JotCast | Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 04.08.22

Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 04.08.22

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Jason Mackey

1:17

It was three innings. He struggled with walks. Another home run. It was also a windy day. Not sure I'm going to draw many conclusions from it.

Daniel Sametz

1:17

Hi Jason,
I hope you're great!
The Reynolds and Nutting thing you posted is weird.
Why would they decide to go to arbitration then later the owner comes and says that? What do you read of this?

Jason Mackey

1:18

"The Reynolds and Nutting thing you posted is weird." ... The greatest comment to hours of work that I could ever receive. Anyway ... they didn't have the hearing yet. They didn't go to anything. He was going to be arbitration eligible all along.

Wayward

1:18

I know it is hard to project what injuries may happen but which of the younger guys do you forsee being in the lineup in July?

Jason Mackey

1:19

Wayward, the way Shelton rolls, I'm not sure I know who's gonna be in the lineup Saturday. I'll try, though: I think Cruz will be here by then. Maybe Castro. Maybe Martin. Maybe Smith-Njigba or Swaggerty. Depends on who hits.

Mark

1:19

Jason, how does arbitration work with the salary not being set and games beginning. Does a guy like Reynolds get paid the lower of the two offers, and then if he wins gets catch up pay at a later date?

Jason Mackey

1:19

They get the team amount and settle up at a later date if Reynolds wins.

Adam in Boulder

1:21

I get that the Pirates are not investing $100 million in the MLB roster this year even if the money is there, because the young players are not ready to compete like the Cubs' young players were in 2016. However, even as a small-budget team, why are the fundamentals so freaking bad? Yesterday was an embarrassment. The Athletics, for instance, don't spend but it's clear whoever is on their major-league roster has been taught to play the game right and is expected to do so.

Jason Mackey

1:26

They were arguably the best defensive team in the majors last season. They also improved their baserunning. I'm not sure of the fundamental issues you're talking about. I mean, they need to throw more strikes, certainly. Their lineup doesn't have a ton of power. But fundamentally, I'm not I understand the criticism.

Sam

1:29

I think the major problem that is plaguing baseball is the fact rebuilds take forever in a modern world that has no patience

Jason Mackey

1:29

I don't disagree. Tickets cost a lot of money. Fans want to see winning baseball. There's nothing wrong with feeling that way.

Count on it

1:30

I don't think they win a game this month. They don't score a run in St Louis and the Penguins finish with more wins than the Pirates this season.

Jason Mackey

1:30

For crying out loud ...

marshall

1:30

Jason, I think a lot of the seats at PNC Park are not going to have a story this year.

Jason Mackey

1:30

I feel bad for those seats.

timk

1:31

I understand the Pirates are in a rebuilding process but the opening day roster they put together is an insult to any educated fan. There has to be a medium between a rebuild and a respectable roster. Based on your prior comments I think you have been drinking the Nutting Kool-Aid

Jason Mackey

1:31

My prior comments? Like when I said they should spend more on major league payroll? Which I repeat every week on here.

Adam in Boulder

1:33

In hindsight, the Adam Frazier trade looks good so far. He was having the season of his life and came back down to his norm after the trade, and the Pirates got a bunch of prospects in return. My question is, since Tucupita already has a cup of coffee in the majors, when will we see him in Pittsburgh? The glimpses we got of him in Bradenton looked promising.

Jason Mackey

1:33

Yeah, they want to see more development from him. I think he could wind up on the Rodolfo Castro plan, where he jumps from Class AA to the big leagues. But I think they just need to see more out of him to start the minor league season.

Herman

1:33

Have you developed any physical or psychological ailments having to cover the Pirates?

Jason Mackey

1:33

I have not, no. Perfectly healthy.

Sam

1:33

I think the problem plaguing baseball is that fans in general have very little patience for rebuilding in today’s world. I would hope something would fix this in the next CBA. Do you see both sides pursuing this issue when the next CBA comes?

Jason Mackey

1:35

I don't, sadly. They had a chance to fix it in this past one. I think the way you prevent some of it is by instituting a floor and a cap. But again, like we saw, there's doesn't seem to be an appetite for that.

Bob's Burghers

1:36

Having a consistent everyday lineup would be nice. Vogelbaçh leading off and Newman batting 5th isn't what I had in mind. Chances we see 30 different lineups in the first 30 games?

Jason Mackey

1:36

Very good. Shelton doesn't seem like one for consistent lineups. Hasn't been that way yet.

BAD ALL AROUND

1:36

I was talking with a friend in Arizona about this franchise and how it is utterly incapable of doing anything right in personal moves, marketing, public relations and everything else, and tried to make a comparison to another franchise in another pro sports league that has the same issues and couldn't think of one. Would you agree with me that this organization is the worst run in pro sports period and is completely unable to do even the basic things correctly ?

Jason Mackey

1:37

No, I would not. Mainly because I don't have an accurate picture of every pro sports franchise. So saying something like that would be inaccurate. The team also signed a guy to an eight-year, $70 million extension yesterday, and you're still mad.

Wayward

1:37

Does this Vogelbach leadoff thing last or do you see a more conventional leadoff guy and who would it be?

Jason Mackey

1:37

I don't think it will last.

Guest

1:37

Did you get Dead & Co tix?

Jason Mackey

1:38

I didn't. And thank you so much for the question. Seriously. I struggle to get into them. Have any recs on how? Stuff to sample? jmackey@post-gazette.com.

Coach O

1:38

I asked about this two weeks ago and it really bugs me that Nutting refused requests to meet with the media at spring training. Did he not want to discuss why he voted yes for CBA or the Reynolds situation? Speaking to the media is the vehicle to talk to the fans. I think it stinks and is insulting to fans. Am I overreacting?

Jason Mackey

1:38

I don't think you're overreacting. He should talk. I have a feeling we'll get him next week when they announce the Hayes extension.

Guest

1:38

i was wondering how it works for reynolds as far as his salary goes. Does he get paid the lower amount, and then should he win/an extension gets reached, would he just get “catch up” pay?

Jason Mackey

1:38

He gets the team amount, then they settle up if he wins.

Frank89

1:39

I've been a big supporter of the pirates all my life. Also, I think they are on the right track with the development of the minors. Looking forward to 2024. However, after watching yesterday and seeing the major league team in real time, is 120 losses not completely out of question? Its like denial all offseason until yesterday. Thanks Jason!

Jason Mackey

1:40

You can't make an assessment for a season based off one game. I understand things might be tough this year. Not saying they're gonna be great. But don't react to one game.

Bob's Burghers

1:40

A good reminder for your guests, it's Bryan Reynolds.

Jason Mackey

1:40

Thanks, Bob.

Beavis

1:40

Uh.....huh huh, do you think the Pirates will win a 3-game series this year?

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