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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 03.11.20
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Andrew Bird
12:53
I'm normally a Buccos optimist, but I don't see how they flirt with .500 this year.  The lost their best starter (Taillon), best reliever (Vasquez) and best all around player (Marte).  Even with some internal improvements, I don't see it.  They also play in a very strong division.  Where do you see the improvement coming from?
Jason Mackey
12:56
I think they can and will pitch better than they did last year. (See the Glasnow article). I also think they will defend better than they did last year. They never really had Taillon last year, and not having Vazquez was sort of irrelevant during their late-season slump; they were usually losing so badly that he just sat there. ... If Archer and Keller can pitch better ... If they get the good version of Polanco ... if Burdi and Santana stay healthy and the bullpen emerges of a strength (it was awful last season) ... then I can see them improving.
Greg
12:56
On Newman...based on all the supporting stats and metrics, his BA was quite inflated. I wouldn't bet on him producing at that level, no matter how he's pitched.
Jason Mackey
12:57
That's fine. You're entitled to your opinion. I don't agree with it, but you're certainly entitled to your opinion.
Winchester
12:57
Have you noticed any difference with the way fans or media are going about business in spring training with the corona outbreak? Will be in Bradenton next week and am wondering what to expect.
Jason Mackey
12:57
Other than us observing the media guidelines set forth by MLB, no, I have not noticed any differences. Hopefully people are being more cautious and washing their hands more, but I have not conducted any surveys.
Guest
12:58
I didn’t say or insinuate that they are not good hitters, but both hit .300 last year and I think you will find it difficult for any rookie to duplicate that. Many call it a sophomore jinx. I just think it’s major league pitchers adapting to them. Ask Josh Bell if he felt he was pitched differently after his rookie year.
Jason Mackey
12:58
I know he was. And they will be, too. And Bell didn't do a good enough job adjusting and countering. He's admitted that. That might also happen to Reynolds or Newman, but I'm not saying it's absolutely gonna happen or anything like that.
Jeff
12:58
I’m just glad Coonelly/Huntington/Stark/Hurdle/Searage gone!!
do you see and feel a difference?
Jason Mackey
12:59
Very much so. I think those guys did some great things and certainly deserve praise, but it was absolutely time for a change. Nothing wrong with that, either. Happens in pro sports all the time.
Greg
12:59
With media access currently being restricted, is the concern that this is a precursor to something more permanent, or that it feels like a cosmetic solution while allowing everything else to proceed as is?
Jason Mackey
1:00
I think there's a concern that pro sports leagues will prefer it this way, but I don't see how that changes. Media access is negotiated into contracts. There's only so much leagues could change if they wanted to. And everything I've heard involves the leagues maintaining they definitely want to go back as soon as it's safe to do so.
Stugotz
1:00
Take your best stab at the NL central standings on Sept 30th
Jason Mackey
1:01
I haven't researched this as much as I would like to give an answer that's gonna stick out there, then be thrown in my face if it's horribly wrong.
Clueless
1:01
I don't want to seem stupid or anything, but what exactly is a simulated game?
Jason Mackey
1:02
It's like a virtual reality thing with a headset ... nah, I'm just kidding. It's where they basically have a couple guys hit and simulate at-bats, with some version of an umpire, even if it's a coach. They'll shoot for a certain amount of innings or pitches, and it'll be treated as a game ... just between the pitcher and hitter.
Greg
1:03
I mean, isn't fact/stat based observation more important way to base one's opinion?
Jason Mackey
1:04
Greg, you're telling me that based on the numbers from last year, he's not gonna hit this year. If you apply that same logic to 2018-19, Kevin Newman should've been a terrible major league player in 2019. They're human beings. Past results are not always a predictor of future success.
Andrew Bird
1:04
I don't disagree with your logic, but that's a lot of "if"s.  In my years of following the Bucs there are usually just as many regressions or negative outcomes as positive ones.  Everything going right almost never happens.
Jason Mackey
1:06
That's fair. And they don't have enough depth right now if those things don't happen. But I do still think this team will fare better than 69 wins.
Stugotz
1:06
If and when Frazier is moved, who is more likely to take 2nd? Tucker or Newman? Have seen Tucker get some work at 2nd this spring
Jason Mackey
1:07
That's an interesting one. I see Tucker as the more natural shortstop. My first move would be to move Newman to second; however, there's probably a line of thought -- and I'm not sure it's wrong -- that Newman has earned the right, assuming he continues to produce, to stay where he's at. I'd have no issue if they decided to move Tucker to second base.
David
1:07
Seems like a lot of "ifs" are being thrown around, the hope that the stars will align that will allow them to sniff .500 baseball. Do you have any "stone cold locks" for improvement that you'd like to guarantee for the year?
Jason Mackey
1:07
I think the bullpen will be better than it was last year. Shoot, it would be hard for it to be much worse, especially during the second half.
Brendan
1:07
Was Hurdle as miserable/cranky as it seemed last season?  Just listening to him before/after games, seemed like he was always on edge. No disrespect towards him, but just seemed like he wasn't enjoying himself whatsoever.
Jason Mackey
1:09
Umm ... that's a tough one, because it was such a frustrating season for them and him. I'm sure he was frustrated, sure. And I would be, too, if I was having to use Montana DuRapau as an opener because they couldn't go get a legitimate starting pitcher or handing the ball to Alex McRae in the later innings. As I said before, I just think it was time, for everyone involved.
OK, folks. That does it for this week's chat. Thank you so much for participating. Let's do this again next Wednesday.
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