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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 03.22.24
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Shohei
12:16
Jason, my interpreter and I are thinking of plunking down a couple million on the Stanley Cup playoffs.  Can Jake help bring it all home for Carolina?
Jason Mackey
12:16
Oh, boy. This made me laugh. Wishing Jake well nonetheless.
Wishful Thinking?
12:16
Could the Bucs just sign Syndergaard already ? Pirates still need pitching and he obviously needs a job.
Jason Mackey
12:16
Yeah, I hear ya. Wish they would have done more. But why hasn't someone else signed him?
John
12:17
Likelihood of the big 4 NRIs: Jones, Anderson, Peralta, McKinney making the Opening Day roster? And  then who gets DFA'd? Falter and??
Jason Mackey
12:18
At this point, I'd probably go Jones & Anderson. Don't see McKinney over Olivares. Roansy probably squeezes out Peralta. ... Maybe Ali Sanchez? Canaan Smith-Njigba? There are options.
PhilinCT
12:18
Mr Mackey, congratulations on your new gig. You will be missed on the Pirate's beat. Why is there any question about the starting C? Davis is done everything people wanted out of him. Along with the pedigree (1-1), fans should be delirious as to how he looks. We will see what the season brings but entering the season, why any questions. A credit to his hard work.
Jason Mackey
12:19
Thanks so much! And I agree with you. Davis has been outstanding.
Justin
12:19
Is Josh Fleming in a "if he doesn't make the team then they risk losing him" situation?
Jason Mackey
12:19
I'm actually unclear on the rules there with the split deal. Lemme get clarification & and get back to you later in this chat.
Cullen
12:20
How is Triolo at short? If he is the defender we think he is, wouldnt it make more sense to bring Peggy back to Pittsburgh for his bat instead of Williams for his defense and have Triolo do most of the SS work when Oneil needs a rest? Id like to see Triolo get 4-5 starts a week jumping around the diamond and that could be another way to do it. (if he doesnt win the 2B job)
Jason Mackey
12:21
I haven't seen any issues. Could make sense, sure. I just worry because how do you also balance 1B and the outfield? Reynolds, Suwinski and Taylor will play a bunch. You're gonna use Rowdy and Joe, and Joe might need some outfield ABs, along with Olivares. Where does that leave Triolo? I want him to play. And if he plays, there's really nowhere to put Peguero.
Peggy O
12:21
Jason, is my inconsistency starting to look like a life-long affliction?  Or is there still hope for me as an everyday big leaguer? You seem to be filled with endless positivity, so that's why I am asking.
Jason Mackey
12:22
"Filled with endless positivity." That's a good one. Yep, you're gonna be a 12-time All-Star.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:22
What is the benefit beyond controlling Skenes future years starting him in the minors when he would be arguably the Pirates best pitcher right now? You can put him on a pitch count early and not let him go past 4-5 innings to start. I just worry that if the Pirates miss the playoff by 1-2 games because of a slow start to the season with Skenes in the minors, the Pirates will regret that move.
Jason Mackey
12:23
It might happen, sure. And you might be right. I think their thinking -- and I tend to agree with you, why the heck not, right? -- is that others have done it, guys like Strasburg, Scherzer, Verlander, Cole. They also want to tread lightly to try and guard against injury. Don't know if I agree with it, but that's the thinking.
Brucelet
12:23
Since everything seems almost settled with the roster, us fans need some excitement. When are you going to interview Olivia Dunne?
Jason Mackey
12:24
Ha. Probably wouldn't hold your breath on that one. Although it might make for a fun convo if she's willing. She's certainly plenty supportive of Paul.
12:25
Re: Fleming ... And h/t to our good friend Ethan Hullihen ... Yes, if he's not on the opening day roster, would be exposed to waivers and thus possibly claimed by someone else.
Justin
12:25
At this point are we looking at Ortiz almost certainly getting one of the opening rotation spots?
Jason Mackey
12:26
I think he's an option. I wouldn't say "almost certainly." But I'd say he's in the mix along with Jones & Anderson. Working against Ortiz is that he has options left.
Barry
12:27
Jason, you’ve been around this time in Bradenton the last five or six weeks. There are obviously still plenty of concerns about the starting pitching. What is the vibe like around this team heading into the season and how confident are you that they win at least 81 games?
Jason Mackey
12:28
Fairly confident, although I'll just get painted with the "filled with endless positivity" brush again. But seriously. I've covered plenty of crap with this club. What I've seen this spring is much better. Is it enough? Not sure. A lot hinges on young pitching and guys staying healthy. But I think there's a chance, sure.
Teresa T.
12:28
Easter ham or Thanksgiving turkey?
Jason Mackey
12:28
Turkey every day of the week. Ham is vastly overrated, IMO.
dan
12:28
Carmen Mlodzinski IL to start season?  Who goes to Miami now in the bullpen?
Jason Mackey
12:30
I don't think it's a foregone conclusion he opens the season on the IL, though they might just to be conservative. Bullpen to me looks like Bednar, Chapman, Borucki, Holderman ... then maybe Mlodzinski, Hernandez, Roansy, Honeywell Jr. ... maybe a Fleming or Peralta in there if Carmen is dinged up. Also need to sort out Anderson, Ortiz & the rotation. That could have some impact here.
Justin
12:30
What all do you think goes into deciding on it being better to do LF Suwi, RF Reynolds instead of keeping Reynolds in left?
Jason Mackey
12:30
I think it's the amount of ground Suwinski can cover vs. Reynolds and that being necessary at least 81 times a year.
Jeff T
12:31
Hi Jason…once again, congrats on the new gig. Is Ji-Hwan Bae the odd man out even for a bench spot? Looks like outfield is Reynolds/Taylor/Suwinski with Olivares and McKinney (and Cutch as DH/backup OF), then Triolo and/or Peguero at 2B.
Jason Mackey
12:32
Thanks, Jeff. He's not healthy at the moment, so, yeah. Eventually, not sure. Think he'll have to go to Indy first and show what he can do. Not sure I see McKinney making it. If you have four bench spots: Joe, Delay, backup INF and ... either Olivares (roster) or McKinney (not on roster).
Jeff
12:32
williams has to be a DFA for non roster pitcher. Doesn’t he?
Jason Mackey
12:32
Doesn't have to be, no. There are probably other spots they'd go first. Could DFA Falter. Doubt anyone picks him up.
62 Stack Monster
12:32
Hi Jason, Last week, I referred to Henry Davis as Hank Davis in the chat. First, this was not a sign of disrespect; I just want or need to liken him to an old-time big home run hitter. (I'm not comparing him to Hammerin' Hank Aaron, either..). Second, I don't want to see him sent down when Grandel (spelling) recovers. Time of service, super two, and all that nonsense notwithstanding.  Let him play!
Jason Mackey
12:32
I expect Hank Davis to be with the big club.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:32
Triolo is the obvious choice at second for the Bucs. Are the Pirates seeing him starting there or relegating him to the utility role? He needs to play every day with his great bat and glove.
Jason Mackey
12:33
Yes and maybe both. Ha. He's gonna play a lot at second. Does he also bounce around because they wanna keep Peguero? Entirely possible. They could also make the choice to get Peguero regularly playing time and keep Williams. Which would put Triolo more in an every-day 2B kinda role.
Jeff
12:33
They have to be disappointed Olivares has looked bad this spring. Any way he makes team?
Jason Mackey
12:34
I think he probably does. Doubt they form too much based on spring. Believe he does have options, but again, look at his past two years. He'd profile as one of the best hitters the Pirates have had. Should they just discard that based on one spring? I don't know.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:34
Any possibility that Grandal gets released if Davis catches and hits well early in the season? I think Delay is fine as a backup catcher.
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