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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 03.14.23
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Jason Mackey
12:54
What mistakes from "game to game" does he make, out of curiosity? Not saying he does or doesn't. Just wondering what we're trying to say here.
12:55
My take: We don't know. His teams haven't been good enough for it to matter, but we're about to find out. I think people mistake Shelton's strategy sometimes for what analytics folks are telling him to do. He does do an excellent job setting a ton and CEO'ing, if you will. But, yeah, gonna need to see how it shakes out with actual players. Or a few of them anyway.
Stevo
12:55
When do we realistically see Ortiz, Burrows, Priester coming up? If the Bucs are right around .500 come May/June, do they want to mess with anything at that point?
Jason Mackey
12:56
It depends, Stevo. Depends on if there's opportunity. They won't shove anyone aside if it's going well, nor should they. I think whenever there's an injury or performance-based need. And assuming, of course, that there's Triple-A production as well.
Brian B
12:56
Do prospect rankings reflect at all how organizations feel about guys and future plans (i.e. Gonzales dropping on most rankings) and how fans should feel?
Jason Mackey
12:56
Not in my mind. I think those things -- as interesting as they might be -- are taken too much as gospel. They're fungible. More so than many folks want to believe, good and bad.
Cullen B
12:56
If the Pirates do not extend Shelton after this season, is Don Kelly in line the be the next manager? He seems to be highly rated around the league and he seems likely to be poached.
Jason Mackey
12:57
That's my expectation. If things go south with Shelton and the Pirates don't want to retain him, Don Kelly would be next man up.
Joel
12:57
I know that spring training stats aren’t supposed to mean anything, but that’s usually put forward when they’re uncharacteristically positive. Meanwhile, the Pirates offense this spring has been scary bad once again, which is in keeping with their performance in recent years. What signs do you see that they are actually going to score some runs this year?
Jason Mackey
12:58
They have better players, for one. Seriously. They do. Hayes has had better ABs. I think Cruz has actually improved with his plate discipline and that sort of stuff. Santana and Choi should give them something. I think Suwinski -- based on his ability, how much he cares and smarts -- will take steps forward. Reynolds won't suddenly suck.
Nick
12:58
I think he is famous for not knowing when to pull a starter. The comeback game by Yankees and bullpen management was awful. To me the list is endless. However to make the question easier to answer, what does management and ownership think of Shelton? Will he get an extension?
Jason Mackey
1:00
His decisions on that are based a lot on numbers -- not that I agree with everything. He and I have actually talked quite a bit off-record about our philosophical differences here. I have a hard time saying anything about his "bullpen management." Has he had legit or decently performing options at any point? Not defending him. He might not be a good manager. I just think that we do not yet know. I think the first half or 30-40% of the season will be very telling. My hunch: They extend him with a halfway decent start.
MjB
1:00
Trying to sneak in last minute.  On MLB Radio they said Cutch would be batting third and playing right field.  Please tell me that he is a role player and not penciled in to be our number three hitter?
Jason Mackey
1:01
Umm ... who's they? Need some more context here. He has batted third and played right field and might during the regular season. But I would have a tough time believing it's going to happen with regularity, same for all of Shelton's ever-changing lineups.
1:02
OK, folks. Game time. Thanks so much for stopping by. This was extremely enjoyable. Let's do it again next week!
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