JotCast | Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 02.20.23

Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 02.20.23

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Wayward

1:44

Jason, which of the non-roster guys have the best opportunity to make the team? Anyone other than Plawecki?

Jason Mackey

1:45

Yeah, a non-roster catcher will make it for sure. Not sure I see anyone else making it. Maaaaybe Andujar? Kinda doubt it. Can't think of any pitchers I'd put in that category.

Wayward

1:45

Jason, has it been announced who you're #2 on the Bucs beat is for this year. Sorry but i hadnt seen it.

Jason Mackey

1:45

Andrew Destin will be helping out, but it won't be a dedicated No. 2. He's backing up both me on baseball and Matt Vensel on hockey.

Endy

1:45

Jason, what's the scoop on my defensive prowess? I'm thinking of letting HD squat uncomfortably for hours, and taking on 1st base or a corner spot. Your thoughts? Danke.

Jason Mackey

1:46

I would like to see you in the outfield, Endy. Better to save the wear and tear. Also think Henry is going to be a better defensive catcher, no offense.

Stash

1:46

Jason, does it bother you that PG upper management schedules back-to-back chats, thus making yinzers make a choice, or streamline their thought processes?

Jason Mackey

1:46

No, I asked for this to go at 1 because logistically, it was the only time I could fit it. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Jack Something Polish

1:46

Jason, any thoughts or critical reasoning behind my ridiculous splits? Can one love home cooking that much? Gracias.

Jason Mackey

1:47

I don't, honestly. I don't know what on Earth could explain that sort of insanity. I think it will even out this season. Has to.

Stat Man

1:47

Jason, is the blessed WAR stat really all that much of an improvement over average, homers and RBIs, which functioned decently for a century, and was much easier for a yinzer to digest? Danke.

Jason Mackey

1:48

I think it's important to have a balance between the two. There's value in WAR, sure. You trying to distill value a bunch of ways into one number. Number of homers doesn't do that.

Tyler

1:48

Hey Jason, Endy or Henry? If you had to pencil one in as the opening-day catcher in 2024, who would you pick?

Jason Mackey

1:48

I'd go with Henry at this point. I'd play Endy somewhere else.

Neal H.

1:48

Jason, should Ben hire me on a limited contractual basis to offer my strangely effective thoughts on bullpen construction?

Jason Mackey

1:48

Ha. Aren't you working for the Guardians?

Jock Sutherland

1:48

Great chats Jason, do think video strike ball calls will end up in MLB in near future. Read an interesting opinion that if went that route it would cut down on offense since umps tend to call strike zone in more of an oval shape not the rectangle box we see on tv.

Jason Mackey

1:49

I don't know what it would do to offense -- I'm not that smart -- but I agree with you in the sense that I do think it's coming. Inside of, say, three years, I'll bet MLB is using ABS.

Stash

1:49

Jason, have you ever seen OC play OF or first, even in practice? Or asked another way, if he flames out at short, how big is the learning curve? Gracias.

Jason Mackey

1:50

Have never seen him play first base. Have seen him play some outfield. It's OK, but not great. You can tell he doesn't love it. That said, if he makes a bunch of errors this season and has to move, I think he could pick it up just fine. I wouldn't waste his arm at first.

The Eman

1:50

Excellent article on Jaso! He seems like a jam band kind of guy.

Jason Mackey

1:50

I didn't write it. New York Times did. Check out the byline. He listened to some classic rock (Petty, Allmans). Was OK on the Dead but not obsessive.

Trey

1:50

Jason, do you never invite the fam down to your FLA bungalow, or is this your time to forget about all familial obligations and enjoy some fine grub and sunshine?

Jason Mackey

1:51

My family is coming down in March, and I can't wait. It'll be their first time down here.

CoalportKid

1:51

Is the PG allergic to graphs, charts and the like? There is increasing analytics on the site, which I appreciate it, but I can't recall ever seeing the most basic graphs. I mean, I just go here: (https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2022.shtml) scroll down 'National League Wins Above Avg By Position' highlight PIT and get an instant analysis that would need about 5,000 words to convey. Likewise I go here (https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2022-mlb-predictions/pitchers/) and get incredible insight into pitching staffs. Video is nice (per the previous question) but how about some real data science?

Jason Mackey

1:52

I'm ... sorry? We do plenty of graphs and charts and such. We have a graphics department. Clearly not enough done on baseball, but I think our paper as a whole does a solid job with graphical stuff.

John

2:26

I'm tired of all the Ji-Man Choi saga. He actually "won" his arbitration case with a bump of $150, 000 when you think about it. After having a lousy season last year with The Rays. I hope he isn't a problem this season. Not a good way to start out so far.

Jason Mackey

2:26

Sorry folks. Had some laptop issues, pausing this. Getting back to it to finish up. Choi got above his projection amount, yes. He did not "win" his case, because the arbiter chose the Pirates' figure, not his. But I get your point. Plenty more to focus on than that or the WBC.

Steelmike58

2:26

Jason, coming to SP for first time and bringing my adult aged sons, what should I make sure we do besides home games at LECOM?

Jason Mackey

2:27

I would venture out to Holmes Beach. You won't be disappointed. Eat at the Ugly Grouper. We did so last night. Awesome tacos. Plenty of golf courses around if you're into that sort of thing. Spend a lot of time along the Riverwalk. Just absolutely gorgeous at night.

Dog boy

2:28

Get rid of Reynolds, not worth that much money, overrated

Jason Mackey

2:28

I'm gonna go ahead and disagree with that one.

Joe Mayo

2:28

What's up with the time lag? Poor reception down there? Now what?

Jason Mackey

2:28

Yes, technical difficulties. Sorry, Joe.