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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 05.05.21
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Jason Mackey
11:25
Hello, everyone. Welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. And, also, greetings from lovely San Diego. Normally a lunch time thing, but it'll be a morning chat for me today. Leave your questions now. Will be back at 9 a.m. ... er, noon Pittsburgh time to answer them.
12:02
And away we go ...
V. Fontaine
12:02
With the instability in the outfield, why not being up Cole Tucker and let him play there? He obviously has the position flexibility they like. What specifically is it that they wanted him to work on in AAA?
Jason Mackey
12:05
Good question, V. Fontaine. I'm a little surprised myself. I guess initially, because he hasn't worked out there at all this year. Does that prohibit him from getting a chance? No. But it would be odd. Why he hasn't done that has been strange. One, he was in the shortstop competition. So, OK, fine. Get that. But once he lost, I would hope he was working on some outfield. But I also don't know. We've asked a couple times what Tucker has been working on, and the Pirates have been strangely secretive. The most anyone has said is Cherington said he wanted to change some movements in his swing to be a little more athletic. Still incredibly vague. One thing I will say is that I don't think it's a good precedent to set to gift guys a promotion to the big leagues without earning it. I see where that can get complicated with waiver claims and such, but I also want Tucker to earn it. Believe he was 0 for 5 last night.
Cullen
12:05
Jack Leiter has had 2 poor starts in his last couple of weeks. Will these two starts affect his draft position much if he continues to perform to his normal standard through the rest of the season/College World Series? Should the Pirates give Jordan Lawlar a good look at number 1 overall?
Jason Mackey
12:07
Another good one, Cullen. Short answer: yes. I have something big coming out soon on Leiter (and Rocker) and this question. Now, Leiter's past two starts haven't been great, sure, but I'm not about to make any sort of declaration on him based off of them. I do, however, think it's a question worth asking because of the strategy involved. It might be smart for them to take Lawlar (or perhaps House/Mayer), save some slot money, then go after someone big in the comp round.
Rich nin CA
12:07
Hello Jason.  The outfield has turned into a black hole except for Brian R.  Evans looks overexposed.  Tom is what he is.  Is there anyone in Indy that could be close or ready?  Rather lose with a rookie then with with a DFA guy.
Jason Mackey
12:08
Travis Swaggerty had three hits and a homer and looked outstanding last night. That would be my next focal point since Oliva is hurt, and Alford and Fowler haven't done much. Or, I wouldn't be against trying Tucker, if he hits. Shoot, even Will Craig in right would be an improvement over Tom. Agree with you on Evans. He's come back down to Earth. I'm also fine with Hunter Owen getting a shot.
Ty
12:08
Didn’t see Shalin Polonco on any minor league roster. Any idea where he’s starting?
Jason Mackey
12:09
I believe he's still in the Dominican. Real young kid. Only 16 when he signed. He's not yet ready for affiliated ball.
Rich in CA
12:09
A real heads up play by Eric G last night.  Should he be the starting SS when Hayes returns?
Jason Mackey
12:10
He could some days. He could be a bench guy others. Honestly, there's not much separating him and Kevin Newman right now. You could probably just rotate. I like Gonzalez's defense. I don't like his approach of jumping on the first good fastball he sees. But it's not like Newman has been setting the world on fire. Could just be a platoon situation until someone takes control.
Guest
12:10
If you were a regular fan, would you pay your hard earned money to see the pirates
Jason Mackey
12:17
I'm not sure. This is a good one. Probably yes, because I love baseball, and it's a fun night out with the family. I would, however, be as intentional as possible about looking for deals. The Pirates are actually very good about that and making things reasonable, but I still think in general what pro sports teams charge is abhorrent. And I'm talking FOR EVERYTHING. I would go, but I'd probably be grumbly about it. My wife is also very cheap, so there's that.
12:19
If you're talking about this from a mad-at-the-Pirates perspective, that part doesn't bother me. I actually feel better about their overall direction than I have in a long time. I think Cherington is very smart. My kids have fun. I can take my wife and kids for $79, and I get a $40 food credit. That's an entertainment cost I'm willing to incur. Do I think Nutting and the Pirates should spend more on major league payroll? Absolutely. But I'd rather they wait until 2023-24, whenever it makes more sense to do that.
Miles
12:19
Realistically, how much could the Pirates get for RichRod later in the year? Multiple years of control and borderline elite production but 31...
Jason Mackey
12:19
They could get a prospect or two. There's no set definition for what guys are worth. It's not like you're trading in a PlayStation.
Wayward
12:19
I noticed that DeJong had a great start in Indy last night.  Is he the next starter up should there be an injury or maybe an early SP trade?
Jason Mackey
12:20
I don't think it portends a trade. Yeah, I could see him as the next guy up, for sure. I think he's earned a shot. I think you will see Wil Crowe get another chance. After that, if it becomes necessary, I wouldn't be surprised if you see De Jong.
MjB
12:20
Foremost, I would advise anyone and everyone who can to visit San Diego.   Just flying into that city is amazing.  Secondly, I don't understand how a guy gets dropped from someone's roster, we claim him, and before you know it, he's our starting left fielder.  Seriously, our minor league system has to have someone with more experience than Tom, at least long enough for Tom to practice in spacious left field at PNC Park!
Jason Mackey
12:22
Their reasonable options in Class AAA at the time were Brian Goodwin, Anthony Alford or Dustin Fowler. Maaaaybe Swaggerty, but I still think he needs some more seasoning. I don't understand why Goodwin didn't get a look. But I agree with you. Tom has shown me absolutely nothing. I honestly might revisit with Alford.
Cullen
12:22
If Ka'ai Tom doesn't turn out to be the answer to our outfield problems, do you think well see Swaggerty come up this season? or will they go for another outside solution?
Jason Mackey
12:23
I think they could turn to Swaggerty, for sure. I think you will see him this season. I really hope they don't do another dumpster dive. Could also depend on where Jared Oliva is at health-wise.
Prince Bob
12:23
Josh Bell is hitting something like.148 now with 2 HRs. As his time with the Pirates went on I was more and more convinced that aside from the occasional red hot streak he was nowhere near the player we expected him to be. But there was a lot of talk about how he was going to develop and be really good. Do you think he still could become the player we once expected?
Jason Mackey
12:24
Absolutely. He was really good in 2019, albeit pretty streak. I think it's in there. He obviously hasn't had a good start. But I still think he can be an effective hitter. That said, I'm perfectly fine with all aspects of that trade.
Gabe
12:24
Tom seems to be able to handle the bat well, but the defense/base running  has been questionable at best. Can he hold down the fort until Swaggerty gets the call?
Jason Mackey
12:24
Unless it was constructed by a 6-year-old, I think it's doubtful. He has not looked like someone who can contribute much more than the occasional walk to me.
Ryan
12:24
Good afternoon Jason like the way the buccos are playing Frazier and Reynolds have been playing great what do you think about the team so far
Jason Mackey
12:26
Have liked those two, too, Ryan. I think their starting pitching has been inconsistent. When it's been good, I like their team. Relatively speaking, of course. I like the Dodgers a lot more. Ha. But they play hard, run the bases well, their bullpen is good, their fielding has improved some. They lack a lot when it comes to power and depth. And there have been too many starting pitching disasters. But given how they're build, I think they've actually played OK.
Gabe
12:26
Polanco is quietly on pace for a 20/20 season. Can any team be fooled by that and take him off our hands?
Jason Mackey
12:27
I don't think so. On pace and having a reasonable chance of doing something are two totally different things. Also, I don't see anyone taking on that salary for someone with his arm, lack of average/consistency and salary.
Welch
12:27
Any chance Hayes returns to the lineup tonight or is next series more likely?
Jason Mackey
12:27
There's zero chance for tonight. The most he's done is taken 10 swings off of a coach. Would imagine he has a rehab assignment first given how much time he's missed. So, would say next series, if not the next homestand.
Gabe
12:27
Can you explain the phenomenon that is Mitch Keller?
Jason Mackey
12:28
It all comes down to his fastball command. And I like what he did last night, taking a little off. I don't care if he throws 95-97 mph. I'd rather have 93-94 mph located well. If he has a curveball OR slider and some shred of a changeup, plus the know-how to pitch, I think he'll be fine. But it starts with fastball command.
Cos Nation
12:28
Your previous answer begs a big question.  You don't think they'd pass up Leiter or Rocker to save for an over slot comp pick, do you?  Pitchforks.
Jason Mackey
12:30
Yes, I do. And others do well. I'm not saying they're going to do it. Time will tell. But I think it's something they absolutely have to consider and are considering. Just read the story when it comes out. It explains everything.
Gabe
12:30
Cole Tucker’s value is his shortstop defense. If he’s moved to the outfield where his defense is meh, then where’s his value? If he can’t hit now, can’t imagine he ever will. I just personally don’t like playing him in the outfield
Jason Mackey
12:31
The problem with that statement is this: "If he can't hit now, can't imagine he ever will." You're basically discounting player development across baseball. You can say you don't think he's gonna hit. OK. That's fine. I might even agree with you. But you would call him up if you believed that maybe he was going to improve or that he might be better than what you have. Both of those things might be true, too.
GPT
12:31
I guess there's no harm until he's blocking a fellow prospect, but it appears the Cole Tucker experience is drawing to a close, right? He's yet to show anything at any level, save for some SB prowess early on.
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