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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 04.04.23
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Jason Mackey
12:10
I like a lot of what they've done, honestly. I think that group gets entirely too much blame when players aren't performing the way they should. They've completely revamped their pitching program. Also, preparing and things like scouting reports, tendencies, data and the utilization of it. The Pirates were in a bad spot with that stuff in the 2018-19 era. Oscar and his staff have certainly had guys on the pitching staff who have struggled, but the fact that those guys have struggled ... is coaching really the issue? Or baseline talent?
JP
12:10
Why don't they try hitting Hedges 8th and Bae 9th? Bae will probably be on base more than the offensive void that is Hedges, and try to set the table for Cruz if they keep batting him leadoff.
Jason Mackey
12:12
It's a curious decision, I agree. Would speculate if Bae gets on, maybe they have Hedges bunt him over for Cruz? Also don't love the times Hedges does get on, him being in front of Cruz. I probably would go Hedges 8th, but I agree, no perfect way to do it. At 8, he's still blocking one of your two best SB threats in Bae.
JP
12:12
Now that Brubaker is out long term (and maybe the season), if Velasquez and Oviedo struggle, when could we see Burrows/Priester/Ortiz be given a start? Assuming they start the season pitching well for Indianapolis.
Jason Mackey
12:13
Yeah, we just have to see. I don't have a crystal ball. It happens when someone gets hurt or struggles performance-wise. Need to give around at least a month and probably more before reacting to something. Ortiz probably gets the first shot, but not if he struggles and Burrows is shining. Just have to see how guys perform.
Driver
12:13
What’s up Jason…assuming Choi and Santana are gone by next year if it before, who do you see playing first base down the road?  Is Malcom Nunez a viable candidate?  If Endy Rodriguez does not improve defensively, could he get more time at first to get his bat into the lineup?   Thanks Jason.
Jason Mackey
12:14
Driver? Like the Phish song? Nail on the head there. Nunez and Endy are my two picks. Nunez is a natural 1B -- huge dude with power. I like him a lot. Same time, I'm not sold on Endy as a C, although I could see them using him as a backup C and bouncing him to maximize the roster spot. It's also possible Santana isn't gone. They like him. He seems to like it here. Need more production, but I don't view his exit as as much of a foregone conclusion as I do that of Choi.
Guest
12:14
Hey Jason. Off-field question. Any chance MLB lifts local blackouts this season so markets with dying RSNs like ours can utilize MLBs streaming? Not like AT&T Sports is paying the Pirates anymore so why keep the blackout?
Jason Mackey
12:15
That's a good question. I know this: They should. I think this is the one piece left in the RSN thing. Travis Williams has said nothing will change. OK, great. That would mean blackouts remain, but I think lifting them would obviously help outreach at a key time.
Paul Y
12:15
Are you surprised at how seldom the Pirates have tried to steal in the early going? I want some 80s baseball. lol
Jason Mackey
12:16
I'm not. And I think it will change. They haven't been on-base enough to take those risks.
Steelmike
12:16
I have noticed some swagger/personality growing with this group especially with Moreta, Holderman and Bednar. Is this real and do you think this will help them when times get tough?
Jason Mackey
12:17
I think what you're seeing is guys just feeling confident or having a more mature mindset. It's not necessarily hoping to get good results but expecting them. I think anyone who has played baseball knows what I'm talking about. It's more mental than the other team sports. If there's fear, indecision or a lack of intent, you're in trouble.
412DoublePlay- Michael
12:17
Contreras pitching tonight. Didn’t get many reps in Bradenton due to his work in the WBC. What is his leash for his first start as far as innings/pitch count?
Jason Mackey
12:18
Boy if they got 5/80, I think they would be thrilled. Can't imagine it's much more than that.
Justin
12:18
Let's say that the Pirates and the Reynolds camp cannot agree to a deal.  The Pirates will still have control of Reynolds through 2025, plus can either get a draft pick or an addtl reynolds year thru the Qualifying Offer in 2026.   Do you think Reynolds would become a difficult player and/or cancer for those 3-4 years of arbitration/QO control?  I can't imagine he would, but just curious of your thoughts on if there'd be any tangible downside or risk to that.  That avenue seems to have minimal downside.
Jason Mackey
12:20
No, I don't think he would be a difficult player. I don't think he has that in him at all. Bryan doesn't talk much, but he's a good person. Gets along well with teammates, is respected, etc. I think the downside is maybe a perception it creates or losing your best player midway through 2025, when things could be really good. What if the Pirates are contending then and they know they have to trade Reynolds because they're gonna lose him?
Steelmike
12:20
Delay is sneaky good, is there a possibility he could remain when Endy comes up? Also, did the Buccos pull a Derek Watt move and keep BRey Vandy buddy to create good vibes on the extension?
Jason Mackey
12:20
Not at all. From what I understand, they kept Delay because the pitching staff loves throwing to him. Maybe that's over-prioritizing something, but it ain't because he's Reynolds' buddy. I think I'd pump the brakes on future stuff based on one home run. Let more play out.
Steelmike
12:21
have you noticed Shelty managing differently this year, more of a sense of urgency? I like the accountability by limiting Suwinski and Crowe usage to create more competition.
Jason Mackey
12:22
I think it's too tough to draw that conclusion after four games. I like Jack, and I think he should have made the team. But I've said and written dating back to spring that it's OK to rotate more. Shelton is doing that. They want Crowe to pitch multiple innings. Don't think that's a big deal. He went two in a two-run game. Not sure if there's anything different there.
Wayward
12:23
Jason, If a guy like Bae ever becomes a truly competent leadoff hitter where do you think Cruz's best spot would be?  3-4 or could he be a 2?  I would have to bury those wheels of his even at a 4.
Jason Mackey
12:24
It's an interesting Q. Cruz really likes hitting leadoff, so that would be a question to answer. There may be no perfect solution. Also depends on Reynolds if he's here. I think Cruz could be a two, yeah. I also might just keep him at one if that's what keeps him productive.
Steelmike
12:24
Why doesn’t Bae slap/bunt to left side more, with his speed and lefty approach he could bat 300 only doing that? We need him on the bases more to create chaos for opponents.
Jason Mackey
12:24
Yeah, not sure there. Such a weapon for him. Sorry I don't have a better answer. I also don't understand it.
Justin
12:25
Why do people think the Reynolds business is so important?   They have him for 3-4 more years just through the normal avenues, and anything beyond that he's likely to be an average-ish player.  Maybe he'll age more gracefully than that, who knows   I guess people emotionally like when a player is around a while and can get attached, but I just can't wrap my mind around the logic of why it is important.  I'm just so much more concerned with adding good players over the next 3-4 yrs while he's definitely here, rather than caring that he's here or not in years 5-8.  Extending Reynolds just seems like minimal move of the needle to me.
Jason Mackey
12:25
You're certainly entitled to your opinion, Justin. I respect it. Sure a lot of people feel that way. Just for clarification, the Pirates have Reynolds under control for two more years after this one.
Canyon
12:25
Was Bryan Reynolds agreeing to the money and the years on a deal but it still not getting it done on your bingo card this season? Lol I’m guess if they were done talking they would have said it already.
Jason Mackey
12:26
Um, no. Definitely didn't have that, and you're right. At some point, if nothing is gonna get done, they need to say that.
Bobby Nutting
12:26
When will i do the city of pittsburgh a favor and sell the team?
Jason Mackey
12:26
Pushing this little gem through so I don't get accused of ignoring it. ... someone's mad about the Pirates & Nutting. That's new.
Guest
12:27
What would need to happen in your mind for the pirates to win 81+ this year? I’m my mind, I’d have to think Reynolds, Cruz and Bednar all make the all star team in addition to 3 starters having a sub 3.75 era. Also maybe a young guy flirting with NLROY talk. A step forward for Hayes at the plate. As I type I realize how many hypotheticals have to happen
Jason Mackey
12:27
Yeah, it's a lot. And pretty much impossible, to the point that I'm not sure it's worth the time coming up with a playbook for that stuff. You couldn't possibly predict it, right? Might be everything you mentioned and then some.
Justin
12:27
Center Field opening day 2024.   Reynolds, Swaggerty, Suwinski, someone else in the org, or someone from the outside?
Jason Mackey
12:29
Man, can we play the 2023 season first? Good Lord. It's been four games. How would anyone possibly know this? Sure, those four. Or maybe Willie Mays Hayes, Pedro Cerrano and Isuro "Kamikaze" Tanaka.
DJ
12:29
Hi Jason, thanks for chatting. I’m wondering if you have a read or a take/analysis about Swaggerty. I think he and CSN equally deserved a shot and get the limited amount of roster spots currently available, but do you think the Pirates even view him as a possible bench bat/speed and defense contributor? Given those skills and his contract, could he be a candidate for a lower stakes trade swap? For example, I’m thinking as an option for a dart throw reliever. Maybe it’s fine to keep him around as emergency depth, but it seems to me that he’s a bit lost in the shuffle and that the FO doesn’t view him very highly.
Jason Mackey
12:31
No. 1, they really better not trade Swaggerty. No. 2, I sort of get what they were saying. They want him to play. You see how Canaan is being used -- not every day playing time. Swaggerty was a different player this spring. Made some adjustments, got some confidence, etc. In his case, I think it really does help for him to play more. Long-term, yeah, I wanna see him. I think you will see him.
Alex
12:31
Hey Jason. Endy, Gonzalez, Burrows, Ortiz… these are the top guys I expect to see this season, sooner than later. 2nd and C seem to be our biggest holes offensively. Any other guys you expect to see sooner than later?
Jason Mackey
12:31
Those look to me like the first options, yes. Maybe Colin Selby if they need a reliever, assuming we're talking about guys making MLB debuts.
Guest
12:32
Is Choi a yoshi 2.0?
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