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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 05.26.21
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Luke
1:07
I remember you claiming the Pirates should sign Josh Bell to a long term contract. You were obviously very wrong. He can't even hit .200 for the Nats and his career imo looks to be following Pedro Alvarez.
Jason Mackey
1:08
No doubt. Projecting an entire, multi-year contract based on 34 games is a sound strategy. And we'll just ignore the fact that he's had close to a .900 OPS in May. But, yeah. You got me. Total moron here for even suggesting that.
Skeptik
1:09
Last night’s pitching performance by Ponce was less than “solid” contrary to the posted article. Giving up 4 runs in 5 innings is an ERA of 7.2 which is not acceptable for a major league pitcher. And the at-bat by Vargas in the ninth was nothing less than embarrassing. What will it be like when the only guys on the roster who can play are soon gone?
Jason Mackey
1:11
It won't be very good. Or worse than it is now. I think Ponce did some good things. I think he made some mistakes. I also didn't write the article, although I was fine with this being Ponce's fourth career start. My God. Baseball players get like 4 seconds to learn up here. Learn immediately or YOU SUCK. It takes time for this stuff. The difference is that on other teams, performances can be covered up easier. Be made about the Pirates not being good enough. That's fair. But expecting guys to come up here and be perfect the second they do is a little unrealistic.
Wayward
1:11
Whats your take on Chris Sharpe down in Indy?  Started hot but has cooled a little lately.  Plays a decent OF, leads off and has shown the ability to steal some bases.  Never heard much about him but I would rather see a guy like that than the sting of Godwin, Alford, Fowler and Stokes (although i get the whole take a flier on a former prospect thing).
Jason Mackey
1:12
Can he be worse than what they've had? I don't think so. He gets on base. I like that. Don't know about his defense, although I've never heard issues. I do think they need to get to a spot where they give guys like Alford and Fowler another chance.
Bill
1:12
Will Craig has started to look more comfortable at the plate. Could he force managements hand and stick around even when Moran is back? Craig is younger than Evans too
Jason Mackey
1:13
He has looked better, I'll agree with you. But, no, I don't see that. When Moran is back, he's gonna play. As he should. I think Craig could make himself a trade candidate, though. And maybe they platoon, you never know. But I think Moran needs to get the majority of the reps at first.
DBS
1:13
Hey Jason.  Have you heard any current Frazier trade rumors since he having a great season so far?  This may be the optimum time to make a deal.
Jason Mackey
1:13
Nothing specific. His name is out there. He's available. But nothing specific.
Flyin bryan
1:14
Hey Jason with there being a lockout potentially next year. How will that affect the prospects? Would they get the number 1 pick again in 2023 if they finish last?
Jason Mackey
1:14
Again, I really have a tough time seeing the draft canceled.
Wayward
1:14
Thanks for the chats Jason.  Whats your guess on what the starting rotation looks like after the trade deadline?
Jason Mackey
1:15
I think they deal Anderson. Maybe Keller, Brubaker, Kuhl, Yajure, Crowe? Could see Ponce or De Jong competing. Also think Brault could be back in the mix by then.
Bo Brice
1:15
Hey Jason love the work. Why wouldn’t you extend Frazier? He’s only 28-29 years old I believe? A 3 year deal 30 million you have your veteran when this team gets good and competitive again. That’s a decent price?
Jason Mackey
1:15
Because their future is Nick Gonzales. Frazier has value to them right now in terms of years of control. They're not gonna be competitive until Gonzales gets up here, along with others. So why should I spend that money right now while also turning away what makes Frazier the most attractive with years of control?
Brentwood Bob
1:16
Jason are the Pirates allowed to talk/negotiate with college/draft eligible players to get an idea of their asking price before the draft since they have the first overall pick?
Jason Mackey
1:16
If the player has hired an agent, yes. Either they can, do or both. Also, may be after the season. But they're certainly able to gauge that before making the pick.
Lad09
1:16
Jason, thanks for the wonderful coverage.  The Mackey family  (what a piece your wife did on Sunday) is turning into a PG writing dynasty!  My question is this.  Is there anyone in the system that you would bring up to replace Ildemaro Vargas, even under the constraints that you don't want to burn service time for the young guys?  That at bat in the ninth last night was epically bad and he has not looked good at all other than his first swing.  Ildemaro is phonetically how I knew I would feel today after watching him too...
Jason Mackey
1:17
Thank you for the kind words, although I'm just trying to keep up at this point. I would give Cole Tucker more playing time, yep. And, man, that at-bat in the ninth really irritated some people. My goodness.
Guest
1:17
Hi Jason, can you share any details on Brault’s recovery timeline? Seems like the 60-day IL is finished soon and I haven’t seen mention of rehab or a season shutdown.
Jason Mackey
1:18
He's gonna go back on, I would imagine. Believe he only started throwing last week. It's still gonna be awhile. Probably July at the earliest, I would imagine.
Canyon
1:18
Do you see the pirates signing any extensions this off-season?
Jason Mackey
1:18
I do. I could see them circling back on Hayes, as well as Reynolds. Perhaps even JT Brubaker, who I think has become part of their future.
Ed
1:18
Has there been any thought to having Mitch Keller work out his issues in long relief?
Jason Mackey
1:18
None whatsoever.
Tom
1:18
Do you see Will Craig sticking with the big club once Moran is healthy?
Jason Mackey
1:19
I doubt it. Moran should play. That said, I'm intrigued by it because their bench has been so bad. Craig has hit a little. I'm curious how he would handle right. Again, if it's me, you hit, you play. We'll figure out the rest later. So, I guess I might try some things before Colin comes back.
Flyin bryan
1:19
Are My questions not good enough to be answered by Mackey?
Jason Mackey
1:20
I believe I got 'em, Bryan. Been a lot this week. Trying my best to get through everything. I only didn't answer one because it accused a player of taking steroids, and I'm not creating a lawsuit for myself.
DJS
1:20
Hi Jason, a few weeks ago I think we discussed the not-too-likely but maybe speculatively possible idea of BC's Sal Frelick being in the mix at 1.1. Do you think this is something that could still be a long shot possibility, as the national consensus seems to more and more push the Vandy SPs out of the top few picks? Not sure if you saw, but Craig Goldstein at Fangraphs had a piece up yesterday ballparking the odds of the 1.1 pick, and Mayer, Lawlar, and Davis were 1-2-3. I'm coming around on Davis as a bat but still can't shake the idea of catcher attrition, so if we're going to carve our own path, so to speak, then Frelick is appealing as a guy who can really rake and has excellent speed. It's hard to form an opinion about the prep guys but nobody having a true standout tool is a bit of a red flag. At least Frelick has the hit tool, not to mention Leiter's FB and Rocker's SL.
Jason Mackey
1:21
I could see it as a long-shot possibility, yes. And I've had people mention it to me. I don't know how likely it is, again, because of what's in front of it talent-wise. But I do think it's something they will consider.
Guest
1:21
I agree with Felix the Cat...by the time this team is ready to contend...the average major league payroll salary will probably be $150 million...so if we are ready to contend and only spend $100 million...we will still probably have the lowest payroll in the majors and no chance of competing...just like now...
Jason Mackey
1:22
That's the spirit! I would like the Pirates to spend more than they do now. I think they will. I also want them to have a better developmental system in place, draft well and make smart trades. I don't think it's all about major league payroll, although obviously that's an important piece of it.
Norman "Chuck" Zimmerman
1:22
The Braves certainly looked comfortable & fearless up at bat against Pirates' pitching this past weekend.  Does Oscar Marin preach the use of the inside pitch the way Ray Searage did?
Jason Mackey
1:22
Every pitching coach wants his guys to pitch inside. That wasn't the problem against the Braves. Marin is much different than Searage. It's much more individualistic and less about having guys adhere to a certain philosophy.
Guiermo
1:22
What’s the one most positive thing you’ve seen from the big club this season?
Jason Mackey
1:23
Some individual performances, I'd say. Frazier, Rodriguez and Brubaker have been really good. Even Howard and Bednar have been encouraging signs. Honestly, they've played better fundamental baseball than they have in the past. Hard to pick one.
Guiermo
1:23
Couldn’t Rodolfo Castro do what Vargas or Difo is doing now? And not only do it better, but give us a someone worth watching?
Jason Mackey
1:24
Potentially. I think they're trying to avoid rushing his development or putting him in a situation that's over his head. Is that the right move? I question that myself.
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