You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 05.05.21
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Jason Mackey
12:32
I wouldn't say that. Cruz isn't ready. Even to push for Class AA. There's no rush there. Would I like to see more from Cole? Absolutely. The Pirates would, too. But I don't think we're nearing the time where anything is ending.
Wayward
12:32
Any idea of what has put Polanco on the IL or is it a case of taking 10 days to hit the reset button one more (last) time?
Jason Mackey
12:33
Given the lack of designation, Shelton not saying anything, Shelton saying he couldn't say anything ... I would be stunned if it's not COVID. And yes, I know he had it last year.
PrinceBob
12:33
Does the removal of all covid restrictions aside from masks at the end of the month mean no limits on crowd sizes at sports events?
Jason Mackey
12:33
That's my interpretation, yes.
Gabe
12:33
Who goes first, Tyler Anderson, RichRod, or Frazier. Also, of the three, who gets the most back in return?
Jason Mackey
12:34
That's a good one. If I were ranking return, I think I would go Anderson, Frazier, Rich Rod. Anderson because he's a left-handed starting pitcher who has done really well. I also don't like putting Rich Rod there, but unless you're like a NAME closer, it's hard to fetch a ton. There's no way of predicting who goes first because it's so much predicated on need by other clubs.
J-dan
12:34
Do you think we are more likely to see bridge guys like Oliva, Kramer, Craig, Tucker and Owens at mid year rather than our “long term plan” guys like Cruz and Swaggerty? I know they moved him straight to AAA, but for some reason I’m still skeptical he makes the jump.
Jason Mackey
12:37
Owen is up now. I don't know if you'll ever see Kramer. I don't know if I see Oliva as a bridge guy. I think he could be something more. As for Tucker and Craig, it's sooo contingent on how they hit. All things being equal, I think they would rather use those guys and afford Swaggerty and Cruz to develop. That said, it's a fine line, right? You never wanna call a guy up because of need. You wanna do it because he's ready. That time is different for every player. And I don't think we're anywhere near the point where Swaggerty and Cruz are being held down unnecessarily. They have a ways to go. So, in the meantime, the others will likely get chances.
DGO
12:37
Was at the game last night and noticed Keller topping out at 92-93.  Has he lost velo or was that an intentional drop to improve command?
Jason Mackey
12:38
The latter. Also, he averaged 93.8 with his four-seamer, FWIW. About 1 mph down from his season average.
James
12:38
I can’t really speak to how much Erik Gonzalez has grown on me over the past year. He’s a phenomenal defender with a decent bat. Is he a long term option?
Jason Mackey
12:40
No, he's not. Unless, potentially, as a bench guy. I have nothing against Gonzalez. Love his defense, and he's probable one of their best options right now. I might even see what he can do in the outfield. But long-term, absolutely not. Their infield should be Hayes plus ... Cruz/Bae/Gonzales, Peguero, Martin, Castro ... some combination of four in there.
Lemme fix that ... Hayes at third ... Cruz, Bae or Peguero at short ... Gonzales or Bae at second ... likely Martin at first. Or maybe Mojica. Who knows. We'll see. But I don't see Gonzalez being a long-term regular.
Buster
12:41
Is there a team with shortstop problems that might give up a decent prospect to take a chance on Tucker?
Jason Mackey
12:42
I highly doubt any team would be willing to do that given his spotty track record at the major league level. I also don't know if the Pirates have run out of patience with him. I think they want to see how this skill development work pans out.
Buster
12:42
Have you talked to any of the players about what it’s like playing  for a team that is most likely going to trade you if you perform well?
Jason Mackey
12:44
No, I have not. They're also pros and they know how this works. None would be surprised by it. That's part of the gig, and they accept that going in, especially vets like Anderson or Cahill. Or guys going through arbitration. They're not stupid.
North Shore Nick
12:44
Was actually in Altoona for the Curve opener last night. Man, Roaonsy Contreras is electric. I won’t overdo it but his 3 pitch mix was incredible. Looked fearless out there and his stuff played. It’s only one start, but you can’t help but be excited as a pirate fan for this kid.
Jason Mackey
12:44
Yep. I watched him in spring training. Kid is gonna be something special. Hope yinz had a good time!
Munkeefist
12:51
Do you think with Goodwin opting out and lack of production from Alford and Fowler that Travis Swaggerty may be moved up quicker than may have originally been in the plans? I know it won't be anytime soon, but outfield options are running scarce.
Jason Mackey
12:51
No, I don't. I don't think they can afford to have the lack of production from other players affect what they do with Swaggerty. I think they will bring him up when he's ready.
adamice9
12:51
Have you asked Cherington if he's waiting until September call-ups to give a youngster a shot in the outfield instead of these dumpster-dive veterans? I'd rather see Tucker or Oliva get a shot instead of someone the rest of baseball has basically already decided isn't a major-leaguer, like Fowler / Alford / Tom / et al.
Jason Mackey
12:52
Well, Oliva is hurt. So I haven't asked him that. Tucker has played the infield, and we've asked a lot about that. Who should I be asking about? Swaggerty? He's not ready. I've touched on this a bunch already today.
Justin
12:52
I was surprised to see that Hunter Owen has really always hit.  Any idea if he's a guy who got super yoked during quarantine or improved his game in any other way? Or is this just a warm body to get through Polanco's injury?
Jason Mackey
12:53
I don't know what "super yoked" means. I think he's here because they wanna see what he can do. He can play a couple different positions. Can hit a little. Looked good in spring. They gave Fowler and Alford a shot. We saw what happened there. So why not Owen?
James
12:53
You failed to mentioned the most damning fact of Polanco's placement--the fact a corresponding move wasn't need to get Owen on the roster. That means it HAS to be COVID. Now, it doesn't mean he tested positive, it could be anything. Several players across the league were placed on the COVID IL for a day while they recovered from vaccine reactions, for example.
Jason Mackey
12:53
You're right, James. Thank you for that contribution.
Cullen
12:54
Are there any under the radar prospects that we should be watching this season?
Jason Mackey
12:55
Lots, yes. I mentioned Mojica earlier. I would put him in that category. I'd keep an eye on Contreras at Class AA, although the way he pitched the other night, would be hard not to. I think you could hear more about Endy Rodriguez. Also expecting big things out of Tahnaj Thomas, who doesn't get the attention of Priester or Malone but maybe should.
Patricia
12:55
Forgive me in advance if this has been already asked, but ... Ke'Bryan Hayes has been out a LONG time for a guy who supposedly just has a bruise. Is it like the Penguins where they're just like "lower body injury" when it's actually "Oh, MAN, this guy got jacked"?
Jason Mackey
12:57
No, I don't think that's the right way to put it. He was close. Really close, actually. Then he did something funky to his wrist again. They rested. Let it calm down. Now he's ramping back up. Through it all, and because it's his wrist, I think they're being hyper cautious to not create any sort of long-term problems.
Guest
12:57
Do you believe Reynolds can be our longtime CF? He’s sneaky fast and looks super good out there, plus that’s where he’s played all through college and minors
Jason Mackey
12:57
Yes. I don't see why you would move him at this point. I mean, maybe if Swaggerty comes along or another prospect like Hudson Head in 3-4 years. But that is so far down the line, so theoretical, that it's barely worth typing. He's been great in center and should not move.
Dave
12:57
Is there really a chance they would recall Swaggerty when they would lose a year of control by doing so?  This regime doesn't seem like it owuld be their style.
Jason Mackey
12:58
Said this before: I think they will recall Swaggerty when it makes sense baseball wise. Right now, that's not the case.
King Nellie
12:58
Do you grow tired of answering questions from people who, despite having far less info than GMBC, still feel better qualified to assess and determine a player’s readiness?
Jason Mackey
1:00
It's the job. People have lives. If they paid attention to everything the Pirates did all the time, there would be no need for the Post-Gazette to employ people like me. I'm incredibly lucky. I'm always willing to have a conversation. I can take getting my chops busted, and I don't mind if people criticize. I don't like when people take shots at me or just make generalizations on something because they're mad. But I'm fine with people having opinions and questions and getting upset by things. It means they care, and it means they're reading us.
Justin
1:00
Yoked:  well-muscled; powerfully built
Jason Mackey
1:00
See how uncool I am?
Connecting…