JotCast | Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 03.30.22

Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 03.30.22

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Jason Mackey

12:45

Hard to say, Adam. The tough part with all of this stuff is major league payroll is only part of the operation. I'm not defending the Pirates, but their contention is that they're spending on coaching, technology, infrastructure, scouting, player treatment, etc. Are they lying? I don't know. Nobody does. Only the third-party accounting service does because of how MLB audits its teams. It's why books should be open.

PrinceBob

12:45

I'm not going to yell at you about Bob Nutting, I promise, but I know you've written that you believe he really does want to win, that Cherrington was likely told they'd spend when the time was right. But I see the Twins and Rockies, teams in the Pirates' financial boat, sign Correa and Bryant while the Pirates sign a couple journeymen and take their best player to arbitration and send a prospect who hit a ton against major league pitching at the end of last year to AAA. Do you think there will ever really be a time that's right to spend? I think more and more that Cherrington may have been had. How wrong can I be?

Jason Mackey

12:46

I don't know if the Pirates will ever get to the point where they're spending Correa or Bryant money, at least under Nutting, sadly. And that stinks. For everyone involved. That said, they could still spend somewhere in the middle, right? Just get the payroll to $100 million. Seriously. They spent $100 million, I think that would make a lot of folks happy. And that feels like the bleepin' moon here.

Adam in Boulder

12:46

Common sense says that Bob Nutting continues to own a team that hasn't won a playoff series in 30 years because revenue-sharing makes it profitable for him and helps the big spenders win - especially because he voted for a CBA that does not benefit low-budget teams. My question is, will he make himself available to you or other journalists before the season starts, to explain his vote, and his money-grubbing decisions like taking Reynolds to arbitration?

Jason Mackey

12:48

Got this one earlier -- I hope. He has been requested multiple times, including another this past week (formally), by the Pittsburgh chapter of the BBWAA, to meet with us and discuss the things you mentioned. Other owners have talked. It's long overdue. But we do not have a definitive date set, unfortunately.

PrinceBob

12:48

On a different note, do you know how much translators get paid? And how much contact do they have with the players they translate for when players aren't at the ball park. I'd guess that on the road it's pretty much round the clock?

Jason Mackey

12:49

I don't know how much they make, no. But I do know their services aren't just used at the ballpark. These guys become cultural liaisons, and friends and are vitally important to helping players feel comfortable.

Frank

12:49

Who do you see as the starting second base man

Jason Mackey

12:49

At this point, Cole Tucker.

Mike

12:49

When you hear folks like Reynolds say the Pirates are going to be good sooner than people think, what do you think "sooner" actually means? Is it spin or do you think he/the team truly believes a turnaround is coming this year? I mean, hope springs eternal every spring, but it's not impossible to see encouraging signs on the near horizon that will make this team leaps and bounds better than last year's - starting with Keller and the two C's, Cruz and Contreras.

Jason Mackey

12:50

I think you could see some signs this year with guys coming up and doing exciting things. I think the bigger tease will happen in 2023, when you might see guys from this year's Class AA Altoona team -- Peguero, Gonzales, Priester, Davis, etc. -- coming up and impactful the big club along with Cruz, Castro, Contreras, etc. Again, it's just about volume of prospects. That's why Reynolds and others say that. They have the young talent. If they don't screw up development, they should theoretically be able to come up and produce.

Jordan

12:51

Looking at the starting pitchers available to Shelton, I can’t help but think it’s going to be a 100 + loss season. I find it hard to believe Cherington couldn’t have come up with a better option than Quintana who in my opinion is going to get hammered every time out.

Jason Mackey

12:52

It's hard to conclude anything based on five innings with Quintana. Will agree he hasn't looked good, but neither did Tyler Anderson last year. I have them at 60-102. For that to change, it's absolutely going to come down to pitching.

JR in SC

12:53

Love the chats, Jason. Thanks. I may be old school, but I always admire players that spend all or most of their careers with one team. I view the Pirates, however, as simply a minor league team feeding players to the rest of MLB. Perfect example is the Reynolds negotiation. $650K is slightly more that meal money. I don’t see any scenario where he signs a LT contract here. He’ll get traded for “prospects”. Am I wrong?

Jason Mackey

12:54

Thanks, JR. Appreciate that. You're not wrong. My argument to that would be this: Are there teams who keep all their players all the time? (Hint: There aren't.) This is how pro sports works. Penguins fans should realize how fortunate they are with Sid, Geno and Letang, Steelers fans with Ben. It doesn't happen often, and that's OK. The key, for me, is the Pirates doing the small ball thing better and continuing a cycle of bringing up young talent. Like the Rays and other clubs. Happened in 2013-15, and the Pirates added to payroll. Got up to $100 million. Then the cycle stopped, and they've been chasing their tail ever since.

Jordan

12:54

speaking of pitching, have you seen anything in the way Marin works with pitching staff that gives you confidence he is a competent coach?

Jason Mackey

12:56

I like the overall program the Pirates have in place, especially at the lower levels. Really like Josh Hopper and Dewey Robinson. These guys are very, very bright. Oscar was part of bringing them in, so ... yeah, I would say he's a competent coach. Has he done enough at the major league level? I think the jury is out. Like I've been saying, though, it's also hard given whom he's had to coach.

Mark

12:56

Jason, I have been examining the Pirates roster and I think the most relevant question(s) is the following: Is Cole Tucker still dating Vanessa Hudgens, and if so, will we see her at PNC Park in the upcoming season? Thanks.

Jason Mackey

12:57

Nice, Mark. Yes, he is. And I would imagine she's there. I also hope -- after having some conversations with Cole about this -- fans will respect his/her privacy as much as possible. He doesn't really want to talk about "It" much, and I get that. Professional athletes, in my opinion, are expected to discuss their performance, good and bad, because fans pay money to see that. They're not required to delve into their personal life with us.

Guest

12:57

I think I understand how the Pirates are building their team and have high hopes for the future. What I struggle with is the ability of this ownership to successfully keep key pieces in place when and if it comes time to open the check book to retain them. What they are doing with Reynolds’s is a disgrace

Jason Mackey

12:58

Understand the frustration. I don't agree with it either. Will say this, though: What the Pirates are doing is going to require fans to let players leave. Think Tampa and Blake Snell. They traded him because he was approaching FA. The good news, they got a ton back. That's what needs to happen here.

Ricky

12:58

I’m back. The pirates still need a productive third outfielder and they should look no farther than Yasiel Puig. He would be a great fit here for a rebuilding team and could take them to the next step as he’s a 5 tool player. Thoughts?

Jason Mackey

12:59

Ricky! Good to hear from you. Of course. Puig would guarantee a 90-win season, no doubt. I don't know what they're thinking.

Ryan

12:59

Good afternoon Jason what do you think about David Bednar so far this spring training can’t wait for the season to start next week let’s go Bucs

Jason Mackey

1:00

Bednar has been great, automatic. Given up a couple singles but worked around them nicely. Pumping 97 mph. Curve makes me laugh. Haven't seen many splitters. Zero concern.

Matt from LA

1:00

Has Mr. Nutting been at spring training this year and, if so, will he be doing his annual question and answer session with the media? I would be curious to see his response to all of the negative publicity regarding himself, his ownership and his decisions (e.g., Reynold's arbitration and Cruz's demotion).

Jason Mackey

1:00

I will, too, Matt. Yep, third time on this. He's been here. Has been requested, too. Awaiting when/if he will answer questions from us.

Matt from LA

1:00

Is Nutting "afraid" to face his critics, namely, the majority of Pirate fans?

Jason Mackey

1:01

I don't think so. I've watched Nutting sitting in the stands at LECOM Park and mingling with fans. He's honestly more forward-facing than most in his position. Now, I'd rather him spend money and be a recluse than talk to people and have a $35 million payroll. But he has been out among fans.

guest

1:01

A common question is who will be the breakout player, so let's go with the opposite--who will be the player expected to perform well who underperforms this year?

Jason Mackey

1:02

Hmmm ... the regression candidate! Interesting. So far, tie between Alford and Chavis. Maybe throw Howard into the mix as well. I also worry about Yoshi's late-season slump in 2021. I hope it's not real.

Matt from LA

1:02

Any idea of the progress on Pirate ticket sales, especially season tickets sold for the upcoming season?

Jason Mackey

1:03

They don't provide these updates, but I can't imagine it's going terribly well. I do know that every seat at PNC Park has a story.

Joe

1:03

Do you think the team will do whatever they can to make sure Cruz doesn’t finish top two in RoY voting?

Jason Mackey

1:04

Ha. It got off to a pretty good start already, no? I don't know if the Pirates are thinking about it like that. I think they made the decision right in front of them -- which, while I disagree, I do understand it making business sense. Beyond that? I think you see how he performs. If he's crushing balls down there and fielding his position, the pressure will go up. If he stinks, then it's lessened. They don't need to have a strategy for what you're suggesting.

Hank

1:04

Do you have any idea the terms of the contracts offered to Reynolds and Hayes? I would think it would benefit both the pirates and the player to do frontloaded deals while the pirates payroll is down.

Jason Mackey

1:05

I do. Now what can I say publicly ... they were both very low. To the point where both players rightfully felt they deserved more. I also get the Pirates trying to get by on the cheap -- they just shouldn't try to do it so darn frequently. But the deals weren't much, I can tell you that.

Mason

1:05

Are you surprised with Cruz being sent back down? Is this another diabolical plan to save $$$

Jason Mackey

1:06

It's to preserve a year of control, and no, I'm not surprised. But I felt -- and wrote -- that they should have rewarded his strong play by letting him continue. If he plays well, everyone wins. They have a great player. If he doesn't, you avoid the PR nightmare.

Jeff

1:06

I’ve looked at a lot of NL rookie articles. Cruz is overwhelming odds on favorite to win award. So even keeping him down for a month may backfire if he finishes top 2 and gains his freedom a year earlier. Does that factor in sending him down?

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