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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 07.09.21
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Jason Mackey
12:41
He's not in play for them at 1.1. That much I do know.
canyon
12:41
What do you think about Fangraphs ranking the Pirates farm system number 3?
Jason Mackey
12:42
It's not surprising. For those of us who pay attention to this stuff every day, you can see it. I think they've made great strides. Would not shock me if they were No. 1 by the offseason. I fully expect them to get good again under this current regime. Cherington knows what he's doing. Where it goes from there, we'll see. But I think he's proven he can find talent, acquire talent, and I think he also knows how to develop it.
SOCAL21
12:42
When I saw we signed Dee Gordon, I thought it is insurance  after trading Fraizer, i will be surprised if he is not traded.
Jason Mackey
12:43
Insurance for what? To make sure they stay in the pennant race? I wouldn't connect the two. It may work out, sure. But the Pirates had an opening. DSG wants to show what he can do, as he should. Maybe he plays in Indy, Frazier gets traded, DSG comes up, dominates and earns his next contract, I don't know. But they had an opportunity/need in the minors, and there's a reasonable path to playing time here, where I don't think he had that other places. I don't think the Pirates signed him as "insurance."
marty v
12:43
We need to keep Frazier.  Perfect lead-off hitter and excellent 2nd baseman.  There is no way we will get anything close to his talents in return.  Let's build the team around him and Reynolds.
Jason Mackey
12:46
Absolutely not. Why Marty? They invested a first-round pick on Nick Gonzales. He and Frazier play the same position. In a couple years, Gonzales will need somewhere to play. Also, if you were Frazier, what would you do? Option 1: Ride it out, reach free agency after 2022 and take your .330 average  to the open market? 2. Sign a deal to stay with a rebuilding club that may take until 2024 to compete. And, oh, by the way, you may not get full value for your services because of the team's financial situation. It doesn't make sense for either side.
Austin
12:46
Without giving specific names, what do you think we should expect a return for Frazier to be? Does he bring back a top 100 overall prospect? A couple of a teams top 10 guys? What do you think?
Jason Mackey
12:48
The return for Adam Frazier is gonna be hitting myself over the head with a tack hammer by the time this is finished. ... 1. He could bring back a top 100 guy. I don't think that's insane. I also don't think it's guaranteed. 2. Maybe a couple top 10s in a bad system, yeah, I could see that. But they would be more toward 10 than one. Again, this questions are soooo hard to answer because we don't know. There's no blueprint to follow here.
Dale
12:48
What % would you put on the following guys being the #1 pick Sunday? Mayer, Davis, Watson, Leiter, Lawlar.
Jason Mackey
12:48
I can't put a percentage on it, Dale. But I will rank them in terms of likelihood, at least in my opinion: Mayer, Davis, Lawlar, Watson, Leiter.
SOCAL21
12:48
If they trade Frazier or other players performing at Frazier's level, and your Hayes, why in the world would you want to stay in Pittsburgh and sign long term? Seems losing can get old?
Jason Mackey
12:51
See my answer above for why they're going to trade Frazier, please. ... If you're Hayes, you have to look at it like this: I can sign here right now and -- again, I wouldn't sign if they didn't do this -- make a pretty nice chunk of change, guaranteed money, to hitch my wagon to this organization. If I do this, I'm gonna get assurances of what they're doing, how they're doing it, who they're going to pay, etc. It's not meeting my number, it's feeling good about the situation I'm connecting myself to. And hell, maybe those answers don't come. If it's me and they don't, I wouldn't sign. But I do think Cherington is smart. I do think he understands how Hayes is looking at this. So, you build out the farm system. You have a plan. You communicate that plan. And you meet the player's number. Again, if they're serious about this -- and I think they are -- then this can be done. Ben and others should pay for the sins of the Pirates' past. And I would hope and think that Hayes and his camp would look at it
that way as well.
MDB
12:51
What do you think would be considered a good return when they trade Frasier?  Who will be next in line at 2B?
Jason Mackey
12:52
Easy one on the second part: Nick Gonzales. It's one of the reasons why they will trade Frazier. Same thing as I've said: multiple pieces; young, high-upside guys, similar to what they've done; at least one pitcher; top 100 would be awesome but not a guarantee or prerequisite; I think top 50 is a stretch.
George
12:53
Jason,  when are the Pirates organization is going to take a stand and pay Adam Frazier his just dues and start building upon what they have instead of always looking over their shoulders on what he might bring?  The Pirates seems to be nothing more than a farm system for MLB?
Jason Mackey
12:53
See answer above. Why would Frazier want to sign here? It's not just the Pirates. Also, they drafted a second baseman in the first round last year. Why would you sign a veteran one long-term if you have backfill coming?
V. Fontaine
12:53
You may have discussed this before and if so apologies for bringing it up again. If or when Frazier is traded, who gets the chance to start at 2B or does it become a platoon?
Jason Mackey
12:54
Probably a platoon. Could see maybe Newman shifting some, Gonzalez. Who knows what Strange-Gordon does. Tucker could be in the mix somewhere, although that might be with Newman there. Maybe Castro gets more of a chance if he's hitting.
Walt
12:54
This might Sound strange but how much of a players career is determined by a hot streak (or cold streak, for that matter)? Ríanse Contreras put himself in the national conversation because of his dominant start to the season. Bryan Reynolds first taste of the majors came only because of a plethora of injuries, and he started off sizzling. Do you think players who go on streaks in professional ball gain a sense of confidence that kind of propels them through their major league career?
Jason Mackey
12:55
Ummm, good question, Walt. I don't know about propels them throughout their career. But do they form habits they find work and stick with them? Very possibly. I think the player would have to answer that. I also think there's something to be said for feeling comfortable on the field and the confidence built.
MDB
12:55
Besides Frasier who else will be traded…Polanco, Rich Rod, Moran?
Jason Mackey
12:56
Not Moran. Potentially Polanco, if they can find a suitor. Rich Rod, yes. Anderson, yes. That's my opinion or read on it, anyway. Obviously Frazier.
MDB
12:56
Is there any reason to believe that outside of Reynolds and Hayes that any of the current starting lineup players will be on the PBC roster in 3 years?
Jason Mackey
12:56
There might be some. Like Bednar could be around. Maybe Stallings. Cole Tucker if he somehow figures it out, although that doesn't look likely. He's also not a "starting lineup player."
Carl in Carrick
12:57
Hey Jason…I saw your earlier statement on the catcher Del Castillo.  What are your thoughts on the Louisville catcher Henry Davis?  It doesn’t seem at present, that there is much depth at that position.  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:58
I like him a lot, Carl. I think he has everything they could want and need. I've half-convinced myself that's who they should draft. Then I read more about Marcelo Mayer, and I question my line of thinking, because you can't draft for a need. But I do think about how much sense it would make to just take Davis, keep Peguero at short, etc. I think that's why you have to trust your scouts.
Bill
12:58
Happy Friday Jason-- Crick's control issues affect him nearly every out he has, scoreless or not. At some point do they cut ties and look at some younger arms in Spitzbarth, Jacques, Ogle, Ky. Keller and DFA Crick or do they think his stuff can be improved?
Jason Mackey
1:00
There's nothing wrong with Crick's stuff, Bill. It's some of the best in MLB, at least his slider. Now, I agree with you on his control. His walks per nine are more than twice as high as they were in 2018, his best season. That can't continue. To me, I think they need to work mechanically with him. It's not stuff. It's not mental. I'd be investigating front side, arm slot, release point, that sorta stuff that often portends wildness. Hard no to the DFA. And I'm fine giving some of those guys a chance; just not at the expense of Crick who, when his control is in order, is one of their best relievers.
Yuri
1:00
Hello Jason.  Do you think the Pirates may go under slot to draft the catcher Davis to then have more money to get a quality player in the second round?  Thank you Jason.
Jason Mackey
1:00
Hey Yuri. I think they go under slot, yes. I can't say for sure whether that involves Davis, although he's definitely on their list of considerations.
Woobie
1:01
Will the Pirates treat Mayer, if he’s the pick, like Cruz and keep him at SS until/if he shows them he can’t play the position?
Jason Mackey
1:03
Yes. No need to move him at this point. Scouts really like his defensive ability. Let him show it. He may never move, honestly.
Steven
1:03
Jason, fast forward say.. 2 to 3 years down the road.. hypothetically who would be your major league rotation? In addition, do you see Mitch Keller as apart of the team in the future or is it plausible that he may be gone before the ‘23 season?
Jason Mackey
1:06
Yeah, he would be TBD for me. ... Lemme see if I can do this ... Brubaker, Yajure, Contreras, Priester and Mlodzinski. ... Keller easily could be there. Tahnaj Thomas, too. Don't know how Bolton comes out of this. I think Burrows could be close. Or even Omar Cruz. Yean and Malone are probably still developing. If they make strides, could also maybe see Garcia or Florez.
And geez, I forgot Kranick, who very well might be there, too. Lotta options. Lot of stuff to happen.
Woobie
1:06
If Kranick pitches well tomorrow, does he stay in the rotation? And who leaves the rotation when Brault returns or will that be taken care of when Anderson is almost certainly dealt?
Jason Mackey
1:07
Yeah, that's how I see this shaking out -- Anderson for Brault. If not, I'd say Crowe. He has options. De Jong does not. So, if they're about the same, Crowe makes more sense. ... And, yes, I think Kranick stays if he pitches well. Watch.
Guest
1:07
What is the hesitancy to give guys like Craig, Castro, or Tucker starts or opportunities for significant playing time while they are called up? Seems like they are given limited opportunities. Regardless we know Evans, Difo, Gonzales have no long term vision with club.
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