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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 02.09.24
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Jason Mackey
11:38
Hey, everyone. Welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. You know the drill. We'll get started at noon.
12:00
And away we go ...
Felix Fermin Fan Club
12:00
Is Angel Padron a free agent? Have you heard any chatter about teams interested in signing him? He would seem like a low cost/high reward signing. Is numbers for the Red Sox in the minors weren't terrible.
Jason Mackey
12:02
Talking about the Venezuelan pitcher who threw a no-hitter yesterday in the Caribbean Series. ... In MLB terms, yes. Spent some time with the Red Sox, but I believe he could sign with an MLB team at any time.
Carson
12:02
What's going on with the Pirates, it's been awhile since they've signed or traded for anyone, and I thought that there were moves coming soon. Also was that reported Giants trade real?
Jason Mackey
12:05
You'll have to refresh my memory on the "reported Giants trade." Not sure what you mean there. ... And, yeah, it's been weird. They need starting pitchers. They've talked about starting pitchers. They've said they plan on doing things. They haven't. It's been very hard to track, and pitchers and catchers report in like five days. Doesn't make sense. I think there's some element of not being able to get deals across the finish line, when guys have other offers. At the same time, they need to take some risk here. Extreme caution, at least with trades, is the only snag I can think of.
Bradford T
12:05
What’s your favorite brand of whiskey?
Jason Mackey
12:05
Bourbon-wise, I'd probably say Buffalo Trace. Woodford Reserve Double Oaked is close.
Davis Scott
12:05
Hey Jason, love your work. Don't know many others that do lengthy live chats like these, and it is greatly appreciated. Just wanted to get your thoughts on the ceiling of Termarr Johnson. I've heard "superstar" thrown out, so do you agree? Any comps? How excited should we get for him?
Jason Mackey
12:07
Of course. I enjoy them, too. ... Like Termarr a lot. The makeup more than anything. Probably not a shortstop. More second baseman. Have heard Terry Pendleton as a comp. But I think he can hit 20+ homers, maybe a tick more. Solid at-bats. He'll get on base. Yeah, possible superstar, I certainly think it's there. Whether it pans out? We'll see. Certainly wouldn't trade him.
Hank
12:07
jason, you may not have an answer for this, but do you know why the pirates have Greg Brown and Joe Block alternate between TV and radio? Why don't they just put one on each permanently? Would think it would help with continuity and familiarity
Jason Mackey
12:08
Hi Hank. A couple reasons. And I'll also point out that last year, more than any other, they kinda kept Brownie on TV and Joe to radio. But I think they like the variation. I know the announcers do. There's an argument for letting people feel comfortable, sure. But you can also make one for trying to generate more entertainment or different broadcasting perspectives.
Jeff
12:08
Less than a week to go before spring training and still not another upgrade to rotation. What are you hearing?
Jason Mackey
12:09
Fair amount of crickets, honestly. But, they're aware they need to address the starting rotation. I think they will get something done. I think it's still fine --- though dumb, if you ask me -- if they get something done in camp. Understand why fans want to see a move here. That's fair.
Kyle T
12:09
Hey Jason! Totally random but..with the CBA ending in 3 years do you think we are headed for another lockout? Missed games in 2027?
Jason Mackey
12:09
Tough to say now, Kyle. But I'll say this: If that's what it would take to take a revamped cap/floor/revenue sharing, I'd be good with it.
Kyle
12:09
Most likely minor league FA to make the initial active roster?
Jason Mackey
12:11
Hmm ... good one, Kyle. I like this. Would probably go Ben Heller or Brett Honeywell. I think there's something there with Honeywell. He just needs to be healthy. That was the case with Heller, who pitched well for the Braves last year. It's also easiest to make it as a middle reliever.
Gary G
12:12
Hey Jason. Happy Friday. If the Pirates don’t add to their rotation, how confident are you that some combination of Ortiz, Priester, Contreras, and Falter will allow them to compete effectively this year?
Jason Mackey
12:13
Define compete. Ha. Now, do I think one of those guys will work out? I do. Two? Possible. But by doing nothing more -- theoretically, not a prediction -- the Pirates are reducing their margin for error that these guys will work out. I don't think that's smart. But the first three have shown signs of being very good young pitchers. Recently, too. I find it hard to believe they're all just suddenly going to stink.
Ryan
12:13
Good Afternoon Jason Any position Battles for spring Training can’t wait for The PIRATES TO START SOON LETS GO BUCS ⚾️⚾️🏟️🏟️🏴‍☠️
Jason Mackey
12:14
Good afternoon, Ryan. The most intriguing battle for me will be at second base. Liover Peguero or Nick Gonzales? What happens with Ji Hwan Bae or Jared Triolo? Everything else is fairly set, honestly. Will also be curious to see how much Henry Davis can do behind the plate.
Draft
12:14
Little early but who do you like to be in the pirates range
Jason Mackey
12:14
In what sense? Players? Free agents? Other teams?
Steven
12:14
You mentioned the possibility of a Lorenzen signing and I absolutely would love it. When you floated that out there, was that just a thought or was there more behind it (i.e you heard/are hearing something)?
Jason Mackey
12:15
Umm ... I've been talking to people about him. But I would not frame that in the context that the Pirates are hot on signing him or something like that. More just, "Hey, this would make sense." And those discussions are not with people inside the organization.
But I agree with you. Makes sense.
Jordan Vlach
12:15
Can we expect a meaningful SP signing or trade before Spring Training?
Jason Mackey
12:16
I still think so, yes. My money would be on a trade over free agent signing.
Cullen
12:16
Is the next Pirates MVP on the roster or in the pipeline? If so who
Jason Mackey
12:16
On the roster. My pick for this year is Oneil Cruz. I think he has a monster year.
62 Stack Monster
12:16
Hi Jason, you have speculated that a trade may be in place for a starter from the Marlins.  Assuming that happens, will Skenes or Roansy be part of the starting rotation?
Jason Mackey
12:17
Not immediately in the case of Skenes. Maybe Roansy, depending on how he fares this spring. But if they traded for Edward Cabrera -- which I still think makes the most sense -- it would likely be Keller-Cabrera-Perez-Gonzales-Roansy/Priester/Ortiz. That's if they went five. Maybe they go six and pick two of the final three. I think Skenes in mid-May.
Cullen
12:17
What does a Witt Jr. style extension look like for Cruz? 8/100? If the Royals can do it so can the Pirates!
Jason Mackey
12:18
You'd think, right? Based on what I've heard, that ain't close to getting anything done.
Chuck
12:18
Hearing anything on Domingo German?  Would we consider him?
Jason Mackey
12:18
I do think they would consider him, yes. Not hearing that anything is imminent, but I think they have to open to moves like that. Shoot, at this point, I'd probably be fine turning PNC Park into Second Chance U. Just sign him and Bauer.
Cullen
12:18
What does the next step forward for Jack look like to you? What is his ceiling/floor?
Jason Mackey
12:20
I think Jack can be a star, honestly. But he needs to be more aggressive, one. That should lead to fewer strikeouts (less hope) and more consistency. I think he can hit lefties. He's a smart, athletic and powerful hit. Often times that clicks. Dude knows how to navigate an at-bat and make solid contact. I think he's gone a little far on the plate discipline/choosiness stuff, and I'd like to see him tamp that down some.
LetsGoBucs79
12:20
Hey Jason, quick question for you. Is Skenes relationship with Livvy Dunne a red flag to the Pirates system? Maybe he’s too Hollywood already?
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