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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 03.20.23
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Jason Mackey
11:17
Hello, everyone, and welcome to my weekly chat.  Thanks for stopping by. We'll get started shortly. You know the drill.
11:57
OK, let's get started ...
Big Hoss
11:57
Does Swaggy T come north with the big league team?   And if so, how long before he takes over an OF job?
Jason Mackey
11:59
I would like to think so, Big Hoss. Assuming what he's done thus far continues. Shelton's comments this morning (on my Twitter feed) were interesting. He essentially said Jack was gonna make it. Don't have an issue there. But if he does, they have too many cooks in the kitchen. Choi, Cutch or Joe need to go to make room for young guys, and it ain't gonna be Cutch. Not sure I'd want it to be Joe either. He's been good this spring and would be my backup 1B. Anyway ... I can still see Swag or CSN, whoever finishes stronger, making it.
Tom
11:59
Jason, thanks for your good reporting. Have to say that the lack of offense and the outfield disarray gives little hope that this baseball season will be different. You are there everyday. Is it a brighter picture? Thanks.
Jason Mackey
11:59
Thanks Tom. I would caution that it's spring training. No concrete opinions should be formed right now. Remember, Tyler Anderson and Jose Quintana were terrible in spring, too.
Paul
12:00
Do you think the Bucs would be better with Castro at second and Reynolds in center?  Based on the recent lineups that doesn't seem to be management's perspective.
Jason Mackey
12:00
I don't love what I've seen out of anyone at 2B, tbh. I guess it would be Castro, because I think he has the most potential. I also wanna see if Bae can do anything. As of now, though, it's probably Castro. And, yeah, I'd go Reynolds in center. No question there.
Guest
12:01
Hello Jason. I just finished a wonderful week in Bradenton with my family and want to thank you for your recommendations of The Ugly Grouper and Holmes/Manatee Beach, awesome fun!! Also tried Hurricane Hanks, great Lobster Mac & Cheese!! Finally, very impressed with K’Bryan Hayes,  Endy Rodriguez, Nick Gonzalez, Travis Swaggerty Canaan Smith-Njigba and Jared Triolo professionalism, they all took time to sign autographs and we were able to speak with them all, future looks bright!! And Steve Blass took time to stop and talk/sign autographs, priceless memories!!
Jason Mackey
12:02
That's great. So glad you enjoyed it. This area rocks. I'm gonna miss it. ... You mentioned a lot of really good kids. Honestly, the Pirates are obviously in the middle of a rebuild. Lot of people like to get really mad about them, and I get wanting to see them playing better ball, certainly. But as someone who spends a ton of time around these guys, you won't find many/any jerks.
David S.
12:02
Any chance TSwag goes north with the team, and if he does, who gets left behind?
Jason Mackey
12:03
I think he or CSN should make it, provided this continues. I'd cut Choi, although I don't have any intel that it's being considered. I would just try to get out from under the contract -- because they can.
Jeff M
12:03
I know it would take a 40 man roster opening but was wondering if Miguel Andujar is under consideration for a bench spot? I thought he was making some solid hard contact in his late season stint last year.
Jason Mackey
12:04
I would be surprised if he was at this point. I think down the road they probably want him to win one. I also have been told they really like him. But I don't know. I just can't see how he gives you more than Swaggerty or Canaan. Or at minimum deserves more of a shot.
Mike
12:04
Hello Jason, to be successful the Pirates need more OBP and less K’s, do you see the team having a quick hook with Suwinski and Castro, as we now have multiple options that have significant upside?
Jason Mackey
12:05
Not at this point, no. Certainly not Suwinski. I think they wanna see improvement with more OBP and less K. That's obvious. But it sure doesn't sound like they're gonna hook Jack, and I can't imagine the same would apply with Castro.
PhilinCT
12:05
As always, thanks for your time. I know I may be in the minority here but I don't think Jack Suwinski showed that much last year that he is given a starting outfield job. I know 19 HRs, unusual splits, etc. I also know ST stats are semi-meaningless but I don't see improvement. Especially where Swaggerty has shown some (ST, I know). Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:06
I think you're probably reacting too much to ST stats. You're using them to knock Jack out of an MLB job and insert Swaggerty. Not saying they're meaningless. I might reward Swag as I've been saying. But a bad couple of weeks down here doesn't make Jack a bad player. He's young.
Mike
12:06
After watching BRey in person for 4 games last week, his body language is closed off (not vocal with teammates, doesn’t interface its fans much, very quiet except with Suwinski), should the Buccos invest $100MM in a player that does not carry himself as a leader (like Pops) when times get tough? Plus his performance the last couple years is not outstanding or consistent. If we invest in anyone I would think it’s Cruz or Endy, they pass the eye test, thoughts? Thanks
Jason Mackey
12:09
You went to four games and have deduced that Bryan Reynolds is an attitude problem? Good Lord. Gonna have to respectfully disagree with you there. Reynolds isn't a rah-rah type of dude at all. That's his style. I do think Reynolds has been frustrated -- would like to think I've been around him enough to detect good from bad -- but not because he hates people or Pittsburgh or whatever you're saying. He hasn't hit much and the outfield play has been disjointed. ... Last thing: I've seen Reynolds sign and interact with folks a bunch. Not sure I would make any assertions based off of that.
Wayward
12:09
Jason,  If Owings/Mathias, Joe and backup catcher have utility roles and Casto wins the 2B how does the position roster fill out?   Also, it looks like the OF in Indy is going to be pretty full, how do you see them getting the young guys enough at bats?
Jason Mackey
12:11
I don't know if I do, Wayward. Gonna be tough. ... Figure Cal, CSN/Swaggerty (or maybe both), Chavez Young, Andujar ... then anyone else? Probably missing a guy or two. Also not sure what you're asking with the first part. ... Are you asking how I see the fourth bench spot? Personally I would like to see it be a reward for a young guy, give Swag or CSN a chance.
Caitlynn
12:11
Hi Jason. To date, who are a couple players who have surprised you in spring training and who are a couple players who have been disappointments?  Thank you.
Jason Mackey
12:12
Hi Caitlynn. Suwinski and Castro -- topics du jour -- have been disappointing. The whole 2B competition, honestly. Haven't been overly impressed with Choi. Backup catching has been rough. ... Pleasantly surprised might include Moreta & Bolton in the bullpen ... Rich Hill (semi-obvious, I know) ... and the obvious ones such as Swaggerty and Canaan. ... Endy and Nick Gonzales were their two best young(er) hitters.
Mike
12:13
Jason, It feels like the best bench for position players consists of: Swaggerty, Owings, Plawecki, CSN and Joe, what am I missing? Could Santana be cut? Thanks
Jason Mackey
12:14
They're not going to cut Santana. His contract is fully guaranteed. That's not how baseball works. They could only cut Choi because he had an arb hearing. They're also not going to use a five-man bench. Agree on Owings, Plawecki & Joe. Best case I think you're probably picking Swag or CSN.
Bucsfan
12:14
Jason looking back with how the Pirates extend guys, why do they always extend players before opening day? They did it with Tabata, Cutch, Harrison, Marte, Polanco and Hayes and no one had any idea that those contracts were gonna happen. I didn’t even know the Pirates were looking to lock up Hayes until they did. Is there a sense that it could happen again this year with BRey, Cruz or Keller?
Jason Mackey
12:15
They do it then to get it done. To not have it lingering over a player's head. That makes sense across several sports. ... And same as the others came out of left field, hard to say whether they're going to get anything done. Will say that things have been awful quiet on Reynolds. Don't know if that's good or bad.
Munkeefist
12:15
It seems like the Pirates went from too few outfielders to too many. Swaggerty and Smith-Njigba look like potential pieces to the next contending window, yet playing time will be blocked by Joe and McCutchen. Do you think starting these 2 in AAA and going north with the offseason acquisitions sets the pirates back and delays growth? Thanks for the chat.
Jason Mackey
12:16
I would tap the brakes on "potential pieces to the next contending window" based on a couple weeks of spring training. They're intriguing young players. If they keep this going for long enough, the Pirates will adjust. Right now, the sample size is very small. Not saying I wouldn't reward one, but let's keep some perspective here.
Wayward
12:16
Do one of Ortiz/Oviedo stick as a 6th starter/swing guy or do both go to Indy to start?
Jason Mackey
12:17
This isn't gonna be popular, but I would send both to Indy. It's tough to balance six early. I would rather see those guys get reps. The buildup for Ortiz is a little behind the others. Oviedo hasn't forced their end. Can always bring one/both up, but at this point, I'd rather they continue pitching as starters and not try to shoehorn the swing role.
mtalerico27
12:17
Does Swaggerty truly have a realistic chance of making the opening day roster?
Jason Mackey
12:18
I would say there's a chance, yes. Still a decent amount of time to go, though.
Dallas
12:18
Has this spring helped boost T. swaggertys standing in the org? Apparently, GMBC regime was down on him. Would imagine he is playing his way back into a future role with this team?
Jason Mackey
12:19
I think that's fair, yeah. Maybe Canaan, too. Regardless of what happens, both have put themselves in good position.
Anthony
12:19
Do you see a scenario where Swaggerty and Smith-Njigba both make this roster and Suwinski is sent down? Just based on numbers it seems those two have been having a better spring and deserve to have a shot?
Jason Mackey
12:19
I do not see that, no.
J$Money
12:19
What position do you consider to be the Pirates weakest? Strongest?
Jason Mackey
12:20
Strongest organizationally is probably middle infield ... with Cruz, Termarr, Gonzales, maybe Endy ... still not giving up hope on Peguero. I think he could become something. Weakest maybe OF. Dylan Crews, cough, cough.
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