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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 03.22.24
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Jason Mackey
11:26
Hey everyone. Thanks for stopping by. We'll get started a little before noon. Programming note: I'll be unable to answer questions from 12:35 until roughly 12:45 or 12:50. Angry about it? Contact Joe Starkey: jstarkey@post-gazette.com or @JoeStarkey1 on X.
11:55
And away we go.
PhillyJake
11:55
"Their most likely outfield alignment will feature Michael A. Taylor in center, flanked by Jack Suwinski in left field and Bryan Reynolds in right." Reynolds in Right, Suwinski in left?  Really?
Jason Mackey
11:55
Yes. That's why I wrote it. What's the big deal? Reynolds in right and Jack in left makes sense. Jack has more range. That matters at home. Figure it out on the road.
Jeff M
11:55
If Jones makes the rotation could you see them going with a 6 man rotation, possible with an opener slot, to keep his innings down?
Jason Mackey
11:57
I think they would keep his innings down regardless, one. It also might be a six-man now. Probably five early because of off-days, but I would be shocked if they didn't have a hybrid/bulk type and use that strategy. Regardless, yeah, expect them to be aware of Jones' innings no matter what else surrounds it.
Maz01
11:57
Hi Jason, Thank you for the chat. What is the status of Carmen Mlodzinski's forearm tightness? Are we possibly seeing T.J. surgery? If so, this would be a big blow to the pen.
Jason Mackey
11:57
No. He played catch out to 120 feet yesterday. Should throw a bullpen in the coming days. TJ not a consideration. I think it was trying to keep a small thing from turning into a big thing.
JollyRoger8
11:57
Looking at Temarr Johnson, he reminds me of a young Joe Morgan. Your thoughts?
Jason Mackey
11:58
That's a lot to put on a young man, but that comp is out there. So is Terry Pendleton. Don't hate it. Just want Termarr to be Termarr. That has been pretty damn good.
Cullen
11:58
I'll be in the minority opinion on this take but im pleased with the German signing with the caveat that the Pirates did their due diligence and trust that he is in a better place and a strong support system to help stay sober. Im also newly sober, albeit a month or two behind German. I wont excuse his actions, but I can say with 100% conviction that alcohol can make you do unthinkable things that you would never dream of doing sober. I loved what you said in your initial article about the signing that he deserves GRACE. I couldnt agree more but I understand its hard for people who havent been there to understand and give him that grace. Are there any sober people on the team that he can lean on? Are you confident that he will be able to stay sober based on your talks with those involved?
Jason Mackey
12:00
Couple things. And, awesome, making choices that work for you. Stick to 'em. I do think they did their due diligence. That also doesn't guarantee success. From what I've heard, as I wrote, his issues do stem from drinking. And I think the Pirates did the smart thing by not promising too much (or anything up front). Maybe I'm naive, but I didn't get that much backlash on the signing. There's a wife and three kids involved. I couldn't care less about baseball. I hope for their sake he gets the help he needs and stays sober. Also, I do think the Pirates will put people around him to help; a lot of their Latin American resources will come in handy here. But again, none of that guarantees success, as you know.
Maz01
12:00
The one inning in relief that Roansy pitched last night gave me encouragement, if he finds his control and maybe be used in the pen this entire season, could he eventually get back into the rotation talks for 2025 if he shows improvement?
Jason Mackey
12:01
I mean, sure. He could. I'm not forming any concrete opinions based off one inning, though.
Cullen
12:01
Disappointing to see Roansy relegated to a bullpen role, I had such high hopes for him when he came up. Do you think this was more of a case of him coming up to fast and needing more time in the minors to develop? The Pirates trying to change to much for him at one time? Loss of confidence? The league pushing back? I still think he has the stuff to be a legit starter and hope he earns his way back!
Jason Mackey
12:02
I don't know. If I did, I would sell it to the Pirates. Probably a combination of things. Remember, too, that Mitch Keller went through stuff like this. Sometimes, unfortunately, it takes time. I do think they probably messed with too much at once. That said, I think they did it because they had his best interests at heart. They're also not mis-executing offspeed stuff ahead in the count. That's on Ro. League pushing back? Maybe. But when you only have two pitches you can throw for strikes, that makes you more predictable.
Maz01
12:02
Jason, does it still look like Peggy is going to start the year and play short at Indy and the Pirates keep A.Williams?
Jason Mackey
12:03
That's a good question. I'm split on this. And it's been tough because Peggy has been out sick. If Peggy had been producing, sure, easy answer: He stays. I think there's a concern whether he will get enough reps because Triolo is gonna play a lot. But if you go Triolo starting for Hayes once a week and Cruz once a week, then two days at second ... Peguero two days at second and two more when Triolo bumps over ... four starts for each, I guess that works.
Jjtown johnnie
12:03
Jason, will Cruz sign a extension with the Pirates?  If so when might that happen?
Jason Mackey
12:04
There hasn't been any meaningful traction there, sorry. So tough to answer.
Stash
12:04
Jason, I don't claim to be a catching fundamentals expert, but watching Delay last night, he always drops his glove to the ground during the pitcher delivery.  I though the idea was to give the pitcher a target and then help to frame the pitch so the ump can make a decent call (which, admittedly, is a rarity)? What gives?
Jason Mackey
12:05
I dunno. Delay grades out as starter-level good when it comes to receiving and framing per Baseball Savant, FanGraphs and Baseball Prospectus. Not really an issue I'd take up with his performance.
PhillyJake
12:05
How many still in camp? Unless I missed something, it's over 40 right now? Rather high for this late?
Jason Mackey
12:05
43 and no.
Ricky
12:05
SIGN PUIG NOW!!!
Jason Mackey
12:05
If they wanna win a championship. (Actually had a dream a couple nights ago that they did.)
Zeise’s 3rd cousin
12:05
Jason, Good Morning Afternoon. How long before German and Lauer are ready , about a month? Think they get here before Skenes? They got some tough decisions on pitchers.
Jason Mackey
12:06
They should -- and good. About time. Tough to say. Month is a good ballpark, sure. All three will be in Indy. So much factors go into this. Health and performance at the major league level. Are German and Lauer good? I have yet to see either face major league or minor league hitters, so kinda tough to say much.
Ryan
12:06
Is Jared jones in the rotation? This rotation is just awful imo. Anderson is horrendous. Has to be the worst pitcher in baseball since covid. Every single starter is well below average for where they rank in a rotation. Skenes will help
Jason Mackey
12:11
I can't imagine how he's not. Deserves it. ... I don't know if I would call Anderson "horrendous" and the rotation "awful." Should they have done more to upgrade? Yeah, I think most would agree. With Anderson, you're right on the ERA since COVID. He has also been solid this spring. I know the two are different certainly, but Anderson has also been hurt a bunch, hasn't really had a consistent opportunity. Has been the same with other vets they brought in. Will it work? I don't know. But I'd like to find out. I think they also have some promising young guys. They just need to bridge something to Skenes, Chandler and Solometo.
Anthony
12:11
Is it a lock that Davis will make the roster? Feels like other people are upset that Shelton or Ben hasn't formally said it even though his spring has shown that he deserves it?
Jason Mackey
12:12
They don't formally say anything, to be fair. Yeah, he caught Keller's six innings, 89 pitches in a back-field game. Been their best catcher by far. Grandal can't run. He's their opening day catcher.
Stash
12:12
Jason, so last night I watched the ump call a strike on a curveball that started 8 inches off the plate and moved to maybe 4 inches off the plate.  It's atrocious and makes a mockery of the game.  Bring on the freaking robots already.  It's beyond time.  And that's not even considering the arrogance of these overweight men in black.  Your thoughts, if any?
Jason Mackey
12:13
I completely agree with you. In defense of the umpires, what they're being asked to do may be beyond something humans can accurately do, with the movement and velocity of the stuff. But I'm all for an ABS challenge system, like, tomorrow.
Daniel Thorn
12:13
Hey Jason, fun one for you: if a team got to start every inning of every game with runners on first and second, would that team go 162-0?
Jason Mackey
12:13
Ha. I feel like there's some sort of more quantitative answer here. But baseball is weird, so I'm gonna go with no. They'd still somehow find a way to lose somewhere in there.
Lewis
12:13
Are we any closer to the Pirates possibly signing Trevor Bauer?
Jason Mackey
12:14
They're not interested from everything I've been told. And it doesn't have anything to do with his allegations, etc. It's more his reputation as a teammate.
Roberto
12:14
if you could ask anyone in history, living or dead, one question, who would it be and what would you ask them
Jason Mackey
12:15
My dad. "What have you been up to?" Sorry, there's probably a more worldly answer. But in three days it'll be the sixth anniversary of his passing, so that's kinda where my head is at.
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