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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 06.19.19
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Guest
12:23
Should BO JACKSON be in the baseball hall of fame?
Jason Mackey
12:23
Wait, he isn't already?
Les
12:23
Can we now all admit that the Chris Archer trade is a bust, and will Huntingdon be held accountable?
Jason Mackey
12:25
Yeah, I think that's fair. But I'm honestly not in the camp of crushing Huntington for this one. One, you have to give to get. And if you didn't rip the trade then -- you didn't -- then how can you do it now with a straight face? Nobody here thought Glasnow was going to be anything when he was a Pirate, and most were thrilled to see him gone. Nobody could've predicted this, either. Neal made the trade for the right reasons, and he took a gamble that made sense -- on paper. So it didn't work out. I think we can say the Rays won the trade, but I'll take Huntington trying stuff like this every day of the week as opposed to what he's done this season with a billion injuries -- basically nothing other than trading for Chris Stratton.
baseball
12:25
Is Who's on First by Abbot and Costello still the funniest baseball related comedy piece? It holds up. However, the Major League movies are right up there.
Jason Mackey
12:26
For my money, nothing tops Major League. I even like the sequel. Played college ball with a guy who was a dead ringer for Rube Baker.
Boca Bucco
12:27
What ever happened to last years free agent Daniel Nava? Haven't heard a word since he went on the DL.
Jason Mackey
12:27
Last I checked he was in the Phillies system, in Double-A, and not doing much of anything.
Ty
12:27
I don’t know who’s calling pitches but why is Mitch Keller throwing nothing but fastballs. Let the strikeout guys pitch their game and the ground all guys theirs. It’s ridiculous
Jason Mackey
12:28
Elias Diaz told me a few weeks ago he also calls his own game. It's one game. You go with what works. It's like an offensive coordinator. If you're having success with a play, you go back. I have no issue with the pitch mix, although I will if doesn't change. But for one game, it's OK.
jds317
12:28
At what point do the Bucs pull the plug on Kang?  Half through the season and hitting .150.  Moran looks like he's developing.  Your thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:29
What's the point in pulling the plug, though? I would be trying to get something out of him and trade him rather than just say he stinks, throw my arms up and quit then get nothing for him. What's the worst thing that can happen? They lose?
Rob O
12:29
Is the pirates pitching philosophy broken
Jason Mackey
12:30
I'm pretty sure their philosophy isn't to have a terrible bullpen, miss spots up and give up a bunch of homers. And try to survive a third of the season with two starting pitchers hurt.
Mike
12:30
Many sportswriters think the pirates should tear down and start over. Do you think NH believes this? What do you think is the logical move for the Pirates?
Jason Mackey
12:31
I'm fine if Neal wants to wait and see. Maybe he thinks value will increase. He would know that more than any of us on the outside. But, I mean, c'mon. Is anyone looking at this season, who's healthy and what the Pirates have done well and think they're going to win 20 in a row to jump back into the playoff race? I know I don't. ... But if Neal says this publicly, remember, he's giving up leverage.
Double Nickel
12:31
As the season has progressed, who have you seen step into a leadership role? I say Newman.
Jason Mackey
12:31
I haven't been around for long enough to give you proper perspective there. I'm sorry. But I do like Newman. He's a good kid who busts his butt; he's accountable; he's a very good ballplayer; and he does a lot of things well.
Ron J
12:31
U Think Ryan Reynolds has a good chance to win Rookie of The year ?
Jason Mackey
12:33
I don't know. I liked him a lot in "Waiting," and he didn't win it then. My wife would probably watch "The Proposal" on loop for 24 hours if she could. ... Rookie of the Year? Might be a bit much.
SalemPirate
12:33
More chats!!!
Jason Mackey
12:33
Thanks, Salem. I think we're trending that way. I said I would sort of evaluate how I felt about switching off between mailbags and chats. I prefer chats, honestly. More of a real interaction with readers. I might talk to my bosses about what can be done, but I also don't wanna take away Gator's opportunity to chat.
Double Nickel
12:34
Interview or not, with which player or coach do you like chat?
Jason Mackey
12:34
Big fan of the pitchers: Taillon, Williams and Musgrove. Brault, too, he's in Ian Cole/Ramon Foster/Jared Hughes territory. Newman and Tucker are great. Reynolds, but he's quiet. Really like Josh Bell. Honestly, the players are tremendous. Haven't talked to many of the assistant coaches yet, honestly.
Candy Man
12:35
I fear the rest of this year is going to get quite ugly. Perhaps enough for Nutting to realize he does not have the BMT in world history? Or better yet, sell to Ron & Mario? One can dream...
Jason Mackey
12:36
Wouldn't that be a story, huh? Those two or Cuban or Keaton? Bunch of possibilities, although I don't think they're terribly likely. It could get "ugly," but honestly, if this continues much more, it will be for the best. It's the unfortunate, business side of this thing. You have to strip it down to rebuild, and it doesn't make sense to do it halfway.
Double Nickel
12:36
What do you love about baseball?
Jason Mackey
12:38
The rhythm to it ... the complexity ... the strategy ... all the subtly to a single play ... why things were done, how they were done, what was supposed to be done, what wasn't, etc. ... Ever since I was little, being around it -- playing or watching -- has just created a different feeling for me that's hard to explain. It's like a smile inside, something I didn't feel playing football, basketball or hockey. ... I think baseball parks at night are some of the most beautiful, calming places on Earth. ... I like the accessibility and how baseball writers are treated. It's just fun.
SalemPirate
12:38
Musgrove and /archer piggybacking starts? Archer is past his prime and doesn't have efficient innings. Musgrove, this year at least, looks better in short roles.
Jason Mackey
12:39
I'm not ready to go there about Musgrove yet. We'll see with Williams tonight, but those two still might be their best options, as crazy as that seems. I'm telling you, there's something there with Archer. He's not done. They need to go back to the drawing board. And Musgrove has been inconsistent, but he hasn't been bad. Has actually had a few gems this season, just not enough of them.
Ron J
12:39
Do U think  Bryan Reynolds has a good chance to be the rookie of the year ?
Jason Mackey
12:40
Ha. I was just messing with you a little bit Ron. ... I think he has a chance, but not necessarily a good one. The National League Rookie of the Year race is crazy: Alonso, Tatis Jr., Verdugo, Reynolds, Soroka, Riley ... I'm probably omitting a few. It's really competitive. I'm not saying he won't win, but I do think it's going to be tough. Alonso would be my pick at the moment.
SalemPirate
12:40
Roster crunch: Cervelli and Kang survive how much longer? How many players can be rostered in Sept? Any present roster guys in danger of Being a DFA casualty? Gonzalez when he returns has no spot.
Jason Mackey
12:42
They're not going to cut a guy like Cervelli given what he's going through, so throw that out. Kang? Best option would be to trade him, honestly, if someone thought he could help. That team might be out there. ... In 2020, September rosters will be reduced to 28; it's 40 until then. ... I'd cross that bridge when we come to it for Gonzalez, but I don't see how DFA'ing a potential asset does anybody any good.
from Rdg, PA
12:42
Hi Jason, I'm from Reading, PA.  Wouldn't it be more interesting if the Pirates played the Mets and the Phillies 19x a year rather than the Brewers (yawn) or the Cardinals (here we go again)  Is there any realignment?  Do you think 19 games against 4 teams a year is a bit much?  It gets boring seeing the same teams plays so often.  Baseball needs a shake-up!
Jason Mackey
12:44
I agree with you. I think MLB will soon expand to 32 teams, and I think that should bring with it a bit of a drastic realignment. I could definitely see MLB lumping the Pirates in with, say, the Mets, Nationals and Phillies or something like that -- the NL East. Their current division makes little sense to me. And, yeah, 19 games against those same teams is a bit much. I'm hoping that changes if MLB expands.
joeco
12:44
i appreciate your chats.  Now the pirate fans can enjoy what the pens fans have had in the past.  Are the pirates really that far from contending?  I understand we maybe to far in the hole this year.   But if the stating pitching wasn't hurt this bad, do they deliver 4-5 more wins that we didn't get?   If so, now we are 2 back of a wild card...
Jason Mackey
12:45
I see what you're saying, Joe, but those sort of hypotheticals don't get you any closer to the playoffs. And if the Pirates pretend things are OK through the trade deadline and get nothing for expiring contracts, then they'd really be biffing it. Bottom line, I think they're fine to wait and see, maybe be a little bit picky now. They have some time. But I do think they need to do a bit of a roster overhaul here if they want to have a chance at competing for anything.
SalemPirate
12:46
Is there any reason to grant Archer's option for nxt season? Well, besides the fact it's for $2MM and McScrooge Nutting would hate to sacrifice any bottom line money.
Jason Mackey
12:47
I would not at this point, no, but I also happen to think -- and you'll probably call me crazy -- that the Archer situation is going to improve.
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