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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 04.02.21
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Jason Mackey
11:50
Hello, everyone. And welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. I'm sorry these have been so sporadic lately. The spring training schedule makes them very hard, with a 1:05 p.m. game every day and pregame Zooms/writing, etc. Thankfully, that stuff is over. Plenty of talk about. Will be back in about 10 minutes to answer your questions.
Jacque Strap
12:02
Hi Jason, really enjoy your reporting...how do you balance a season like this in your reporting, where the organization is clearly focused on development where maybe the wins aren't as important -- but for the players, maybe they DO just care about the wins/losses? How does this color the questions you may ask them?
Jason Mackey
12:02
And away we go ...
12:05
Hi Jacque, it doesn't. At all. They're playing the games. I'm going to ask them about what they're doing and why they're doing it. Obviously I don't think anyone is going to be as focused on things as, say, the Yankees or Dodgers or teams expected to compete for championships. But it doesn't mean what the major league does is unimportant. I hope to think that I ask questions in a professional manner, no matter the setting. This is no different. The change probably occurs with scope of coverage. Like we should probably be churning out less about the major league club and more on prospects, which we intend on doing. But I also don't think we should react based on something that has not yet happened. One example: Yesterday's game story had four times as many concurrent views on our web page as anything else last night. That shows me that people care. I'm gonna keep writing what people care about.
Jacque Strap
12:05
On a related note, how do you think a season like this affects Shelton's decision-making, and how do you as a writer decide on the level of criticism to take since most people expect them to lose anyway? Does it change the questions you ask him?
Jason Mackey
12:07
It doesn't. Again, they're playing to win the game. Shelton might manage some for the future, like giving guys more opportunities or something like that. But this is pro sports. These guys are evaluated and paid based on results. And it's my job to ask questions about those results. The changes on the media's end -- again, in my opinion -- should come with scope of coverage. Not questions. It's our job to ask professional questions about whatever the club is doing, good or bad.
Jacque Strap
12:07
If you told Stallings that you were once a tall catcher and had a few pointers for him, would he a) laugh b) tell you to take a hike c) both?
Jason Mackey
12:07
I did tell him. And he laughed. I have a good relationship with Stallings. He's also one of the nicest professional athletes -- or people -- I've ever met.
AB
12:07
Jason, was yesterday's bullpen performance a sign of more good things to come from them or are the Cubs just bad? How is this group viewed by the baseball "experts"? Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:09
Maybe a little bit of both. I worry about the Cubs and a lot of what's going on there. They have a very talented team, IMO, but have underperformed in recent years. I hope they figure it out because I love Chicago, but yesterday was rough. That said, I think the Pirates bullpen may turn some heads this season and yesterday reaffirmed that belief. They have guys who throw hard with excellent stuff. Used right, that can work in short bursts.
Moon Run Bill
12:09
Jason, is there any bigger waste of money in Pittsburgh than buying a buccos player jersey?
Jason Mackey
12:10
I could think of a few, yeah. Then again, I'm also not a big jersey person regardless of sport. Most sports writers aren't. But an incredible attempt at trolling. Five points.
Gabe
12:10
The bullpen looked incredible yesterday, in 30ish degree weather no less, who might you be most excited about and who should we as fans not get too attached to?
Jason Mackey
12:12
Anybody in the thick of arbitration, for one. And if you're talking just about relievers, I could see the Pirates maybe moving Rodriguez or Stratton. But in terms of young guys, if Bednar keeps this up, he's not going anywhere. He and Holmes are the two I'm most excited about. Really, really good showings this spring.
Alan Reno
12:12
Jason, I thought Cubs o3.5 was a lock. But I’ve stumbled onto a win-win. If I take the Bucs opponents over every game, I’m either gonna be rich or the Pirates win the World Series. Is this theory flawed or have I cracked the code to gambling?
Jason Mackey
12:12
I don't gamble. Have zero idea how to gamble or interpret spreads. And I don't want to learn. Fun fact about me.
Donna
12:12
Hi Jason.  Before Todd Frazier re-signed with the Pirates, was his decision to opt out because he wasn’t going going north with the team or because he thought he had better opportunities elsewhere?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:13
HI Donna. Little bit of both. They told him he wasn't going north with the team, and he thought he could do better. So, he opted out and tried. When he didn't get anything, he decided to stay with the Pirates because they did want him on a minor league deal.
James from Hermosa Beach
12:14
Would you support the Pirates using an opener like Tampa Bay has? Especially with the question marks in the rotation.
Jason Mackey
12:15
Yes, I would. Absolutely. I think the more innovative and funky the Pirates can be with strategy, the better. I just need it to not be Montana DuRapau or Michael Feliz. But I'm all for whatever new-school practices they can employ. The Rays should be a great study for them and us.
Guest
12:15
Do you think Vanessa Hudgens will like Indianapolis? Do you think Cole Tuxker
Jason Mackey
12:16
Is that the actress girl with whom the Pirates shortstop has been stepping out?
Retire21
12:16
Hate to keep crying about the past but Cole and Glasnow had dominant opening day starts and Tampa got the only run in the game on our giveaway CF-er. What’s to stop us from thinking that anyone else who is/will be good won’t end up somewhere else anyway?
Jason Mackey
12:18
You should cry about that stuff. Or point it out. The Pirates screwed that stuff up in a hugely impactful way. They need to never, ever do that crap again. What I can tell you is this: The new regime is nothing like the old one. They value and understand numbers. They aren't try to do cookie-cutter crap -- two-seamers low in the zone, developing guys the same, etc. They're modern in their approach and have already gained the respect of players. Does that guarantee that stuff doesn't happen again? Of course not. But it helps their odds.
12:19
(Also, just to keep going with this: Please don't underestimate how woefully behind the Pirates were with acquiring and utilizing actual pitching data on these guys. It's not an accident that Cole started throwing more spin pitches -- with much greater results -- once he got to Houston. And the Pirates know exactly why that happened, believe me.)
Keith
12:19
Do you think Vanessa Hudgens will like Indianapolis? In your opinion is Cole Tucker the first call up if a position player is hurt or under preforms?
Jason Mackey
12:20
It depends on who's producing. And who's hurt. He's a candidate, sure. But so are Wilmer Difo and Todd Frazier in the infield. Just depends on who's hitting at the alt site and what the major league team needs.
Sammy
12:20
How do you envision the Pirates starting rotation performing this year?
Jason Mackey
12:21
I'm thinking it could be an adventure. Struggles, yes. Probably not eating a lot of innings. Injuries could really cause issues. As of now -- again, things could obviously change; it's a long season -- it might be the biggest concern for me regarding the Pirates.
Ricky
12:21
The pirates still need a right handed Outfielder off the bench. Perfect guy would be Yasiel Puig. I can’t find a better outfielder on the market than him
Jason Mackey
12:22
Gregory Polanco 2-for-27 over his last nine ... Alford 17K in his last 39 ABs, I believe ... the Fowler baserunning goof yesterday ... no doubt it's Puig time.
Pirates fan
12:22
Thoughts on Underwood yesterday? Could he be legit
Jason Mackey
12:23
I thought he was outstanding. He said his curveball has gotten better since he started fooling around with a slider. I agree with him. He was nasty. I really, really like him.
Ed Oddo
12:23
Although I was delighted to see how awesome the bullpen was it was a series of 1 inning appearances and I wondered how long can that last. Is there a Plan to lengthen the appearances so pitchers get rest between appearances
Jason Mackey
12:24
Ed, it's April 1. Off day tomorrow. They needed to cover six innings. It was freezing. Derek Shelton managed that completely appropriately. Their long guy right now is Wil Crowe. Maybe Luis Oviedo. Have zero issue with keeping appearances to an inning early. Some could extend out, sure. But the last thing I'm going to do with yesterday's bullpen performance is ask for something to be different, believe me.
Guest
12:24
I’m the rare fan excited for this season.  I know the realities, but I liked what I saw yesterday...except for Polanco.  He looked exactly like he has looked the last couple years.  What are the Pirates hoping to accomplish playing him every day?  Let’s move on already.
Jason Mackey
12:26
They're trying to move on. They're trying to let him find a groove and potentially trade him. Trade value for a bench player < a starter who's producing. Make sense? I agree. It hasn't been good. But this is probably their best long-term option with him, at least to start. Now, if he stinks, and it's clear he's not gaining traction, then, yeah, they need to cut bait. But we're not there yet.
Nick
12:26
Jason, I noticed yesterday that because of how many times we went through the order and how short the bench is we had to use all of our bench to pinch hit including Michael Perez which made me think of a few questions. 1) Do you have any idea who the Pirates emergency catcher is if we need one? and 2) How much does Brault not being healthy hurt the Pirates bench from a hitting perspective?
Jason Mackey
12:28
Yeah, that's a good point, Nick. A couple ones. My guess on emergency catcher would probably be Evans, since I believe he has done it before, but yesterday, he was obviously one of the bats used. ... aside from him, man, that's tough. Right-handed throws who may have caught ... David Bednar? That's all I got. Ha.
Guest
12:28
Has Fowler explained how he managed not to tag up on a long fly ball with 1 out?  Those types of mental errors will cost games down the road.
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