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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 02.05.26
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Jason Mackey
11:46
Hi, everyone. Welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. We'll get started at noon, but feel free to fire away now.
12:01
And away we go ...
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:01
Hi Jason! Is there no surprise that Suarez picked the Reds over the Bucs? Better home run park and he has played there before. The only way he comes to the Pirates is if they threw 20 mil at him for 1 prove it year. What is your take?
Jason Mackey
12:03
I'm not surprised, Sunner. I'm disappointed; I think there was an opportunity for the Pirates to do something out of their comfort zone, say offering 2 years at $18 million per or whatever, forcing Suarez to make a decision. But for those of us a little closer to the situation, there wasn't much smoke about him signing with the Pirates.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:03
Who would you trade to pry a 3rd baseman away from some other teams that you have mentioned previously? I'm sure any team would want one of our starters I would think.
Jason Mackey
12:04
I wouldn't trade a starting pitcher, at least not one of my top four. Unless it's a REALLY unique third-base option, which it won't be. I'd be fine with Bart, Termarr, any pitcher at Double-A or below and a select few at Triple-A.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:04
When will the Pirates make a decision on Cutch? Before spring training or during?
Jason Mackey
12:04
My own opinion is that they need to figure out Bart first. I find it difficult for both to be on the roster. Given that, would probably say during. Not a lot of time before.
Go Blue 72
12:05
As always, Jason, you are doing. A great job on this beat!  Your best guess as to the Pirates trade target for 3d base and what will it cost them?
Jason Mackey
12:06
At this point, maybe Baty or Vientos? I've heard things are cooler on Bohm. Oh, Paredes probably belongs there, too. There are parts there that make sense, though don't love the right-handed pull power fit. (It's tough because they're already very left-handed.)

Don't know on cost. That depends on the other team. But could safely say a package of prospects that includes at least one pitcher.
Scott via Louisville
12:06
Not a question but I once met Branch Rickey’s grandson working the front desk at the Pirates spring training. I didn’t know why my parents were excited to meet him but later I figured it out. I read he went on to stay involved in minor league baseball as an executive.
Jason Mackey
12:06
Alrighty. Thanks, Scott.
Scott via Louisville
12:06
Not a question again but my grandfather went down to Bradenton for winters and spring training games cost between free and $1.00. Good old days.
12:07
One more unsolicited comment. I’d send the sports writers my subscription fee monthly to continue reading your columns. It’s the only reason I am a subscriber.
Jason Mackey
12:07
I appreciate the comments & sentiment, Scott. Certainly the business. Yinz are why we're lucky enough to do this for a living.
Yuri
12:07
Hello Jason.  What are the chances of the Pirates trading Mitch Keller for a third baseman?  Of the third basemen who might be available, which one would you trade for and why?  Thank you Jason.
Jason Mackey
12:08
My sense is that Mitch Keller is a Pirate in 2026. Has been that. ... Covered the third-base options above. A lot would depend on the ask and who's available. (Example: I like Bohm, but I don't know the ask or if he's available. I just know those talks haven't been terribly active.)
Dan N
12:08
I’m not as frustrated as a lot of other fans we didn’t sign Valdez…way too much money.. as you know they are so out of balance with left handed hitters now they are almost forced to get a right handed third baseman somewhere… Would Bart and Modlinski be enough to get Vientas?
Jason Mackey
12:09
If you thought they had a chance with Valdez, I have some oceanfront property in Brentwood to sell you.

I don't think they're interested in trading Mlodzinski. Nor should they be.
Caitlin
12:09
Hi Jason, do you think Ozuna would be a good fit for the Pirates?
Jason Mackey
12:11
I'm split on this, Caitlin. On one hand, I like Ozuna the player. I think he has plenty left. On the other, I'm not sure it's best for their team. Meaning if Ozuna is your DH for 155-162 games, that means O'Hearn plays LF/1B, which means Horwitz or Mangum sits. Very unlikely you get all 3 in the lineup at once. I don't love that. Ozuna would also push Cutch out the door. I know some would be fine with that, but you also can't dismiss the idea. An also sizable group would be upset about that sort of treatment. I'm just not sure it's worth it.
SaquonMcCutchen
12:11
its been the expectation that the Pirates aren’t done yet since signing ROH and getting Lowe. Is the most likely acquisition still 3B? Or do you see the Pirates moving to OF/SP at this point
Jason Mackey
12:12
I don't think they ever gave up on SP. I'm not expecting much in the way of OF. I agree with you, though, that 3B is probably -- or should be -- the priority. They need to swing a trade.
Todd Gak
12:12
Do you honestly believe the Pirates were a serious player for Framber or have Poni’s pierced nipples and Get Go car washes affected his brain cells?
Jason Mackey
12:13
I do not believe they were a serious player, no. It helped Valdez's side to maybe drive up his value -- with more teams interested, not just the Pirates.

I do get the Pirates side. It's worth checking. He knows Murphy. PNC has been great for lefties. If Valdez's market drops and he wants a prove-it year, that could work. But they were never, ever going to pay him $38.3 million per season.
Jake
12:14
Percent chance that Reynolds, Cruz, Horwitz all have OPS over 800 and who is least likely to achieve 800 OPS
Jason Mackey
12:16
I'll say a 50% chance. And I guess I'll go with Cruz, because he was the lowest last season (.676), but I don't like it. I actually think he's poised for a breakout.
GPT
12:17
Are the Pirates legitimately trying to compete, or are we just overhyping this offseason compared to the usual Tommy Pham/Rich Hill acquisitions, or is the truth in the middle somewhere?
Jason Mackey
12:18
Umm ... probably in the middle. Lowe, O'Hearn and others are objectively different than what they've done in the past. The projections also aren't terribly kind, and there's been a lag since those moves. If they finish their offseason the right way, I can see them actually eclipsing .500 and maybe flirting with a playoff spot. If they finish it with more O'Hearn/Lowe-level activity.
Dan
12:18
Jason - do you get any sense that the small to mid size team owners will pull together to insist on a salary cap during these upcoming contract negotiations?  Where does Nutting fit into the mix…is he respected within the small to mid size owner group as a leader? Thx
Jason Mackey
12:20
Hi Dan. I think they're going to go for that, yes. I think they're going to get opposition on the player side, too. My hope is that they can explain to players that there's a way to do this like other leagues, where the players still make a bunch of money.

Look at the NBA, for example. Capped league. Players are marketed as stars. The contracts they get are far better than MLB. I'm no expert on league finances, but you have to find a way to get there. A model of the NBA and NFL.

Nutting is in favor of a cap and a floor with revamped revenue sharing. Have talked to him about it. I'm not in meetings, though, and I can't really speak to how others perceive him because I've never had those direct conversations.
Cullen
12:20
Is there a specific name that you are hearing the Pirates connected to for trade talks? It seems like a lot of teams are looking for major league ready talent instead of prospects which seems to be complicating the negotiations.
Jason Mackey
12:21
Ones I've heard the most are the ones I keep typing: Baty, Vientos, Paredes ... lesser Bohm & Jung.
Brad D
12:21
I assume the ship has sailed on a Skenes extension. What’s the likelihood that a Griffin one gets done?
Jason Mackey
12:22
Yes on your first part. Unless they win this upcoming season, then you restart discussions. But I still don't think it's terribly likely given what he knows he'll make in free agency and what they've be willing to pay.
12:23
They're gonna try on Griffin. He's amenable to it, too. But I just don't know where their number will be. If it's $80 million, no. If it's $140 million, I think there's a very good shot that happens. If it's $110 million, that's where it gets a little more tricky for me. But I expect it to be discussed in spring, as I've been writing and saying.
FirstTimeLongTime
12:23
Hey Jason - looking around the division it seems like the FO is really gambling on the rotation stifling opponents.  How does the current lineup matchup with the rest of the division and say they do add a bat to the lineup (3B) how much could that really close the gap? Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:24
I don't know if I would say it's gambling. The rotation is a strength. It was a strength in 2013. I see that same thing happening here.
I think the lineup as currently constructed is probably fourth at best in the division. Better maybe only than the Cardinals. But if the rotation is good enough, I'm not sure it matters a ton. I'd probably rank the offenses Cubs, Brewers, Reds, Pirates & Cardinals.
Cullen
12:25
8yrs/$115m contract for Konnor4real. 3 years paying him $5m a year then $20m for 5 years. He starts getting paid when Keller's contract comes off the books and makes well above the league minimum for 3 years. He also beats Reynolds extension and gets a chance at free agency at 27. That has to make sense for both sides right?
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