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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 03.09.22
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Jason Mackey
11:38
Hello, everyone. Been a few weeks since we did one of these -- the logistics of covering minor league camp prevented it -- but I thought it would be a good time to get back on the horse ... right before I fly back. Ha. You know the drill. Leave 'em now. Will be back around noon to answer.
12:01
OK, folks. Let's do this.
Greg
12:01
Jason, Hope all is well. With the pitching being so unsettled do you think that we will have more openers than usual this season? And do you think this is a make or break year for Mitch Keller?
Jason Mackey
12:02
Thanks, Greg. Same to you. ... I'll handle the second part first: absolutely. I think there's a fair amount of skepticism that Keller will ever deliver on the considerable hype that came with him. Maybe he will, maybe he won't. But it has to come this year. If not, in my opinion, he will surely be labeled a bust.
And re: openers ... I think you could see some of that, yeah. More possible, though, I'm expecting to see shorter starts and possibly piggyback situations.
Marc
12:03
Hi Jason, enjoy your work as always. I've been following the CBA negotiations all winter and I just don't see any benefit with what's being discussed for the Pirates. It's insane to me that there's virtually no discussion of implementing a system like the NFL where teams are required to spend at a certain level (salary floor) and capped to ensure there is economic parity. Baseball has lost so much of its relevance over the past 30+ years, not because games are too long but because there are too many teams who cannot compete for the best free agents or cannot retain their best players.
Jason Mackey
12:04
FWIW, I agree with you, Marc. I'm 100% behind a cap-and-floor system. People who aren't haven't looked closely enough at the other sports, to see what's possible. Are good players in the NFL hurting right now? The NBA? Didn't think so. And those leagues hold fans' interest because there's parity and, at least most of the team, all entrants have a shot. Said from the beginning, I think they'll scurry to get something done, and it won't be what's best for the sport. Looks like that's what we have here.
John in SC
12:05
Good morning Jason. Thanks for the chats. I love the game, but MLB is a mess. Why is there such an objection to a salary cap/ floor? A cap would prevent the high revenue teams from “hoarding” the top players. Really, what difference does it make if G. Cole gets a $350M contract or a $300M contract? A floor would force teams like the Pirates to spend more and maybe even keep some of their players instead of becoming a training ground for other teams. MLB would ultimately become a more competitive sport. Isn’t that a good thing for us lowly fam
Jason Mackey
12:06
I know, John. You're preaching to the choir. And if MLB becomes more mainstream -- it's so far away right now it's scary -- then everyone would win; money would certainly be more plentiful. Like I said before, I don't get it, other than a fear of the unknown, not wanting to give up what MLB (and its players) believe is a better system (I disagree) and prioritizing the immediate over the big picture.
PrinceBob
12:06
It's good to see you still seem to be the Pirates' beat writer. When I saw some of your stories about Penn State I wondered if you'd found a new career.
Jason Mackey
12:08
Ha. No. You're still stuck with me, Gunner. I don't like inactivity. I would rather be writing and doing things. I think it adds perspective to my full-time job (this), makes me appreciate what I have (access) and also indulged what became a passion: college football. Oh, and I got to go to Tampa for a week, so that didn't suck.
PrinceBob
12:10
My question is if you like the rule changes that seem to have been agreed on. I despise the DH so we can let that go. But how do you feel about eliminating the shift? Do you think it will affect better teams more than weaker ones? It seems to me that it was a way for a team with weak pitching to hide a bit of that weakness.
Jason Mackey
12:12
Honestly -- this might be surprising -- I'm fairly neutral on the shift. I can make arguments for or against it. What I really like is the pitch clock. Hugely for that. I think that will help with pace of games. Bases are whatever. I don't think it'll do anything substantive. And DH, I don't love it, but I'm like you, I made my peace with it a while ago. Baseball, IMO, needs to be a hell of a lot more interesting than it is now. If that helps even a little -- I don't know if it will or not -- then fine.
Jeff
12:12
Good morning.  I know the lockout is dominating the news these days.  When an agreement is reached, do you think we'll have a fixed economic system, or will we still have our haves and have-nots?  In my opinion, we would need some radical changes for that to happen.  I don't know if the MLBPA would go for it.
Jason Mackey
12:13
Based on everything I've read and heard, sadly, I don't think this new CBA (whenever it's finalized) will produce the necessary amount of change.
PrinceBob
12:13
And how much faster will having a time limit between pitches speed up the games? What I've read is that in the minors it did so very, very, slightly and if so, what's the point of doing it in the majors? I think all of the tweaks they make to speed up games won't have much affect as long as we have the "homer/walk/strike out" game they play today with nearly every batter going deep into the pitch count.
Jason Mackey
12:13
The pitch clock they want has sliced 20 minutes or so off of minor league games. Is that enough? No. But it's also not nothing.
Wayward
12:13
Jason, thanks for the chat!  Other than SP(S), where do you see the Bucs looking to add to the roster once spring training starts?  Also do you think there will be any spring training trades of someone like Stratton, etc., or will they wait to closer to the trading deadline like normal.
Jason Mackey
12:15
I would expect them to keep Stratton, at least up until the deadline. The need some solidity, and Stratton provides that. Now, do they try and trade Newman, Gamel or someone else? Potentially. A place where they're better equipped to back-fill. I could still see them adding a pitcher or two. Not sold on Perez as a backup C. Someone with position versatility -- basically what Phillip Evans appeared to be at one point but wasn't -- also wouldn't hurt.
Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus
12:15
Just a comment. I was watching clips on YouTube recently of games from the late 70s. It's amazing to see how few times batters left the box between pitches and how often pitchers were ready to throw after receiving the ball. It wouldn't fix all of pace of the game issues but if players were more ready to hit and pitch, it would speed up the game.
Jason Mackey
12:16
I've thought the exact same thing while watching old games. I respect their desire to change batting gloves, breathe, etc. But they're not the first people in the world who have been asked to make decisions in a shorter amount of time than they'd like. It is possible.
Guy
12:16
Why did the Pirates cut Colin Moran other thanthe usual save money transaction? It makes no sense how they operate and give away players with value.
Jason Mackey
12:18
Because his skill set was redundant with Yoshi. And you can't always divide playing time and expect each guy to produce the same; in other words, DH is a learned skill. They tried to trade Moran. If the return would've been halfway decent, they would have gone that route. But he's been hurt a bunch, and Yoshi probably does offer greater offensive upside. Not sure I see the problem with that move that you do.
Frank
12:18
If and when the lock out ends what do you think Cutch would sign for and would he be a fit for there DH?
Jason Mackey
12:20
No, no, no and no. Oh, and no. This has been addressed by both parties. It's not happening. Cutch is coming off a decent year. Why would he want to come here to lose 100 games when he doesn't have to? The Pirates are in the middle of a full-scale rebuild. Why would they sign a rental outfielder who maaaaay be OK -- he's also not young and coming off major knee surgery, as much as I like Cutch -- and best-case could be dealt for a so-so prospect at the deadline. People are gonna scream, "But the fans! Gesture of goodwill!" A better one would be not screwing up the rebuild.
Murry
12:20
Hi Jason.  Assuming no progress in negotiations, will the minor leaguers be playing spring games in Bradenton (or are they already), or is it just a training camp exercises to get in shape for when the season starts in Altoona, etc.?  If yes on games, anywhere I can go to get a schedule?  I wouldn't mind seeing the young guys play a few games.
Jason Mackey
12:22
They already are doing this, Murry. And there's been progress in talks. The lockout could end today, although the idea of an international draft seems like a pretty big issue right now. Workouts at Pirate City are closed to fans, unfortunately. Pirates are one of roughly 10 teams that have chosen to go this route. I don't make the rules, but I will say they've been logical through COVID, and it probably isn't worth risking your players' health so someone can watch Henry Davis take batting practice. I've asked on a schedule and have not gotten anything back to this point.
John in SC
12:22
Hi Jason. Glad the chats are back. My question is why can’t the owners and union agree on a salary cap/ floor? The high revenue teams are going to spend anyway. Low revenue teams probably can’t spend to the cap but a floor would force them to pay the players more. The current system awards only the highest paid players and the owners, but us lowly fans get left behind. A more competitive MLB only helps in the long run..
Jason Mackey
12:23
I wish I had an answer for you, John. I don't. Best attempt is that players want to make all they can; they don't want to be limited. Meanwhile, large-market owners have the CBT threshold and don't want another thing ... unless the small-market teams are forced to spend more.
ev
12:24
Hi Jason, Regarding Jason Martin, your article mentioned that some team may take him in the Rule 5 draft.  Although that is common practice, would it not be a failure of their building with youth approach should they lose anyone to rule 5?
Jason Mackey
12:25
No, it wouldn't. If anything, it would be a compliment. It would mean they have too many talented players to fit on their 40-man roster. FWIW, I don't think they're going to lose Martin. He strikes out a bunch, and first baseman have historically not been popular Rule 5 adds. But losing someone in the Rule 5 doesn't mean your player development program stinks. Probably the opposite.
Justin
12:25
Who do you think the Steelers will bring in to be the week 1 starting QB, if anybody?
Jason Mackey
12:25
Oh, God, no. I beg of you: Please no more talk about the Steelers quarterback situation. The pervasiveness of this on sports talk radio in this town is obnoxious.
Justin
12:26
Do you think the Pirates bring in a guy to DH, or does that become a spot to give guys rests + get more existing guys as much PA as possible?
Jason Mackey
12:27
I don't think they will bring in strictly a DH. Now, I do think they could fold that spot into an acquisition. Like if New Guy bounced around and DH'd some days, cool. Or maybe New Guy plays first, and Yoshi DHs more. Also possible. But I don't see them bringing in someone strictly to DH.
Ryan
12:27
good afternoon Jason how has Henry Davis looked at minor league camp
Jason Mackey
12:28
Hi Ryan. Like a man amongst boys, honestly. Got a ton of power. Cannon arm. Works his tail off. Acts like a leader, always talking to people, etc. My only "knock" or concern would be the length of his swing, but I also don't think it's automatically an issue. I just wanna see how it plays. Kid could rise quick, though.
Austin
12:28
If and when the lockout ends, what do you think the pirates do as far as trades and FA acquisitions go? No negotiations with Reynolds makes me think there’s a chance he could be dealt…
Jason Mackey
12:29
I don't think they will trade Reynolds, at least not now. I think they're holding out hope -- and maybe they're insane for thinking this, I don't know -- that they can re-sign him. But they want to see more data on the type of player he is. It's also true they don't have to do anything now. So, I mean, there's a chance, if GMBC gets some absurd package. But I wouldn't say it's a good one.
FA-wise, they need pitchers, a backup C and some utility help, potentially a fourth OF.
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