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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 01.29.26
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Jason Mackey
11:43
Hello, everyone. Welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. We'll get started shortly but feel free to fire away now.
12:04
And away we go ...
Yuri
12:04
Hello Jason.  I’m glad to see the Pirates spending some money and bringing in players who hopefully will improve the team.  What do you think the Pirates will need to acquire Eugenio Suarez?   Thank you Jason.
Jason Mackey
12:05
Hi Yuri. I think they could need to go to a third year or up the AAV. I think teams are probabaly hesitant because he's 34, hits for a low average and isn't a great fielder. But they have to do something to separate themselves. It also might be impossible. From everything you hear, he has concerns about playing in Pittsburgh. Entirely possible he just doesn't wanna do it.
John
12:05
Will Skenes be a pirate 4 years from now?
Jason Mackey
12:06
I don't think so, no. I don't think an extension is reasonable/likely at this point. You don't want to let him go for nothing. Deal that big probably needs to happen in the offseason for team-planning purpose. Based on info we have now, I'd probably say the offseason heading into his sixth and final year of team control.
FirstTimeLongTime
12:06
Hey Brian - given the rankings and hype now surrounding KG (I've read the name Mike Trout a few times) would it be considered a failure if he was not signed to an extension before taking a Major League at bat?
Jason Mackey
12:07
*Jason

No, I wouldn't consider it a failure. Not every young prospect signs a long-term extension. That being said, I think there's interest on both sides. And it makes sense given his pedigree. But I wouldn't call it a failure, no.
Art from NC
12:07
Hey Jason- If Soto got 765 million from the Mets, is it out of the realm that thinking, if he continues at his current pace (or actually gets better, if that's possible) that Skenes could get baseball's first billion dollar contract in a few years?
Jason Mackey
12:08
Not sure, Art. So much between now and then. Based on your reasoning, I suppose. However, pitchers and position players are different. We also don't know what happens with the CBA and a potential strike. I don't know what reliable way I would have of predicting that.
FirstTimeLongTime
12:09
Hey Jason - too many chats to read on the PG, apologies for writing to Mr. Batko in the first question.  The front office has be open when speaking about needing another bat to round out this lineup and not just Cutch (bring him back too!) Obviously everyone is yelling for Suarez but unless he is interested in a 1 year deal I don't see it happening.  Trades are always a mystery but is there anyone else out there in Free Agency that would fit team need(top half of the order, platoon if necessary etc etc, we're open to all options if it means run support!)
Jason Mackey
12:11
It's all good. Not offended. I've been called worse.

Honestly, I'm not sure I'd bother going the FA route if you miss on Suarez. There's just not enough out there to justify the expense, IMO. I'd rather give the money to Griffin & live with Triolo.

I would still entertain trades. Those candidates include Bohm, Baty, Jung, Paredes and a few others.
Long Time Reader
12:11
Jason, what's your sense on the Pirates actually making the last few meaningful acquisitions that they need to for 3rd base and a lefty starter?  Are we looking at the equivalent of Tommy Pham and Andrew Heaney or will they sign Suarez?  Who are the best players on the market at this time (if not Suarez) and are the Pirates talking to those folks? If not via FA, then what trades do you think are possible?  Thank you!
Jason Mackey
12:12
I believe they'll make those 2 moves, as I've been saying. I don't think Suarez is likely, as I've been saying. I think Quintana & Anderson are possible LHP starting options. Maybe a Patrick Corbin. Just mentioned the trade possibilities for 3B if you don't get Suarez.
RickLovesBaseball
12:12
Any thoughts on a players ability to prepare for the regular season when they do the WBC instead of a full spring training routine?
Jason Mackey
12:13
You've got 6-7 weeks. Figure it out. Ha. Those are my thoughts. I think some of that stuff can be a little overcooked. They'll be fine.
demosthenes98
12:13
Who do you think will end up being the second-most important member of the 2026 Pirates? (The identity of the most important '26 Pirate is already known and need not be stated.)
Jason Mackey
12:13
Esmerlyn Valdez? Evan Sisk? That was for the first one.
12:15
Not sure, honestly. My candidates are Cruz, Reynolds, O'Hearn, Lowe & Chandler in a breakout season. I could see Cruz breaking out. I also think Bubba could be an absolute stud. Those are my nominees before I get into the vitriol-laced questions here ...
demosthenes98
12:15
Following up on that question, other than Paul Skenes, do the Pirates really have any important players? I don't mean important to the Pirates--I mean important in the way that the players on the Dodgers, Yankees, and other competently-run MLB teams are important.
Jason Mackey
12:15
Yes, they do.
demosthenes98
12:15
Travis Williams spoke of "accountability" at PiratesFest. Do you get the impression that, when the Pirates have yet another losing season this year, if Ben Cherington is responsible, he will hold him accountable and fire him? If he is responsible, will he hold true to his principles and fire himself? And what actions will he take if Bob Nutting is responsible?
Jason Mackey
12:16
It depends on some factors, but if they win, say, 74 games, I don't see how Cherington keeps his job. Probably Travis Williams in that scenario, too. I don't think that will cause Nutting to sell the team -- sorry. Accountability would come in the form of doing things a different way, I guess.
demosthenes98
12:16
Andrew McCutchen is a franchise icon, the face of the Pirates' most recent era of relevance, and still a serviceable baseball player. Bob Nutting is Bob Nutting. Which of these men is worthy to make the final decision as to whether Cutch is on the '26 Pirates? (As this is a matter of worthiness, Nutting's ownership of the team is irrelevant.)
Jason Mackey
12:17
McCutchen should be on the team as a part-time DH in a retirement year. If he's not willing to do that, I'm OK moving on. But I would make sure it's known that it was offered.
MUNKEEFIST
12:17
How important do teams feel it is to get FA's signed before spring training so they can take care of family things like housing and moving before they report so they can concentrate on baseball? It seems like late additions tend to struggle sometimes and I wonder if it's due to lack of focus. Thanks for the chat!!
Jason Mackey
12:18
Yeah, I don't think they put a ton of stock into it, honestly. At least on the position player side where, let's be honest, they don't need that long to get ready. I think you want to know what your team is and build that. Some value there. But it's not absolutely essential.
Al Tuna
12:18
Enjoy your work Jason. I feel the Pirates have gotten off to a good start this off season but I'm concerned with the lack of activity since the O'Hearn signing..3rd base remains a BIG hole in the lineup. Not sure Bob Nutting has allotted enough $ to plug holes and actually make Bucs legitimate playoff contenders. Finding a 3rd baseman that hits 20 homeruns would triple the power numbers from last year. Doesn't seem to be a big ask. Improving DH production and adding depth LH SP should be addressed. Do you share my concerns?.
Jason Mackey
12:19
They absolutely have important work to do, yes. And I'd like to see it done sooner than later, also fair. But they can still very easily trade for a 3B who hits 20-plus homers. I don't think they'
re in danger of being left behind or in a heap of trouble or anything else that might be insinuated here.
EJAV
12:19
Saw that Justin Turner is a free agent. I never hear his name mentioned. Would he be a good fit for the Pirates at third base?
Jason Mackey
12:20
He's hardly played any third recently and had a worse year than Cutch in 2025. I'd pass.
Wayward
12:20
Jason, as always, thanks for the chats.  Do you know if the Bucs have contacted any of the veteran Lefties that have been mentioned?  Of the potential group who do you like best?
Jason Mackey
12:21
They have, yes. And I would go with Quintana. I think there's the least amount of risk. Really, really good dude, well-liked by everyone when he was here.
epiballo
12:21
Hi Jason, and thanks for the chats! Enjoyed your article on Reynolds. The Pirates had some momentum in signing players to help the offense, but crickets for some time. Is it that no one is available to realistically pursue, or has the money dried up?
Jason Mackey
12:22
I wouldn't say dried up, though it's less. I could still see them $105-$110M, somewhere in there.

I think they're waiting on Suarez. He's making things difficult. There are also trade routes they could go. I agree they need to get moving ... but also not stupidly so, if that makes sense.
Retire21
12:22
Is it okay to root AGAINST "Cutch" coming back. If he can't play the field, his regression as a power stick can go only get worse and we need some pop at the DH.
Jason Mackey
12:23
You're allowed to do whatever you want. Here's where I'm at: I think it's personably reasonable to see both sides of this: the Pirates wanting a better lineup, Cutch believing he can still play and wanting to do it here. That's why I've been hammering the idea of a compromise: part-time DH, make 2026 it, announce that, etc.
epiballo
12:23
If the Pirates go into the season as now constructed, how does not finding a solution at third base impact them? I still think they have done enough to be competitive and can patchwork third base. Am I wrong?
Jason Mackey
12:24
If they don't add anyone else, I would imagine it's Triolo there. I expect them to talk extension with Griffin during spring, so I leave open the possibility he could be their opening day SS. Not saying it's going to happen. Just that it's possible. That could be the left side of your infield.
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