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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 05.27.22
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Jason Mackey
1:25
Gamel has been terrific. Such a steady player. I love how he plays in the OF. Love how he carries himself in the clubhouse. He's good for this club. Has been streaky this season, but whatever. If I'm a contending club, I want Gamel as my 4 OF.
Julien
1:26
Hello from France Jason ! What do you think about Zach Thompson? He struggled a lot at the beginning of the season but he is having a good month of May
Jason Mackey
1:27
He was, before that last one. I said it before and I'll say it again: I still think he's best suited for that bulk role, someone who doesn't get overexposed because of how much he likes to throw his cutter/slider. I think they'll get there with him, but I have liked what I've seen from him. Control has been better. Issue is depth. I wish they had more/better starters to allow him to go to that hybrid role.
Cullen
1:27
Thank you for the chats, Jason! It seems like BC views players who are successful in AA and AAA as mostly MLB ready. Is targeting AA and AAA players who are having breakout years at those levels the new market inefficiency? Castillo and Suwinski are both looking the part of major leaguers so far, albeit in small sample sizes. It seems like this is the type of player that BC covets.
Jason Mackey
1:28
You might be overcooking it a bit, Cullen. And thank you. I think Cherington and the Pirates are looking for good, young players. They need to. That's their only option -- to out-prospect other teams. Sometimes they'll have to come from AA because you wanna get everyone playing time. And, as a front office, you need to be unafraid to promote someone from there.
Bucs Fan in Ga
1:31
When Newman returns from IR died he start at Shortstop?
Jason Mackey
1:32
I would say TBD on that -- and we'll just assume that was an autocorrect issue. I think that would be the goal. That said, it's gonna be a bit. If Cruz comes up and crushes the ball, then, no, he probably doesn't. If Cruz struggles and neither Castro nor Castillo does anything, then, yeah, he could. My opinion: I think Cruz comes up and nails down the position.
Ryan
1:33
Hey Jason, I love what Ben Cherington has done to the farm system. If Henry Davis can stay healthy, do you think we could see him up by June of next season?
Jason Mackey
1:33
Hi Ryan. Yes, I think that's possible. Now, he's only played a handful of games at Double-A, so I'm not saying it's going to happen or terribly likely. But, given his ability and maturity, absolutely I think it's possible.
Ryan
1:33
What Pirates do you all see getting traded by the trade deadline? Any chance Cherington gets blown away on an offer he can’t pass up on for Bednar?
Jason Mackey
1:35
He can't and won't trade Bednar. You just can't do it and expect anyone to go to games and shit a [crap] about what you're doing. He'll get offers. Outside of, like, two top-10 (in the game) prospects, no way. ... As for trade candidates, definitely Quintana. He'll be moved. Gamel, too. ... Vogelbach is interesting. Has had a great year. Teammates love him. Important role with handling the DH well. Also a team-friendly deal. Do the Pirates do it? Not sure. He could really help them. And he's signed through next season as well. Stratton could be an option if he continues to pitch better. That's probably it.
Cullen
1:35
Who do you like for the Pirates to pick in the 22 draft? with all the prep players with immense upside, if Green or Holliday falls at 4 and they pick Brooks Lee, I cant say I wouldnt be disappointed.
Jason Mackey
1:36
I'm gonna please the 6th on this -- that's the amendment where I've been too damn busy to dig into things as much as I would like. I've watched Green play, and I would love that pick. I promise I will have my head wrapped around the draft more soon.
Canyon
1:36
Who’s the next guy to be called up?
Jason Mackey
1:37
I'm sure it'll be a pitcher, but I really think they need to get Oneil Cruz or Mason Martin up here soon. I don't see how Cruz could be worse than Castro or Castillo at shortstop. None of the three are finished products, but the other two have gotten a bunch of chances. Why not Cruz? And Martin, too, for that matter.
Jeff t
1:37
Hi Jason…so the Pirates have Castillo, Castro, and now Marcano on the in the majors, and yet Cruz remains in Indy. Nothing against those guys, but it almost seems like they’re “blocking” him. Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
1:38
Have addressed this a bunch, but they're not "blocking" him. The Pirates are having Cruz work on a bunch of stuff, and I don't think they think he's where he should be with it. Do we all probably disagree? Sure. I think he can help them, and i wanna see what he has. But he's not being blocked by those guys.
Guest
1:38
what strategy do you see the Pirates taking with there first pick? Do you see another under-slot guy? I hope they consider the injured Lesko if that’s the case. We need starting pitching in the system, no many in my opinion
Jason Mackey
1:40
See earlier one about the 6th amendment, but I think it'll be situational. It was a little easier to predict last year -- remember the freakout over BEST PLAYER AVAILABLE -- because they were 1-1. In this draft, they'll need to react to what others do. My gut: They don't use the same under-slot strategy this year and just take the best player available to them.
Guest
1:40
Jason, why do you thinkare beers at PNC Park so expensive?  $25 for a 24oz Yuengling is insane
Jason Mackey
1:41
Is that what it is? Geesh. It's like that everywhere, and it's insane. Teams should be ashamed of themselves for price-gouging like that.
Jim Tracy
1:41
Now that we’re starting to see some guys getting called up, and many more on the way in Altoona and Indy, when do you expect the pirates to field a playoff contending team in the coming years?
Jason Mackey
1:42
Hey Skip. I think they're gonna start to show some obvious signs next year. The first year where I think they can/will legitimately contend for the postseason would be 2024. Think they might flirt with it in '23, then falter late or something like that. But I look at 2024 -- when these Altoona guys get here -- as when the window should truly open.
Piratesfan123
1:42
I know it’s a stretch but I believe this team can win more than 65 games. I said they would win 70. After 43 games last year they were 18-25 and then went on a really bad stretch of ball. They are the same record right now. I feel like the kids are giving them life as well. I think Mitchell is smooth and can play right field at PNC. Castro reminds of a little J-Hay. Would you be surprised if both Cruz and Martin came up next week?
Jason Mackey
1:44
I wouldn't, no. And I agree with you. They COULD win that many. Not saying they will, but they could. They could also lose 105. That wouldn't shock me either. Depends on injuries and how some of the young guys fare. And I'm with you. Play the kids. I've seen Castillo and Castro. Like some of their games, dislike other parts. I'd like to see Cruz and Martin. Have said it plenty, but people will get behind playing youngsters and giving those guys a shot.
Really ?
1:44
Does Cherrington seriously believe the shtick he sells because the evidence says otherwise. This franchise is going nowhere. Ever. Fast or slow.
Jason Mackey
1:46
0 for 2. Cherington. I'm not saying Ben is infallible. He wouldn't say that. But he has drastically improved a bunch of stuff inside of three years. They now have one of the best farm systems in baseball. Is it taking a long time? Yeah. Should they spend more on the MLB product? Yes, definitely. But to not give Cherington any credit -- what about their draft last year? -- is just negative for the sake of being negative.
Chuck
1:46
Not saying Cruz is Lou Gehrig or anything, but has Kevin Newman been Wally Poop’s now that he’s on the 60 day? Will we see him again?
Jason Mackey
1:47
I don't know who Wally is, Chuck. And I really don't want to talk about his poop. To your point, though, yeah, I think it's entirely possible that Newman won't have a spot to come back to. If hell freezes over and the Pirates promote Cruz -- provided his outfield defense, shoe-tying capabilities and meal preparation are all satisfactory -- then I could easily see him settling into that spot.
P. Burgher
1:47
Would you consider these next 6 games pivotal? Currently 3rd in the Central --- a good showing puts them within arms reach of 2nd, a bad showing and they're flirting with the reds for the cellar.
Jason Mackey
1:48
There are 9 billion games in a baseball season. It's only May. I think we need to be careful with using the word "pivotal."
Zack
1:48
Any idea when Chandler, Solemetto, and White might be making their way to Bradenton?
Jason Mackey
1:49
Sounded like from Cherington's comments it would be after June, when the Florida Complex League starts. They're in extended spring now. Doing well, apparently. But it sounded like any move to Bradenton would sorta be contingent on how they performed in the FCL to start.
Jeff t
1:49
With all of infielders up now, what happens to Newman when he returns?
Jason Mackey
1:49
It depends on what happens, honestly. Does Cruz set down roots? Does Castro play well enough to stick? Is Chavis playing 2B because Yoshi is gone and Martin is up? Does Yoshi figure it out? There are moving parts. Newman has to hope that nobody grabs a spot while he's gone.
Zack
1:50
I heard your discussion on the Fan earlier this week regarding openness from the Pirates on a rebuild. The one thing they seemingly did say was when Nutting came out and said that they are turning the corner into building the major league roster. Do we think we start to see those moves in the coming off-season. Bringing in pieces similar to Martin, Burnett, etc like before.
Jason Mackey
1:51
Good point, Zack. It wouldn't shock me if they brought in someone like that in the offseason. Yes, I do think they will add to the major league payroll when more prospects are ready. This offseason could be the time to lay a base for that. I feel like it might be the kind of thing where they get 1-2 in the offseason, then pre-2024 is when you really see them patch a hole in a meaningful way. Or maybe a couple holes with veteran guys like that.
Van By the River
1:51
Any truth to the rumour Vogelbach is quitting to star in the Chris Farley biopic ? He could totally pull it off
Jason Mackey
1:52
I can't see too good. Is that Bill Shakespeare over there?
Ethan
1:53
Last week, a reader asked about minor league pay, and if you would rumor me, I wanted to take the time to answer it a little more in depth.
Perez specifically agreed to a 2022 deal last year before being outrighted, as it was an issue of timing and since it was after the minor league free agency date. That contract pays him $325k while in the minors and $750k while in the majors.
More broadly, pre-arb players on the 40-man have what is known as split contracts, which have a lower rate of pay while the player is in the minors and higher while in the majors. Minimums are $57,200 for first contracts (think Swaggerty) and $114,100 for subsequent or players with service (think Cruz). However, these amounts are often in the $100 - $250k range, depending on the players salary from the prior year.
Finally, as for nonroster players, while players prefer ML opportunity, if not available, they strive to reach minor league free agency, which pays better than they have ever made before, which is peanuts relative to major
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