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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 03.17.21
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Jason Mackey
12:09
Hi, everyone, and welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. Thanks for joining. We'll be about 30 minutes late, as I'm still editing a Sunday story. But please feel free to fire away now, and I'll be back at 12:30 p.m. to answer.
12:32
And away we go ...
Dennis
12:32
Polanco is hitting well so far.  Is this a sign of things to come, or an aberration?
Jason Mackey
12:33
I don't think it's an aberration. That would indicate a lack of ability. I think Polanco is plenty talented, and I'm not surprised he's doing what he's doing. The challenge will be avoiding injury and doing it over an extended stretch. That is the part that has been hard for him.
Jeff
12:33
Thanks for the chats Jason.  I get it is spring training but seems we are seeing a better spring this year than last.  Last year they were getting blown out every game with little offensive production.  You agree?  and again, I get it is spring training but these games tell more than NFL preseason
Jason Mackey
12:36
I think a couple things here. One, it's spring training. I think we need to be careful how much we read into anything. However, I do think the Pirates can be better in 2021, absolutely. I think their pitching could be better. They also have more depth in the bullpen. If they make routine plays in the field, which they didn't do last season, and bounce-back years from a couple guys (Newman, Reynolds), then I definitely see them improving upon their 19-41 record from a year ago.
Justin R.
12:36
Hey Jason -- Thanks for taking the time to chat. Do you find it at all counterproductive to bring in another veteran starter when the team has a number of unproven starters like Brubaker, Yajure, or event Bolton who could benefit from seeing those innings?
Jason Mackey
12:38
No, I don't. I think it would be counterproductive to play an underperforming veteran over a young guy with promise, but I have no issue with the competition. Ideally, the guys you mentioned should have to earn a job. They should have people pushing behind them every year. I watched it happen with a very good team in the Penguins. They bring in people and compete for jobs. It's what the Pirates should -- and do -- aspire to be. I think the issue would be if they're playing guys who don't deserve that time, and I really doubt we'll see that out of Ben Cherington and Co.
V. Fontaine
12:38
If Jason Mackey were a GM, and I fully endorse that, who would GMJM select with the first pick in the draft at this point? Not necessarily what you would do if you were GM of the Pirates but in general.
Jason Mackey
12:39
Ha. Like the GM of anything? I could draft anything? Can I draft health and happiness for my wife, kids and family? If it's just of the Pirates, I'd go Kumar Rocker.
V. Fontaine
12:39
Any word on how Jose Soriano's rehab is coming? Will he pitch later in the season? And do the Pirates view him more as a starter or reliever long term?
Jason Mackey
12:40
Going well. Making progress. They don't tell us much more than that. He's been throwing sides on flat ground. I've seen those, and they've looked excellent. Not sure what they will do with him long-term, but I do think he will be back at some point in 2021. Which means that it will almost assuredly be as a bullpen guy, maybe someone who can go multiple innings.
Mike
12:40
Jason, with the Pirates adding Trevor Cahill and the of a 6 man rotation, I think it would be a good idea to help keep the arms fresh, what say you?
Jason Mackey
12:41
Sure, but within reason. I like the Cahill signing. I'm not convinced on Anderson, and maybe this offers some assurance. Or they have a long man. But they are gonna need to get creative here. Maybe you piggyback guys and play around with that. Maybe you go six. Maybe there's a rotating swing man job. There are a lot of ways you can do it, but depth is never a bad thing with pitching.
Guest
12:41
What do you hear about season tickets sales. I know we still have pandemic, but the pirates have made a point of timinspending to ticket sales. They have turned a lot of people off with their lies.
Jason Mackey
12:43
I have gotten no indication that the Pirates are struggling with season ticket sales. I don't have firm numbers, but I think I would hear if things are going poorly. I don't buy the People Hate The Pirates narrative. I see the numbers our Pirates content gets. Even if it's hate-reading, people are still consuming it. Plus, it's a night out after a pandemic. How mad at Bob Nutting do you have to be to where you can't even enjoy that?
Prince Bob
12:48
I'm guessing the AL Cy Young race comes down to Cole, Taillon, Glasnow, and maybe Archer, though Comeback Player of the Year is more likely for him. Any other candidates? More seriously, how surprised are you that Adam Frazier is still around and do you think he actually might be in Pittsburgh for much of the season?
Jason Mackey
12:50
I'm pretty surprised Frazier is still around, to be honest with you. One of my biggest surprises of spring training. I think it could go either way at this point. I don't think a trade is impossible, but it would also qualify as unlikely. There's been interest, so I guess we can say the Pirates have not gotten anything they really like. Perhaps half a season could change those offers.
12:51
AL Cy Young Award winners? Could absolutely be someone different. What about Giolito? Bieber? Ryu? Berrios? Lotta guys.
Gabe
12:51
Is Adam Frazier’s spring performance making it more likely or less likely he’ll be traded by opening day?
Jason Mackey
12:52
Not sure, Gabe. I thought he would be gone by now, so what do I know?  As I said, I think it could still happen. But I think it gets less and less likely by the day.
Dave
12:52
Do you think there's a scenario where we'd potentially DFA Gonzalez, i.e., have Tucker and Newman both make the team but see if we can tuck Gonzalez in Indy as a safety net? It just seems with a 4-man bench, there's no way all three make it, and even with a 5-man bench, it's tight. Obviously we kept him around for a reason, but is there any chance of this outcome from what you've seen? Put differently, why not throw caution to the wind and see what we have in both over a full season?
Jason Mackey
12:54
First off, I don't see how they go with a five-man bench after signing Cahill and the need for pitching this season. I just don't. I also don't think they would be able to sneak Gonzalez to Indy. I think they'd lose him. Just me personally, but he's at least a reliable defender and has shown offense at times. If it were me, unless Cole Tucker changes my mind -- and to this point, he hasn't -- I would start him in Class AAA. If he raked, then we'd have a discussion. But he's hitting .167 right now. That's not enough to make the team at a competitive position. Even the Pirates.
Gabe
12:54
If Cole Tucker doesn’t crack the big league roster, who plays short when the triple A season starts? Tucker or Cruz?
Jason Mackey
12:54
Tucker. You can easily keep Cruz at Class AA.
Jre23
12:54
The old adage that you can’t have too many pitchers is being tested by the Pirates. Hardly a day or 2 goes by without the Buccos adding another arm. It is part of their strategy to make us think they are building a winner when in essence they are trying to patch together a staff of retreads. Next position will be SS. They only have 5 players vying for that position.not nearly enough...
Jason Mackey
12:55
I don't understand the crime in trying to add more of something you don't have? The Pirates didn't have enough pitching, so they tried to scare up more ... and get criticized for it? No, I don't think it makes them a World Series contender. But you have to have something there, and they've shown improvement in a short period of time.
Guest
12:56
Will Bae's domestic issues that he was suspended for affect him the higher he climbs? Fans can be hateful. I sometimes think that is what destroyed Addison Russel's career.
Jason Mackey
1:00
I would venture a guess -- and I obviously don't know this for sure -- that most fans in Pittsburgh have no idea what you're talking about. Maybe they learn in time, but I would be stunned if 50% of Pirates fans even knew the kid's name at this point.
Guest
1:01
Who will be the better MLB player of these former #1 picks: Priester, Swaggerty or Gonzales?
Jason Mackey
1:02
I'll go with Priester, just because of what he is -- a power pitcher with terrific stuff. Gonzales would be a close No. 2.
Guest
1:02
What SPF are you using? :) :) :)
Jason Mackey
1:02
SPF 30. And why do you ask?
Gabe
1:02
Yajure and Crow have been impressive this spring. Think we see them as part of the rotation by mid season?
Jason Mackey
1:03
I think it's possible, yeah. Injuries happen. Not that I'm rooting for them, but you also can't ignore them. I do think those two, along with Cody Ponce, are the next ones up.
Guest
1:03
Why would you take Rocker over Leiter? I keep hearing that Leiter is the more polished, has more pitches and better command than Rocker. Rocker, with only 2 pitches, seems destined for the bullpen.
Jason Mackey
1:04
Because the people I've talked to who have seen Rocker pitch like him more. Also, he's such a name. The Pirates would get hammered for passing on Rocker if he became a Cy Young Award winner. I think it would be less so if they chose him over Leiter.
Halvybuckets
1:04
Have you seen anything this spring that would make you adjust your thoughts on the season?
Jason Mackey
1:04
Not really. I thought they were going to avoid 100 losses, a win total in the mid-to-low 70s. I'm still comfortable with that.
Gabe
1:04
Saw a 3-6-1 double play turned the other day. No shade at Josh Bell, but how refreshing was that to see?
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