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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 02.02.24
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Jason Mackey
11:34
Hey everyone. Thanks for stopping by my weekly Pirates chat. You know the drill. Leave your questions now. Will be back at noon to answer them.
12:08
And away we go ...
Al Scott
12:08
Were you surprised by anything on your trip to HOF and your time with Jim Leyland?   Your article was very well done!
Jason Mackey
12:09
Thanks, Al. Is saying the whole trip a cop out? No, seriously. It was just stunning, so cool. Don't know if I would call it a surprise but just so amazed by the depth and cool-ness of the HoF. And the regular-guy-ness of Leyland. After the Hall, we went and had lunch, just BS'ing about all kinds of stuff. What an experience.
Munkeefist
12:10
Read that the pirates have interest in bringing in Gary Sanchez. Would a move like this have the Pirates carrying 3 catchers on their roster, move Delay to AAA or Davis back to RF?
Jason Mackey
12:11
Saw that, too. I'll be honest: I don't see the fit. Feel like Sanchez would have better options, one. It's seemingly a convoluted path to playing time here. Couldn't he get more elsewhere? Same time, don't the Pirates need to fit out where/if Henry Davis fits? While I like Sanchez a lot, it complicates that picture.
Coach O
12:12
Given the one year contract signings of free agent pitchers this year, and Nutting’s tight budget, is it an oversimplification to say Cherington is putting all his eggs in the playoff basket of counting on 3 or 4 of the pitching prospects to be the real deal for the future? And that’s why despite the verbiage deep down he’s probably not really serious this year about playoff contention and is looking at another year or two before that happens?
Jason Mackey
12:14
Yeah, I think that's an over-simplification. I get the one-year signings, cheapness, all of that. At the same time, they're not done. I do believe they'll add at least one more pitcher, likely with ample club control. Two, the one-year signings are intentional. They should serve as a bridge to Jared Jones, Paul Skenes, JT Brubaker, Mike Burrows, Anthony Solometo and Bubba Chandler. I guess that's what you're sorta getting at but just trying to explain it a little more. Also, again, if a pitcher has the option of a multi-year deal, why are the Pirates an attractive destination? That guy has better options. If the Pirates win, that'll change.
DEE
12:14
What is the status of those pictures who have had TJ surgery and should be available mid to later in the year?
Jason Mackey
12:15
Assuming you meant to type pitchers. Not prepared to give an account of any pictures. I would expect Brubaker and Burrows back shortly after the All-Star break.
Cullen
12:15
Hey Jason, How do you think the Burnes/Orioles trade affects the SP trade market for the Pirates?
Jason Mackey
12:15
It doesn't.
Bill in Charleston
12:15
We hear that the Pirates have interest in two young Marlin pitchers. What would the fish want in return?  Would they have interest in Priester or Harrington; Peguero or Nick Gonzalez; Holderman or Mlodzinski?
Jason Mackey
12:16
I could see three pieces: Someone from the 2B heap, a decent ranked prospect -- probably on the pitching side -- and a third piece that might fill an MLB hole. And not, like, Keller, Bednar, Hayes, Reynolds, etc. More like Connor Joe.
Cullen
12:16
If you were a betting man who would you put your money on to take the biggest step forward this year? (on the 26 man roster)
Jason Mackey
12:17
I am very much not a betting man, but if I was ... Oneil Cruz. OK, it's cheating since he was hurt. But in terms of the greatest change of something added, I'm going Cruz. Great improvement in individual performance? Here's a sleeper: Roansy.
Jeff
12:17
When is the make or break season for Ben Cherington’s days as a Pirate GM?
and is Shelton tied to that year also?
Jason Mackey
12:23
Not imminent, I know that. Although if they have a win total in the 60s, it's not going to go over well for Cherington. ... Maybe more so on Shelton. I suppose if they get off to a lousy start, they could consider things. But he's under contract at least through next season, maybe more. ... Guess that's a long-winded way of saying there's still some patience, and the manager would likely go before the GM.
Jim M.
12:23
Jason, It seems like the Pirates still need to add a legitimate innings eating starter to go with the other starters they’ve acquired.   What do you think the hold up is?
Jason Mackey
12:24
I agree with you -- they do. Would imagine a staring contest. We wanna give up this. Well, we want that. Trying to see which team budges first. They know they need to add someone. And they've had fairly deep discussions to do it. I do expect it to happen.
Phil
12:24
Explain to me why the Nutting regime couldn't trade for Milwaukee's Corbin Burnes for the typical one-year deal? The Orioles just made that trade for 15 mil. or so. How's that going to break the Pirates or send them into economic convulsions? The Pirates are "playing" with their fans and are pretending to want to compete as I see it.
Jason Mackey
12:26
Feel however you want, Phil. I had the opposite reaction. Corbin Burnes, great. You have one year for $15 or so million, whatever it is. They gave up six years of DL Hall and Joey Ortiz and a first-round pick to do it. Now, the Orioles can because their farm system rocks. The Pirates still have a ways to go to get there. But the first step should be acquiring that much talent to be able to swing a deal. That's also a metric crap ton of talent to give up.
Cullen
12:28
How bad would Cruz's defense have to be for the Pirates to give up on him at SS? You mentioned that he only sees himself as a SS but is there a point where the Pirates say enough is enough and move him to CF or RF? CF is almost as prestigious of a position and his bat, speed, and athleticism should play there.
Jason Mackey
12:29
Like Pedro Alvarez throwing problem bad. Oneil wants to play SS really bad. And I understand that the player shouldn't call all the shots. But he's important enough that I think he deserves a shot at it. Again, if he's awful, you have that conversation. But I'd argue the dude at least deserves a season or a sizable chunk of time. His defense was also a lot better last spring.
JohnA
12:29
Good morning Jason! I realize that our fan base is frustrated with Oscar Marin and the lack of our young pitchers developing at the rate we feel they should be, but have you ever felt or heard any of this frustration from any player of any management that might confirm there is also some internal lack of confidence in his ability? I know for a fact that Mitch Keller worked out at Tread Athletics in Hickory NC prior to the 2023 season, and they had his fastball up to 100.7. Why did he have to go there for coaching? Why was he not in Bradenton working with Marin in the off season? Why is Shelton so loyal to him? Help me understand, please.
Jason Mackey
12:31
I have never heard anyone within the organization question Marin or how they develop pitchers. Also, it's routine now for pitchers to go to outside facilities in the offseason. Don't know why Keller going there has become an affront to Marin. Most pitchers do that. Guys also get better. Mitch knew he needed to add a sinker. Oscar was involved in doing it. If you'll notice, Mitch didn't become an All-Star because he threw 100 mph. He became an All-Star because he learned how to pitch. That wasn't just a facility or just Oscar. They work together.
Guest
12:31
Do you know of any soccer fans on the team? If so who do they support?
Jason Mackey
12:31
Hmmm ... good question ... not really, honestly. Meaning I don't know who anyone explicitly supports. But I have no doubt there are guys who fans of the sport. Sorry I don't have a better answer for you.
Chief Powhatan
12:31
Jason, what's your over/under for games the Pirates use an 'opener' on the mound this season?
Jason Mackey
12:32
Maybe I don't understand gambling, but I don't know how I would have an over/under. Doesn't someone else set it, and I bet over/under? In any case, I think they'll use it 10-20 times.
Pitching In
12:32
When is the next Pitching In podcast?
Jason Mackey
12:33
We recorded yesterday. It should go live this afternoon.
artie bridge
12:33
I'm not a big fan of Chapman, so I have mixed feelings about the signing.  I've been among the legion of fans squawking for years to up the payroll, but is the best expenditure of $10 mil for a setup pitcher (even assuming he's good at it)?
Jason Mackey
12:35
I don't have an issue with it -- if they trade for a young starter who comes with team control. The Pirates are super aggressive with the bullpen. That's not a bad thing if you're good. They should be able to shorten games. And the starter they would get for $10.5 might only be so-so. Again, if they trade for Cabrera and then let the fifth spot be Ro/Priester/Ortiz or even bring in German/Syndergaard, I'm good with that.
Chief Powhatan
12:35
How many Pirates will hit .300 or better?
Jason Mackey
12:35
Good question, though dated. Not many evaluate players based on BA these days. I'll say none. At least in terms of qualifiers.
marty
12:35
Why did we not try to resign Santana for the 1st base position instead of Rowdy Tellez? Money?
Jason Mackey
12:36
That was probably an input. I think it was feeling they could recreate the same production or better with a different alignment. It's probably not dumb. Go back and look at their 1B production with Santana and without. I liked Carlos a lot, but they actually got more out of a platoon. And if Tellez can be what he was in 2022, that would be massive.
Chief Powhatan
12:37
Has anyone in the 'Burgh media actually seen any video of O'Neil Cruz working out, running, hitting?  I'm wondering if he's 100% because he's had enough time.
Jason Mackey
12:37
I have not seen the video with my own eyes, though I did watch him take batting practice the last series of the year in Philly. It was certainly a display. Not the least bit worried about Cruz, honestly.
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