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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 05.12.22
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Jason Mackey
11:43
Hey, everyone. Thanks for stopping by. Appreciate the flexibility, too, because of the day game. You know the drill. We'll get started at noon.
Wayward
12:01
Jason, thanks for the chats.  Any of the recent callups have enough to stick with the Bucs most of the season?
Jason Mackey
12:02
Of course. I'm curious on Suwinski, obviously. I think a lot of people are. I like the defense, power and ability to work a count. Would like to see a little more consistent production, but we're splitting hairs. I'd give Sulser another look. Don't know if the Dodgers gave was reality or just a bad night for everyone.
Wayward
12:02
Jason, what has surprised you the most, good and/or bad so far?
Jason Mackey
12:04
Bad: lack of middle-of-the-order production. Reynolds has been better, but they've gotten nothing from Yoshi. ... Stratton hasn't looked like his usual self. ... Perez getting hurt really hurts ... Thought Cruz would be better at Triple-A. ...
12:05
Good: The pitching strategy and starters in May. ... Quintana, Peters and Crowe, specifically. ... The outfield defense has been better than anticipated. ... Their overall record, frankly, is better than I thought it would be.
PrinceBob
12:05
If I understood your column about the pitching in Indianapolis correctly, they're using the same approach as the Pirates are. So is this the future of Pirate pitching? If so, do you think a team without solid starters can get deep into the post season? Maybe it's possible but it seems like that there will be a lot of exposure in that team for pitchers who are at best middling. And we always hear that overworking a bullpen is a problem.
Jason Mackey
12:07
Not just Indy -- everywhere. And yes, it is the future, unless guys pitch well enough to make themselves a special case ... which I sorta doubt. Pirates are after what the Rays have done. But remember a couple years ago when Blake Snell was lifted early in a playoff game? They're doing things differently, and I think it's probably gonna be the case for everyone. And, yes, I absolutely think it can be. It has be done. No issues. If you build your roster the right way, you're covering the same innings ... just via non-traditional deployment.
PrinceBob
12:07
Part II. Do you see this approach as somewhat money driven? A starter with a 3 and 6 won-loss record and about 100 innings isn't going to get the same kind of money as a 13-11 guy with 200 innings will even if the team wins twenty or more of the first guy's starts.
Jason Mackey
12:08
It's part of it. Does this way of doing business keep costs down? Yep. It's also easier to dumpster dive, find something other teams didn't value, fix it and turn that guy into something. Look at Dillon Peters. And, frankly, I don't have the slightest problem with it. If it works.
WalterW
12:08
I am just curious as to why the team called up a pitcher to replace Jake Marisnick, rather than a position player.
Jason Mackey
12:10
Hi Walter, simple answer would be just needing innings. With the DH, it's much easier to survive with a smaller bench because you don't HAVE to make a change. To the Gunner's point, they do need to be mindful of where pitchers are at, what workloads look like, etc. And, plus, Kranick has been deserving of the chance.
PrinceBob
12:10
If a relief pitcher enters a game with a lead but in a non save situation and blows that lead, do you know if he gets tagged with a blown save even though he had no opportunity for one/
Jason Mackey
12:11
This made my head hurt for a second. How would he get charged with blowing a save when he entered the game in a non-save situation? I'm assuming you mean if he enters the game before the ninth. In which case, yes. He would be charged with a blown save: https://www.mlb.com/glossary/standard-stats/blown-save
Dan
12:11
Jason, With the attention around Louis Domingue and his spicy pork dish, I got to thinking about Wade Boggs and eating chicken before every game. And cool stories about current/past Buccos and food habits?
Jason Mackey
12:12
Hahaha. Dan, I would like to thank you for giving me a newsletter Sunday page topic. Because that's tremendous. No, no stories off the top of my head. But that surely warrants a couple interviews today. Thanks!
Bill
12:12
When do you expect to see Underwood Jr. activated?
Jason Mackey
12:12
Very soon. Wouldn't surprise me if it happens later today when we get to the park.
Bill
12:13
When you were in Indy and saw Alldred pitch, what type of pitcher is he? Hard thrower?
Jason Mackey
12:14
Lefty, sidewinder. He thrives on mis-direction or hiding the ball well. No, not a terribly hard thrower. Probably about 92-93. (Crazy that's almost considered soft-tosser territory) Got kind of a funky delivery, crossfires. I like the kid.
Steve Maley
12:14
Has the deadline passed where the Pirates get an extra year of control for Contraras and Cruz and they are now waiting to pass the super two?
Jason Mackey
12:20
Yes, they have.
Sorry, folks. Getting pulled away for Castro news. Will be back as soon as possible. Hold tight.
12:38
OK, folks. I'm back. My apologies.
Sean
12:38
What’s up with the organization messing with Priester’s delivery? Don’t like the sound of this.
Jason Mackey
12:39
I don't know the ins and outs of it -- meaning that I'd like to hear from Quinn. Todd Tomczyk talked yesterday and described it as something to prevent further injuries. I don't think, on the surface, that's a terrible thing. But I'd like to have someone tell us -- Todd isn't the guy, obviously -- what they're doing.
Justin
12:39
There's been a lot of talk about how this front office is better with development than the past front office.  Does this claim still ring true to you?  What players come to mind to you as tangible development wins?
Jason Mackey
12:41
They've done a bunch of stuff differently. I like that they're not trying to pound square pegs into round holes (Glasnow, sinkers, etc.). I think they have some really smart people running things (Baker, Hopper, Dewey, Jonny Tucker, etc.). That being said, the final exam is the major leagues. Can they get guys to finish development. I think it's too early to have a final answer there. But I like what they've changed with the process.
ev
12:41
Hi Jason, Has anyone asked Cherington for more specifics regarding his "build"?  For example, guys like Chavis and Castillo, will they have futures with this club (bench help or starters) once the "prospects" arrive?  During their wildcard runs, lack of bench help was apparent.
Jason Mackey
12:42
We've asked a lot for specifics regarding this "build." The next Cherington answer that includes specifics will be the first. He simply doesn't talk like that, but yeah, we've asked a whole bunch, believe me.
Sean
12:42
With Suwinski seemingly have earned himself a spot (for the time being) all the way from AA, do you see anyone else in AA taking the same sort of path? Could Davis make the huge leap? Peguero? Etc.?
Jason Mackey
12:45
Sure. It's been three guys in two years, so I don't think it's impossible, especially as they add talent to the farm system. Hard to say on those two specifically. Peguero easier because he's on the roster. Davis has been in Double-A for a few days. We should wait on that.
Guest
12:45
I have never seen a team in my lifetime that had only 1 real starting pitcher. This is my biggest complaint of this year’s team as all the other positions are being groomed for minor-league call ups. But starting pitching is a must and since the pirates have no one beyond Quintana they are destined to lose another hundred games. Shame on Nutting for allowing this to happen. Open the check book please!
Jason Mackey
12:47
I thought there was a question in there, but I guess not. Hey, I get wanting Nutting to spend more. Totally fair. I get wanting better starting pitchers, too. The timing of these concerns are odd to me, though. Their starters have the 12th-best ERA in MLB in May. That ... isn't terrible.
Adam
12:48
Will we see Cruz or Contreras soon? When will they reach the point of keeping that extra year of service?
Jason Mackey
12:48
Cruz needs to hit more. They need to stretch Contreras out. We've passed that point, but I think there are boxes to check with each.
Guest
12:48
Castro being called up who do you feel is going down and what is the realistic timeline for Cruz?
Jason Mackey
12:49
When he gets on a roll, frankly. They wanted to preserve the year of control. I believe that. OK, coming out of that, he was hitting one-something. Are they wrong for wanting the offense to be better? I don't think so.
DJ
12:49
Hi Jason, thanks for the chats. Any thoughts on how long the foot-dragging with Contreras will take? Given the way we are deploying pitching in MLB, the excuse of him stretching out as a starter in Indy seems pretty thin. Even setting that aside, wouldn't the best development for him come against MLB hitters in as many of the no doubt limited innings he'll throw this summer? Obviously we know he has better stuff than almost anyone, but AAA seems like a waste of time for him.
Jason Mackey
12:50
It does seem silly, I agree. But if you're gonna have him work on some stuff during it, I guess I get it. I don't think it's the biggest deal. And if you're doing it for an extra year of control -- again, I don't agree with it, but I get it. I don't think it will be long before we see Ro again.
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