You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 02.02.22
powered byJotCast
Jason Mackey
11:46
Hello, everyone. Been a long time, huh? Well, with baseball (theoretically, hopefully, maybe) starting, thought we'd bring these back. You know the drill. Leave whatever now. I'll be back at noon to answer. Thanks, Mackey.
12:02
OK, with a little Go To Nassau in the headphones, let's get going ...
Jimmy
12:02
What are the chances that the new CBA will result in Reynolds becoming a free agent earlier?
Jason Mackey
12:04
I don't think very good. Three things the owners have said they won't change: time to free agency, time to arbitration and revenue sharing. We've seen little indication they plan on changing, and I doubt they will move off this bigger-picture. Could Reynolds be compensated differently or better? Yeah, I think that's possible. But I don't see MLB dropping the free agency timeline.
Honus
12:04
How many positions on opening day will be filled by AAAA players?
Jason Mackey
12:07
Opening day, for me, would look something like this: LF Gamel, CF Reynolds, RF Alford/Allen/Tucker, 3B Hayes, SS Newman, 2B Chavis, 1B Yoshi, C Perez. ... Rotation would be eliminating one or two from: Quintana, Keller, Wilson, Brubaker, Crowe, Thompson and Yajure. ... Bullpen a bigger crapshoot. They're probably going to have at least a half-dozen players who would be on other teams' Class AAA rosters, I get that. But I thought I would use your question in a slightly more productive way.
Andrew
12:07
Any update on a potential Reynolds or Hayes extension?
Jason Mackey
12:07
There's no contact allowed between clubs and teams with the lockout. So, no.
Alec Davis
12:07
Hey Jason! The main point of conflict with the Pirates at the moment is to trade Bryan Reynolds or not. What would the return have to be to make you feel comfortable about a Reynolds trade?
Jason Mackey
12:09
It would have to be nuts. Like multiple top 100 prospects, which obviously isn't going to happen. I would (1) try to extend Reynolds and (2), if that wasn't possible, ride this out as long as possible with him going through arbitration, etc. If they get to the point where he's Arb 4 and they're facing a potential loss, they might then have to take it on the chin. Then again, if they have prospects filling in behind and have gotten good at the major league level, they also might not.
Bill Lauris
12:09
Hi Jason, It would seem that spring training opening on time is in jeopardy, is there any good news about the standoff between the owners and players union?
Jason Mackey
12:09
None. They're ridiculously far off. The only "good news" I would say is that they're talking. But it certainly does not seem like those discussions have been in any way productive. It's a shame because I think the result is just people tuning baseball out. Which stinks for all of us.
Jimmie
12:10
Which Pirate-controlled pitchers will be likely starters on its World Series team? Keller? Brubaker? Certainly Bednar will be the closer, right? Which minor leaguers are likely to join them?
Jason Mackey
12:11
Jimmie, might need to check the optimism. And that's saying something coming from me, right? Anyway, let's change this to which Pirates-controlled pitchers will be here when the team gets good again. Technically all you mentioned from a business perspective. Definitely think Bednar will wind up the closer. I'm less sure on Keller or Brubaker. I would say one makes it. Just not sure which at this point.
Mike from Maryland
12:11
Has there been any progress in the labor talks that makes you legitimately hopeful that baseball will start on time? Additionally, if there is, has there been any discussions about if the rule 5 draft will still happen?
Jason Mackey
12:12
Rule 5 is down the line. Seems they'll figure that out when there's a deal, but yeah, that. As I said before, the only real progress I can tell you about is the fact that they're talking. They're also miles away on what the other side wants. So until there's a mutual realization that they're pushing themselves further and further out of the public consciousness, we're all gonna remain stuck in this cycle of stupidity.
Honus
12:12
Oneil Cruz. Are they waiting too long to move him off of SS?  You don't want him trying to jump to the majors playing a new position for only two months.  Why have they been so indecisive.
Jason Mackey
12:14
I don't think they've been indecisive at all. And no, i don't think they're waiting too long. He really wants to play shortstop. They really need someone with his offensive abilities. Why not let him try? They're also working with him on a lot of stuff, and I can see why they're doing it. His range is absurd. Do I think he sticks there? No. But I don't have an issue with what they're doing. And also, people work there way into the majors at new positions plenty. He's not gonna crumble by taking reps in right field. He's an incredible athlete and good kid. He'll be fine.
The REAL ev
12:14
Hi Jason, will there be baseball this year? How far apart are rank and file vs the owners..??
Jason Mackey
12:15
I think there will be baseball, yes. But they're incredibly far away. My prediction here is for the tone of everything to change once there's a threat of losing real revenue -- I.e. regular season games, something neither side wants. Until then, a delayed spring training really doesn't mean much, aside from me being stuck in the cold for longer than I'd like.
Jack
12:15
Is there legitimate interest in B. Reynolds (meaning teams actually willing to make fair competitive offers), and if so, would the pirates actually move him?
Jason Mackey
12:17
I don't think they will move him before they have to, first off. And maybe not even if then -- meaning they would re-sign him, not let him go for nothing. But I think for the time being, especially now with the lockout, they can continue down the same path with no harm/foul.
Cutch
12:17
Hey Jason, of the young, recently acquired pitchers (Wilson, Thompson, Yajure, Crowe), who do you think has the best chance at finding success this year and long-term??
Jason Mackey
12:19
I'd really intrigued by Thompson. He has the frame and seems like he's made some recent adjustments that are only now playing out. I also like Yajure's repertoire; to me, it's more about staying healthy and learning how to pitch in the big leagues. If I had to go with one, I think I see Yajure with the most upside. But that could also change easily once I get to see more of Thompson.
DB
12:19
Where do Pirates see Swaggerty in 22 plans?  Does he start in AAA or is he in mix for ML roster?
Jason Mackey
12:19
He'll start at Class AAA. That's easy. Needs to prove himself there. But, yeah, I think they hope he plays his way onto the MLB roster in short order. I think he can, too.
Honus
12:19
What elements in the new CBA are the Pirates strongly advocating for?
Jason Mackey
12:21
Hard to rank them, but they've long been advocates to revamp revenue-sharing. As Nutting told me last spring, they're all for "the narrowest possible band" with a cap and floor, so long as MLB evens the playing field a bit through revenue-sharing.
DB
12:21
Pirates have acquired a lot of borderline MLB ready arms over past year -- any of them stand out as possible breakthrough candidates (not top of rotation -- just solid mid rotation innings eaters). I'm thinking Peters, Wilson, Thompson, Crowe in particular.
Jason Mackey
12:23
Got a version of this earlier, DB, but it's a good point made by you both. I'm really intrigued by Thompson. Has all the makings. Wilson also showed some signs. All of the guys you mentioned have some degree of talent. That's not the issue. Can they do it consistently? That's the question that's hard to answer. Give Crowe credit: He struggled some, obviously, but he did consistently take the ball and gave them at least some shred of a chance.
DB
12:23
I don't get the negativity for Pirates.  They're not going to be good this year but there will be a ton of talent knocking on the door by late season into next.  This seems like an exciting time for the organization. Wish they'd extend Reynolds just to signal to fans to hang in there a little longer
Jason Mackey
12:25
I understand the negativity. Fans want the Pirates to be good. It's a sneaky awesome baseball town, and I tell people that all the time. What I don't understand is the people who love to say, "Nobody cares. Why don't you go cover something that matters?" Then I get my web numbers, and it doesn't match that perception at all. People read, trust me. They're just pissed that the Pirates made some stupid decisions and trades and the end of the former regime's run ended so poorly. They're currently working out of that.
DB
12:25
Who is the next R1 bust the Pirates move off roster?  Meadows and Baz were terrible moves in hindsight and hard to call "busts", but not sure there would be same regret over Tucker or Newman
Jason Mackey
12:26
There absolutely would not, although remember context. Nobody was pissed when the Archer trade happened. Most everyone seemed to think it was awesome. So, yeah, if they jettisoned one of those two, nobody would care. If Tucker blossomed into a star, then people would crush the Pirates. And understandably so.
Tarzan
12:26
Jason,
Jason Mackey
12:26
Tarzan.
Bill Lauris
12:26
Hi Jason, with the likelihood of spring training nowhere on the horizon, what do you see players and pitchers doing to stay on top of their game?
Jason Mackey
12:27
The same as they have done, honestly. They're all full-go in offseason workouts at this point, in whatever practice facility or baseball ranch that they normally call home. The tricky part is going to be if this drags on, but I don't think it will.
Tarzan
12:27
Do you think O Cruz will start the season with the Pirates this year?
Jason Mackey
12:28
As of now, Tarzan, no. I think they probably delay his service time and keep him down in the name of "consistency." That said, could change with the new CBA, although I'm not terribly likely. But I think the signing of Newman should tell you what they plan to do. You don't spend $1.95 million on a Gold Glove candidate at shortstop to sit him, especially not if you're the Pirates. (I'm not endorsing the move. I'm just explaining it.)
Load More Messages
Connecting…