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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 05.19.21
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Jason Mackey
12:38
If I had to predict, based on what Ben has said, what we know, etc., I wouldn't be shocked if they avoided Leiter/Rocker at this point. That said, nothing even close to final. But there's a strong argument to be made for the high school kid question, whether it's Lawlar, Mayer or House.
Tom
12:38
Saw the pirates announced full capacity July 1st. Give us your best stale obvious attendance joke.
Jason Mackey
12:39
That's OK. That stuff gets really old when you hear it all the time, trust me. I'm not saying they don't deserve to be criticize or that you should blindly throw your money at them. I just hear that crap a lot. As if that should somehow impact what I want to do with my career.
Jacque Strap
12:39
Hi Jason...I have seen in response to other questions that you don't feel Erik Gonzalez is part of the future. Is that simply based on his age (29 I think) or other factors? I wish he offered more with the bat, but he is certainly good on the defensive side and offers a lot of flexibility.
Jason Mackey
12:40
I don't see Gonzalez being a part of the future as a starter. If he's a versatile bench guy, I'm fine with that. But they have other infielders, one. I also think Gonzalez can get overexposed with playing time. He hunts fastballs and tends to make early outs. Pitchers who throw breaking staff and get chase early can neutralize him easy. But with sporadic playing time, he's solid defensively at multiple positions and can hit fastballs fairly well.
Ryan
12:40
Good afternoon Jason what do you think about the play of Adam Frazier let’s go Bucs
Jason Mackey
12:41
I think Frazier has been outstanding, arguably their most consistent offensive player. Him or Reynolds. Like his approach. Not trying to do too much. He's quicker through the zone. Defense has slipped a little, but I'm certainly not worried about it. Love his versatility. He's been terrific.
Reynolds’ Son
12:41
Oneil Cruz or Peggy for future SS?
Jason Mackey
12:41
Peggy. I see Cruz moving.
Tom
12:41
Weekly Cole Tucker question: How’s he doing down there?
Jason Mackey
12:42
Not well, Tom. He's hitting .170 with 13 K in 54 PA. I can't imagine that's what anybody wants.
Garrett
12:42
Hey Jason, Bucs fan in Brooklyn here. I know he's young and a Rule 5 flyer, but do you get any sense how the organization views the potential of Ka'ai Tom going forward? Chance to stick in the OF long-term? I like his approach to ABs thus far.
Jason Mackey
12:43
I don't think they know, Garrett. It's really early. They claimed him, so they clearly like him. His approach, too. But he has to hit. And he hasn't been the greatest defensive outfielder. That said, they have opportunity out there, and they're giving him some run.
PrinceBob
12:43
I've got a few running miles under my belt too. What is it about running in St. Louis that you like so well?
Jason Mackey
12:44
I'm not sure. I just like the look and feel of the city. Kinda funky. Orient myself with the arch. Not a ton of traffic downtown. Seems like I always find new stuff to see.
FredSmith
12:44
Why is Kai Tom still on the team?. He’s shown nothing exceptional in his batting, power, fielding or baserunning. Despite being given an ample opportunity, and other than showing an ability to draw walks and get hit by pitches, he largely is an automatic out.
Jason Mackey
12:45
This makes me laugh: One person wants more of an opportunity for Tom, another wants him off the team. Look, they have like one capable outfielder right now, maybe 1 1/2 if Polanco is hitting. I would rather see Gamel out there personally, but I can't flip out over them giving him a look.
Bruce
12:45
Jason I just can't watch this team anymore. They not only are terrible but they are so boring to watch. And I'm sorry but if anyone really believes Bob Nutting will open his wallet and spend money eventually I got a bridge to sell you.
Jason Mackey
12:45
Then don't watch. What do you want me to do?
Tom
12:45
Do you think Stokes got a fair shot? Seemed to me he showed more than Tom has shown. Tom appears to be up there looking to walk every time.
Jason Mackey
12:46
He got 18 at-bats. He had two hits. They found someone they think they can help. Does everything have to be fair? I mean, he got enough of a chance to show something. He didn't. There will be another chance, but for now, I don't find it egregious that he was DFA'd.
Joshua
12:46
Why on earth are the Pirates even interested in this awful Tom guy? He can't hit and can't field. Yes he is a rule 5 but so what? He stinks. Like do they really expect him to be with this team if they ever become competitive again? C'mon it's a joke man.
Jason Mackey
12:47
I don't blame people for being upset. Not a huge fan of the move, either. I don't see much there. I also didn't make it. They're trying to find something. They like his ability to get on base. Wouldn't be enough for me given the other stuff, but I don't run the team, as we've noted.
PrinceBob
12:47
The questions about how much longer Gregory Polanco gets starts keep coming. I've asked them myself but am thinking now it might make sense to finish out the season with him or at least until September call ups arrive. Really, he doesn't stand out as worse than anyone they might send out there except maybe Phillip Evans who can go to left.
Jason Mackey
12:48
I would agree with that. They've all been mediocre. People want to DFA him because they're mad. He hasn't been good, but that isn't how those same people would make a decision about their business -- do something because they're pissed. I don't understand why it makes sense for the Pirates to do the same. If they legitimately need the spot for auditions or whatever, then, yeah, they should DFA him. They don't right now.
PrinceBob
12:48
I see that the Vasquez trial is starting. In the very unlikely seeming event that he's acquitted do you see any MLB team that might sign him?
Jason Mackey
12:49
None whatsoever. I don't see how he's acquitted, although in addition to not running the Pirates, I'm also not a lawyer.
Lenny
12:49
Yes here is my Bob Nutting question so don't hate me for it. Jason does Bob Nutting in your mind feel any shame for what he has done to this organization? He had the payroll near $100 million after 2015 and 3 years of record attendance and then he shed it every year since! And now look at this embarrassment of a team and payroll! I'm angry because it's obvious to anyone with a brain he doesn't care. The fans are the ones that suffer.
Jason Mackey
12:53
I actually think he does, yeah. People will think I'm nuts for that, but I talked to Bob one-on-one for a long time during spring training, on and off the record. If he doesn't feel shame and is not pissed, then he's a heck of a liar. And I don't think he's that good of a liar. I can't go into all of this right now, but the line you're drawing isn't linear. The payroll actually went up from '15 to '16. That group fell apart because they weren't able to back-fill and keep the window open. They drafted poorly. They developed poorly. They traded poorly. Yeah, there's a cap to what they can spend. That's not a Bob thing. That's a 'We're not the Dodgers' thing. But it's enough to win if you make smart decisions. They stopped doing that and paid for it. Again, this is like a 5-page answer, but I do think it bothers him, I do think they should spend more, and I do think they will. But given their failures coming out of 2013-15, this is what they need to do to build it back up.
Wayward
12:53
Heard anything about the Swaggerty injury?
Jason Mackey
12:53
No. I was told to expect an update this afternoon.
Bill
12:53
Jason, so nice to see Mason Martin off to a hot start at Altoona. Would love to see him get to AAA by season end. If he continues to develop, could make Moran a nice trade piece eventually.
Jason Mackey
12:54
Yep, 100%. He's been great. And I think that's within reach. Really good player. He's solid defensively, athletic, crushes the ball. I like Martin a lot. But they could also wait. Class AAA this year. Class AAA to the bigs next year. Trade Moran at next year's deadline.
Blaine
12:54
Jason why do my posts and others consistently get deleted in the comments section after Pirates articles. It's getting old. We have a right as subscribers to be able to criticize the team, players, managers and owner. This needs to stop.
Jason Mackey
12:55
Blaine, I have nothing to do with the comment section. I do know certain words get flagged and comments are deleted. Do me a favor, email me at jmackey@post-gazette.com, and I will work with you and our web people to resolve the problem. That goes for anyone else having similar issues.
Mike
12:55
Serious question sir does Bob Nutting  actually have the money to have a payroll over a hundred million dollars a year? Consistently? I would bet no. He is losing money from his newspapers and seven springs. Shouldn't mlb investigate to see how much money he really has to pay his players?
Jason Mackey
12:57
It's a good question. I would say yes, when it warrants it. Now is not that time. MLB does use a third-party auditing service; so, they do. Do I wish those numbers were made public, especially for franchises that play in, and profit from, publicly funded land? Yes to that as well. But that's a concern that exists around the sport, in pretty much every market.
Canyon
12:57
What did you think about Keller’s last start?
Jason Mackey
12:59
I liked it. I thought his slider was better. I like the changeup usage. I think he should be throwing it more. And slower. Have been a big fan of the fastball usage. He just seems to have trouble repeating it.
Russell
12:59
Yo what up Jason. Pirates dodged a bullet with Josh Bell huh? I never wanted the Bucs to sign him long-term because those 6 weeks were a mirage. He morphed himself into an all or nothing power guy who can't hit his weight. Reminds me of Pedro to a degree. Plus can't field either. Pirates dodged a bullet on that don't you agree? I live in Washington and the fans are fed up with him already here.
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