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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 04.28.21
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Jason Mackey
11:35
Hello, everyone, and welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. Thank you for stopping by. Feel free to ask your questions now, and I'll be back shortly to answer them.
11:58
And away we go ...
Buzz
11:58
Even with improved play by the Pirates, are all players on the trading block? Which players are most likely to be traded quickly?
Jason Mackey
12:01
Within reason, Buzz. I think the Pirates will be looking at this from a business standpoint, too. As in, who does it make sense to keep and who might be tradable? Put another way, if a guy is going through arbitration and the Pirates don't think it makes sense to sign him (say they have someone younger and cheaper coming up), then, yeah, a trade makes sense. That's why I've said Frazier, because they have a few middle infielders, specifically Nick Gonzales, in the system. There should be interest in Richard Rodriguez, Tyler Anderson and potentially Trevor Cahill. Maybe Chris Stratton or Kyle Crick, depending how this goes. Colin Moran, too. I would obviously not part with Hayes, Reynolds or Brubaker at this point. Don't think it makes sense to trade Keller at this point, nor would I want to.
Mike
12:01
Jason, Love the Pirates Chat.  So, you think the Buccos move A. Frazier and Rich Rod at the All-Star break or before while they are still hot? I don't have much faith in Keller at this point either, I know he has to trust the process, but it's got to click at some point.
Jason Mackey
12:02
Thanks, Mike. Glad you like it. I think you should relax on Keller. He's going to be fine. I can't promise he won't have hiccups along the way. But he's a good kid, a smart kid who's talented. He's going to figure this out. ... At this point, I would think they will wind up trading Frazier and Rodriguez, yes. By the trade deadline. Not necessarily the All-Star break. Makes too much long-term sense. I don't think they're going to deviate from their plan. I mean, if they're in first place maybe, but I really don't think that's going to be the case in July.
August West
12:03
hiya! what do you think about the idea that this team simply loves playing for Shelton and all the positive vibes and winning ways begin with him?
Jason Mackey
12:05
I don't doubt that's part of it. Things are good when you're winning. It's also good that they're responding to him. And, yeah, I think there's a lot to like with Shelton. I also think he's had some areas where he's grown, which has also been cool. The fielding, for example. I know I've been critical of that in the past, them not being good enough fundamentally. Over the past little bit, and even chunks late last season, they've been excellent. I like what Oscar Marin has done. I like how Shelton has actually stuck with things lineup-wise -- another area where he's grown. I think people -- and I'm absolutely guilty of this -- didn't lend enough credence that, yeah, he was doing this for the first time. I do think guys like him.
John
12:06
Hi Jason. April 28th and we are tied for second wildcard spot. Whooda thunkit. Will Anderson’s trade value get any higher than right now? Trade’em BC.
Jason Mackey
12:07
Sure it will, John. If he keeps doing this, if teams have needs ... if he throws five no-hitters ... yeah, can go up. And it very well might. He's been excellent. Have really liked Anderson this season. I still think it makes sense for GMBC to trade him, although there's zero urgency there. I would certainly keep my phone on if I'm Ben, but there's absolutely nothing he HAS to do right now.
GH
12:07
Are you surprised at how well the Pirates are doing in the standings? Will they continue to do well after the all star break or collapse?
Jason Mackey
12:08
I'm not surprised, no. Remember, I was the idiot everyone made fun of early because I predicted they would go 72-90. I think they're going to be OK until July or so, then I think they're going to have a rough finish after some guys are traded. Don't know if I'll be right, but that's my thought. I did see this team as currently constituted as one better than a 100-loss club. Their start has proven that.
V. Fontaine
12:09
Other than the Cincinnati series, this season has gone as well as could be imagined. Could this team hang around .500 all season in your opinion?
Jason Mackey
12:11
They could. I think depth could be an issue. It's a long season. There will inevitably be injuries. If you think about their capable back-fill, there's not much. Tucker hasn't hit. Oliva is hurt. Goodwin will probably opt-out. Craig has done nothing at this level. Who's that leave you on the position player side? You could wind up rushing Oneil Cruz, and that ain't good. I like some arms they have at the alt site -- Yajure, De Jong, Ponce, Crowe, etc. I think Hartlieb will be back, and I don't worry so much about their bullpen. But over time, I think things will even out. The Pirates will fall below .500. But, hey, stranger things have happened. The guys they have up now have shown they can play.
Bill
12:11
Hi Jason-- The bullpen has been great overall but I still dont see it with Holmes. Can the Bucs finally go with a second LHP and bring Shreve into the mix?
Jason Mackey
12:13
They could, sure. And maybe they will. But I actually like what they've gotten out of Holmes. He's working through consistency with his pitches and control, and I don't think there's a proper way to do that at the alt site. His ceiling could be very high, which is why I'm comfortable with him taking some lumps and learning. Shreve is what he is. Nothing wrong with it, but I don't think you're going to potentially tap into more performance the way you can with Holmes.
V. Fontaine
12:14
On a less serious note, after watching the Twins play in their powder blue uniforms over the weekend, I think it's time for the Pirates to introduce a gold jersey and black and gold pants and recreate the mix and match look of the 70s.
Jason Mackey
12:15
I'm all for any and all Pirates throwbacks. Also, I wish the Pirates would wear Negro Leagues uniforms more frequently. Crawfords or Grays. I don't understand why this isn't a regular thing.
Guest
12:15
Brad, If the Pirates are still competitive do you think they will still have a fire sale at the trade deadline or will they keep Anderson etc..
Jason Mackey
12:17
Man, Brad. That's a good one. Have not heard that before. That's hard to answer because there's no definition of "competitive." In playoff position? I think they consider it, sure. They're .500? Probably not so much. I can't see the former actually happening. Also, offers. What are they getting for Anderson? How's he pitching? Again there's so much stuff that can happen before that time. I do think if he's pitching well and they're not, say, in first place, I think they will look to trade him.
Oliver Onion
12:17
Time table for Hayes to return?
Jason Mackey
12:17
We don't know yet. Shelton had no info yesterday. We talk to Todd Tomczyk today.
(I have also been unsuccessful trying to get anything through back channels, otherwise I would have reported it.)
Tony Womack
12:18
Who has impressed you / surprised you the most thus far?
Jason Mackey
12:18
Arthur Moats asked a version of this yesterday on 93.7. It's a good question. I'm gonna go with JT Brubaker. I knew he would be effective. But I didn't know he would be THIS good. He's been tremendous. He goes in the Reynolds/Hayes category for me.
MjB
12:18
It's early.   It was too early to be depressed after Cincinnati, and it's too early to be over excited about being over .500 at this point.  However, as any Steeler fan knows, when you leave a team in the game long enough, they start believing they can beat you.  Can this team win 70 games with a healthy Brault and a trade deadline guaranteed to send Rodriguez and A. Frazier to another club?  It seems to me they will need to win 40 games by the break to do that.
Jason Mackey
12:19
I predicted they would finish 72-90, with a strong start and bad finish. So, yeah, I think that's absolutely possible. You're right that they will need to make hay early. The way some of these guys are playing/pitching, GMBC could be popular around the deadline.
Realist
12:19
The economies of the game are never going to put Bucs on equal footing with big market teams, and everyone is buzzing over upcoming draft.  Couldn’t MLB introduce some sort of compensatory draft system so that small market teams get more selections?  This would allow a more stocked minor league team, and less whiffs, and big market teams will always have the advantage to pilfer once developed and proven.  Something has to be done to level the playing field....
Jason Mackey
12:21
MLB does offer compensatory picks now based on market size. For instance, Carmen Mlodzinski was one this past draft. Could they do more? Yeah, I think that's fair. More than any sort of complicated draft rules, I just wish there was a cap. I would take that a billion times over doing away with the current, slotted system or allowing picks to be traded. Cap and floor, please.
Jeff Passan
12:21
Per sources, Yasiel puig is a future hall of famer and executives believe he should be a pirate
Jason Mackey
12:21
That's why you're the best, Jeff.
Pirates fan
12:21
What all top prospects do you see in Altoona? Gonzales? Peguaro? Contreras? Castro?
Jason Mackey
12:23
I think Gonzales will get to Altoona this season, but I think he starts at Class A. Peguero, too. I think they're going to try and keep those guys together. Castro, yes. I think it makes sense to start him there. Mason Martin, too. Actually, Contreras there makes sense, too. He was really good in spring but needs innings. I would also start Cruz there. He didn't show me enough in spring to have him go right to Class AAA. Plus, they need to figure out something with Tucker. I don't know how you make both work.
Ryan
12:23
Good afternoon Jason what do you think about the pitching of Tyler Anderson he looked pretty good last night
Jason Mackey
12:24
Tyler Anderson = popular guy. ... I love it. He attacks the zone. I also like his cutter/slider thing. He goes back and forth with it nicely. I thought last night he did a really nice job with his changeup. I wasn't in love with his work in spring, but man, he has really grown on me.
Pirates fan
12:24
do you except Hayes back in the pirates lineup this homestand
Jason Mackey
12:24
I don't, no. They have one more against KCR and three against STL. Now, I'll feel better after hearing from Tomczyk this afternoon. But as of now, no, I'm not expecting that. I hope I'm wrong.
Jack Straw
12:32
greetings from Wichita! since I'm pretty sure  journalists still are not allowed in the locker room, how do you work around not being able to form relationships with the players and coaches?
Jason Mackey
12:36
Keep on rolling, my old buddy ... It's hard, and I don't know if you do. I would say your best course of action is to not be a moron. Seriously. Be prepared. Do your research. Ask good, concise questions. Make sure you're tough but fair and not arrogant. I would say all the things that generally work when you're in clubhouses. Now, that doesn't translate as much or as fast. There's also minimal payoff. It's not like a player is going to give his crappy answers to one reporter, then this soul-baring soliloquy to me because I asked something. I mean, I would hope they respect you enough to think about the question and know you're trying to do your job. The biggest issue with not being in clubhouses, for me, is that I can't just randomly approach guys and chat on or off the record. Helps with reporting both short- and long-term.
nick
12:36
who is more likely to be flipped at deadline: adam frazier or richrod?
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