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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 02.02.24
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GH
12:37
Do you ever envision a time when MLB expands beyond the USA and Canada or at least plays a few games in other countries like the NFL does.
Jason Mackey
12:38
They do that now. Here's more: https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-world-tour-2024
GH
12:38
Is it worth a visit to the Pirates development facility in the Dominican? Can the general public get into that facility?
Jason Mackey
12:39
That's a good question. I honestly do not know if DSL games are open to the public. Wouldn't see why not, but I would imagine, similar to Pirate City, you're not going to get very far. I certainly wouldn't recommend traveling from outside the country to see it. They're not going to give you the tour that we got. Or any tour.
Cheese Chester
12:39
Thanks again Jason! Will Aroldis Chapman be the biggest acquisition the pirates make this offseason?
Jason Mackey
12:40
Depends on how you wanna define "biggest." Is a lesser name at a more important position (starting pitcher) bigger?
Guest
12:40
Do you think it at all possible that the Chapman signing was knee jerk reaction to Nuttings comments that he wants to see more done this offseason?
Jason Mackey
12:40
No, I don't. I think Nutting's comments were about wanting to see a trade consummated and for his GM to take a calculated gamble with it.
Guest
12:40
Is the continuing tradition of signing lower cost vets to 1 year deals so they can be traded if things go south ever going to stop? Don't expect them to sign Ohtani but they eventually have to do something more. Not just say they have the resources to do more.
Jason Mackey
12:42
Have covered this a bazillion times, but I thinkj the multi-year deals come into play more when you're better. Watch. If the Pirates win 84-85 games next year, would not shock me at all if they have a multi-year signing via free agency. But as things currently stand, players who have that option don't want to tether themselves to the Pirates. Same time, Pirates are trying to (some would argue too cautiously) take incremental steps forward. And, yeah, sometimes that means if you're not contending, you flip those guys for prospects.
Q
12:42
Do you think Bailey Falter will see innings as a starter if another SP is not acquired? I do not think his stuff plays at the major league level as a starter and I’d be much more willing to give innings to a younger guy (QP, Ro, Luis) and let them work out their new stuff then have a guy with no potential future role just eat innings for a team trying to develop talent. No disrespect to Falter, as I do think he has potential worth as a long reliever arm.
Jason Mackey
12:43
I do think so, yes. And I don't like it. I, too, worry about Falter. But even if they acquire an additional starter, there's at least one TBD spot, plus we know the need for depth throughout a season. They like Falter whether we do or don't. He's among the group of Ro/Priester/Ortiz who might be counted upon to make those shortened starts or even piggyback.
Guest
12:43
Why wasn’t Carlos Santana added
Jason Mackey
12:44
Got to this before, but I think they thing a platoon would be a more efficient use of resources.
Justin
12:44
Assuming that veteran SP eventually gets acquired, who do you think gets the #5 spot in the rotation?   Gotta think they hand it to Falter due to him being out of options, right?  Roansy to the bullpen and Ortiz to AAA?
Jason Mackey
12:45
I think it could be a rotation. You have a group of six (Ro, Priester, Ortiz, Falter, Jones, Wolf) and more coming. Split it up between starts and relief. Play matchups. Jones & Wolf are more down-the-road guys.
Justin
12:45
At what point in the free agency period does it become a logistical issue for either the team or the player to continue to wait for the perfect offer?  Like you'd think a player would want to have an apartment leased by now, right?  If they have kids, the sooner they get acclimated to school/daycare, the better.   And from the team's end you gotta tell your coaching and analytics staff who theyre working with sooner than later, right?  Those are just some examples of thoughts.  This offseason is just really coming to a head here and i imagine that it's not good for anyone involved.
Jason Mackey
12:46
Nah, it's nice. But it's not essential. Guys sign during spring training. It happens. They're paid a lot of money. They can figure out logistics. ... Now, does it create some urgency? Sure. But it's not like tax day or something.
CC Buc Fan
12:46
Do you think the Pirates are holding out making any moves before they see if the young pitchers Jones, Skenes, Chandler, Ortiz, Cruz and hopefully Contreras show what they can do in Spring Traing they
Jason Mackey
12:46
No, I don't. I think they're holding out making moves over trade stuff/negotiations.
Jerry Little
12:46
Do you think Pittsburgh will get an All-Star Game again anytime soon? I know they have 2025 (Atlanta) and 2026 (Philly) covered, but what about after that? We have the best stadium in the sport and it's going on two decades since our last one.
Jason Mackey
12:47
Yeah, you bring up a good point, Jerry. I do think that will be a focus for the Pirates, to show off PNC Park and a bunch of renovations made. Wouldn't shock me if they wind up hosting one during the latter part of this decade.
Randy
12:47
jason what do you think the pirates' best-case and worst-case scenarios are for this season
Jason Mackey
12:49
Best-case, I think they win 84-85 games and contend for the WC. Furthermore, they have a bunch of young guys come up and contribute, and they realize that there's really a solid foundation for years to come. Worst-case, Cruz flops, Henry can't catch, they don't have pitching, and it turns out 76 wins was a mirage. They start poorly, the manager gets fired, Cutch is hurt all the time, they lost 95-100, and there's little direction at the end of it.
Derek
12:49
Will the Pirates get another starting pitcher or two before the season starts
Jason Mackey
12:49
Yes, I believe so.
BHouse
12:49
There have been rumblings that Roansy and Ortiz have 'made strides' to 'fix' their velocity issues, what do you make of that and have you heard anything of that nature?
Jason Mackey
12:50
I make of that the idea that every pitcher we talk to in a couple weeks is gonna say they've made strides to fix myriad issues. Great. But it doesn't mean crap until you do it in the regular season. I also care less about velocity with those guys than I do the propensity to leave pitchers in the middle of the plate. Their stuff is good enough. Their consistency has not been.
Gene
12:50
Will Cutch mainly DH this year or do you see someone else taking over that role?
Jason Mackey
12:51
I think it's gonna be Cutch more than anyone. But I think they would like to use the other part of it as sort of a rotating half-day off for Hayes, Reynolds, Cruz, etc.
Ryan
12:51
Jason when do we trade for a pitcher or are we going to use the guy we signed the other day to start
Jason Mackey
12:51
I don't think Wily Peralta opens the season in the starting rotation, although -- Juan Nicasio, cough -- you never know. I can't give you an exact date on a trade, but I do believe one will happen.
Adam
12:52
Who is going to play RF? Assuming Olivares but would feel much better if he was the 4th guy
Jason Mackey
12:52
Why should he be the fourth? Dude had a 109 OPS+ last year. Hayes was at 105+. Obviously he needs to replicate that, but let's assume he does: Why should he be the 4OF?
Lord Barron III
12:52
Any word, positive or negative, on Roansy, Ortiz, or Priester making progress this off-season?
Jason Mackey
12:53
Not a ton. And I would be shocked if I heard, "Yeah, Roansy really biffed it in the offseason. His velocity went down. He's getting hit hard." Everyone figures it out in February. We'll see when games start ... and especially in the regular season.
Justin
12:54
The DFA of Smith-Njigba has me thinking about the trades made in the beginning of the Cherington Era.  Something like 9.3 man-years of Marte, Taillon, Musgrove, Bell, Frazier were dealt for pretty much Bednar Suwinski (theyre good), Endy (he's promising), Peguero Roansy (theyre meh at the moment but not in give up territory yet either) and then a bunch of guys who have been DFA'd, gone to Asia, or are toiling in A ball.  This overall haul from dealing that group is among the bigger failures of this front office group.  Do you agree?  I could be wrong but this just doesn't seem to get talked about.
Jason Mackey
12:56
Did you just use the term man years? She had ... man years. Ha. Sorry. Also, I'm pretty sure we've talked about the Pirates making some (crappy) trades. I'm good with the Musgrove trade. I think Jamo is TBD. If Roansy works out, for what Jamo was (uncertainty coming off TJ2) I'd be good with it. The Holmes and Bell trades stink. Probably Marte, too, though I like Peguero. The trades haven't been great. No way around it.
Tanner
12:56
Will the arguably mediroce return in the Burnes trade give the pirates an opportunity to make a trade for SP now without giving up too much?
Jason Mackey
12:56
I don't see one affecting the other all that much. Also not sure I would call the return mediocre.
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