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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 02.23.24
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PrinceBob
12:22
I may not be the only person asking this but as we're yet a week closer to Opening Day with no move to bring in another established pitcher or two  are you surprised? Do you still expect that they will as much as you did last week at this time?
Jason Mackey
12:23
I am surprised, yes. Shoot, I'm surprised Snell and Montgomery are still out there. I've been surprised by a lot this offseason. Has been very strange. And, no, I think the trade is much less likely at this point due to factors that I outlined.
Stash
12:23
Jason, can Bob please get DB that well-earned extension so he can upgrade from IC Light to perhaps Yuengling Lager at the worst case, and maybe even Sierra Nevada Pale Ale if he really wants to flaunt his status?
Jason Mackey
12:24
Ha. There's a better chance of Bob Nutting throwing $20 bills in the air at Pirate City than David Bednar switching to fancy beer.
Will
12:24
If Grandiel hits a few HRs while providing Doumit-like defense will Pirate fans declare this a win over the objectively excellent defense provided by Hedges in 23?
Jason Mackey
12:25
If Henry winds up developing because of Grandal and Grandal is the backup, sure. But Pirates fans -- and rightly so -- want to see Henry play. Grandal is a caretaker. It's a bad outcome if he's the primary guy.
Stash
12:25
Jason, with your baseball background, would you want to face Chapman if given the opportunity, just for the hell of it? Assuming you could upgrade your accidental dismemberment insurance policy beforehand of course,,,,,,
Jason Mackey
12:26
I would love to face Chapman, although there's a 0.0000001% chance of me making contact with anything.
Gene
12:26
Hi Jason I think our bullpen going into the season will be solid but I still think we need another SP. Your thoughts please.
Jason Mackey
12:26
I think the Pirates need another starting pitcher, yes. A legitimate 2/3 type who bumps everyone down and adds depth. Not a prayer, waiver claim type.
Stash
12:26
Jason, you mentioned in a prior chat that if The Big Guy hits as expected but struggles defensively, he could play another position.  But has he actually, you know, ever practiced at another position? He can talk to Henry about how easy that transition to RF is.......
Jason Mackey
12:27
I think the context of that was long-term, not this year. I think Oneil Cruz deserves at least 2024 to see if he can handle himself at SS. Was fine before the injury last year.
MZ
12:27
Starting rotation options by mid-June: Keller, Skenes, Perez Gonzales, Ortiz, Contreras, Priester. Following behind: Burrows, Brubaker, Jones. That's 10 and I might be missing some (Ashcraft?). Even accounting for injuries and some of these guys not working out, might we be overstating our dearth of pitching? With a few breaks, it seems we might be in pretty good shape.
Jason Mackey
12:33
Yeah, but you're counting on/expecting all of those guys to work out. That's a pretty big bet. I still wish they had more depth. At the same time, I see what you're saying. They do have pitching coming up. They just need more during the first 2-3 months of the season, until the group you mentioned is ready.
Zeise’s 3rd cousin
12:33
Jason, do you think the pirates didn’t trade for a starting pitcher because everyone probably wanted T Johnson in exchange and the Pirates didn’t want to give him up? Did you replace Ron Cook ?
Jason Mackey
12:34
I'm not sure with specific names. But, yeah, I think they probably avoided the trade because the ask was too high. That's not new. I'm not even sure they're wrong if teams were coming for Johnson or Skenes. I wouldn't trade them either. And, yes, I did. But it doesn't start until 4/1.
Coach O
12:34
Sorry question sent before completed. As a beat reporter, how do you balance writing a critical piece on a player, manager, GM, vs knowing you need to continue to access them for information and thus would like to maintain cordial relationships. Do you seek them out after doing so  to be available for a discussion about the piece? Or are opinion pieces more the realm of columnists, and you delve more into imparting facts, insights, objective analysis?
Jason Mackey
12:37
That's OK. There's a lot here. The Hayes/Nunnally piece, for instance. I knew that was going to incense the Pirates. I was right -- and heard about it. That's OK. That's the job. As a beat writer, it's also different than that of columnist. I write analysis, it's never straight opinion. You also never hold back based on info. But there's only so much I'm allowed to write. It's generally defined as day-to-day happenings around the team. ... Columnist is a little different, but it's never contingent on trying to get info. Same for now. I couldn't care less as long as my process was sound and the information accurate. ... Also, as a beat guy, I'm inherently always around. And I've heard about stuff I've written, which is fine. As a columnist, if you rip them, you should show up the next day. Ron Cook taught me that, and it's something I will always mimic in my new role.
Stash
12:38
Jason, now that you have graduated from the world of the lowly beat writer, will you "big time" those that follow in your former footsteps like other famous columnists (e.g., Starky and Zeise), or will you continue to treat most other humans with a modicum of respect?
Jason Mackey
12:38
Lol. What? Are you saying Starkey and Zeise are disrespectful? I would highly disagree. I hope/expect to treat everyone with respect and be my own person throughout this next journey. I'm sure I will screw up, but I can promise you it won't be from lack of effort.
Jags
12:38
Jason, that Starkey dude can't be serious about the 'burgh welcoming back Big Head Barry with open arms, can he? Last I checked, BHB was not an integral part of bringing two championships to this two-incline town.  Maybe Bradshaw, and I stress maybe (don't discount the hair factor).
Jason Mackey
12:39
I think Barry Bonds would get a huge ovation if he was welcomed back this summer for the Pirates Hall of Fame.
Dan N
12:39
Off the wall question..Now that Falter got a haircut who currently has the longest hair on the team? And do the Yankees still have or hair and mustache rules and are they the only team that still does ? Inquiring minds want to know
Jason Mackey
12:40
They do not, not to my knowledge. Longest air is probably Braxton Ashcraft. It's impressive. Either him or Carmen Mlodzinski, who looks like he might be auditioning for a role in the Allman Brothers. (He actually might be given Carmen's musical tastes.)
Jags
12:40
Jason, did I write my own material for the banner raising speech? If so, who knew that I had such an excellent sense of humor?  The lines about my young girlfriend and hitting the bars with KS and PB were classics, IMHO.
Jason Mackey
12:40
I'd be willing to bet you did, Jags. I love your sense of humor, and I'm bummed I missed that.
CoalportKid
12:40
Recent Athletic article on Pirates, which referenced your article about Hayes and AA hitting coach, pointed to two main problems, among others.  Cheap and tension between new and old styles.  With that second point, what I didn't get, is why is that tension different from the Pirates than every other team?
Jason Mackey
12:41
Again, gonna stay out of the Athletic article. Not my place. But, yeah, would have to imagine there's a cultural clash like that everywhere. Shoot, we have different styles of doing the job at the Post-Gazette. But -- and I guess I'm bad at abstaining -- the Pirates did have developmental issues before. We knew that.
Stash
12:41
Jason, really nothing against that Cullen character.  He does ask some decent questions, and very likely is not a serial killer.
Jason Mackey
12:41
He is not. I've met him. Cullen is a good guy.
BobbyMo
12:42
Hey Jason, congrats on the new gig! I'm sure you're going to get asked this more than a few times, but any news/smoke on additional SPing? Marlins, or German, type FA?
Jason Mackey
12:42
Thanks, BobbyMo. I'm psyched. Nothing much new. They don't have anything done with German. Not sure what he was doing on Instagram the other night. I think the Cabrera stuff is probably unlikely at this point.
Ryan
12:42
Good afternoon Jason how has Bednar and Reynolds Been Doing this spring training so far it would be nice for Bednar to be the next player to sign a contract
Jason Mackey
12:43
Agree on that second part. They've looked like themselves. Nothing worrisome. Nothing much new. Talked to Reynolds the other day about being more consistent. But just not a huge reason to bother those guys right now, other than the Keller contract storyline.
Stash
12:43
Jason, and consideration being given to persuading Mlod to expand his musical horizons beyond searching for the lost shaker of salt, and diving into The GD and Phish territory?
Jason Mackey
12:44
Mlod listens to both. Just talked to him about that stuff. He's a big Dead guy.
Linebacker Lounge
12:44
Funniest Pirate you have ever covered?
Jason Mackey
12:44
Hmmm ... another good one. Probably Steven Brault. I would say Steve Blass -- what's with that name? -- but I didn't cover him.
Tim
12:44
Hi Jason - enjoy your work.  Been taking my dad to Spring Training the last couple of years.  Notice some of the recommendations from your Bradenton Guide write up included places on AMI or other coastal places.  How is traffic/parking for these restaurants?  We have avoided in past, but would like to try.  Thank you and congratulations on columnist role.
Jason Mackey
12:45
Thanks, Tim. Really appreciate that! It's sometimes a challenge, but I wouldn't let that dissuade you. Get to Tide Tables early. Ugly Grouper takes some circling to find a spot. Swordfish is generally OK. Rod 'n Reel Pier is so far up that you're OK. Beach House does valet. Island Time is close to Bridge Street. If you're OK walking a little, you're fine.
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