed him out of the Dominican Republic. I can't say for sure. I'd say there's a chance, sure. And it'll definitely be at the tail end of the window. If I had to bet, I would say no. But I also wouldn't rule it out.
Percy
12:50
Seeing a lot of people saying we got more in the Musgrove trade than the Cole trade. Obviously it has to play out, but what’s your thought on that opinion?
Jason Mackey
12:52
I said that exact thing on 93.7 The Fan the other morning, so, yeah, I definitely agree with it. Ha. Seriously, though, this was really good by Cherington. No, we don't know if these guys will pan out. But he keeps getting guys with projectible tools, guys who they should be able to develop. Then you trust that you have the right people in place doing that. This whole thing is a lot like college football. It's gonna take a couple years for Cherington to get this looking right.
Jack Doyle
12:52
Jason, I admire you for doing this and fielding basically the same questions or comments each week.  The people who say why care about the Pirates obviously do care since they take the time to complain and comment.  I appreciate your writing and relative objectivity.  Keep up the good work.
Jason Mackey
12:53
Thanks, Jack. I appreciate your kind words. Seriously. There are so many awesome people who follow the Pirates and care for all the right reasons. That's why I love these chats. I generally just let those opinions go in one ear and out the other, but this one got to me for some reason.
12:56
OK, folks. Looks like this will do it for today. Thanks for stopping by, as always. Will likely do this again next week!
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