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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 03.08.24
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Jason Mackey
11:08
And away we go ... sorry, had a Steven Brault interview.
Dan
11:08
Is there any chance Pirates trade away a second base prospect for a starter?
Jason Mackey
11:08
Certainly thought that earlier in the offseason, Dan. A bunch of people did. Believe they got close at least twice. But ... man, at this point, I have a tough time seeing it.
steelo
11:09
Collin Selby has great peripherals but continues to be horrible. Do you think he breaks camp with the team?
Jason Mackey
11:10
I don't think so. I see the bullpen right now as Bednar, Chapman, Holderman, Mlodzinski, Borucki and ... maybe like whoever doesn't win a job out of Ro/Priester/Ortiz ... maybe Falter, though that's looking less likely ... would have to think Jones is very much in there, though he would be as a starter, thus bumping others. I just don't see Selby in that group right now.
Dan
11:10
Does Priester or Contreras look like they rediscovered their stuff and could be added to rotation?
Jason Mackey
11:11
Both have looked good. I think Ro is more encouraging, honestly, because of the fastball live and intermittent quality secondary stuff. When the curveball and changeup have been good and usable, he has been effective. That just hasn't happened enough. Have liked Priester, too. His hard slider/cutter has been very good.
Veno202
11:11
What are the real odds Jared Jones is SP5 even if he shoves lights out the rest of the way?
Jason Mackey
11:12
Given this organization, sadly, I'll believe it when I see it. They are super cautious over roster spots. He's not on the 40. Seems if they can create a way for an out, they will. And this would be evaluating other guys first. Also, I don't agree with this move. If he keeps this up, he should be on the roster. But you asked odds, meaning what they will do.
Wayward
11:12
Jason, thanks for the team coverage you guys have provided so far, I have enjoyed it.  At what point in spring training do you start to worry about the guys that are struggling?  Who do you see that needs to turn it around pretty soon?
Jason Mackey
11:13
Ehh ... who are we talking about here, Reynolds? There's no point that I'll get seriously concerned. We know what he is. Maybe Mitch ... but more so the velocity, if that continues. Not so much the results. Pitching-wise, I watched Anderson and Quintana stink down here. Results are largely meaningless.
Jared Jones
11:13
What are the chances I make the opening day rotation? I'm throwing well right now.
Jason Mackey
11:13
You're throwing very well. If this continues, you should. We'll get there.
Steven
11:13
What do you make of some people out there (fans and media) that say that management flat out lied to the fan base about what they said they would do this past offseason versus what they actually did?
Jason Mackey
11:14
Interesting question. They have said they would and expected to add to the starting rotation in a meaningful way. I would argue that Chase Anderson, Josh Fleming and Eric Lauer are not adding to the rotation in a meaningful way. You could say they lied, sure. I understand people being upset. Not my job to defend them. But ultimately they'll be judged on if any of it works.
Guest
11:14
Hi Jason thanks for the chat. I know Eric Lauer has signed as a minor league deal and I think this was a smart move, Lauer was an effective starter in 2021 and 2022, How will his signing effect Roansy Contreras? What have you seen from Roansy and do you expect him to be the #4 or 5 starter?
Jason Mackey
11:15
I think that's TBD -- and thank you. Lauer's not here. I don't know how he's going to be built up, which affects whether he's gonna displace Roansy. Hard to answer until we see him.
SteeloCity
11:15
Do you think Jones has a legit shot at the OD rotation or was that just lip service? I'd imagine their plan would be to send him down at some point (maybe when Skenes is read) to "manage innings"
Jason Mackey
11:16
Honestly, I think it's more lip service. As I said earlier, they're super cautious with roster spots. They probably have guys they'd like to see first. I hope I'm wrong. Jones has been awesome, they need to win games, and he should help do that. But precedent says they'll probably slow play this.
Steven
11:16
I wouldn’t hate an opening day rotation of Keller, Perez, Gonzales, Jones and either Priester/Ortiz. Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
11:16
I still wish they would have added more assurance this offseason. Also, what happened to Roansy Contreras?
Bucco Bob
11:16
Who makes the rotation out of Spring Training?
Jason Mackey
11:17
I don't think they know, honestly. Mitch, Gonzales and Perez, sure. But the other spots are between Roansy, Priester, Ortiz, Falter, Jones and maybe a couple others (theoretically Lauer, plus maybe Chase Anderson and Josh Fleming.) I think Roansy does make it. Not sure on who covers the other spot.
Cullen
11:18
Not sure if you read it, but, Rosenthal wrote an interesting article this morning about pitchers chasing velocity and spin and thus pitching injuries has almost doubled in the last decade. A "remedy" was for pitchers to focus more the art of pitching. Do you get the impression that the Pirates are in the pitchability/longevity camp vs chasing velocity and the next man up mentality? To me it seems like a guy who can go 150+ and maybe throw 93-95 while letting his stuff play in the strike zone (like Maddux) is more valuable than a guy who will throw 100 innings but hit 98-100 before the inevitable injury.
Jason Mackey
11:20
Didn't read it, but I wouldn't classify them as being in one camp or the other. Nor should they be. I like what Skenes said recently -- that velocity is a tool. It's not everything and should not be chased as such. If there's more in there because of inefficient mechanics, great. Get there. Sometimes you're maxed out. That's OK, too. Hammer location. ... To answer your question, I think the Pirates are trying to do both. They're certainly trying to emphasis pounding the strike zone more.
Steven
11:20
Do I need to scale back my excitement/optimism level for this team? I love what I’ve seen from the bats, specifically Davis. Reynolds looks like Reynolds. Cruz is going to (hopefully) come into form once the season gets underway. Perez looks like he’s going to be a solid rotational piece. Triolo should honestly be the starting 2B. I like what we’ve got and I’m hoping this all continues. I’m trying to ease up a bit because after 20-9 to start last season I was over the moon, and then they hit a wall for a while before finishing strong.
Jason Mackey
11:20
I think you're reasonable for thinking they'll be better. I think you might want to scale back your excitement if you think they're going to the World Series.
Steven
11:20
Any word on Dauri? Serious injury or still unknown?
Jason Mackey
11:21
Serious injury. Would imagine TJ.
Brian
11:21
What's the state of the RF competition?
Jason Mackey
11:21
All over the place. Ha. Olivares hasn't done much. Palacios hasn't played. Joe has been solid. Cutch has only DH'd -- and has just two ABs. I think there's an intriguing thing if Peguero wins 2B. Does Triolo go out there? Very much TBD at this point in RF.
Mason Jackey
11:21
Who you think heads north in the bullpen? Any surprises since Moreta will be out?
Jason Mackey
11:23
I think it upped Wily Peralta's chances. They could also keep a non-roster veteran and give him a chance. I don't see it being, at least at this point, someone like Nicolas, Stratton or Selby. I wonder what happens to Jose Hernandez. He strikes me as another Triple-A type to start.
Christian
11:23
Who do you see the 4th and 5th starter spots going to out of spring training?
Jason Mackey
11:23
Roansy + TBD ... you have Jones, Priester, Ortiz, Falter, Anderson, Lauer, Fleming ... bunch of stuff to evaluate. Probably one of the first three.
Stagger Lee
11:23
If the season started tomorrow, do you think the rotation would be Keller, Perez, Gonzales, Contreras, and Ortiz?
Jason Mackey
11:24
I think it's close. Maybe sub Priester or Jones. But you're on the right track.
Ben C.
11:25
Do I still add to the rotation, or am I content with what I've got?
Jason Mackey
11:26
Sadly, based on your answers and speculation around the team, doesn't seem like a trade is gonna happen. Hope I'm wrong.
Q
11:26
I’m sure you’ll get these questions a lot, but figured I’d ask. How high are the chances that Jones breaks camp with the big league rotation and will the Lauer signing take away big league innings for Ortiz, Ro, QP, Jones?
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