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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 04.08.22
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Jason Mackey
1:40
I do, actually, yes.
Ryan
1:40
Since The Pirates are hoping to avoid arbitration with Reynolds, do you see Reynolds and the Pirates getting a long term deal done this season?
Jason Mackey
1:40
Not this season. They're far apart. Maybe -- maybe -- next, but I still have my doubts on a long-term extension.
Drum Dad
1:41
Do you think Shelton will stick with a set lineup or will he run different combinations out there each day? He has 10 guys who play multiple positions and I know a lot of the goal this year is reps to see what they can do. Tough to get continuity when the double play combo is different every day.
Jason Mackey
1:42
Oh, definitely the latter. Lineup will be fluid. I don't think Shelton could make out the same lineup for four games in a row if he tried.
Curious
1:42
What does the manager bring to the table?  What are his strengths?  It appears he has no pedigree or charisma like Hurdle did.  Thank you.  Have a good year covering them.
Jason Mackey
1:44
I think Shelton is different than Hurdle in a lot of ways, and this is one. I think Clint was at his best in ways people could see -- big personality, great talker, motivator, that whole thing. Put him at a banquet, he's gonna shine. Shelton is different. I think if a player needed to talk, Shelton would be great in that setting. He's positive with his guys. I think he's kept things not down or negativity in a situation where it would be easy to get negative. I think his personality is much more low-key. He doesn't shine in those super social settings.
Canyon
1:44
Are the pirates going to have press conference for the signing on Tuesday?
Jason Mackey
1:44
That's my expectation, yes.
Matty the Delt
1:45
Is the reason for the Reynolds lack of contract extension a belief in the outfield depth in the upper minors?
Jason Mackey
1:45
No. Not at all. I think it's just a different valuation on the player. I think they would like to sign him. I just think how they see his value and how his agents see his value doesn't match up right now.
Daniel Sametz
1:45
Why would the Pirates go to arbitration with Reynolds and then the owner says that he doesn't want that? Isn't that a little weird? What's your take on that one?
Jason Mackey
1:45
They haven't done to arbitration with Reynolds. They filed figures. The hearing itself has not yet happened.
Adam in Boulder
1:46
We need your expert opinion on this: If the current AAA Indianapolis roster and the current Pirates roster played a seven-game series, who would win?
Jason Mackey
1:46
The current roster.
Nick
1:46
Do you have any idea what Reynolds is being paid right now, seeing as he doesn't actually have a contract? At what rate, I mean, until he does have one? Minimum? The inbetween of the submissions?
Jason Mackey
1:46
He's being paid the team rate -- $4.25 million.
David - central Illinois
1:46
Hi Jason - really enjoy these chats! I've been a Pirates fan for 50+ years- yes, its been brutal and I'm sick of Nutting not making any investments in the team. However, I am more excited for this year's team, especially the pitching staff, to see who is a part of the future. My question is who do you see from AA rotation making the 2023 opening day roster? I see several of them making jump to AAA and possibly the major leagues for a spot start. Interested in your thoughts from time spent at Bradenton.
Jason Mackey
1:47
Hard to predict, David. Because we need a season full of results and to see who's healthy. Honestly, though, maybe nobody. I could see a lot of those guys being in AAA in 2023, and there's nothing wrong with that. Priester would be my pick for the one who might surprise, but I wouldn't rush it.
Doug Strange
1:48
Who do you see playing OF at PNC Park first, Ji-Hwan Bae or Travis Swaggerty?
Jason Mackey
1:48
I'll go with Swaggerty.
AAA
1:48
Can the Yankees AAA team beat the Pirates MLB team?
Jason Mackey
1:48
No, I don't think so.
Rob in St. Louis
1:49
Robert Nutting isn't going to consistently invest in that team. The franchise got used to losing. That proceeded his family gaining control. The fan base withered. So from a business standpoint, the Pirates can run low payrolls for long stretches and collect huge profits while "rebuilding with youth." That might lead to a few good years, but another selloff/rebuild will likely follow. That is a business model many of the less-ambitious teams follow.
Jason Mackey
1:49
Thanks for the comments, Rob. Certainly understand where you're coming from. I don't agree with you, but you're entitled to your opinion.
Tom
1:49
I would have preferred that they sign Reynolds.  He is a proven star.  Hayes has a  great glove but at present his bat is unknown and he seems to be fragile.  He is hurt -- a lot.  This signing seems more like the Kendall thing -- let's try to convince the fans we are committed and that they have a star worth watching.  I'm not yet convinced that is true.
Jason Mackey
1:50
Feel however you want, Tom. I don't think the door is closed on signing Reynolds, for one. Two, I think we've had one day with this contract in play. Not sure it's fair to make a determination on how it fits into franchise history.
LJG
1:50
I’m anxious to see Mitch Keller pitch this year. Do you think he would be a part of the future or trade bait with the hype about the minor league pitchers down the road
Jason Mackey
1:50
I think this is gonna be the year Mitch finally figures it out.
Guest
1:50
You think Cruz will be up by Saturday? What’s the point of sending him down then?
Jason Mackey
1:51
I don't think he will be up by Saturday, no. I think you're looking at 20-plus days or maybe just around a month before you see him. But I do think they want to preserve the year of control on the back end.
Doug Strange
1:51
Ji-Hwan Bae will be leadoff hitter and LF by end of May for your Bucs. What say you?
Jason Mackey
1:51
I don't think so.
Bucs24
1:51
In my own opinion I think Reynolds signs a bridge deal. Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
1:51
I think he's gonna sign for two years and avoid a hearing. I don't know if I would call that a bridge deal. Maybe it is.
Luke
1:52
Do you think Nutting is feeling the heat from fans? Could that have played into signing Hayes and your article about wanting to keep Reynolds?
Jason Mackey
1:52
You could maybe describe it that way. I just think he gets how it looks and doesn't like it. That's all. Fans are part of that, as I explained.
Daniel Sametz
1:53
I didn't mean it like that, sorry. I mean the situation is weird, not your work.
Jason Mackey
1:53
Ha. It's all good. Just trying to have some fun.
Guest
1:53
Assuming they don’t add meaningful free agents in the next 2 years, is it reasonable to think they will be competitive before the 2024 season?  The majority of their high upside players are in AA, and it seems overly optimistic to expect all (or even most) of the younger players to contribute immediately when they get to the show.
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