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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 05.19.21
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Jason Mackey
12:59
I don't think they "dodged a bullet." I think Bell is a better playing than he's showing right now.
1:00
I also think it made sense for the Pirates to do what they've done. They've actually improved over there while getting two solid prospects back.
DJ
1:00
A little too early and too specific for this kind of question maybe, but do you think Cherington might target a ready or readyish power option in Frazier talks? Suppose we still need to "gather the best talent", but this specific talent seems like we're lacking, though there's guys in AA with promise. In particular, names that jump out are Clint Frazier, seemingly on the outs in NY, and Taylor Trammell, perhaps more of a long shot due to longer control, but buried on the depth chart in SEA. Beyond specific names, to me it seems like taking a crack at a guy with some pop who you can install in a corner right now and see what happens might be preferable to further building out the general system depth, which is now quite strong.
Jason Mackey
1:01
Hey DJ. No, I don't think that's what they will get. I also don't think Cherington will target one specific kind of player. Why pigeonhole yourself, right? The talent is to get talent. Eventually they need to condense that down into 26 active roster spots, but that time isn't now.
John Taylor
1:01
What is wrong with Peguero? I havent seen his name in the lineup for awhile for the Grasshoppers
Jason Mackey
1:01
He's dealing with a bruise on the muscle around his knee. We should get an update later today.
Guest
1:01
How long do you see Contreras in Altoona before he is promoted to Indy?
Jason Mackey
1:02
I would say a few more starts. Give him a month at Class AA total.
pelham1967
1:02
In last Sunday's game against Rome, our Greensboro shortstop Francisco Acuna was charged with an error for interference.  Any idea how a SS picks up an error for interference?
Jason Mackey
1:02
Did he intentionally impede a runner going to third? That's the only thing I can think of.
Canyon
1:02
Do you think the pirates farm system can be in the top 5 after the draft and trade deadline?
Jason Mackey
1:02
Yes, I do. Absolutely. Honestly, it probably should be if they do this right.
monicamo
1:02
good afternoon jason - thanks for these great chats - what is your opinion of how the pirates value getting the number 1 overall pick next year to draft Baby Big Bird Green ? Is it in their thoughts ? yes they wants to see improvement but what's the point to finishing with the 3rd or 4th worst recond and missing out on green?
Jason Mackey
1:04
There will be other players, one. Two, we're only 41 games into this season. Let's revisit this, I don't know, after the '21 draft. They don't need to "tank" now. If they trade Anderson, Frazier and Rich Rod, then play some kids in September, if they wanted to, I think the process would take care of itself. Meanwhile, this time last year, Kumar Rocker was the hot ticket. Not that he's not a terrific pitcher, but things change.
DJ
1:04
I like Mike's optimism for 2022 and would add that I think BC/Nutting should try to anticipate the arriving wave of talent and make some investments either this winter or next. We're not going to do anything to the level of Machado, obviously, but trying to have the best team in place as you get improvements from the farm seems better than getting the improvements and then trying to play catch up, so to speak. From my perspective it's either that we should do this, or at least make a big commitment by investing in extensions for some core players.
Jason Mackey
1:06
I would push extensions for core players. I also think they should supplement the major league club, but I'd like to see them wait on that until they're closer to actually contending. You need to be mindful of the farm system. I think in 2013-15 that part of the process was turning down too much, either intentionally or unintentionally, and it burned them. Replenishing that is the key to making this work.
Russell
1:06
You haven't answered my question. Do you sit there and pick and choose the questions that you want to answer? That's not cool Jason. Answer all of them stop censoring.
Jason Mackey
1:06
I answer every question. What did you ask that I haven't answered? The Bell one?
Mike
1:06
Question about Oviedo: Does he have to stay on the major league roster indefinitely or else we risk losing him? Or does that condition lapse at some point? He seems to have a lot of raw talent but I wonder if the pressure/competition of being on the major league roster will hurt his development into a potential starter. Your coverage is excellent, and love the podcast - keep up the great work.
Jason Mackey
1:07
It's only for the subsequent season. So, next year, if they want to do something, he's a "normal" player.
1:08
Thank you for the kind words. I like Oviedo a lot. The only thing I would change with how they're using him is to pitch him more in lower-leverage situations.
DJ
1:08
Tom seems fine to me. Approach is mostly very good, hasn't had luck with the hits falling. I am not sure he is a long-term solution since he seems a little more like a 4th OF and doesn't have a carrying tool like speed or defense, but I truly do not understand the mindset of the people who are getting upset over it. It's still May, my sense is that if you are genuinely upset about trying out some options to see what happens, it would be a good idea to take a break from watching. Truly bizarre.
Jason Mackey
1:08
You have no idea the level of upset-ness that I deal with from folks every day of my life.
Lenny
1:09
Sorry the payroll didn't go up from '15 to '16. I'm looking at it online. It went down. But you are a Nutting defender so no surprise you make excuses for the man.
Jason Mackey
1:10
Was $90 million in 2015, $100 million in 2016. Here's proof: https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/national-leagu.... Thanks for talking to me like that. Real cool thing to do.
Terry Martin-Alpharetta, GA
1:10
Hey Jason, Loved your article on #6 Rennie Stennett. Guy was a player and a half. What players besides Frazier and Reynolds do you see making the biggest impact offensively so far this season? Beat'em Bucs!
Jason Mackey
1:11
Hey Terry, thank you. Moran has been solid, although he's obviously hurt. Aside from that, there hasn't been much. Stallings has been better offensively. I think that's the only other one I'd mention.
Yuri
1:11
Hello Jason.  What are the chances of the Pirates drafting Henry Davis?  From what I have heard, he has a good bat and is solid behind the plate.  Could the Pirates save money to get a good player in the second if they take Davis?  Thank you Jason.
Jason Mackey
1:11
Hey Yuri. I think there's a chance, sure. But I'm not sure it's a good one. If you're going to pass on Leiter and Rocker because you believe there's more upside with one of the high school kids, OK. I get that. But to bypass them too out of need? Not sure how I feel about that.
Tony
1:11
How does the organization determine the movement of players from level to level? I see Nick Gonzales is playing pretty well in high A right now, and was curious at what point do they determine he is capable at playing AA? I know him being a rookie they're probably in no hurry to rush things, but gotta imagine he could hit and defend pretty well at that level too. Thanks for the chat Jason!
Jason Mackey
1:12
Hey Tony. It's not always cut and dry. It's a feel thing. They look at his off-field habits. The on-field results. If it seems easy. If he's confident. If those boxes are checked, and it's been a stretch of time -- say, a month -- then that's usually when they will promote someone.
Cullen
1:12
Marcelo Mayer has now surpassed Jordan Lawlar on MLB's 2021 top 100 draft prospects list. I love the Corey Seager ceiling comps. Who do you prefer of the HS SS class between Lawlar, Mayer, and House?
Jason Mackey
1:13
Any of the three, if we're being honest. I think I would go Lawlar, but that's not locked in.
David S.
1:13
The Archer deal the worst in baseball history? Yes it was bad but how about the Frank Robinson for Milt Pappas deal? Ruth for cash. Baseball history is rife with bad trades. Even a dude name Groat for Don Cardwell.
Jason Mackey
1:13
Fair thoughts, all of them. It's probably hyperbole on my part. Was simply trying to see it's really bad. I have, however, had people in the organization describe it to me that way.
Cullen
1:13
Do you believe the next CBA will include Robo Umps? The inconsistency in calls and specifically replay challenges is getting out of hand this year. It seems like when something is challenged they will back the ump rather than get the call correct. Hopefully that will change if there are robo umps.
Jason Mackey
1:15
I think it could, yeah. I think you will see on-field umpires, obviously. But an automated strike zone? Yeah, I think it could. It's really bad. And I feel for the umps. They're doing something that pretty much no one is equipped to do. Like, are there people with eyesight that can perfectly discern a 98-101 mph moving pitch? The move should be to automated balls and strikes.
Terry Martin-Alpharetta, GA
1:15
Jason, What do you anticipate the starting Bucs rotation will be vs the Braves starting Thursday Night please...I have tickets to go on Friday and am hoping to see Tyler Anderson or Mitch Keller or even surprise start of Yajure. Thoughts? Keep up the good work buddy...Beat'em Bucs
Jason Mackey
1:15
It's Wil Crowe vs. Drew Smyly.
DJ
1:15
I think that's a great point about the system vs. bringing in supplementary players -- NH now gets an unfairly simple bad rap (i.e., "only targets floor", which Thomas and Cruz plainly refute), but one of his overall weaknesses was not being able to produce supplementary guys and depth from the system. Always felt like the best teams were one or two blows away from disaster, which I suppose is always true but was more pronounced for us.

PS, I don't envy the amount of patience you need to display for some of these bizarre questions. Watching the Pirates sometimes makes me frustrated, especially lately with the offense and/or bad breaks, but there are other games on and plenty of minor league box scores to keep an eye on. Fingers crossed for Swaggerty, shoulder doesn't sound great but to my un-doctor ears is better than tearing something.
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