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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 02.08.22
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Jason Mackey
11:12
Hello, everyone. Thanks for checking out my weekly Pirates chat. Different day because I have a story to report tomorrow. You know the drill. Leave whatever, and I'll be back at noon to answer. Thanks!
12:03
And away we go ...
Jack
12:03
The obvious question is what do you hear about the "negotiations" and do you think that spring training will be delayed?
Jason Mackey
12:04
Very little, Jack, aside from the fact that neither side is happy, and there's not a shred of optimism surrounding anything. Yes, spring training will delayed. At this point, I'm more worried about the season.
Rich
12:04
The new Pirates Hall of Fame...will that be a virtual type of thing or an actual place somewhere at PNC Park?  Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:05
They do have a "Hall of Fame" room. Believe it's off the Legacy Square entrance, though they don't use or promote it enough. I would expect that to change with this. Should be online, yes, but I do expect the physical infrastructure to change with the new HoF push.
The Eman
12:05
I know you’re too young to have ever seen Jerry Garcia perform, but who’s your favorite current “Dead” band? Other than DSO, I think they’re a waste of time.
Jason Mackey
12:06
I don't know what you mean "Dead" band. Also, I don't think DSO is a waste of time at all. I think they do a tremendous job. As does Bobby Weir, apparently, because he appeared on stage with them. If you mean current jam bands, I would go with Phish. Have honestly never gotten into much jam-era stuff aside from those two.
The REAL ev
12:06
Hi Jason, Will there be a minor league spring training in Bradenton if there is no resolution between ownership and MLB players?
Jason Mackey
12:06
Yes. The lockout only affects players on the 40-man roster. Minor league camp will push forward as normal, ditto for their seasons. I do not yet know if it will be open to the public -- COVID is obviously still an issue -- but it will take place.
Guest
12:07
Thanks for the chat Jason. Let's say the baseball gods are in a good mood. What is the realistic high win total for the Pirates this year assuming the current in-house players?
Jason Mackey
12:07
It's not high. They're just too thin. Maybe high-60s? I got burned last year saying 72, and this, too, might be high. But you are asking for a high-end mark. Honestly, avoiding 100 losses this season would be an accomplished. And certainly not a guarantee.
Justin
12:08
If the NL gets the DH, do you think they go out and get an additional 1b/DH type, or do they use it more as a spot to give guys a break from fielding?
Jason Mackey
12:09
They NL will have the DH this year, Justin, if they do play baseball. It's one of the few/only things they agree on. And to answer your question, I don't know. Not sure they do, either. It'll be circumstantial. Right now I would say probably a rotation because they don't employ anyone to solely occupy that spot. I'd say maybe Yoshi, but then who do you play at first? Chavis? Not sure I like that. I suppose they could use it on Cruz, but I would also want him getting defensive experience of some kind because otherwise you're wasting a cannon of an arm.
*The NL, sorry.
Jeff
12:09
Good morning.  I'm sure this is a topic you've covered before, so please forgive me if you're repeating what has been already reported.  Bryan Reynolds, in my opinion, is one of the building blocks for the Bucs.  I've heard some say he needs to be extended, and I've heard others say he's trade bait.  In my amateur opinion, this guy needs to be extended.  Is he as close to untouchable as anyone can be with the Pirates?  Or, is there a possibility of trading him away?
Jason Mackey
12:12
Could be both, Jeff. And yes, I get this every week. But it's cool. You should ask whatever you wanna ask without fear of being judged. Here's the deal with Reynolds: They don't HAVE to do anything right now. They can kick the can a couple years, and the only result is a higher salary via arbitration. One branch of this is that Reynolds' contract situation might not line up with their best competitive window. In other words, he may be a free agent by the time they're good again. And if he wants to maximize his earnings, OK, nothing you're gonna do about that. I also don't fault Bryan. But if he does that -- which would mean refusing to sign an extension now -- then they're gonna trade him and get something for him. The team will also look at it this way: He was tremendous as a rookie, terrible as a sophomore and should've received MVP votes as a junior. What happens now? Does he revert back? Is he a legit star? I happen to think the latter, but they're trying to accrue info and get a more accurate picture ...
12:14
... of his value. Which, by the way, doesn't cost them a ton of money, and they stave off the criticism of getting ripped for trading a franchise player. And if Reynolds wants to sign a team-friendly (read: cheap) extension in the meantime to guarantee himself some cash (he doesn't), then of course that could happen, too.
Justin
12:15
Do you get the feeling that people within the Pirates think that Oneil Cruz is going to be a star (or something close to that)?  Is there anyone else who they seem especially fond of?
Jason Mackey
12:16
Yes, I do. There's a lot of excitement and anticipation for Oneil Cruz ... and for damn good reasons. He's a freak -- meant in the best way. Natural talent. Loads of power. Fun personality. Not sure anybody knows where he'll play, short or right, but yeah, kid's gonna be special.
Bruce
12:16
Scheduled a Florida vacation for the month of March. Will there be minor league spring training to watch?
Jason Mackey
12:17
There will be minor league spring training. Whether fans are allowed in, I think that's still TBD. Can surely hang out in the parking lots at Pirate City if that sort of thing interests you.
Jeff
12:17
Good morning again.  This isn't a question about the on-the-field product, but more cosmetic in nature.  Are there any planned improvements to PNC Park for the '22 season?  Nothing beats catching a game on a warm summer evening with some friends.  I went to quite a few last year and enjoyed every game, even though they only won once.  I just wondered what, if anything, we could look forward to.  Have a good day!
Jason Mackey
12:18
Yessir. Here's an article our Mark Belko did, talks about a lot of them: https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/12/09/PNC-Park-...
12:19
Basically an outfield area, better kids' play areas, improvements to concession stands, etc. They did the bulk of the seats last year, I believe.
Southside Jimmy
12:19
Hey Jason, hope all is well with you and your family.  Has Ke’Bryan Hayes made a complete recovery from his injury?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:21
Hey Jimmy. Yes, he's completely fine. From everything I hear, should be a total non-issue for 2022. Looking forward to what his swing will look like when he can take 100% hacks.
Sunner in Orlando
12:21
Should us lifetime Bucco fans expect another 100 loss season? This is beginning to sound like a broken record!
Jason Mackey
12:23
I would expect close, yes. At the same time, I do believe the Pirates are headed in a very good direction. They have smart people (Cherington, Baker, etc.) running things. They know what they don't know. I really like Josh Hopper and Dewey Robinson, two of their top pitching development guys, and they've done very well on the international market. Basically they're actually realizing how to be a functional small-market baseball team. The crappy part for fans is that simply takes a little bit of time. They might surprise in 2022. More likely, I think you'll start to see a difference in 2023. Hang in there.
WalterW
12:23
Good morning, What is your feeling concerning the news that drug testing is not taking place during the lockout?
Jason Mackey
12:24
I don't have a ton of concern, Walter. Here's why: Let's say I wanna juice. Am I gonna do that next week knowing the lockout could resolve itself and testing could restart? The punishment here is just too severe. If you were that intent on juicing, you were going to do it anyway and try to skirt the rules. Not sure the lack of testing now makes me think a bunch more guys will start.
Justin
12:24
Do you think enough of the "core" will be in place by the end of 2022 (and project to be in place by early 2023) that some real actual effort at winning could occur next winter?
Jason Mackey
12:26
Yeah, could be. Hard to say at this point. I would also caution against the "core" ideas. You can look at the Penguins or Steelers and identify a core because those businesses operate differently. They spend to the cap. Their leagues are also vastly different when it comes to finances than MLB. There's inevitably going to be a certain amount of transience involved when you're the Pirates, Rays or A's. But, yeah, they should start to see things turn.
Darnell
12:26
Good afternoon Jason.  Any news or rumors on the Pirates signing free agents or making any deals? Thank you.
Jason Mackey
12:27
Hey Darnell. They're not allowed to do any of that because of the ongoing lockout. (Not that they would be terribly active under normal circumstances.)
Bill
12:27
Jason, do you see any realistic possibility that the current labor situation is going to result in any sort of situation such as a salary cap/floor or at least more equitable sharing of TV revenues to level the playing field?
Jason Mackey
12:28
No, I don't. And I think that stinks because it's what baseball needs. But I think you're gonna see both sides act with more urgency after the threat of losing regular season games becomes real. I think you're going to see nips and tucks to the previous policy but none of the wholesale economic changes that the sport actually needs. I also think the large-market teams wield too much power when it comes to a cap and floor.
Sunner in Orlando
12:28
Any way this lockout can eventually establish a salary cap AND a floor? Without these 2 measures, the Pirates will never seriously compete.
Jason Mackey
12:29
Didn't they win 98 games in 2015? I disagree with that last assertion. That said, I understand why someone might be frustrated with the economics of baseball. No, I don't think this will produce the necessary changes, as I've said on here.
Retire21
12:29
Please give us a sound bite of what this possible strike is about and how it impacts the Pirates, assuming it does.
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