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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 06.09.23
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Jason Mackey
11:50
Hey everyone. Thanks for stopping by my Pirates chat. We'll get started here in a few minutes.
Cullen
11:53
Congrats on your Pennsylvania journalism award last week, Jason! If Jared Jones continues to pitch lights out could he get a call up ahead of Priester? Ben Cherington has had players make the jump from AA to the bigs before!
Jason Mackey
11:55
Hi Cullen. Thank you very much for that. Jones has been fantastic. I like him a lot as a pitching prospect. And I don't know about who arrives first. Depends on Quinn, too. He's been about 75% up, 25% down. I think it's probably unlikely that Jones beats Quinn up here given what I know about both, but you never know. Also think they would wanna have Jones pitch at Triple-A before doing anything as well.
Cullen
11:55
Any more word on a Keller extension? Any chance 6 years 75 Million gets it done?
Jason Mackey
11:56
Not a peep on the Keller extension. Doesn't mean it's bad. They didn't love how much Reynolds ended up in the public eye, so my sense is that this will happen out of nowhere. I think that's a fairly friendly number, though. Wouldn't shock me if that got it done.
Thomas
11:56
Any update on the timeline for Cruz's return?   Late July maybe?   Speaking of Crews, what's the chance they dont draft the LSU OF?
Jason Mackey
11:58
No update -- as in nothing has changed. And, no, not late July. Mid-August. ... I can't put a percentage on it, but sure, there's a chance. Don't think it would be dumb, either. Paul Skenes from LSU is legit. Has been called the best college pitching prospect since Cole or Strasburg. Would be hard to crush 'em for going with the guy who throws 100 mph, has a great makeup and has been dominating college ball. Wyatt Langford is also believed by some evaluators to be close to Crews.
Cullen
11:58
Have you heard anything about which way the Pirates are leaning toward in the 2023 MLB draft? Surely we have to go with Crews right?
Jason Mackey
11:59
Just an FYI, because I'm sure I'm gonna get asked a version of this question 4,956 times before the draft: That's not quite how things work. There's not really a sense on which way they're leaning because things can and will change. It involves discussions on contract asks. Seasons are ongoing. This year, there are five very good players. I don't think it's a foregone conclusion they go with Crews, though, no.
PrinceBob
11:59
I'm not sure if this is up your alley or not but I can't think of any place else to ask. I'm in Massachusetts and watch the Pirates on MLBtv so the only times I can't watch them is when they play the Red Sox. But we've recently ditched cable at the old family homestead in Johnstown which means they'll be blacked out on MLBtv if I visit there. The question is if there's some sort of auxiliary, temporary, thing I can buy for times when I'm there so I can watch them. I'm guessing no but don't want to assume.
Jason Mackey
12:00
Sadly, no. And this is a flaw in the MLB.TV setup. You can't stream games in-market. So dumb. Some visiting feeds are streamable, but my guess is you'd probably need a subscription. ... You might be able to stream them if you're in a house with Fios and it's connected to the same router.
Joel
12:01
Hi, Jason. Thanks for scheduling a chat today. I am going to try to respond to your Ke’Bryan Hayes article in a constructive way. For me there are two reasons for my concern/frustration with Hayes: 1) Given his defense, if he just hits .260 with 20 HRs he’s an all-star; this seems attainable given his physical tools; 2) I can’t help but think that another organization with a proven record of molding talent —- think Dodgers, Rays, Cardinals, Astros —- would have Hayes in a better place by now. So I’m frustrated, especially in the light of the long-term financial commitment.
Jason Mackey
12:03
Hi Joel, thanks for stopping by. I think 20 homers for Hayes is a big ask. Also think he's capable of hitting for more average than .260. Whether or not it's on the Pirates ... man, I don't know. I have the utmost respect for the organizations you mentioned. I also think the Pirates have figured some things out with guys -- Keller, Quintana, Stallings, Tyler Anderson ... some youngsters like Suwinski, Castro and Bae look decent. Think it's tough to give a blanket THEY CAN'T DEVELOP based on what Hayes has done: great average exit velocity and hard-hard percentage, doesn't chase, low BABIP and traditional numbers that aren't great.
Joel
12:03
Jason, please tell me that this Ortiz slump isn’t the result of the Pirates trying to tame his stuff or turn him into a Ray Searage pitch to contact guy. What happened to the guy who blew away the Yankees at Yankee Stadium last September? The Bucs pitching is too thin for Ortiz to regress.
Jason Mackey
12:05
I don't see that, no. I see a guy who has been tentative with his mechanics. Something to remember with young pitchers: This isn't a video game, and they don't automatically throw hard just because they've previously thrown hard. If they're having trouble with their command -- which Ortiz has -- they might take a little off to ensure accuracy and try to not blow it. They also might be unsure of themselves. Related: Sometimes the Searage Way made sense. The issue with what the Pirates became was not that strategy but more adopted it as a boilerplate.
Guest
12:06
Does MLB have any current knuckleball pitchers? Not knuckle curves either,true knuckleballer? Seems like with the increase in off speed pitches  trending league wide it would be a good idea. ?Think some kid with average athletic ability would seize the opportunity? Tim Wakefield came out of nowhere and  got us into the playoffs, we need another like him. What says you?
Jason Mackey
12:07
Not that I know of, no. Mickey Jannis hasn't played in a couple years. Same for Steven Wright, who was in Triple-A with the Pirates a couple years back. Pirates do have one at Double-A in Matt Eckelman, but he's currently on the development list.
PrinceBob
12:07
In no way am I suggesting the Pirates should have fired Derek Shelton. He deserves a chance to show what he can do with some decent players. But the extension to me seemed premature as well. Why the rush? It's not like another team was going to offer him huge money to manage them.
Jason Mackey
12:09
I agree. I thought it earlier than it had to be. That said, if the Pirates decided to extend Shelton after a 32-29, would you have questioned it? Maybe ... but that's because you'd say, "Well, they went 20-8, and they're 12-21 since then. It's front-loaded!" I get that. At the same time, it still happened, and they're still three games over. I understand you could want to wait until later in the season, but I still think this is a 74-76-win team, and assuming they do that, I'm OK sticking with Shelton.
Chief Powhatan
12:09
Do you feel the mediocre NL Central gives the Pirates their best chance of hanging in the race possibly adding at the trade deadline?
Jason Mackey
12:10
I do. Nobody in the division blows me away. The Cardinals might stink. I wouldn't be shocked at all if they hung around. Doesn't necessarily mean they're a good team. But they could hang around.
Munkeefist
12:13
Any word on the Pirates being interested in Zach Plesac who was recently DFA'd by Cleveland? Seems like a no-brainer with the depth issues they are currently experiencing. Thanks for the chat!!
Jason Mackey
12:14
Have not heard any word of interest, but I might not hate the move. They need arms. They've helped guys who've previously been productive find themselves. They have someone who knows Plesac well in Hedges. Would make a lot of sense.
Codger
12:14
Hey, Jason - always look forward to your chats.  Given the atrocious performances recently of both the hitters w/RISP and most of the starting pitching, do you think there will ever be a time when ownership/management would consider hiring hitting and/or pitching coaches who actually had, you know, actual major league playing careers?  Not talking about a cup of coffee careers, but guys who actually had success playing at the MLB level.
Jason Mackey
12:15
Oh, dear. This one belongs in a drinking game. Codger: Think about major league coaches for a second. How many translate their on-field success as players to coaching roles? Doesn't really work that way. Jim Leyland was a genius as a manager. Sucked as a player. The two don't always link up. I think the players need to perform better. What has happened with this team isn't a coaching or lack of coaching issue, IMO.
Chief Powhatan
12:16
Would you want to add some arms from AAA or AA to the present roster with the injuries adding up?
Jason Mackey
12:17
Minor ones at the moment. Not sure there's anything huge they can do. Carmen Mlodzinski has been good. Might take a look there. I've liked Perdomo. Starter-wise, who we talking? Quinn's not ready. Bido isn't a big name. Not gonna dip down to Double-A for this. Cam Alldred? I mean, we're in the weeds here.
Mild Bill
12:17
Now that we're 1/3 of the way thru the season how do you feel about the  schedule including  all the teams in both leagues ? Personally, I would prefer more games against division opponents and just a few crossover games with American League teams like in the past.
Jason Mackey
12:19
I agree, Bill. Asked Shelton about this the other day. It's not enough division games, IMO. I think they need to figure out how to go three series against each division foe both home and away -- same as before. Whatever else you have to do to fill it out, fine. Maybe it's random and you don't play every AL team every year. Maybe there's one division among the other five you skip. Not sure how to handle the math, but I do know they're not playing the division enough.
Rich Loiselle Fan Club
12:19
The obvious solution to the Pirates rotation problems is to convince former Westminster great Jason Mackey to come out of retirement. But assuming he's decided to stick to this writing thing, what do you think about swinging a trade for a veteran on a AAA roster for another franchise that is not on the 40 man? I'll throw out Touki Toussaint. He's not on Cleveland's 40 man, so the cost shouldn't be too much. Was a good prospect at one point, and has pitched ok in AAA this year.
Jason Mackey
12:20
Hahaha. Nobody needs to watch Jason Mackey come out of pitching retirement, unless it's to throw batting practice. ... I love the idea, Rich. I would gladly give up something minor to get some fringe pitching and try to do what they've done with Velasquez, Quintana and Anderson. They have a blueprint. Not sure why it isn't being employed here.
tmartin8757@yahoo.com
12:21
Hey Jason, Appreciate your efforts on behalf of our  Battling Buccos. While the team has shown some improvements, it does appear that we are a bit shorthanded in starting pitching. Any chance to Cherington trading middle infield depth and OF for a starting pitcher like ChiSox Mike Kopech? Beat'em Bucs!
Jason Mackey
12:22
We're just throwing random names here, folks. I don't see any possible way they trade for Kopech. However, could they get someone who has struggled and try to fix him? I wouldn't rule that out, although I can't give you names they're batting around or anything like that.
epiballo
12:22
An article appeared on P-G assessing the state of Pirate pitching, and the conclusion (in my words) was that the staff has imploded with no available solutions. It was stunning. I doubt they will trade for a veteran pitcher; is there a bullpen pitcher that could step up and be given a start or two? Some timely hitting with runners in scoring position would help ...
Jason Mackey
12:23
There's generally a pretty definitive line between starting and relief, so my answer to that part would be no. You wanna get a start who can help. Those options, as we've been over, include Priester, maybe Bido and not a ton else. They might try to find a creative solution, but the pitching depth is relatively thin.
Chief Powhatan
12:23
Dylan Crews in a Pirates uniform for years to come sounds good to me.  What's your take on who goes #1?
Jason Mackey
12:24
Have been over this a ton. I can't argue with Crews. I'm also highly intrigued by Skenes. I wouldn't go outside of those two. I think if Skenes truly blew me away, I'd probably draft him. But it has to be good beyond a shadow of a doubt. If there's any questioning it, how can you pass up on Crews?
Johnny M
12:24
Good afternoon Jason. The Pirates continue to hold their own in a weak NL Central so far. Right now, who do you think will/can be called up soon? Esp pitching, they need some fresh arms up here. And are they buyers or sellers by the Deadline if they continue on this path? They could use a power bat (for next year, too). And yes I know Choi & Cruz are coming back.
Jason Mackey
12:25
I don't think any callups are imminent, Johnny. I mean, maybe a pitcher to replace Chase De Jong, but I'm not sure that's what you're talking about here. Henry, Endy, Nick G., tough to see at the moment. And if they continue on this path, I mean, that puts them a game or two out of first. I don't think they'll do some massive move, but standing pat could easily happen.
Shepherdstown, WVnsider
12:26
Seriously, is Austin Hedges’ defense worth the automatic out he is when at bat. I see little difference in Delay’s and his defense but I’m a nobody. But should not Delay be playing more due to a better stick? And when Endy and Davis make the club, does Delay stay? I’m assuming Hedges does not get a second contract despite his defense his 0.179 BA does not warrant it.
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