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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 06.17.22
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Jason Mackey
11:45
Hello, everyone. Welcome to my Pirates chat. New day, same drill. Will be back shortly to answer.
12:01
OK, let's do this.
Bill
12:01
Happy Friday Jason, hope all is well. What do you see them doing with Mears? When his rehab is up, does he join the MLB bullpen or do they give him more time at Indy? Also, if Banda continues to struggle, does Alldred get a second look?
Jason Mackey
12:02
Thanks, Bill. Same to you. I'll do the second part first -- yes. I think he will. Or someone will. They could use another lefty even if they don't do anything with Banda. Surprised they haven't already. And I think Mears come back to the MLB club. Don't think it's a guarantee, but they really like him.
Bill
12:02
Do you see a role for Marisnick when he's healthy? His glove is fantastic but the bat is lacking. He would give them a RH bat however.
Jason Mackey
12:03
Yeah, that might be his saving grace. I think it's up in the air a little. Might depend on how the kids are faring. If they're doing well, then I think it's entirely possible they just DFA him. He's great defensively, but he's not part of the future and probably not tradable because of the lack of offense. But if they don't have anything else, it does help that he hits right-handed.
Cullen B
12:03
Good Morning, Jason and thanks as always for taking the time to do these chats! When do you expect Bae to receive a call up? He is absolutely raking in AAA so far and personally Id rather see what we have in him vs Vanmeter, Newman (when they return), Chang, and Park. Also do you think with the way he is hitting he could play himself into an everyday role vs his projected utility role?
Jason Mackey
12:04
I'm a little surprised they haven't given Bae a chance. That said, I still think it could be a little bit. I'm expecting Monday for Cruz at this point. I also don't think they'll immediately jettison Newman. In other words, there are two middle infield spots. They might want to see Newman through before it makes sense to bring up Bae.
Bill
12:04
Jason, do you have a favorite baseball book to read? I'm very partial to Moneyball, great movie and better book.
Jason Mackey
12:05
I wish I had more time to read books, Bill. I'm in the process of reassessing several things to create that time ... and family time and such that has been lost. Have never read Moneyball, although I should. I'm reading Phil Lesh's autobiography at the moment, but it's slow going because I never have time.
dt
12:05
Could  the Pirates  trade one of the rookie left handed outfielders for a right handed hitting outfielder to get some balance at the plate?
Jason Mackey
12:06
I don't see that happening, dt. You wanna keep those guys around because you still don't know who's gonna pop. If it's two lefties, so be it. Handedness means less at this stage.
Cullen B
12:06
Do you think Shelton has earned the right to be the manager when we are fully competitive or do you think that Don Kelly is being groomed for that role? Are there any other candidates you would like to see as our future manager during our competitive window?
Jason Mackey
12:08
I don't know. Honestly, I think it's so hard to evaluate Shelton right now, because of the roster. I think he could be. I think Shelton has actually done a pretty good job getting reasonable competitive baseball out of his roster. That said, I wanna see what the rest of this season becomes. If it's 105 losses, my answer is probably different than if the Pirates punch above their weight and only lose 85. If the latter happens, would imagine they lose Kelly to a manager's job this offseason.
dt
12:08
If Ke'bryan Hayes does not hit for power in the next year or so could he be involved in a baseball trade, not a salary dump, but a straight up baseball trade?
Jason Mackey
12:08
No. He's not gonna be involved in a baseball trade, a hockey trade, a tennis trade or a Pokemon trade.
Tommy Boy
12:08
What would be the reason to keep Cruz in Indy until Monday compared to having him here tonight, weekend series on Fathers Day weekend?
Jason Mackey
12:09
To make absolutely sure they've passed the Super-2 deadline. I believe they'd still be safe this weekend, but you remove all doubt by waiting.
Scooter
12:09
During the first Stl game Tuesday, the Pirate announcers (Greg Brown & Matt Capps) went ballistic about the umpire discussion and call-reversal of Brubaker’s balk.  I thought the umps did the right thing to get the call right, as it turned out to be so.  Even the Pirates’ key figures acknowledged it.   I thought Brown/Capps were over the top. Your thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:10
I didn't hear them, Scooter. But I had no issue with what was done.  I would rather they get the call right. And it was absolutely a balk. They conferred. Realized what had happened and acted. Not like Brubaker threw a pitch. If he had, I would have had more of an issue.
Philly Jake
12:10
Monday??  Are you kidding me?  Did he pick his French Fries off his Prinamti's sandwhich?  Use the first person form of to be instead of leaving it out ("The floor needs to be swept" instead of "The floor needs swept" ?)  Did he dis Donnie Iris?  Or IC Light?  

What are they waiting for?
Jason Mackey
12:12
I know. It's crazy. Would have to imagine the Super-2 deadline to absolutely clear, but I can't say that for sure.
Your Friend Judy
12:12
Jason,
Finally, the 26 Man 13 Pitcher Limit will be instituted on Monday! That means Shelty has to carry a 4 Man Bench (ie Back-Up Catcher, 2 UIFs & a UOF). Yourself, me & all Bucco fans included are waiting to see Oneil Cruz (along with Cody Bolton too!) get some reps. Don't you think that it's time for GMBC to DFA Chang, Michael Perez, Hembree & Park to make room on the 40 Man for some more young talent before the old guys on the IL he wanted to Trade return? Fan FYI: #29 Blake Sabol [C] & #30 Matt Gorski [CF/DH] have been added to the Top 30 Prospects list. Both have HR Power & Hit for High Average. Jason don't you think it's time to also see what Delay (or Bins or Sabol) can do behind the plate until  a year+ when Henry Davis is ready? Does anyone besides me miss Stallings yet? Russell Martin too!!! Stay cool my friend.
Jason Mackey
12:14
Hi Judy. I agree on seeing Cruz and Bolton. Re: Chang, Perez, Hembree and Park ... I would maybe be OK keeping Park just because he's younger. Even that, though, I question. The other three, absolutely. There has to be better options. Or at least try some internal options. Thanks for the heads up on Sabol and Gorski. I've been trying to be around my wife and kids as much as possible since getting home and haven't checked the top-30.
The Eman
12:14
I know Pirate attendance is way down, but how are their tv and radio ratings? Based on the recent rain and the date, you should be listening to The Dead’s June 1995 show at TRS today.
Jason Mackey
12:15
Good call. I'm finishing up a St. Louis 4/17/69 show from the trip. I'll flip over to that one next. I don't have a bunch of expansive info at my fingertips -- sorry. But I do think relatively speaking, they're better than attendance. Like our web traffic numbers, I think people care. I just also think they're hesitant to go and spend money there until the product is better.
david--
12:15
jason. really enjoy your work! I was able to attend a few games in greensboro. endy rodriquez looks talented. with his versatility do you see him & henry davis both on the pirates someday? or is he destined to be traded?
Jason Mackey
12:16
Thanks, David. I like Endy, too. Good kids and, like you said, very talented. Yes, I can absolutely see both on the Pirates, although I think Endy will end up getting moved. Maybe second base, although I admittedly haven't seen him play much there. He could handle first or the OF. But I think they move him off C.
Sven
12:16
Blue cheese or ranch for your chicken wings?
Jason Mackey
12:16
Both, actually. But if you made me pick one, blue cheese.
Mike
12:17
Jason, love the chat, great work. Nice to Reynolds coming out of his slump, it looks as though prior his swing as been long, now shortened a bit. What do u think Andy can do with Vochelbach? We need him.
Jason Mackey
12:17
Yeah, it hasn't been great with Vogelbach. And they need to do something. I'm not convinced he's healthy, honestly.
PRE
12:17
Not a question about Cruz: I'm not a Mason Martin guy personally. Watching the amount of whiffs he takes against minor league pitching, I think he's going to get exposed in the majors a-la Brad Eldred, Andrew Lambo or other "first basemen of the future" with this profile. That said, why does everyone think we have to internally fill every position with the "___ of the future" to be successful? I seem to remember the Buccs rocking a 1st base rotation consisting of the fearsome duo of Ike Davis and Gaby Sanchez to a playoff birth. Is something wrong with me if I'm fine with knowing that the brighter days ahead will still involve some patchwork?
Jason Mackey
12:19
I don't think it has to be either/or, PRE. Some positions, it makes sense to fill internally, like shortstop with Cruz or Peguero. If they have to go outside to get a first baseman, so be it. They could also move someone there. Two names that intrigue me in that discussion are Triolo and Endy. But we'll see. I also don't think we need to have a final determination on Mason at this point.
Irish Hymns
12:19
Any Cruz sightings for tonight’s game?
Jason Mackey
12:19
Doesn't look like it, no.
Guest
12:19
Any sighting of O’Neil Cruz today?
Jason Mackey
12:19
No dice.
ev
12:19
Jason, you mentioned that Reynolds should be a part of the Pirates future to build around in your article regarding Cruz' call up.  That will require, I'm guessing, between $15 - $19M per year to sign him beyond 2023. If that commitment isn't made (a long term deal) what more proof is needed that the ownership is in it for profit only?
Jason Mackey
12:20
Well, if they win and do it on a cheap budget, a la the Rays and spend their money in other places, then I think you would have a tough time making that assertion. Not saying they will, but that would be a direction. And one where it didn't involve signing Reynolds.
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