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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 01.22.26
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Jason Mackey
12:47
Hi Ryan. Yes, I absolutely think they will. Wish it was before PiratesFest.
Eustace
12:47
When are the pirates going to announce the signing of Suarez?? We're projected to win around 75-80 games this year. That's not good enough! I thought this FO was trying to win this year??
Jason Mackey
12:48
Wouldn't hold your breath, Eustace. I'm with you that they can't be done. But it doesn't HAVE to be Suarez.
Eustace
12:48
Also, why is Dan Zangrilli such a Bob Nutting shill? We get that he's trying to climb the broadcasting ranks in the pirates organization, but his constant defending of Nutting's cheapness and negligence is getting pretty insulting to us fans.
Jason Mackey
12:51
If you say anything other than Bob Nutting is the world's cheapest owner, a horrible person and the bane of our existence, you're labeled a shill.

Dan has a lot of very reasonable conversations, and I have zero issue with his approach. He's a friend, a coworker, and aside from that I'm a very big fan of his word

It's also on the PIRATES RADIO NETWORK. It's going to sound different than other programming, even on the flagship.

But Dan has reasonable conversations with people, criticizes where appropriate and also takes calls that are highly critical of him, the team and its owners.

Listen to Penguins & Steelers postgame and tell me if it's the same way.
Soggy
12:51
Would $40M for 10 years be enough to extend Skenes?  Not that the Pyrites would do that, but I am curious to see what you think would be a fair market value offer.  Same for Griffin, a more realistic chance for the Pyrites to try and extend.  Thank You
Jason Mackey
12:53
Don't have a ton of insight into how the Pyrites do business, but Skenes wants to win. Plain and simple. It's less dollars and cents, more him knowing that they'll be competitive. If that happens, maybe $40 million a year over 10 does it. I have no idea. Gotta talk & negotiate. But it all starts with winning.
Wayward
12:53
Jason, nice articles about Skenes.  I think we all knew he was wired differently but it is still pretty impressive.  As the OF group is currently constituted do you think Garcia breaks camp with a reasonable camp showing or do you think they may look to add to that group?
Jason Mackey
12:53
Thank you, Wayward. They could look to add. I don't think it'll be a big piece, if at all. Yhey have other needs.
12:54
They. Sorry, hit send too soon.

I'm not there on Garcia. I think he needs to play. I don't see how he gets enough innings/ABs while the Pirates juggle O'Hearn, Mangum and others. My prediction would be starting in Triple-A, then promoted when there's an injury or he forces their hand.
Jim
12:54
Greetings Jason, we have all been fooled before but this time it seems the overall attitude and culture have changed in the organization. I credit Paul Skenes and his words and actions more than I ever would Buc's Management. Also give credit to our new manager. That being said, I still feel we are one BIG bat away from serious contention for a playoff spot. Who is left that could make a difference though? Seems it will have to come via trade, No?
Jason Mackey
12:55
Things are trending in a more positive direction, I agree. There are several options, as I've been saying. Could be Alec Bohm, Josh Jung, Isaac Paredes & probably a couple more if I really dig deep. Jordan Westburg makes a bunch of sense. And those are only trade options.
Buc's Brigade
12:56
While you are down galavanting with Paul Skenes in Florida, who is going to shovel all this snow at the Mackey house?
Jason Mackey
12:56
Ha! I'm not going there this weekend, too. I'll be shoveling plenty of snow at Casa De Mackey, believe me.
Ethan
12:56
How much confidence does the org have that there will be internal improvement offensively? Reynolds and Cruz should rebound at least some, which will help a lot. But at least one of Gonzales/Davis/Suwinski has got to hit too
Jason Mackey
12:57
You're right. They do.

I would imagine there's plenty of confidence. Would be very strange if they employed guys, expecting them to stink. But you have to do it. Of those three, I'd argue it's more important for Davis to figure it out while Gonzales has been the closest. At least recently.
Eustace
12:57
I don't understand the whole "sign KG" argument. He'll be a rookie so we have him under team control for the next half decade regardless. And just because we sign him to a contract doesn't mean he can't be traded anyways...please help me understand the importance of signing him to a contract.
Jason Mackey
12:59
You're buying out several of his FA years by committing now. And also obtaining value over what he would make in arbitration by committing now. For example: If Griffin would become a star and go to arb, he might make $30 M. By gambling now, the Pirates could wind up paying him $10 M a year.

There are fallacies in that explanation. It's just designed to show you the point. It's why the Brewers extended Chourio, the Red Sox extended Anthony, etc.

You lock the player in now, guarantee value later, render service-time discussions (tied to arbitration moot) and you ensure the player sticks around for longer by delaying his free agency.
Tori
1:00
Any other options besides Suarez and Bohm?
Jason Mackey
1:01
I still like Jung, Paredes & Westburg. And I'm sure there are several I'm not even considering.
Surly
1:01
Cutch wants the fences moved in.  I think PNC is fine, as is.  What do you think
Jason Mackey
1:01
Same. I wouldn't change a thing.
Fire BC
1:02
Hello Jason. I am starting to get worried that Cutch isn’t coming back. That’s not fair to him or the fans if Cherington is choosing not to. That should be up to Cutch and Bob like it was in 2023. Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
1:03
Very possible. And it still could be that way. I think the Pirates are trying to do some other stuff first. Not intentionally to clear a path for Cutch, but I don't think they think he fits on their roster right now.

Will he eventually? I think that's possible. But they have moves to make first.

Or Bob could also say the heck with it ... sorry, Bob Nutting. I've been told calling anyone by their first name means I'm a shill. Bob Nutting could overrule Ben Cherington and said Andrew McCutchen is on the team.
Jim
1:03
Bailey Flater would look great as the lefty in our rotation right now. I like some of the moves they have made in the past year but that one puzzles me.
Jason Mackey
1:04
Yep. I disagreed with it then, and I disagree with it now. I thought they were trying too hard or overthinking. Would
've been just fine with Falter as a fifth starter.

That said, they did get decent return. And, if they sign Quintana or Anderson, zero complaints from this seat about the rotation.
Alex
1:05
I do feel like the Pirates have a couple moves left to make.  Signing a SP seems like a virtual lock at this point.  3B is where I am worried though.  I know you have extensively talked about the options there.  I remember one of the national reporters saying teams are less willing to take on prospects and want more MLB ready talent in return.  Is this something you have heard as well?  If so what could the Pirates do trade wise to get a 3B when they don't have as much in the way of MLB ready talent to send out?
Jason Mackey
1:06
They could send out Joey Bart. Makes a ton of sense.

I don't know what teams would be wanting. Tough for me to say. But the Pirates could easily part with Bart, Gonzales, Termarr Johnson, Nick Yorke, Billy Cook or Jack Suwinski and be absolutely fine. I would try to avoid trading some MLB-level pitching.
RO
1:06
How are the pirates getting away with the narrative that they’re spending all this money and going for it? From my understanding payroll is currently in the same spot.
Jason Mackey
1:07
It's roughly $96 million at present. About a $10 million uptick compared to last year. I don't think they're done
You can say they should do more. I agree with you. But it has gone up.
Alex
1:07
Outside the box idea for a bargain OF that may fit Cherrington's "opportunistic in the OF" line.  Chas McCormick.  Was good from 21-23 is only 30 and probably wouldn't cost much.  Could be a bounce back candidate.
Jason Mackey
1:07
They'd have to play him. Then what do you do with O'Hearn, Mangum and others?
Bob
1:07
If Triolo is starting at 3rd, who do you think takes over infield utility for him?
Jason Mackey
1:08
Maybe Nick Gonzales? I still think it's more likely he starts at SS than 3B.
BucsBK
1:08
Very interesting remarks from Skenes in your interview calling out the use of "urgency" and pointing to "press conferences" where he heard that. Certainly a favorite phrasing of Cherington. What did you make of his comments?
Jason Mackey
1:09
I loved 'em. He operates every day with urgency. I'd like to think I approach my job in a similar way. I write a lot. I love this stuff. I'm way more intense than I need to be sometimes, as plenty of P-G coworkers can attest. But I love it. Why wouldn't I always want to push?

Anyway, it's Skenes being Skenes. He's intense. He wants to win. He has opinions. Yes, everything you do it should be geared toward winning and being the best you can be.
Al Tuna
1:10
It wouldn't take much to improve power numbers at 3rd base considering that a position like 3rd base has to produce more than Hayes and Triolo did this past season. Bob Nutting could change how fans feel about him with a Suarez signing but I don't see that happening. Any of the others mentioned would be an improvement in power numbers. A player that hits 15 homeruns would triple the output of last year. What a low bar! BTW, I enjoy your work and hope the PG  can settle the labor issue.
Jason Mackey
1:11
I don't know if there's a labor issue to settle. We have some ideological differences. I hope we can keep the place open. That's my focus.

Agree with you, though. Pirates could make a huge statement by signing Suarez. I also don't know his feelings. They can't make him sign, although I do think they could make the decision tougher on him.

It's not done yet. They need to get someone. We'll see.
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