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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 02.17.21
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Too Tall 21
12:35
I feel like I’m back in the mid to late 2000’s when I spent more time following Indy, Altoona and even Charleston back then than I did the big club. But it was perversely exciting to follow Cutch, Walker, Doumit, and all those guys trying to get the call. Where do you expect Gonzalez, Peguero, and Swaggerty to start the year?
Jason Mackey
12:36
Agree with you on that. And I think that's reflective in our coverage. Write about an MLB-level guy, meh. Write about a prospect, the story does numbers. I'm gonna go Class AA, High-A and Class AA for the three guys you mentioned. You should hold me to those, too.
Yuri
12:36
Hello Jason.  Do you see the Pirates’ minor league prospects being promoted to the major league team sooner until Cherington and Shelton compared to the previous GM and manager?  Thank you Jason.
Jason Mackey
12:38
People like to assign sooner and later labels to this for some reason. That's wrong. I sure hope they don't have a hard-and-fast rule on development. It should be individualized. A good front office should know when to bring a guy up and how he'll respond. I don't think the last one has that. Sometimes it's early for whatever reason, a guy's skills might play better, or he might need to bright lights. Others -- would argue Polanco was/is this way -- need the development time down low.
Big Sale
12:38
Why sign Brian Goodwin? I know outfield depth is thin, but we have 16 Guys who play SS looking to learn a new position. Goodwin will not be here when the Pirates are ready to contend
Jason Mackey
12:39
Who cares? Two years ago he hit 17 homers. It's a bargain contract. If he produces, which he very well could, you trade him for prospects. You've just signed young talent for a prorated portion of $2 million. It's part of a team-building strategy.
Justin R.
12:39
Hey Jason -- Thanks, as always, for taking the time to chat. As the prospect lists roll out, including Fangraphs today, can you name a couple of your sleepers for this season?
Jason Mackey
12:40
Hayes, Priester, Gonzales and Crus are obvious. I can see Peguero making a move. Deeper than that, I like Mason Martin a lot. Canaan Smith-Njigba, too. Cal Mitchell was impressive during instructional league. Curious to see what Hudson Head might do with a full minor league season.
Donna
12:40
Hi Jason.  In your opinion, who starts the season at shortstop and centerfield?  Thank you.
Jason Mackey
12:40
Hi Donna. At this point I'm going with Tucker and Goodwin. Alford becomes the fourth outfielder since they're set on playing Polanco in right.
Ryan
12:40
Good afternoon Jason with bell gone who is going to be the every day first baseman Moran let’s go pirates
Jason Mackey
12:41
Hi Ryan, Colin Moran will be getting the bulk of the time over there. Phillip Evans will be his primary backup, with the possibility that Will Craig could earn something with a strong spring.
Guest
12:41
Hey Jason, Love your work man! Glad to see the Bucs sign another starter. So with Tyler Anderson, we now have two lefties ( Stephen Brault) and Chad Kuhl and Mitch Keller. Who do you think will emerge as the 5th starter from Brubaker, Ponce, Crowe, and co. Or will they sign another vet in your opinion? Keep the faith buddy, these Bucs are going to move forward. Cherington is putting the right touches on the Pirates Model. He is no Huntington by any measures. Beat'em Bucs Terry Martin-Alpharetta, GA
Jason Mackey
12:43
Hi Terry. Thank you. Appreciate that. I think Brubaker will be the guy. I liked what he did last year. Also, I don't have faith (with this stuff). Just like I don't care if they lose. We as beat reporters aren't fans. Will save the lecture on this for another day, but there's no "keeping the faith" for us, unless I'm talking about Blind Faith, which was one of my dad's favorites (and mine, too).
Danny
12:43
Cubs are reportedly seeking a left-handed hitting second baseman. What are the chances they could trade for Frazier?
Jason Mackey
12:43
It's hard to assign a percentage, but it's not zero. Can't imagine given the Pirates' competitive situation that Cherington would worry about trading him inside the division, either.
Curious George
12:43
Hi Jason.  Will the designated hitter in the national league be made permanent starting in the 2022 season?
Jason Mackey
12:44
I think so, yeah. Which is one of the many reasons why I think it should be there in 2021. Still holding out hope that something will come together with that and expanded playoffs.
Danny
12:44
How much more roster movement (trades, free agent/non-roster signings) are you expecting before camp breaks?
Jason Mackey
12:45
Not many. I could see a Frazier trade. Maybe a reliever-based transaction -- signing or trade. I can see Wolters, Goodwin and Shreve making the team, so I don't know how you want to classify those.
Igor Larionov is Back Baaabeee
12:45
J.Mac! What's up Buddy. I feel for you. I really do. I'd storm in editor's office or the boss and demand to be pulled from covering these losers till bitch boy bobby budgets acquires some real talent and obviously since he lied to the people last time how in the world can anyone expect this cheapskate to be different this time. Hasn't the LOYAL & PATIENT Fans of the PBC suffered enough.  Nutting is a total piece of crap in my book and I hope he disappears soon. One way or the other.
Jason Mackey
12:47
I really need to write a column on why beat reporters aren't fans. I ASKED to do Pirates. I love baseball, played it my entire life and wanted to write about it. Doesn't matter to me one bit if the Pirates go 162-0 or 0-162. Do you think I'm paid based on winning percentage? To be, the building process is fascinating. I covered a winner in the Penguins. Now, I'm doing something different and fulfilling. What's wrong with that? I understand your frustration about Nutting. I would encourage you to vote with your dollar or to communicate directly with the team. Not sure what good complaining to the beat reporter will do in all of this.
Guest
12:47
Jason how many wins do you think this team is capable of winning this year? Last year's record suggests 51 wins but that was before trading bell, musgrove etc. could we have a historically bad season?
Jason Mackey
12:48
Small secret: I hate projections. You. Don't. Know. No matter how much you think you do, you don't. I think they're capable of winning in the low-to-mid 70s. Probably an extremely ceiling there. But I don't know. Nobody does.
Igor Larionov is Back Baaabeee
12:48
Pittsburgh deserves better. And this rebuild sh*t is just another way for Nutting to not spend. #foreverRebuild
Jason Mackey
12:50
The Rays win while operating like this. What's stopping the Pirates from doing the same? Stupid decisions recently, for one. I get being pissed at Nutting. I do. And I don't like telling people how to feel about stuff. But, folks, it's not just Nutting or being a small market or revenue sharing or whatever the heck you wanna say matters. It's also drafting, development, finding talent, helping guys improve, etc. Pirates need to improve that stuff, too. And by most accounts under Cherington, they have.
The Exiled
12:50
Who closes games for The Buccos?  I thought Kela could come back with his market not amounting to what most thought it would.
Jason Mackey
12:51
If you got an offer from the Padres, would you think about the Pirates? Will be by committee. I expect Rodriguez to get touch. Same for maybe Crick and Feliz, if they're healthy and productive. They'll also want to try Cederlind in that role.
Danny
12:51
Who is, for lack of better words, an under the radar player... could be MLB level or young guy who you are excited to see what they do this spring?
Jason Mackey
12:53
A whole bunch of them, Danny. Shoot, most of the roster. As far as someone I've never seen or watched much before, curious to put eyes on Yerry De Los Santos. Finished in a good spot in 2019. Finally healthy. Has put up some nasty numbers. Have never seen him in-person and will get a chance next week.
Chris
12:53
Win projection? Last year they were on pace for 51 wins if a full season was played. However we traded bell musgrove and more. Should we be expecting a historically bad season this year?
Jason Mackey
12:54
Oh good. More projections. Can't get enough of these. (Not your fault, Chris. Just not a big fan. I'm weird.) ... I'll be the weird guy and say they're moderately watchable, finishing with 71-72 wins.
Mark
12:54
I don't get the Alford-Goodwin comparison. It doesn't matter how well Goodwin plays - he won't be here for next 3 years when it might matter. Alford MIGHT be. So play Alford every day & see if he shows anything. The focus must be on building a team for 2023, not 2021! Same for Polanco & Stokes. Any hope for that approach from mgmt?
Jason Mackey
12:55
If you do that, then you forfeit the chance to trade Goodwin. If you play Goodwin, then you can flip him at the deadline before finally turning to Alford. That's how I would do it, anyway. If you're trying to build for 2023, you should be looking to acquire talent, which you have a better chance of doing by going my route than yours. But I do see your point, and you very well could be right.
MCL
12:55
I heard a news report that the Pirates have a .04% chance of making the playoffs. So they hav a chance! Right?
Jason Mackey
12:55
What was with all that one in a million talk?
Wayward Eer
12:55
If there is a strength to this team, where/what is it?  Relief Pitching maybe?
Jason Mackey
12:56
I think the starters can be half-decent. They should also be able to field pretty well. Hayes at third. Tucker at short. Alford or Goodwin in center. I like that. Moran is a better defensive first baseman than Josh Bell. Their offense might be hard to come by, but I would hope they could pitch some and play defense.
alan
12:56
Have youheard anything new on the who the Bucs like for the #1 pick in June?
Jason Mackey
12:57
It's too early for that stuff, Alan. They're doing background work on potential top guys. The spring season will have a say in things. I could tell you Rocker, Leiter, Del Castillo and others, but I don't think I'm breaking any news there.
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