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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 02.23.24
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Linebacker Lounge
12:46
What Pirate are you expecting to take a big leap on 2024?
Jason Mackey
12:46
I'm gonna avoid saying Oneil Cruz. Production-wise, it would be a leap. But I'm not sure it's breaking any new ground. At this point, I might have to say Henry Davis considering how good he has looked thus far.
Paul
12:46
Jason, will you hereby commit to bringing in a 'stache if I make the opening day roster?  Seems like a decent gamble based on the jibe I'm getting.
Jason Mackey
12:47
Sure, Paul. I'll rock a mustache if you make it. I should ask Paul what's behind the 'stache.
Tim
12:47
Jason - do you think the timing of the Keller signing was any type of reaction/deflection of the Athletic article?
Jason Mackey
12:47
Not at all. Talked to Keller about wanting to get this done last week. Pirates planned on talking. The terms were friendly. I really don't think it was related.
62 Stack Monster
12:47
Have you ever met Bart Hanagraaff? Is he there at spring training?
Jason Mackey
12:48
He is. But I have not met him. There are a bunch of player development people like him that I have not met.
Tim
12:48
I’m not disappointed that the Pirates have not traded for another starting pitcher. They have young pitchers that they need to find out about, with more soon to come. I also would like to have a larger sample size on the potential second basemen before trading one away. Is that unreasonable?
Jason Mackey
12:49
You might have a perfectly smart take. Maybe those guys take steps forward. That would be awesome for the Pirates. I just worry about counting on ALL of that.
12:50
With second base, I question how to get them all playing time. Say you start Peguero. OK, what happens to Triolo, Bae and Nick? Do they all go to Triple-A? Probably not. Triolo should play. Where does that happen? If it's RF, what are we doing with Olivares (fourth-best OPS+ on team last year). It might make sense to trade one of them, honestly.
Gary G
12:50
Hi Jason. I’m more optimistic than I have been in a long time about the Pirates. Having said that, I’m having trouble being bullish about 2024 due to the rotation. Every day that passes without adding to the rotation has me pessimistic that anything will occur. I’m  not confident in what Gonzales and Perez bring to the table. Hopefully some combination of Ortiz, Contreras, and Priester can effectively fill in the last two spots in the rotation. Beyond 2024 looks great from a rotation perspective with Skenes, Chandler, Jones, and Solometo. So my question: Is it realistic to expect the Pirates to compete for a 2024 playoff spot with the rotation about stands today?
Jason Mackey
12:51
That's tough, Gary. I don't know. I share your concerns, for sure. You bring up a lot of good points. Honestly, we don't know. We don't know what those guys will develop into. That's why I'd like a touch more certainty here.
The Man Mulcahey
12:51
Jason, like most Phish heads I'm sure you prefer the live stuff, but if you had to choose a lowly studio album, it would have to be Farmhouse, no?
Jason Mackey
12:52
Nah, Billy Breathes for me. But, yeah, prefer the live stuff. Currently listening to the Gorge from '98.
Will
12:52
Different Athletic article by Jayson Stark polled GMs on most/least improved teams heading into Spring Training, neither list including Pirates. For a team that had 1:1 picks in 2 of past 3 years, is "mediocre" really such a bad place to be right now?
Jason Mackey
12:53
Didn't read the story, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone called the Pirates mediocre. They won 76 games last year. What else would you call that? If they're gonna contend, it's gonna have to be based on young guys out-performing projections.
Wishful Thinking?
12:53
There are several free agent pitchers or varied ability left on the free agent market. Do the Pirates actually sign any of them? Mitch can’t start 3 or 4 times per week.
Jason Mackey
12:54
Ha. Yeah, that might be tough to sustain. I would be surprised if they signed any of the upper-end guys. Syndergaard or German? Yeah, could see that. We've been down the Bauer road.
Linebacker Lounge
12:54
Come Mid July, Pirate all star representative(s) will be ___.
Jason Mackey
12:54
Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds, Mitch Keller, David Bednar and Ke'Bryan Hayes.
Nah, I'm kidding. But I'll bet that got your attention. I'll go Bednar and Ke'Bryan Hayes, an upset pick.
Linebacker Lounge
12:55
What’s it gonna take for the Cobra to gain HOF status?
Jason Mackey
12:55
It should take the sun coming up tomorrow. But probably the next veterans committee for which he's eligible. Can't think of it off-hand and have a bunch of questions to get through in a short amount of time.
Prince Caspian
12:55
Jason, do you think the frequent chatter known as Stash derived his moniker from the very excellent Phish jam of the same name?
Jason Mackey
12:55
Indeed I do.
Jags
12:55
Jason, admit it, you shed a tear or two watching my banner raising extravaganza?  Real men do cry after all, if it's appropriate and no one else is watching.
Jason Mackey
12:56
Nah, it was just really dusty in my condo.
62 Stack Monster
12:56
Was a deal for Cabrera contingent on the Marlins getting Temarr?
Jason Mackey
12:56
No, I don't think those discussions would have gotten off the ground.
George Costanza
12:56
How disappointing to read what we already knew. Can this team win with Mr. MoneyforNutting owning the team? Also how does the organization react to a story like this?
Jason Mackey
12:57
They weren't happy. Would you expect anything less? Not a defense of Bob -- I think he waited to long to make these changes and doesn't spend enough -- but they did win from 2013-15. But the margin for error under which they operate requires them to be perfect in basically all areas. They obviously haven't been.
PhillyJake
12:57
Do you know who else besides Bob Nutting are shareholders of the team?
Jason Mackey
12:57
Not off the top of my head, sorry.
PhillyJake
12:57
What are the odds that both Cruz and Davis OPS over .800 this year?
Jason Mackey
12:57
I don't know odds. I could see one. Two would be nuts.
PhillyJake
12:58
The Athletic piece was click bait aimed at disgruntled fans (rightfully so)  by a media source that abandoned the team and is trying to retain some readership.

The piece might have been accurate, but real fans know most of this, and not all was given proper context.
Jason Mackey
12:59
Commenting on the piece is none of my business. Fans I'm sure felt a number of ways about it.
Joel
12:59
Jason, is this your last Pirates chat? If so, thanks for your dedication and commitment as the Pirates beat reporter and good luck with your next gig. I’ll ask an obvious question: any pleasant surprises and/or negative surprises so far in camp?
Jason Mackey
1:00
Not my last one. I'll keep going through April 1, unless I'm told someone else is doing them. I enjoy the engagement with you folks ... who care enough to stop by, ask questions and engage with our content. I've pulled back from Twitter not because of the interaction but because of the stupidity. If you're gonna read and support our work, I'm happy to have the discourse, even if it involves criticism or venting.
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