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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 01.26.24
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Jason Mackey
12:59
I'll repeat: Have not heard this is being discussed. Maybe 10%? If that.
Bill Madlock
12:59
I hate to ask this Jason because it indirectly takes pressure off Nutting’s shameful overall team spending — but doesn’t the possible upside of Contreras/Quinn/Ortiz outweigh a roll of the dice on and guaranteed money on a Ryu/Lorenzen/Wood .  Chapman was seen as a $10m investment on a high impact BP arm vs. a $10m gamble on very shaky SP options.  Or am I missing something?
Jason Mackey
1:01
I think you can and should do both, right? I'm not defending Bob -- contrary to accusations relative to the article. I get counting on those guys to give the team something. I also think they're still too thin. It's also true that the offseason isn't over. What if they traded for one of the Marlins guys instead of spending on Luis Severino? Would that be dumb? I think it's often appropriation of assets ... mixed with the Pirates not spending a ton and doing dumb stuff. It's OK for multiple things to be true.
John Grabow Fan Club
1:01
My interpretation of your reporting is that a trade for a starting pitcher is more likely than a free agent signing. Is that a fair statement or am I misreading you?
Jason Mackey
1:01
That's a fair statement.
Anon
1:01
Hey Jason, hope you're well. They're never invested this much in a bullpen either individually or collectively to my recollection. A little less than 20 million projected for the entire pen. Did something change that made them willing to invest to in an area they don't usually and does this represent a reallocation of financial assets that would have been spent on free agents as they turn to evaluating the trade market for pitching?

Thanks
Jason Mackey
1:02
I think they chose to avoid the FA starting pitching market and try to address rotation needs elsewhere, likely via trade. Not saying it's right or wrong. Just trying to explain the thinking.
Axle
1:03
Its been discussed but wondering your thoughts on if we should be optimistic that something big is on the horizon because from my point of view I dont think Chapman would have signed if they didnt give him some kind of hope for the year because he could have easily signed with a contender.
Jason Mackey
1:04
I agree with you, Axle. Chapman absolutely had options. He must've heard something here that was palatable. So, yes. As I've been saying, I don't think their offseason is done.
Justin
1:04
I am fairly certain that back in the mid-2010's the pirates ran payrolls that cracked $100 or $120 million depending what exact measurement one is using. Those values in 2024 dollars are more like $130 and $160 million today when accounting for inflation (god knows ticket prices have increased since then). What is it that allowed them to have those higher payrolls back then?  Taking out debt in an attempt to build a longer term winner that never materialized? Higher attendance revenue?
Jason Mackey
1:06
Or the willingness to do it? It making sense when it comes to team-building? They're all inputs. Attendance was part, sure. Also made sense to sign/extend the guys they did. If this group wins, I sure as heck hope they do the same this time around.
Scott
1:07
If you had to guess. If Andrew Mccutchen is healthy all season long how many games in the outfield does he play this season?
Jason Mackey
1:07
If he's healthy all season, maybe 30?
PG Sports Boss
1:07
Hello Jason. Anyone there? Your chatters are waiting!!!
Jason Mackey
1:08
Doing my best. Sorry.
Black&Gold
1:08
According to reports the Pirates have shown interest in signing Noah Syndergard. What have you heard from your sources? Any other starting pitchers that are potential signings that you have heard of? Thanks Jason
Jason Mackey
1:08
I've heard they're interested in Syndergaard, the same for several teams. He's an option, for sure.
Vince
1:08
Hey Jason,  any update on pitching? Syndegard can’t be the answer right?
Jason Mackey
1:08
I still think a trade is more likely. But could it be a trade and Syndergaard? Wouldn't shock me.
John Grabow Fan Club
1:09
Just a comment. I'm old enough to remember "The Nasty Boys" Red's bullpen of the early 90s comprised of Rob Dibble, Norm Charlton and Randy Myers. If the Reds had a lead after the 6th, the game was essentially over. I'm not saying Holderman, Chapman and Bernard are going to be like that. But a reasonable facsimile would make the Pirates a playoff contender.
Jason Mackey
1:09
I get the spirit of what you're saying. The way bullpens are used these days, you have to have a good one. I love the Chapman deal.
Guest
1:09
Any prediction on a possible Michael A Taylor, Lorenzen, or Santana type being brought in?
Jason Mackey
1:10
My prediction would be 0 for that list.
Scott
1:10
When can a team officially put players on the 60 man DL? This would open up multiple positions on the 40 man roster to add Free Agents and the Pirates would not need to drop a healthy player. Seems like a team like the Pirates would be could do this and not risk losing anyone so close to the start of spring training now.
Jason Mackey
1:10
Usually midway through spring training. Not sure there's an exact date known at this point -- or if there is, I'm not aware at this precise moment. But mid-March.
Brad13___
1:10
Hey I'm sure you saw McKenry's tweet, if you didn't ( https://x.com/theFortMcKenry/status/1750340712170975613?s=20 ) he tweeted out "oye como va". I feel embarrassed for asking this because I already know the answer, anything new on Santana? I don't know what else he could be talking about but the fit makes no sense at this point.
Jason Mackey
1:11
Nothing new. Fort can advocate for what he wants, but I have not heard anything to back it up. Have a tough time seeing it considering the Tellez move.
Johnny M
1:12
Hi Jason. Let's address the Chapman in the room so to speak. $10 Million? Don't you think The Pirates still need more starting pitching instead? I guess Chapman is also flippable at the Trading Deadline to get more SPs if need be.
Jason Mackey
1:13
Yeah, it's high. But if you sign him and trade for SP help ... but don't give up the farm, I don't hate it. Chapman is a weapon.
BHouse
1:13
We called up Davis last year with only 439 career MiL ABs (less than Harper!)
Jason Mackey
1:13
That's a good point.
Stevo
1:13
Have there been any strong ties to the remaining free agent starters? Lorenzen, Greinke or Clevinger seem like reasonable targets to me but I haven’t heard much buzz. Even a Carlos Carrasco and some veteran leadership wouldn’t be bad.
Jason Mackey
1:13
I don't think so. Trade is more likely, as I understand it.
Dave
1:14
Forgive me for being cynical, but is there any reason why the Chapman signing shouldn’t be interpreted as a panic move to spend some of the very small amount of money that was earmarked to be spent this offseason? He certainly will help the team, but it just beggars belief to see us spend so much on a RP while being too cheap to pay market value for a badly needed additional starter and also having weak spots in the OF and 2B.
Jason Mackey
1:14
You think the Pirates panicked and spent $10.5 million? They can barely plan to spend $10.5 million. ... As I've said 9 million times, I think we need to let the entire offseason play out before rendering final judgement on it.
Paul
1:14
Hey Jason, hope you are well. When do you see the Pirates winning a WS?
Jason Mackey
1:14
2027.
Justin
1:15
The Pirates currently have two guys (that im aware of) who have served domestic violence suspensions in Bae and Chapman.  You've also mentioned that the Pirates (at one point in the offseason) view(ed) Bauer as a "no fly zone."  Assuming that that No Fly Zone is still true, do you have any sense for where the Pirates draw that line?  Is it sexual violence?  Is it whether a guy has multiple accusers like Bauer does?  Or do you think it's more that Bauer's issues are more visible and a hotter topic and therefore worse PR?   Or heck, maybe it's just that Bauer is a jerk and seen as a bad clubhouse presence regardless of the accusations.  I'm just having trouble figuring out where they draw the line and what exactly makes a Chapman/Bae okay but some other players not okay.
Jason Mackey
1:16
I think it's more the overall package. You evaluate all situations by themselves, right? They feel Bae was young and immature and has changed. With Chapman, I know they vetted the case and learned about the incident. They clearly felt comfortable -- not saying they're right or wrong. Bauer, I think he's a different animal. Personality/way of doing things probably works on some teams more than others.
Nathan
1:16
What are the odds of a Michael A Taylor, Lorenzen, or Carlos Santana type being brought in for the team?
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