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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 06.30.21
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Jason Mackey
12:20
I think he's waiting to the trade deadline to play some of his cards. I'm not sure it has anything to do with those two. Polanco involves whether Ben gets a legitimate offer. If he got something now, I think he would do it. I don't think Tom has anything to do with that. I'm beginning to think they just want to run out his Rule 5 clock, or they maybe they actually think he can hit.
Rockpile
12:20
Have the prospective #1 picks declared sports agents and might tbe pirates try to avoid certain sports agents in particular and this would influence their pick? Thank you for your insight. I enjoy your pirates coverage.
Jason Mackey
12:20
Some have. Like Rocker is a Boras guy, which is one reason why I think you can rule him out. I would be stunned if a Scott Boras client signed a 1.1 for below slot. Thank you for the kind words!
Andrew
12:20 
Hi Jason, First off is there a way for the Pirates to win this deadline this year with trading Frazier, RichRod? What do you think they get for Frazier? #1, or #2 prospects? And also What is the Pirates plan for next year? I know 2023-24 is when the Bucs will start to compete but I’m curious. What is the Bucs plan for the 2022 season? Is it let the kids play? Sign vets and move them?
Jason Mackey
12:22
Andrew, I'm having a tough time reading your question. It's arriving in a weird format. I think you're asking about winning the deadline with Frazier and Rich Rod, and they absolutely can do that. I think they can and will do what they've been doing -- targeting young, high-upside guys who are 3-4 years away but project out to be really, really good. Doesn't mean they'll hit on all of them, but it betters their chances. If I missed anything, please re-ask.
Max
12:22
Hi, wondering if pitchers, in general, have bonuses in their contracts for pitching no-hitters or perfect games or is that specific only to certain contracts of higher profile players which specify such an incentive?
Jason Mackey
12:22
Not that I'm aware of, but I also can't say for sure that they don't.
Joel
12:23
Any thoughts on what accounts for the serious decline in offense out of the catching position across the board in the majors? Even excellent teams are getting less and less out of the catching position. I’m going to date myself, but in the 70s you had Bench, Sanguillen, Munson, Simmons … That’s unheard of now. Finding the next offensive force at catcher seems like one of those market inefficiencies/opportunities that someone should try to take advantage of.
Jason Mackey
12:24
Those guys just aren't out there, Joel. If a guy is good offensively, chances are they're going to move him to a younger position at an early age to preserve his body. Nobody wants their best hitters to have to live the life of a catcher. I guess I would chalk it up to just advanced thinking and the efforts made to keep guys healthy -- which, to me, sometimes send things the other direction.
Gus
12:24
Saw the Pirates are sending Contreras and Priester to the futures game. If you include Modzinski, Thomas, Burrows, Yean, and Malone, are the Pirates young arms better than many thought?
Jason Mackey
12:24
A thousand times, yes. Don't forget about Santiago Florez. Have something cooking about him and some changes the Pirates had him make. Bunch of encouraging stuff with their pitching prospects.
DJS
12:25
Fair enough re:Leiter. I guess a shorter version of my overanalyzing is that I'm not so convinced the upside of anyone else is worth sacrificing the relatively safe floor + similar upside of Leiter, but obviously this kind of judgment can't be doled out by a fan watching a few games and reading a few reports.
Ps- I remain very intrigued that Frelick keeps coming up in the chats, since he seems firmly in the second tier based on mocks. Any further insight as to why? Cold-weather, multi-sport athlete who plays a premium position seems very intriguing. Reads to me as similar in kind to the Gonzales selection. Thanks for all of your reporting on the draft! (and I wonder if you are like me in being very ready for it to come and go at this point...)
Jason Mackey
12:26
I am definitely ready for it to come and go. I think you're getting warm on Frelick. Also, they can use outfielders, and I think some believe he's undervalued. He would definitely sign for less, playing into their strategy. Again, I'm not saying it's what they're doing. I'm just saying I think it's an option at this point.
New Castle Pete
12:26
Hi Jason. If the Pirates knew that they were going to send down Max after his start why not bring him back in after the rain delay?
Jason Mackey
12:27
Because that's incredibly risky, Pete. Believe me, I've tried to do it. You can really screw up your arm. I'm glad they didn't bring him back. That's too much inactivity after to which to restart. Now, why they didn't give him a second start this weekend? I don't understand that decision.
Gus
12:27
I hear a lot about Cruz and Contreras when it comes to the Altoona guys expecting promotions. But what else does Rodolpho Castro have to do? Why isn’t he considered as intriguing?
Jason Mackey
12:28
I don't know who's been saying that, but literally every time I bring up promotions from Altoona, Castro has been a part of it. He absolutely should go to Class AAA soon.
Joel
12:28
Does having a set lineup have to be a luxury solely for good teams? It seems to me the Pirates, as bad as they are, would still benefit from having a set lineup against righties and lefties so that guys know their roles. I’m not a fan of all of Shelton’s tinkering.
Jason Mackey
12:31
I think part of that is true. When you're good, why would you want to change things? Although to be fair to Shelton, the Rays are good, and they change things all the time. So, I see both sides. I think it depends on your personnel. If you have 7-8 really good position players and it makes sense to not tinker, cool. If you don't and matchups are your best route, then do that. I think the Pirates' issue is that they don't have either of those options available right now.
Bill
12:31
Theres a purge coming--- a 40 man roster purge with all the prospects eligible for Rule 5 this Dec. Wouldn't it make sense to give guys like Oliva and Tucker extended playing time the remainder of the season to see if they are part of the plan or not?
Jason Mackey
12:32
Yes, it would. The only thing I keep telling myself there is that it's a long season. And it is. We're not even halfway there. I think they will get playing time, but Oliva was out with the oblique, Tucker the bronchial thing. You probably want to see more production first. But you're right about the impending roster crunch.
Gus
12:34
If Frazier is traded prior to the all star game, does he still count as the Pirates representative?
Jason Mackey
12:36
Ha. That's a very good question. I'm not sure that scenario has ever unfolded. I would guess no, since they want to have at least one from every team on-site. Would have to think that guarantees Reynolds a trip to Colorado, although he should be going anyway.
Bill
12:37
What are your thoughts on Ponce? Last night's outing aside (Coors field obviously) he's been pretty solid when called upon last year and this year. I dont see him as a regular starter but maybe a swingman/long reliever type.
Jason Mackey
12:38
Maaaybe a long reliever. I liked his starts last year. I haven't been impressed by what I've seen out of him this year at the big league level and what he's done in the minors. Again, I'm fine with giving him more chances. But I don't think I have much of an opinion given the relative lack of production.
Gus
12:38
Does a player have to be a certain age before going to certain levels of the minor leagues? For example that 17 year old catcher or Shalin Polanco. How does that work?
Jason Mackey
12:39
So a guy like Polanco is gonna start out in the Dominican Summer League or Gulf Coast League. (They have new names, which I refuse to look up.) I don't think there's anything preventing that. At the same time, why? I think you're trying to get players relatively close to his peers and put him in a position to have success. Almost always it aligns with that traditional trajectory.
12:41
OK, folks. That does it for this week. Sorry for the shorter-than-normal chat, although I did answer all the Qs that popped up. Hopefully you enjoy the game today. Let's do this again next week.
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