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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 05.27.20
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Butch
12:43
If MLB resumes is there still likely to be a expanded postseason?
Jason Mackey
12:43
Yep. I think there will be. Honestly, I think there has to be to make everything work. While I understand the money squabbles, one of the things that should help the most is an expanded postseason (and more money).
wvpirate
12:44
Do you see the instructional league and Arizona Fall League starting earlier and expanding?
Jason Mackey
12:49
Hmm ... I haven't thought of that. Good question. Yeah, I could definitely see that happening, although not before the season ends. And even if the season is just two weeks longer, that could affect those things. Also think it depends on where COVID-19 stuff is at that point. But from a baseball standpoint, with a lost minor league season, it would make sense for those to expand.
Itsyoboi
12:49
Do you think any pirates would not play this year because they don’t think they would be paid enough?
Jason Mackey
12:53
Umm ... That's hard to say. I don't think any of the minimum-salary guys would object. I think that's probably the case around the sport. Beyond that, we're talking Archer, Polanco, Kela, Bell, Trevor, Musgrove, etc. Archer and Bell have declined interview requests. Have not tried with Polanco. Kela and Trevor did not respond to texts. Musgrove said he's ready to go and would want to play. If I had to wager guesses, I would say those guys would all play. But I can't say that for sure.
Butch
12:53
Do you think Mitch Keller can still be a top of the rotation starting pitcher?
Jason Mackey
12:54
I do. I think there's still some development in there, which is completely normal for his age/stature. But the stuff is there. The talent is there. He just needs someone to help him figure it out. I'm a lot more confident with this group's ability to do that than I was with the last one.
Mark Cerny
12:55
The prospects in the minors, where will they train at?  Will they play inter-squad games since there is no minor league season?
Jason Mackey
12:55
Likely Pirate City, as I understand it. There will also be a taxi-squad with the MLB club. So, some of them will be there.
wvpirate
12:55
See if you agree with this. Instant replay has gotten out of control. If each team only has one chance for a call for instant replay. And an extra one for extra innings. Then only the real bad calls would be in dispute. No more if you get it right. You get another one. And the game would move quicker
Jason Mackey
12:57
This is probably an unpopular ***online*** sports opinion, but I hate replay. Takes away the spontaneity of sports. I like numbers and technology. I use that stuff when I write. But if you ask me my opinion, as a sports fan, I miss when you could react to something and it stayed that way. I miss the days before sports became science or a spreadsheet. So, I'm fine with having one challenge per game. I'd be fine with having no challenges per game and just living with the results.
Be ez
12:57
if they agree to a deal will the players start reporting in a couple days or will they be quartine for 2 weeks?
Jason Mackey
12:58
If they finalize a deal, I don't believe there is any sort of plan to re-quarantine. Say they agree to something. I think the plan would be for players to report and be ready around June 10 or so.
Sunner in the sunshine
12:58
Why is Tony Clark trying to negotiate the players' side through the media? Is there no one with the players' union able to put a muzzle on him? He is destroying the little leverage they have. Also the high end players need to zip it as no fan is sympathizing with their "plight". Take note from the NHL and NBA. Very little is heard and a lot is being negotiated and resolved!
Jason Mackey
12:59
Tony Clark isn't the only one in this negotiating through the media, trust me. He's just the only one using his name. Or one of the only ones. But your point is solid. Nobody wins when you do this crap publicly. They all look dumb. The NHL and NBA have handled this as they should -- behind closed doors, then emerge and say something when there's something to say. I don't know why MLB can't keep a lid on it, but I wish it would.
Drew
12:59
Well before the pandemic, MLB had proposed eliminating some of the minor league teams in the name of better efficiency/cost savings.  With the elimination of the minor league season, don't you think that many of those teams may be at greater risk of bankruptcy than before? Minor league owners can't have as deep pockets and revenue streams that the MLB owners have...plus, couldn't fewer teams/levels also affect player development?
Jason Mackey
1:01
Yes, absolutely. There's an entire business angle to all of this that doesn't get talked about enough: minor league impacts. Those owners rely almost exclusively on gate money they're simply not going to get this year. Granted, their account is different than MLB clubs, but it's generally a bad sign for a business when there's no more revenue coming in.
Josh
1:01
For the theoretical 20-man taxi squad--one would assume 31-40 would be rest of 40-man roster. That would mean 41-50 would be players on minor league deals, so how do you see Pirates playing that? Guys with some experience but low upside (Elmore or Noesi), guys with experience but low upside (Marvel), or projects to develop (Oliva)? A little of everything?
Jason Mackey
1:02
Yeah, probably a little of everything, honestly. I could also see them using it as a way to get guys like Quinn Priester or Brennan Malone work. As a way to develop top-end prospects even though there won't be a minor league season. And if you think at all that a guy might help the MLB club, then you should probably include him, too.
Itsyoboi
1:02
will Cole tucker start much this year? Have a good one and be easy
Jason Mackey
1:03
Thanks, itsyoboi. I think it's going to depend on how he hits. If Tucker hits like he did in spring, then I think he will get opportunities. However, if they turn to Hayes at third, keep Newman at shortstop and Frazier at first, innings and starts might be tough to come by. Regardless, these things always have a way of working out.
Any additional questions, gang?
Josh
1:08
I would totally disagree with the Tony Clark point. Everything from owners is being leaked, forcing union to respond, not vice versa.
Jason Mackey
1:09
Maybe I didn't make my point well enough. I agree with you. All kinds of leaks. We might disagree on the need to respond, but I do understand if you're Clark or a player, why you want to articulate your thoughts and feelings. I just think on the whole, there shouldn't be leaks, and there shouldn't be players talking the way Blake Snell did. None of that is constructive.
Josh
1:09
I think including big time prospects like that would mean no service or anything like that is going to trigger or absolutely no games get played in; not starting a clock or throwing a guy out way before he's ready.
Jason Mackey
1:10
I don't think that's what we're proposing. For the Pirates, I think someone like Priester would have a tough time saying he's even ready for games. Dude was in high school last year. But would he benefit by being around that whole routine? Absolutely.
1:11
OK, folks. Looks like that will do it for this week. A lot of really good questions. Thank you for participating. Let's do this again next Wednesday.
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