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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 02.09.24
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Jason Mackey
12:56
Second part first. Same on Honeywell. Like the signing. And it's not just the screwball. Has a couple pitches with movement. Needs to cut down on the walks and stay healthy. He and Heller would be my picks on the first part.
Dave
12:56
How does the beat writer get his Pirate news or rumors? wine and cheese parties? calls to other writers? retired folk?
Jason Mackey
12:57
Ha. Not sure what you mean, Dave. I'm definitely not attending wine and cheese parties. Secondarily, I would not be calling another writer to get news. Usually it's via sources ... who are not retired.
Maz01
12:57
Hi Jason, I read today that the Athletic has rated the Pirates farm system 9th best in MLB and stated that pitching is their strength, do you feel that they need to draft or trade for more young position players and with all the early picks is this a red flag that they are rated at #9 overall?
Jason Mackey
12:58
I don't see it as a red flag. I also find it strange that there are those rankings ... and then other places have had the Pirates in the 20 range. It's pitter patter to me. Nobody really knows. Shoot, Endy Year, Tucupita Marcano and Hudson Head were top-10 prospects at one point. Just too much unpredictability.
Cheringtown
12:58
Felipe Vazquez was recently released from prison... any room for him at Second Chance U?
Jason Mackey
12:58
Um, no.
Pirates 89
12:58
What do you think about the reporter Robert Murray?
Jason Mackey
12:59
Can't say I know him, sorry.
Bruce
12:59
As a long time Pirates fan, I can remember that batting averages were a big deal in the 1970s and many of the Buccos of that era approached or exceeded .300 (Clemente, Hebner, Parker, etc.).  Now, it seems we get excited by guys who hit for power but only hit .210 or .220, e.g., Rowdy Tellez.  Is that because analytics now tell us BA doesn't matter so much?  That pitching is better, so BA naturally have fallen? Something else?
Jason Mackey
12:59
Yeah, you're seeing guys focus more on OPS. There's also less of an emphasis place on contact. Guys are trying for more launch angle and power, which negates consistent hitting. I don't love it. The stuff is better as well.
Brenden
12:59
Hey Jason, Do you think the Pirates should sign Yasmani Grandal, or just roll with Delay/Ali Sanchez and see who sticks for the backup catcher role?
Jason Mackey
1:00
Got this earlier. Would have no issue with Grandal or someone like that ... but only on a minors/incentive-based deal. I think I would rather see them rip the Band-Aid off with Henry.
Wayward
1:00
Jason, do you see any scenario where Bae, Gonzalez and Peguero all make the roster?
Jason Mackey
1:00
No, I don't. I'd be willing to bet one is traded. Bae would be my pick there.
Axle
1:01
I understand the fine line of trying to look wholesome but with Bauer being willing to sign for league minimum wage isn't that worth taking a shot especially with the great need for pitching.  I feel like if he was helping the team win then people would look past the things he did years ago as long as it wasn't reoccurring behavior because it wasnt that long ago that the city had a football QB that had allegations from several women but being a star player and winning a couple super bowls probably helped people not notice that kinda thing.  Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
1:02
I'm not against it. But I do think it requires some serious conversations. Like you wanna know how he feels about it, how he's gonna handle the attention, scrutiny, etc. I do believe he will get a second chance. I'm OK with the Pirates affording them. But you need to be extremely sure intentions are genuine.
62 Stack Monster
1:02
On January 24, 2021, the Yankees traded Smith-Njigba (alongside Miguel Yajure, Roansy Contreras and Maikol Escotto) to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for Jameson Taillon.  We need Roansy to make this trade a success.
Jason Mackey
1:02
Can't disagree with you.
Jake S
1:02
Just getting your opinion ... Which do you think happens first? The Pirates play in an international game or host the ASG again?
Jason Mackey
1:03
An upset: play internationally. I think it would make a lot of sense for the Pirates to play in Puerto Rico on Clemente Day. Probably not far from becoming a reality.
Matt
1:03
Rooney said he was getting impatient. How impatient is Bob getting?
Jason Mackey
1:03
He will say he's getting impatient. I would argue their actions do not align with impatience.
Guest
1:03
Jason - Pirate fan for 53 years. Thanks for taking the time. Am I the only one that believes Bauer deserves a chance?  He had some interesting comments in an article today.
Jason Mackey
1:03
You're not the only one.
Cullen
1:03
Pretty bummed that Santana went to the Twins for only $2m more than what we paid Telez...Do you get the feeling that the Pirates didnt think they could get him for that much, the player wanted to wait it out for the best offer and the Pirates wanted certainty, or that Santana just felt the Twins were a better option?
Jason Mackey
1:04
Not sure, honestly. They probably had a number ... and that didn't agree with Santana. I think they like the platoon advantages they created as well. And with Santana hedging and Tellez interested, it made sense for them to go this route.
TrenchDavis
1:04
Do you think the Pirates are considering taking a reliever such as Carmen Modz and trying him as a starter this year?
Jason Mackey
1:04
I doubt it. I think they were very happy with what Carmen did as a reliever.
SteeloCity
1:04
Is there a reason you haven't broken a single piece of news this offseason? Are your sources dried up?
Jason Mackey
1:05
I stink at my job. That's the reason. I do apologize.
Dan N
1:05
If you believe the Sanchez rumors..what was their thinking? Much better bat than Delay but they wouldn’t sign him to play twice a week ?
Jason Mackey
1:05
Yeah, I think they wanna see what they have in Davis. I also think they think they can recreate the performance for cheaper. We'll see if they're correct.
Guest
1:05
Piggybacking off of the Marc-Andre Fleury prank story- Who is the Pirates resident prankster?
Jason Mackey
1:06
They don't have any, honestly. Maybe Bednar? But it's nowhere close to MAF.
Mike
1:06
Are Fans sleeping on Falter? If you ignore the games against the Cubs on 8/27 and Cincy on 9/23. He was very good in a Pirate uniform.
Jason Mackey
1:06
I've seen little out of Bailey Falter that makes me feel better about the situation.
Dave
1:06
I know speaking from certainty is impossible, but I’d love it if you could reassure me that we won’t even consider bringing Bauer in. On top of wearing out his welcome with teammates everywhere going back to college, it doesn’t seem like someone with numerous sexual violence allegations who received the longest suspension ever should even be a thought. It’s hard to think that the Pirates could fumble the offseason even more than they already have, but speaking for myself, this alone would cause me to check out entirely. Chapman or someone like German is bad enough, but what kind of message would it send to fans that are women, or fans in general, if this team would even entertain bringing this dude back to MLB? Earlier in the offseason, it seemed like a lock that his MLB career is over, but now his name seems to be being whispered in some quarters, especially by young men who would cavalierly ignore the totality of his case. Please tell me he’s done, or at least that the Pirates wouldn’t consider it.
Jason Mackey
1:07
I respect your opinion, Dave. Very fair way of looking at it. And, no. I don't think they're realistically considering signing Bauer. But I think someone eventually will.
Maz01
1:08
Since Jo Adell is not a projected starter in LA, would the former first rounder be attractive to the Bucs?
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