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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 04.04.23
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Jason Mackey
12:32
Too early to tell for sure, but it doesn't look good. Still don't understand why the kept him after signing Cutch.
Garrett
12:32
Hey Jason, if in the late season Davis and Endy are both up, would Davis play most of the time in RF? Also, is it realistic to expect that eventually this year Nick Gonzales will be the every-day 2B as much as I love Bae?
Jason Mackey
12:32
Garrett, stop what you're doing. You may see the horse, but the cart is waaaaaaay up there. Go chase it down.
12:34
I don't see Henry's RF stuff as anything that is gonna stick. Just a way to get his bat in the lineup. He's a catcher. I think you're a little ahead of yourself saying this year Nick Gonzales -- who has one home run at Triple-A and has barely played at that level -- will suddenly become the every day 2B.
Josh K
12:34
I'm an FSU grad. Met JC Flowers a few times. Any chance he has at the MLB roster either this year or next? Wild he played CF and was the closer back in his college days. Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:35
There's a chance, sure. Is it a good one? At this point, might be tough, although I agree with you:neat two-way background in college. But at this point, I still think he has a lot to prove to earn a callup. Not saying he can't do it, but there's work to be done.
Ed
12:35
if the Reynolds extension ultimately fails, do you move that would be money for Reynolds to a Cruz extension? How much do you give Cruz assuming he plays at an all star level?
Jason Mackey
12:36
Short answer: Yes. If they don't get Reynolds done this year, to me, that means the ship has sailed. I'd absolutely try and sign Oneil. ... Haven't looked at hard numbers. Too tough to give an immediate answer. Is Whatever He Wants bad?
wiscoken
12:37
Jason, it is often referred that the Pirates (and many other small market teams) strategy is to build a strong farm system populate talent and subsequently "pick your time" to invest around that talent in the hope of making a run prior to losing via free agency.  The challenge is not investing too early, but also in not investing too late (almost like landing on an aircraft carrier).  In your opinion - what will be the first sign that signals now is the time to invest around the young talent and spend more (in total) and more in free agency (and retaining key veterans).
Jason Mackey
12:38
You're asking when the window will open ... I think this is the first step. If they improve this season the way they're expected to and they have young players take the necessary steps with development, you'll see them continue to up the payroll for next season, viewing the window is opened more.
guest
12:38
Defense matters, so who do you see long term in CF?,  Is it someone like Peguero or Bae or Swaggerty? We need to improve the D out there.
Jason Mackey
12:39
Peguero has never played there, so not him. I would think Swaggerty is a possibility if his spring was real. He's probably the best defensive outfielder they have. Wouldn't have an issue with Bae if he made more offensive sense than Swaggerty.
Wayward
12:39
Jason, every year there are those guys in the latter part of  spring training and early season that arent getting tangible results at the plate but who are putting together quality at bats.  Who do the Bucs have that may falling into that category right now.
Jason Mackey
12:40
I think Carlos Santana's results have lacked, but it's not for lack of work. Hayes got results in spring but has been somewhat quiet early on. I would not be worrying there.
Justin
12:40
Obviously there's a source on either the team side or the player/agent side who leaks things to media folks such as yourself.   For example, someone (with the team or with the agent) leaks the "opt out" sticking point.   Do you ever feel strange when you forward this to the public?   Does it feel like you're being used as a negotiation tool in a contract war?  Obviously you have a responsibility to share the truth as a beat writer, but does something such as a detail in a contract negotiation and PR war feel like a grey area?
Jason Mackey
12:41
Not at all. I tell them both the same thing. And I believe this: I'm gonna listen to you. I wanna hear all the context you can provide. I'm also gonna talk to the other side, and I'm not gonna cross those wires. At the end of it, I'm gonna think critically and present the information how I see fit.  Obviously accurately.
Milo
12:41
Last night the same three outfielders as opening day played. And they all played different positions. Is this the new way the analytics department plans on annoying us this season since the shifts are gone ?
Jason Mackey
12:42
No, this had to do with the dimensions of Fenway. They wanted Canaan to have to cover less ground than Jack, and they wanted Bryan to play center because he has more experience there.
Ed
12:43
I also echo the blackout comment, I’m in downtown Columbus, OH and am in a blackout zone and don’t have access to AT&T sportsnet. Very frustrating
Jason Mackey
12:43
Don't blame you. I'd like to see them lift it, believe me.
Ryan
12:43
Good afternoon Jason what do you think about the play of David Bednar and Bryan Reynolds so far this season
Jason Mackey
12:44
Been really good, Ryan. Bednar looks the way he always does. Steady, impressive. Have been more impressed with Reynolds. With everything else happening, to dial in his swing as well as he has, really excellent. Much better start than last year.
Marc from Germany
12:44
Hi J! I'm absolutely new to Baseball and started taking an interest about a month ago, cause I had read all that there was about the pens and stillers. Do I understand correctly that the Pirats plan is to be bad, draft high, trade good players for picks/prospects in order to multiply good players and repeat the cicle, with the implied promise to fans, that once a critical mass of good players is reached, the team will play to win, be competitive and break the cicle, while that never really happens, because ownership will not pay good players good player money? And if I got that correctly: Why does the league allow this torture of fans? Is there no mechanism in place, that enables the league to force owners to sell the franchise, if they turn out to harm the product intently? But again: just got started on this sport!
Jason Mackey
12:46
Something tells me Marc isn't actually from Germany. Odd thing, though: The Rays seem to do it. Guardians, too. Is anyone pressing their owners to sell? Not saying Nutting and the Pirates shouldn't be criticized. Three 100-loss or 100-loss pace seasons, absolutely they should. But it's not just about money. MLB economics are screwed up. Should be a cap/floor, IMO. Just a more complicated response than is possible to one sarcastic message in a chat.
Cameron
12:48
Do you know why Shelton pinch hit Connor Joe for Smith-Njigba last night? It was against a right-handed pitcher and CSN was having a good game, so seemed kind of strange to me.
Jason Mackey
12:49
Would imagine it has something to do with Ort's splits: .917 OPS against vs. RHH, .751 OPS against LHH.
Guest
12:49
Will Cutch be in the OF or DH Friday?  Will the home crowd get to cheer him at the plate or will it be taking the field?
Jason Mackey
12:49
Not sure. It could honestly depend on the day-to-day health of his elbow. If you made me pick, though, I'd say RF.
Cullen B
12:49
Cherrington has always spoken about how the Pirates need to be able to have a farm that can backload from within when players get traded, leave for free agency, etc. I would 100% prefer that there was no opt out clause in the contract, but if there must be, maybe put it as a mutual option after season 5 and again at 6? To me this would be a put up or shut up move for Cherrington to show that he really believes in the farm that he is building.
Jason Mackey
12:50
Yeah, I don't have an issue there. I'm good negotiating the opt-out. I would definitely not do it after Year 4. Not even sure it relates to the farm system, to be honest. Just the right move.
Ralph
12:50
If you had to pick, which Bucs MLB SP is most likely to develop into a top of the rotation guy? Same question for minors
Jason Mackey
12:50
I'm going Mitch right now, but it's close. I like Ro a lot. In the minors, I still think Priester gets there.
Jeff M
12:50
Should the Pirates be making more of an effort to sign some young guys? It carries risk but signing guys like Cruz, Keller and Contreras now could give them some real building blocks for sustained success. As opposed to hoping a rebuild goes perfectly and you compete for 3 years before starting all over again.
Jason Mackey
12:51
They should be making an effort, yes. Do we know of how much of an effort they're currently making? I don't. They could be making more of an effort than we know. Would imagine the Reynolds situation has other stuff in kind of a holdup phase.
Barry
12:52
With Crews joining Cruz & Endy in the near future, why not trade Reynolds and rebuild around those 3?
Jason Mackey
12:53
Guys, we're getting a little nutty here. Is there any reason we can't extend Reynolds (on a deal that makes sense) and keep the other guys? So. Much. Future. Planning.
Jeff M
12:54
Why are teams so willing to offer players opt-outs? How does it benefit the team? If the players plays as expected or better they opt-out.  If they are injuried or perform poorly then the team is stuck with an overpaid player.
Jason Mackey
12:55
It doesn't, honestly. It's the players who have leverage here, theoretically anyway. Saying if you want my services, this is how it goes. There's no benefit to the team, other than getting the player, which is obviously important. I guess you can look at it and say that the Pirates wouldn't have to pay Reynolds in the final three years, but that's (1) If he's good and (2) Not guaranteed. Like you said, if a player stinks, it blows up.
Andy
12:55
What (non-baseball) thing are you most looking forward to at PNC this season? Anything new you’re anxious to check out?
Jason Mackey
12:55
Scoreboard times a billion.
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