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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 04.21.21
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Jason Mackey
11:30
Hello, everyone, and welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. We'll get started at noon, but feel free to ask your questions right here, right now. Thanks!
11:56
And away we go ...
John
11:56
Hi Jason,  it almost seems inevitable that there will be a work stoppage in MLB next year.  Is it just the 40 man roster that is effected or do all of the minor leagues shut down also?
Jason Mackey
11:59
Hi John. I hope not, but I think you're probably right. I am encouraged, however, by what ESPN's Jeff Passan first reported -- that the sides met. We'll see. As for the minors, I would think it would affect them, too. One, they're now run by MLB. So, even though minor league guys are not yet in the MLBPA, I really don't think they would cross a picket line for that. Could be wrong, but I doubt it. Think you would see everything shut down.
John
12:00
Jason, has the number of rounds in the 2021 MLB draft been set?  Is this a CBA issue or can it be set unilaterally?  Do the Pirates get the first selection in every round?
Jason Mackey
12:00
Draft this year will be 20 rounds. And, yes, the Pirates have the first pick in every round, outside of the competitive balance rounds.
PrinceBob
12:00
You've been hard to find. Glad you're back. How do the players deal with all the negative comments and predictions about how bad a team they are?
Jason Mackey
12:02
Hard to find? I think you mean the chats have been tough to hold. Always available via email. ... There are two schools. One ignores all the outside noise. They don't pay attention, they don't read, they don't look at Twitter, etc. The second uses it as fuel. They might read, see or care, and they're out to provide people wrong.
Rich in CA
12:03
Jason.  Looking back the Pirates trade Neil Walker to the Mets and got Jon Niese.  All in all a very bad trade.  I think Neil has similar numbers to Adam Frazier or at least they have a similar value.  So what can we expect to get in return for him.  Not much based on history.  I think they need to keep him and sign him to a deal.  Your thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:06
Hey Rich, couple things. One, remember that this is a two-way street. Frazier would have to sign with the Pirates, when he could otherwise get to free agency, then likely pick his suitor based on a number of factors. It's not as simple as whether the Pirates offered or not. Two, I think they're slightly different players. Walker averaged 2.7 WAR over the previous six seasons. Frazier has hit that number once. He's only been over two twice. Also, the Walker trade terrible. I wouldn't be using the Jon Niese benchmark for anything. If they do trade Frazier -- and I think they ultimately will -- they should never, ever look back on what the former group did with Neil.
Uncle Larry
12:07
Which perogi will win the most races?
Jason Mackey
12:07
The one that finishes in first place. (Not so fun fact: I don't remember the last time I watched a pierogi race.)
PrinceBob
12:07
#2 Do you think restrictions on crowd sizes will end other than in Texas? And is "contactless ticketing" permanent.If so, I've probably been to my last ever Pirates' game. I have never successfully downloaded an app.
Jason Mackey
12:09
Yeah, I think contactless ticketing will be the norm, sadly. I don't agree with it, but I do think that's how things are tracking. ... As for crowd sizes, I think you will see them increase, potentially soon, in concert with states' vaccination efforts. I'm not sure it matters here, though, because the Pirates are not yet attracting their allotment. But I do think they will ease across the country, yes.
Denver Pirate
12:09
Who gets traded fist, Moran, Frazier or Rodriguez?
Jason Mackey
12:11
It might be Rodriguez, honestly. I don't think Moran. They have more runway. But Rodriguez has been so good -- not that the other two haven't -- that those guys almost always wind up changing teams around the trade deadline. I still think Frazier goes by then, but I'm also one of several now who have been saying that through a couple cycles. So, what the heck do I know?
V. Fontaine
12:11
Is the following statement a ridiculous thing to say or a solid prediction? JT Brubaker by the end of the year be the ace of the staff, will have won at least 12 games, have a sub 4.00 ERA and strikeout 175 batters.
Jason Mackey
12:12
I don't think it's ridiculous. Brubaker has been very good. I wouldn't shock me if he had a solid year. Those stats? Maybe a little much. But dude is having success with a repeatable formula: throws strikes, goes after guys, has great stuff.
Stifler
12:12
jason, was there any consideration to having Neil walker sign a one day contract in order to retire as a pirate? Also, I recall reading that you're a grateful dead fan. So did you listen to some dead tunes yesterday and enjoy some choice nuggs in honor of 4:20?
Jason Mackey
12:14
Second part: Yes, I am. I've been on a big '72 kick. So I listened to two of the England shows from the Europe run. Good stuff. Caught a little from 4/21/84 Philly Civic Center, too. Not sure on the first part. Neil is supposed to talk before the first game today. I'm guessing we'll find out more with what's going on around then. But I'm not yet clear if they did or didn't.
12:15
... And I just got some clarification: No, they did not. My guess would be probably either Neil or the team wanting to avoid the fanfare that comes with that. Plus, probably redundant with what he's done here and how he's viewed.
Buccos 2021
12:16
hello, is Derek Shelton would you say a players' coach or more of a no-nonsense type?  Hope you enjoyed 420, dude!
Jason Mackey
12:16
I would characterize him as a players' coach, although I hate those labels. I think the only thing I hate more than those labels is having to pick between the two of them. You can be both. I think he tries to relate to his players, but I also don't think he's someone who prefers a lot of nonsense. I will say he's not an old-school, hard-ass type. You don't see those guys anymore.
V. Fontaine
12:17
Any word on how Miguel Yajure is doing at the alternate site? Would he be the next man up for a spot in the rotation?
Jason Mackey
12:18
He's doing well, but that's all anyone will say. And we don't have access to the site, unfortunately, so I can't tell you anything I've said. I would say, based on the fact that he's currently on the taxi squad, that he would be the next man up. Although they also want to see Ponce, Crowe, De Jong and a few others, should there be injuries or poor performance.
Philip Evans
12:18
I have been playing lights out at a bargain salary.  Will I be shipped for prospects or am I part of the rebuild?
Jason Mackey
12:19
You're also 1 for your past 19. I think we need to figure out what we have in you, Phil. Like you a lot, but I need more of a sample size before I commit to anything either way.
Draft time
12:19
who do you think is a better option for Pittsburgh in the draft - Kumar Rocker or Leiter? And if so, why?
Jason Mackey
12:21
This stuff can and will change, but I guess I would go Leiter. He looks to me like the one who's potentially a little better with a more projectible skill set. That said, it's not by much at all. I also think we to keep Jordan Lawlar -- the Dallas high school shortstop -- in the conversation. But given his bloodlines, stuff and how he approaches pitching, everything else being equal, I think I would take Leiter.
Too Tall
12:22
Hey Jason, do you know if fans can attend the games in Toledo and Columbus? I’m in Cleveland, so be about the same as my trips to PNC.
Jason Mackey
12:22
I think it's on a game-to-game basis. For Tuesday, they could not. I'm not sure on tonight or other games. I would check the Mud Hens' and Clippers' web sites for details.
Pirates ball 4 ever
12:22
Jason, was wondering if you think the buccos will look to going to the bullpen earlier in games this next few weeks. And also I thought of you yesterday because I blasted some classic Dead and "enjoyed 420" if you know what I mean. Whats you're favorite Dead bootleg concert?
Jason Mackey
12:24
I don't think they will. If anything, I think they're going to look to do it later than they have. They need more consistency out of their starters and part of that is going deeper in games. Believe the Pirates bullpen has thrown the third-most innings of any team in the majors. They needs to be less. ... Bootleg concert? I'm guessing you just mean live show; I'll go with the Alpine Valley '89 run. Also love 3/15/90 (Cap Centre), Sunshine Daydream, pretty much anything from spring of '77 ... so much. There's not much Dead that I don't like.
cottcott
12:25
Mitch Keller.  Does he look like a guy whose dad made him play baseball?  What in the world is going on with him?  His starts are an automatic loss.
Jason Mackey
12:27
*Except for the one before last, where he was really good. I got into this with Kraig Riley on Saturday. Mitch Keller, to me, looks like he lacks confidence. In baseball, as a pitcher, you gain confidence from facing the hitter, one-on-one, then sitting him down with your best stuff. It's an ego thing. That hasn't happened for Keller. He's been on the opposite site of that for a few reasons. Either he has missed, or he's made mistakes. The confidence -- and smile -- will come when he starts pitching better. He took some steps in his last start. He got to 1-2 and 0-2 more. Then he missed with some bad breaking balls. If he executes those, I think the outing goes another way.
Bucco blazer
12:27
Am I just still stoned from yesterday or did I really read that the pirates play the Tigers today? Aren't the Tigers in the American League? Is this another one of Maniac Manfred's kooky ideas to make baseball "better?"
Jason Mackey
12:27
It's called Interleague Play. They've been doing it for a little while now.
Guest
12:28
Jason, let's face it the Pirates stink and will stink for quite some time. So how high were you when you agreed to switch beats from the Pens to the Bucs?  You must have been stoned out of your gourd!
Jason Mackey
12:28
Not at all. I asked for it. But I appreciate your understanding of journalism, storytelling and beat reporting. Also appreciate you reading. My apologies in advance for liking baseball.
Linebacker Lounge
12:28
Who are some of the current players that are friendliest with the fans? Thanks
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