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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 01.27.21
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wvpirate
1:11
Now since the Pirates need starting pitching.  Any chance the Pirates bring back Trevor Williams or Chris Archer?
Jason Mackey
1:11
I can't imagine they would bring Trevor back. Archer? Maybe. If he's not getting anything in the way of offers with other clubs. The Pirates were going to pay Trevor $4 million-ish in 2021 and DFA'd him. I can't imagine his FA deal would be for much less than that.
Southside Jimmy
1:11
Just wondering if you ever had a chance to meet or interview Tommy Lasorda or Hank Aaron.  What do think of the proposal to change the name of the Braves to the “Hammers?”
Jason Mackey
1:14
Have never met, either, unfortunately. Not sure I feel about "Hammers" either. OK, changing the name, it upsets people, I understand that part of it. Certainly would never want any group of people to feel demeaned, and I completely get what Cleveland and Washington did. But Hammers? Really. I don't know. I feel like not enough people would get the Aaron connection. Maybe I'm wrong.
Frederick
1:14
OK, I get it, there’s Jon use planning on the future stars of this team, because BC keeps adding new talent.  Example, I’ve mentally planned for an infield of Ke’Bryan, Oneil C, N Gonzalez and Mason M.  The, BC trades for SS Liover P and Canaan S, obviously a 1B.  So, Oneil C goes to the OF, but BC trades for a 5 tool CF named Hudson Head, so there is Swaggerty displaced, LF is covered by B Reynolds, and Oneil goes to RF?  And Swaggerty goes to . . . ?  TOO MUCH TALENT!!!
Jason Mackey
1:15
I don't think they have too much talent, Frederick. They actually don't have enough. And I think you're going to be continually frustrated if you're attached to specific positions with minor-league players. They change.
Danimal
1:15
At least play us some elevator music while we wait for you to finish up your call announcing the signing of Rod Barajas as the new hitting coach
Jason Mackey
1:15
Hahaha. Yeah, right. Rick Eckstein will be fine. He's a smart guy. I don't blame 2020 on him.
Theo
1:15
At a certain point, do u think BC takes anything he can get for Frazier? If it’s me I’m taking whatever I can to move that contract and free up the infield logjams
Jason Mackey
1:16
Yes, I do. I think they need that spot for an audition. Also, what in the world does keeping Adam Frazier do? Literally nothing. And I like Frazier.
Bo
1:16
Not sure if you’re in the know about Vazquez since it’s really no longer a baseball issue, but is he completely off the books?
Jason Mackey
1:17
He's on the Restricted List while his legal proceeding are ongoing. Technically he's still a major league player, though he doesn't get paid and can be on the list in perpetuity. Basically it's just a way of freezing things until the case is sorted out legally.
Guts
1:17
Hi Jason, What is the possibility the Pirates move Kuhl, Brault, Rodriguez and Frazier before the start of the season? This would complete the rebuild imo. Your thoughts.
Jason Mackey
1:18
I don't know about complete it, but yeah, all four are on the table and could go. There's still so much more work to be done, though. That's my point. I think it depends on what sort of interest Ben is getting on those guys. There's some. But it's definitely less than Musgrove, Taillon and Bell, obviously.
Bo
1:18
I know BC can’t get rid of everyone because he needs to field a team, but what would Erik Gonzalez fetch?
Jason Mackey
1:18
Probably a few dial tones and unreturned text messages.
Tony
1:18
Hey Jason, I was wondering why the Post-Gazette did not publish Jason Taillon's remarks tah
Jason Mackey
1:20
Hi Tony. I wrote a piece Sunday that went online immediately. Was from me talking to Taillon one-on-one a couple hours after the trade. I asked and was told we did not yet put it in the e-edition because space has been an issue. I hope it will appear soon, as I was happy to get the story and realize that some people really only do read that version on an iPad.
Joel
1:20
I think BC has done a great job with the trades *on paper*. He's gone for "flooding the zone" with upside, which is exactly what he should be doing and what Huntington was reluctant to do. But that begs the obvious question: do the Bucs have the staff in place top to bottom in the organization to take this talent and turn them into impact players at the major league level?
Jason Mackey
1:22
Cherington certainly thinks so, otherwise I think he would change it until he did. The guy also knows what a championship-level development staff and process looks like since he was part of three championships in Boston. I have a tough time believing he would just be OK standing pat if he knew something lacked given the other aggressive moves he's made to acquire young players who will need to be developed.
Bo
1:22
I was kind of disappointed to see they dfa’d Stokes. Thought he was a good candidate for a fresh start with a young team
Jason Mackey
1:22
He still may be, Bo. We'll see. Although I know of at least one other team that put in a claim on him, so they very well could lose him.
Eric
1:22
Is there any realistic hope of a salary cap in the next CBA?
Jason Mackey
1:23
Hope? Yes. Is it realistic? Probably not. But don't burst my bubble. I just think the MLBPA is going to fight it tooth and nail. My hope beyond hope is that they look at other leagues and realize you can still make a lot of money without it, and that it's better for the sport long-term.
Tony
1:23
Jason, after submitting too many incomplete postings, why didn't the Post Gazette publish Jason Taillon's remarks that when he was traded to the Yankees he said impart...."the only thing they care about is to win, so that’s kind of lit a fire under me and I’m really excited.”
Jason Mackey
1:24
Tony, I think I got this earlier. Short version, we published a story online, which I'll link again. I asked why it hasn't appeared in the e-edition and was told that space has been an issue. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2021/01/24/Pirates-Jameson...
Guts
1:24
Would the Pirates consider catcher Adrian Del Castillo the 9th best rated player in the 2021 draft over Kumor Rocker or Jack Leiter the numbers 1 & 2 rated players in the upcoming draft?
Jason Mackey
1:25
Yeah, I think they would consider him. They're consider a lot of players, and catcher is definitely a need. I've seen Castillo rated as high as No. 2, and I think this college season will act as a guide for that. I do think they will take the best player available.
PrinceBob
1:25
I have to question your comment about sportswriters not being in a position to judge morality when it comes to  Hall of Fame votes. If Vasquez had a long and good enough career to be a candidate before he was caught would you vote for him? And even if you can't judge morality, you can judge legitimacy and need to question the legitimacy on many of Clemens's wins or Bonds' home runs.
Jason Mackey
1:28
It's an interesting comment, Gunner. To be fair, though, I think we're talking about separate things being maybe/maybe not using steroids when they technically weren't outlawed and otherwise being a Hall of Fame player before doing that versus the Vasquez situation you mentioned. But your point is that it's a slippery slope, and I see what your saying. I think each case is unique. It's my ballot, and I would vote for Bonds, Clemens and Schilling and not Vasquez because what he allegedly did -- just going with the right journalistic description at this point -- because, again, it's my ballot. If you don't want me to cast a ballot, don't give me one.
Ricky
1:28
are the pirates ever going to sign someone to a major league deal???? If they do it should be Yasiel puig, he’s the perfect fit. Good leader and a good player. The pirates need to find a way to get fans back ..... he’s the answer
Jason Mackey
1:28
Wonder if they could sign him and have him do some marketing. Hmm ...
Bo
1:28
Who is the pirates new player rep now that Jamo is gone?
Jason Mackey
1:29
I'm not sure that's been determined.
Drew
1:29
If morality is an issue with the Hall of Fame, then those players shouldn't be on the ballot in the first place.  Why ask the writers to decide which players are morally upright and which are not?  Pete Rose was banned from baseball, so he never appeared on a HOF ballot.  I think that's the way to do it.  Just my opinion...
Jason Mackey
1:29
Also a reasonable way of looking at things. Again, I don't think there's a perfect way to attack this.
Wayward Eer
1:29
Which of the young guys are you most interested is seeing during spring training?
Jason Mackey
1:30
Honestly, I don't know if I'll see any of them. Minor league spring training is after major league. I guess my answer to that would probably be taking a second, longer look at Ke'Bryan Hayes. Also a little Travis Swaggerty because I haven't see much of him. Maybe more Oneil Cruz. Also need to see who they're inviting.
Drew
1:30
Speaking of promotions....I'm a partial season ticket holder.  After the 2020 season was completed, the Pirates sent me a package of some things as a thank you for rolling my 2020 tickets over to 2021.  One of the items was a Josh Bell bobblehead.  I haven't even taken it out of the box yet!
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