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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 03.09.22
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Logan
12:30
Hi Jason! When do you think we will find out the Pirates’ minor league assignments? And where do you expect Henry Davis to start the year?
Jason Mackey
12:30
Couple weeks for assignments. They're only starting into games. My feeling at this point is High-A. Obviously that could if he dominates in Florida. I also think the stay could be short. But given his lack of pro time last year, that makes the most sense to me. Then if he shows he's ready, move him up.
Wayward
12:31
If you had to guess, which of the young guys do you think makes the most strides this year?
Jason Mackey
12:32
"Young guys" is a broad term, but I'm guessing you mean among those I saw at Pirate City for minor league camp? I watched Brennan Malone throw. Not sure if "making strides" is the right term, but someone who could come out of semi-nowhere and impress? He would be my guy for that.
Drew
12:32
A question away from the dollars and cents of the CBA...Each minor league team has someone designated as "general manager," but does that person have any oversight of the baseball operations or is that all controlled by the Pirates?  So, for example, if Altoona's starting catcher and the backup get injured on consecutive nights, is it up to the Pirates to fill those roster spots or can the Altoona GM sign a journeyman like the fictional Crash Davis of Bull Durham fame?
Jason Mackey
12:35
Good question, Drew. It is up to the Pirates to staff those teams. The GM of a minor league team is more on the business side --  in charge of selling tickets, growing the brand, that sort of thing. The machinations on the baseball side are the Pirates' responsibility, obviously handling a couple different ways.
Justin
12:36
Prediction for opening day middle infield?
Jason Mackey
12:36
Newman and Chavis. I hope I'm wrong and we see Oneil Cruz at short.
Justin
12:36
Hearing of any particularly impressive performances from camp?
Jason Mackey
12:37
I was down there for 10 days, so I saw a bunch of them. Brennan Malone looked good, as I said. Jared Triolo is an awesome defender to watch live. Henry Davis comes as advertised. Nick Gonzales, so smooth, sneaky pop. Really like what I see out of Quinn Priester. Those are the biggest ones, I think.
Realist
12:37
Since K Rates are at an all time high and the need/want to add more excitement to the game…why is adjusting the mound never suggested?  When P was dominant in the late 60’s, precisely that change brought about a resurgence in hitting.  Why not make this adjustment again?
Jason Mackey
12:38
You mean dropping it, I assume? It's an interesting thought. And maybe they would consider it. Would imagine it has to be bargained, and not sure how much pitchers would want that. I know I would fight it.
Drew
12:38
I echo Tiberius' comment about the batters today not staying in the box.  I have the 7th game of the 1960 series on DVD and if you watch that game the only time the batters left the batter's box between pitches is if they fouled one off and lost their balance.  And that game (10-9 with multiple pitching changes made) was played in 2 hours and 36 minutes!
Jason Mackey
12:39
I'm well-aware, believe me. And to me, that's a big part of what baseball needs to do here: police itself. Baseball for a long time has posited the no-clock-on-this-thing idea. Cool. But if people aren't watching because a 2-1 game takes 3:45, and it's a damn snoozefest, we have a watchability problem.
Justin
12:39
Do you like the concept of doing "ghost wins" for higher seeded teams in a 14 team playoff?  I personally kinda do.
Jason Mackey
12:40
No, I don't. And I don't like the concept of a 14-team (or 12-team playoff) period. 162 games to eliminate 16 teams? That's silly. You play that many games for a reason. Then to subject something to the randomness of a three-game series? I get that some of that has to happen. You can't play an 80-game playoff series. But I want less, not more with this stuff.
Wayward
12:40
If the two sides reach an agreement within some framework of what is on the table do you think the players are getting enough?  Increased luxury tax level, higher minimum salaries,  bonus pool for pre-arb guys and a lottery for the first 6/7 draft picks.   The owners would be getting higher luxury tax penalties, expanded playoffs, and an international draft.  To me this is a win for the owners (again).
Jason Mackey
12:42
I think it depends still, on a lot. Hard to say. I think Papi's comments re: international draft need to be taken seriously. I, too, a, in favor of one, to improve the situation in the DR. But if doing it immediately won't accomplish that, then let's adjust. I also don't think what they're doing here makes the most sense for the sport big-picture. But comparing just straight financial asks, yeah, I mean, it's not horrible. I could make an argument that each side got some key stuff.
Justin
12:42
Do you think the Rule 5 is cancelled this year?  Do you think it particularly matters if it doesn't? Seems to me like the most important function of the Rule 5 - the protection of the most deserving guys - has already occurred.  Obviously the guys who would get picked are affected negatively, but that's just a handful of guys.
Jason Mackey
12:43
No, I don't think it gets canceled. You need to think about this from a player perspective: Some of these guys -- they might not say this publicly -- want to get drafted. It exists for guys who are blocking re: playing time. Cal Mitchell might be an example here. To get that player in a better spot to earn playing time. So, assuming there's a new CBA, I expect the Rule 5 draft to happen.
Tom
12:43
Hey Jason hope you are doing well! What moves do you think Pirates may make once lockout ends? Sign anyone? Trade anyone? I saw the report that the Marlins were ready to give up a large package of prospects for Bryan Reynolds but Jeter vetoed it at the end, but since Jeter is no longer with the marlins maybe that trade will he revisited?
Jason Mackey
12:45
I still haven't seen this mysterious report that Poni asked me about re: Reynolds. But please remember this: A team wanting to package a bunch of prospects for Reynolds isn't insane. Many teams have had those conversations. Cherington has listened. That doesn't mean they're trading Bryan Reynolds. And, hey, maybe someone with the Marlins did want to drop two top-100 guys, plus some stuff around that. If that was the case, Cherington should make that move.
Anyway, got this before: I expect them to address pitching, plus maybe some utility/depth stuff and another outfielder.
Logan
12:45
Do you think teams have still worked on trades/signings during dead period “secretly”. Once the lockout ends maybe teams already have agreements in place and we will see a flurry of moves?
Jason Mackey
12:46
I think you will see a flurry of moves, Logan. Was actually joking about that with a front office exec this morning. But, no. It's not because they've back-channeled things. Both parties have been pretty careful about staying apart from one another during this time.
Justin
12:46
What are a few of your favorite snacks to eat
Jason Mackey
12:48
Yes, Justin! You win the prize for asking something non-baseball. Ha. ... Right now I've been on a big pistachio kick, for whatever reason. I'm also a huge popcorn enthusiast and tend to munch pretzels with my beer. Occasionally some chopped up veggies. And pro Double-Stuffed Oreos, Ben & Jerry's ice cream and cereal of any type.
Jeff
12:48
Interested to hear how Burrows has looked during spring training
Jason Mackey
12:48
Like a top-of-the-board pitching prospect. I think he can be something special. That said, I didn't see him face hitters, so obviously my comments here should be tempered. But I like Burrows a lot.
Dean
12:48
Will the Rule 5 draft happen this year?
Jason Mackey
12:48
I think so, yes.
Justin
12:48
Better career going forward: Cole Tucker or Kevin Newman
Jason Mackey
12:49
Oh, boy. I'm gonna go Newman. If nothing else, I think he showed this past season that he can hold down a job as a defense-first SS, a Clint Barmes type. And there's nothing wrong with that. I don't know what Tucker is at this point.
Guest
12:49
Have you seen much of Hudson Head in camp? How did he look. You see the body type and think of Christian Yelich, but his results obviously don't.

(I liked the Crash Davis reference earlier, but it makes me laugh any time I see that movie. A good defensive catcher who handles pitchers well and has some power--that guy gets a 10-year career in the majors; he's not someone stuck in the minors)
Jason Mackey
12:51
I think a Hudson Head > Christian Yelich comp is a big aggressive. Nothing against Hudson, but that's a pretty big leap. Didn't see a ton of him working out, honestly. We talked to him. He has stopped tinkering with his swing and has tried to tamp down the strikeouts through better plate discipline. Has a decent arm. Can generate pop. But need to see much more consistent contact out of him once games start.
Wayward
12:51
There seem to be some reports that MLB wants to implement the international draft in 2024.  What your thoughts?  Also, is an international draft good, or bad, news for the Bucs?
Jason Mackey
12:52
I'll take the second part first, if you don't mind. I think it would be good for them, honestly. You can knock the Pirates for not spending enough, and that's certainly fair. But they are pretty decent internationally, especially on the scouting end. Would think an international draft jibes with those abilities. And I like the idea. I would just listen to Big Papi and those in the Dominican if they tell me it's better to do a slow rollout. You wanna get this right. Doesn't have to be immediate.
Robert Nutting
12:52
This labour stoppage of my Baseball company is all my doing.  Not the other Baseball company owners. Not the Commissioner. Not the Baseball company employees or players as you non Billionaires call them. All on me. You're welcome poor people
Jason Mackey
12:53
Of all the questions & comments I've received during this chat, this is one.
john sweeney
12:53
Jason, the 2021 Pirates were the worst team in baseball, can they do it again.
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