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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 07/30/10
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thomastown
12:17
Trial #2: Holmes used to be a starter and hasn’t been any good as a reliever. Once he comes back, why not give him several starts to see what he could do? Lest you think I’m crazy, consider that Brault wasn’t good as a reliever and has done much better as a starter. They only fell into that one due to all the injuries. If Holmes fails, at least they’ll know and can move on.
Jason Mackey
12:19
You really like to get creative during the second half, huh? Maybe they could try Marte at short. Or Newman in center. Perhaps play with five guys and see what happens. ... They tried Holmes as a starter last year. He went ... poorly. I don't sense any desire to revisit the experiment.
Joey
12:19
One big thing that is overlooked I feel is that Edgar Santana and Chad Kuhn should be back next year barring any setbacks. Would you say Santana could work right back in to a back end role and is Chad Kuhl basically destined to become a reliever? His stuff seems like it would play very well out of the pen. Career numbers are dominate through lineup the first time, start to fall apart the second and third.
Jason Mackey
12:20
Agree. Both Kuhl and Santana are on track to be ready for spring training, so that's good news. I would keep Kuhl as a starter, though. I get what you're saying, but I also think they have a need -- actually a couple of them -- in the rotation. I'd like to see what Kuhl could do with a shot. Doesn't hurt to try. Then you move him if it doesn't work out.
Tyler
12:20
If there was a fight club tournament inside the Bucs clubhouse who would win? Bonus Q: who would win in a pirates media brawl
Jason Mackey
12:21
Interesting ... I think my Final Four would be Starling Marte, Joe Musgrove, Keone Kela and Josh Bell. I'm not sure who would win there, but for the sake of argument I'm going Musgrove and Bell. ... Bell ultimately takes home the title.
cookie
12:21
alot of rain out there, make sure you have clean, dry underwear
Jason Mackey
12:21
Always do.
bub
12:21
HOW YOU DOIN
Jason Mackey
12:21
Good, bub. How you?
Jeff
12:22
Why, why, why does Clint insist on giving Kang so much playing time?  Wouldn't they be much better off giving those opportunities to Moran/Osuna/Newman, who are playing much better and have a chance to develop further with more experience?
Jason Mackey
12:22
Yes, I think so. The only thing I can think of is that they're trying to get him hot for a potential trade. It's not working. And if they can't move him, I would imagine they would entertain DFA'ing him. There's nothing there.
uele
12:22
Bucs are stuck in purgatory. We need a full rebuild with a proper plan in place. The only way for small market teams to compete is to rise and fall
Jason Mackey
12:23
I would agree that a bigger-picture rebuilding plan is in order. Hard to say this group is gonna be fixed with nips and tucks.
Retire21
12:23
Mark Cuban’s comments today in the P-G about the Pirates being risk averse comes with a lot more cred than us fans. Basically accused the owners of taking money out of the team?
Jason Mackey
12:24
Yes, that's exactly what he did. Although I think he framed it more as thinking Bob Nutting is a little too cautious when it comes to his business. He would like to see the Pirates try some things and if they don't work, so what?
Alice
12:26
What's been your favorite ballpark food this season?
Jason Mackey
12:28
Good question, Alice. Would have to say Wrigley. Since coming on the beat, I've been to Miller Park, Great American Ball Park, Minute Maid Park, Progressive Field and Busch Stadium. Wrigley Field was awesome, though. The baseball nut in me was going absolutely crazy.
Concerned Taillon fan
12:28
Did Taillon see a surgeon in New York? Hope all is well with him, really catching a bad break in his career
Jason Mackey
12:28
He saw him yesterday. We're thinking maybe today we get some news, tomorrow (when the director of sports medicine talks) at the latest.
Jake in DC
12:28
Curious how you feel about this. On a scale of 1-10 how important do you find this trade deadline/offseason? I'd give it an 8 minimum. This is absolutely the crux of the current management.
Jason Mackey
12:29
I would agree with you, Jake -- that's if they trade Vazquez. They absolutely need to get something huge for him. If we're talking Dickerson, Cabrera, Liriano ... I mean, you'd like to get something for those guys, sure, but it's not an 8.
backwards WV
12:29
Going to Camden Yards this weekend, what's a good place to get hammered?
Jason Mackey
12:29
No clue, but get some of the BBQ across the street. Incredible stuff.
Jeff
12:29
Moran has a mere 35 PA vs lefties this year.  Have the Bucs given up on him ever hitting lefties, resigning him to be a platoon guy?  Now that they're out of it, why not give him a chance to improve by facing LHPs?
Jason Mackey
12:30
He hit against a lefty last night and hit a grand slam. So, no. I think they're becoming more willing to allow him to hit left-handed pitching.
Ryan
12:30
Would you say that 2 if the names being mentioned in the trade scenario are better than any of our current prospects? If so what does that say about our drafting and development staff
Jason Mackey
12:31
That is hasn't been good enough, honestly. The Dodgers have a much better farm system than the Pirates, who I think are ranked 20th. For what they are, the Pirates should have much better depth in the farm system than they do.
Jake in DC
12:36
You mentioned earlier that Bell is one of the Pirates untouchables. Who do you consider to be the others? I'd say Reynolds for sure, maybe newman? After that I'd listen for any player.
Jason Mackey
12:37
I would put Reynolds and Newman in that category. Nobody else.
Ryan
12:37
Possible three of those names being baz meadows glasnow. Potentially worst trade for NH?
Jason Mackey
12:39
I'd probably go Jason Bay, but it's more because of the return. At least on paper the Archer deal made sense. Yes, it didn't work, and that ultimately falls on Huntington. But I can't question the process or what it looked like on paper. It should have worked.
J
12:39
Bravo Jason. You have done an average job so far on the beat and i look forward to much more 'ehh'
Jason Mackey
12:39
Um ... thanks. I guess?
N. Wilborn
12:39
Can someone please say something positive yet not at all true about Chris Archer?  I need some help pumping this guy up. Appreciate it!
Jason Mackey
12:39
Gator, what are you doing here?
Jake in DC
12:39
What the heck happened to Trevor Williams? My man was absolutely lights out last year, and continued that to start this year. I know injuries can slow you down, but he's absolutely imploded since returning
Jason Mackey
12:40
I thought he was much better his last time out. Talked to Trevor yesterday about the difficulties of being out/in ... the stuff he's dealt with this season. Not making excuses. He sure didn't. But it has been a bit of an adjustment for him. He's happy to back in a routine. I would look for him to improve.
Jeff
12:41
Any idea if the Bucs view the new acquisition, Ponce, as a starter or reliever?  Looks like he's been both in the minors.
Jason Mackey
12:41
This year was his first as a reliever. I would expect that to continue, although Hurdle said yesterday they're still finalizing that -- which I found sorta odd. In the end, I would look for him to stay a reliever. He has seemed to settle into that role nicely.
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