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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 07.01.20
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Jason Mackey
11:42
Hi folks. Welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. We'll get going at noon, but you're welcome to ask your questions right here, right now. Hoping for another good session. So, fire away. Thanks, Mackey.
stuckinnj
12:00
According to what I see online, the Pirates only signed one post-draft free again.  Another right handed pitcher.  Why did they stop at only one player?
Jason Mackey
12:02
OK, let's go. ... Probably a few things here. One, they just laid off more than 40 people. I would imagine that had at least something to do with it, although I hope they wouldn't decide against adding talent if they otherwise found a solid option. Two, I think it's a tough sell, especially now. Think about it if you're a college kid: What incentive do you have to come out now? A bonus that would be well below normal, plus no minor league season and 60-man rosters for summer camp that are set. I would probably go back to my scholarship, honestly. And then add the Pirates and the fact that some guys might want a better options, I think it's more than one thing at play.
Jimmie
12:02
I would enjoy an article explaining the various pitching strategies of the Pirate pitchers.  What is each pitcher's strikeout pitch?  What do pitchers like to do in certain situations? I would assume that major league batters know each pitcher's strike out pitch; do they? Why do writers never address this aspect of baseball?  Are these closely guarded secrets? If you do not want to divulge Pirate pitchers' secrets, why not reveal what we know about rival teams' pitchers' strategies?
Jason Mackey
12:06
Good to know, Jimmie. And I'm sorry what all baseball writers have done up to this point has been substandard. ... Trust me, if a pitcher would be willing to divulge exactly what he likes to do in every situation, I don't think we're turning that down. But they don't. ... That said, we can review tendencies and do some stuff through research and Statcast. ... I agree it would be an interesting piece, especially this season when access will be limited. ... Would imagine something like the best weapons or most-used weapons for pitchers.
pozone
12:06
Any word on Bucs extending any of our younger players? Was that just more BS by Nutting?
Jason Mackey
12:07
No word. COVID-19 halted all of that. And I wouldn't call it BS. I think they are interested in doing that. It's just that, from what I know, the Pirates' price point for making a move is nowhere near that of the players or the market.
Scott
12:07
Jason-As the season approaches, any chance the Buccos try to sign a free agent to increase fan interest and their chances to contend in a 60 game season. First name that comes to mind is Puig.
Jason Mackey
12:08
No, I don't think there's a very good chance of that happening. Do I think they should? Sure. It would be a great time. I'm all for this organization doing something out of the ordinary, something that would create interesting storylines for me. But it tracks in no way with their other moves. Shoot, again, they just laid off 40-plus people. And now they're gonna take a pretty good gamble on a guy who has run into his fair share of problems? I just don't see the Pirates doing that, even though it would be a nice gesture toward fans.
Jim M
12:08
Jason,  What is the difference between the 30 players from the list of 60 who don’t make the roster and the taxi squad other than where they practice?  Thanks
Jason Mackey
12:09
I'm not completely clear on that, Jim. Obviously all 60 won't travel. And the Pirates can bring as many as three with them on the road, provided one is a catcher. OK, so that leaves 27 of the 60, with likely 20 having started at Altoona. Do the other seven stay at PNC Park? Or do they go to Altoona? I'm not sure.
Danny
12:10
Since only players on team’s 60 player pool can be traded in 2020 how will that impact the trade market leading up to the deadline this year?
Jason Mackey
12:12
Hi Danny. I think the trade deadline is gonna be really weird this year, for a multitude of reasons. On one hand, I could see teams going for it and trying to be active. Also, if they wanna unload contracts, now would be the time. But I also think it might be unusually quiet, because of the uniqueness of it all, whether that's rules with minor league guys or a lack of development, the business aspect of potentially losing money. I'm not sure what to make of the whole thing.
Guest
12:12
I think you’re right.  Not much incentive to sign right now except that it might give you a better long term chance if you are a lower end or more middling prospect.
Jason Mackey
12:13
Right. And if you're out of options, sure. But they're shopping in a very specific store: looking for guys who don't have better options, can't go back to school and don't stink.
Danny
12:20
I’m interested to hear how you think arbitration might go this year? Will it be business as usual since service time still counts or will there be discounted figures? As always thanks for the chats Jason!
Jason Mackey
12:23
That's a good one, Danny. I would hope that logic would prevail, right? Like if a team is trying to argue that somebody only hit 14 home runs as a reason to keep his pay down, that can't happen. Nobody would buy that. I think you're going to see rate stats come into play more. First blush I think you're probably going to see slightly discounted rates or lower numbers.
Danny
12:23
Do you think Ke’Bryan Hayes makes the OD roster?
Jason Mackey
12:25
I do, yes. I think it's time to give him a chance. I think you probably had him up here anyway, around this time in the season. Is it perfect? No. But I think you need to see what he can do. I also think he would be a significant defensive upgrade over Colin Moran, while the DH would allow the Pirates to keep Moran's bat in the lineup. I don't know if I would play Hayes every single day, but I would like for the Pirates to get him established. Without a minor league season, they need to improve his development in some form or fashion.
GH
12:25
Happy Bobby Bonilla Day!!!
Jason Mackey
12:25
Same to you!
seferg
12:25
When does the revised schedule come out?
Jason Mackey
12:26
I've heard next week, although I wouldn't be shocked if it came out this weekend. I think they want to get through everyone's reporting/testing and get summer camp started, then you'll see it.
Hank
12:26
Whats the likely hood Hayes starts the season at 3B?
Jason Mackey
12:27
Again, I think pretty decent. I think if he hits in spring, he'll be given a chance. But if he doesn't, they'll probably wait until he shows he's ready. But I do think now is the time to start giving him regular major league innings.
Sammy
12:27
Only the thirty active are at PNC--plus 3 taxi squad on the road--travel. All the other 27-34 (depending on the time of the season) will be in Altoona training and staying ready. One major difference for spots 41-60 are they aren't on the roster and would need added, but aside from that, no real major difference.
Jason Mackey
12:27
Thanks for the assist, Sammy.
Christian M.
12:27
Hey Jason, how long do you personally think until we get to see Nick Gonzales in the bigs? (Barring no more major postponements due to COVID.)
Jason Mackey
12:29
I would say ~ 2 years. This season caught me by surprise. I thought they would try to get hi m integrated into their system, but they chose not to put him on the 60. Figure at the earliest he would start next season at Class A, then reach Class AA or Class AAA by the end of the year, possibly a promotion to the bigs after that. Would obviously be super, super fast. So that's why I'm saying two. Obviously could be longer and shorter.
Josh
12:29
Celebration abounds as baseball is back, but to me, it all kinda feels hollow; I mean, it's not happening, definitely not a full season, if at all, right?
Jason Mackey
12:30
I'm not sure of your question, Josh. Do you mean you don't think they'll play 60 games because of COVID-19? If so, I share your concern. This is going in a crummy direction. Part of me worries that it won't happen, and we're gonna backslide even further. But they're definitely not going to play more than 60 games if that's what you're worried about.
Sammy
12:31
The Pirates have to keep Hayes down at least 20 days to gain an extra year of service, you don't see a chance of that happening?
Jason Mackey
12:33
That's nearly a third of the season, and we're dealing with a new regime. I wouldn't say anything concrete has been determined either way. I would maybe understand manipulating service time in a full season, but I would hope that right now, after all this, that isn't their primary concern. If Hayes hits -- we know he can field -- he should play. He would be their best option at third base.
seferg
12:33
Do you think there are any battles to be settled during spring training 2.0 or is the full regular roster pretty much settled?
Jason Mackey
12:34
I think it's fairly settled. Your outfield will be Reynolds, Dyson and Polanco. Stallings, Bell, Frazier and Newman are entrenched. Fifth starter could come down to Brault and Kuhl, although I'm expecting Brault. Third base, as we've been discussing, will be interesting. There are off-field concerns there. Some battle in the bullpen. Who replaces Santana? Is there a lefty? What do they do with the extra four spots? Fair amount of stuff, yeah.
Josh
12:34
I'm not sure they even start the season, much less finish it*
Jason Mackey
12:35
Hey, I don't know. You don't know. Nobody knows. But I certainly respect and understand your opinion. Lot of uncertainty right now with where this thing is headed.
*Should say seemingly headed
Tony
12:38
With the shorter season and lack of starting pitching on this team how likely do you think that the Bucs will use an ‘opener’ this year?  Maybe with Kuhl
Jason Mackey
12:39
I don't know to put a percentage on it, but I do think it will happen. I don't think it will be a regular, recurring strategy. But if there's an injury or a need, I don't see them shying away from it. I just hope it's better than Michael Feliz or Montana DuRapau.
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