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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 06.17.22
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Ryan
12:20
If you had to guess Which day of the homestand will Cruz get called up?
Jason Mackey
12:20
At this point, I would say Monday.
Cullen B
12:20
What do you think a Bednar and Reynolds extension would look like?
Jason Mackey
12:21
I don't pretend to make up numbers for these. Because that's what it is. Sorry. The number is what the guys are willing to agree to, but that sounds smart ass to say.
Jerry Meals
12:21
Odds on Cruz being called up for this series and do you genuinely think that they’re worried about him being one or two in ROY voting? I just don’t understand why they’d keep him down at all past super 2.
Jason Mackey
12:22
I'm not defending it, I'm just saying I suppose Monday would guarantee that he avoids it. Again, I would have had him up here long ago. I'm just trying to understand their reasoning. What else could it be?
Guest
12:22
Is O’Neil cruz going to be called up?
Jason Mackey
12:22
He will at some point, yes.
Guest
12:22
Do you see any veterans being DFA’d or traded soon when they come back from IR? Or rookies sent down to AAA. Likelihood we see some rookie pitchers come up soon, who?
Jason Mackey
12:24
Yeah, I mean they're obviously gonna have to make roster moves when VanMeter, Newman, Gamel, Marisnick and others come back. Who goes? Probably TBD a little. Chang obviously hasn't done much. You could send down CSN for Gamel or Marisnick. We covered Marisnick earlier. He might be out of luck. VanMeter probably bumps out Chang, I would think. Pitching-wise, I think Bolton will get a shot soon. Yajure, if he remains healthy. Maybe Alldred again as well. Surprised they haven't given Eickhoff a look. He fits that hybrid role and threw well in spring.
Guest
12:24
why continue to waste AB’s on Cheng and Park when better young alternatives exist?
Jason Mackey
12:25
Chang and I don't know, honestly. I mean, Chang has been a little better lately, but I would definitely rather see Cruz or Bae at this point. I think fans would, too.
Justin
12:25
Obviously there's probably no real great way to jam Reynolds Mitchell Suwinski Smith-Njigba Swaggerty (and anyone else i'm forgetting) on a 2023 roster, let alone a July roster with Gamel on it.   As of now, who from that crew do you like the most to flank Reynolds (assuming Reynolds is here) in 2023 as the main LF and RF starters?  Maybe Mitchell and Suwinski simply since theyre who we've seen them the most?  Side note, seems like a natural position of depth to use in gaining pitching perhaps.
Jason Mackey
12:26
Of the guys they've tried, Suwinski and Mitchell have looked the most major league ready thus far. That said, I think Swaggerty probably has the most upside. We just need more of a sample size. On all of them. I would imagine one disappears, one surges and there's two middle of the road. I just don't know who's gonna be who yet.
Joe Mayo
12:28
Will Ke’Bryan Hayes lead the league in singles?
Jason Mackey
12:28
He's currently 19th with 41, so I'm gonna go with no, though I think you'll probably just trying to make a point about his lack of power.
Steven
12:28
Burrows being promoted to AAA. I think you said before, apologies if I’m wrong, but you didn’t think he’d be called up until potentially next year. Does this change your thought or you still might not think he makes it up here at some point this year?
Jason Mackey
12:29
No, I expected Burrows to be in Triple-AAA this year. I was surprised it took as long as it did. I said before he could be on the Roansy play -- make a late-season start as a reward, see a steadier dose of him in '23.
Dugan
12:29
Oneil is obviously service time manipulation. What can we as fans do to help hold the Pirates accountable?
Jason Mackey
12:30
Don't go to games. Don't watch. Voice your displeasure in front of the ballpark. Write to them. Call them. Use your voice on social media. Fans should want the best product possible. Obviously not to screw up a player's development long-term, but I struggle to believe how giving Oneil a 10-day tryout, when you have the worst shortstop production in MLB, would be dastardly to his career. It would show your fans that you carre.
care*
Steven
12:31
What’re your thoughts on what you’ve seen from this past week with the Pirates and what do you hope to see this week?
Jason Mackey
12:31
They've lost a bunch of games different ways. Other team erupts for homers. Pirates offense stinks. Bullpen blows it. Brain farts. I hope to see a steadier brand of baseball. I'd also like to see a little more offense. I think that
's the best way to cover for the other stuff.
ishyoboijake
12:32
I've been seeing some chatter about Cruz being called up this weekend/homestand. Is this actually true, or are people just looking for likes?
Jason Mackey
12:32
I think it's wishful thinking. It also makes sense because they're very close -- and possibly past -- the Super-2 threshold. And their MLB shortstops have been bad. I think it'll happen this homestand, but if it was going to be today, I think we would have heard it by now.
Guest
12:32
Hi Jason…now that Bryse Wilson has shown that he’s not the answer, is there anyone else the Pirates have for a 5th starter?
Jason Mackey
12:33
They have five starters: Quintana, Thompson, Brubaker, Ro and Keller.
Rick Rhoden's bat
12:33
Who finishes in 3rd place in the NL Central? The Cubs, Bucs or Reds?
Jason Mackey
12:33
I'll say the Cubs. But barely.
Steven
12:33
Is it a virtual lock that Bednar is the Pirates All-Star this year? I’m afraid he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves (unless I’m just missing it) and am wondering if Reynolds continues to bump his average up and up and get more RBIs that he gets selected instead of Bednar?
Jason Mackey
12:34
I think Bednar is the easiest choice, yes. If Reynolds' June continues, maybe. He's on some kind of heater that could put him there. But again, would need a monster 2 weeks or so. And, you're right. Bednar doesn't get anywhere near the recognition that he should.
John M
12:34
Jason, do you know if/when Cruz will get the call-up?
Jason Mackey
12:35
This is getting asked a ton. Gonna ignore future ones to move it alone. Thought this weekend. Doesn't look that way. Would have to imagine Monday, believing they're 3,000% clear of Super-2.
Justin
12:35
Looking into the crystal ball, guys like VanMeter, Tsutsugo, Newman, Gamel, Allen, and Marisnick are all coming back.  This creates a direct threat to a group that fans seem to be relatively happy about (Marcano, Mitchell, Njigba, Suwinski, Chavis), whether it be with a send-down or a benching.  Do you think replacing those young guys with all of those older guys is acceptable at this point of a rebuild?
Jason Mackey
12:37
Only if those players add value. Gamel, for instance. If I have to send down, say, CSN or Cal to play Gamel, because I think a strong 3-4 weeks would make him tradable. I'm OK with that. Fans should be. It helps long-term. Now, some of the others, not so much. I think Yoshi will be special because he's making $4 million, may actually have been playing hurt, and the Pirates might still trying to flip him for something, anything. Don't think it happens, but I can see why they would try. Newman if he bumps over to 2B, potentially. I don't see them being overly loyal to JVM, Allen or Marisnick, guys that aren't gonna add a ton on the trade market.
Philly Jake
12:37
Seeing Bligh Badris getting some reps in at 1B in Indy.  Have they given up on Mason Martin ?
Jason Mackey
12:38
No, they haven't. But Bligh had been hitting the crap out of the ball. There's opportunity at first base. It's a smart move, seeing how quickly he can pick it up. Might end up being his ticket up here if Yoshi remains out. Obviously there are young OF ahead of Madris.
jim
12:38
I am 78 years old and running out of time. I have rooted for the Pirates since i was  7. I have seen the horrors of the early 50's and the  thrills of the 60's and 70's but the present team is perhaps the worst i have seen! Why should anyone believe that Nutting will ever spend enough to make this team at least competitive? He won't even talk to the media!
Jason Mackey
12:40
Completely fair take, Jim. I hope for your sake you have good baseball soon, too. People like you deserve, and I wish the Pirates considered more people like you ... who have spent their entire lives investing time, emotions and money into the team. They owner should speak so people like Jim hear his thoughts on the state of the team, what they're doing, when he's expecting progress, etc. They should also be spending more because they are, in a way, a public trust and something that says something substantial about our city -- good and bad. That said, they are making efforts. I think they're doing a lot of good things. But I agree that the owner and president should be communicating with fans more than they have recently, 100%.
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