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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 07.14.23
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Potato Pete
12:26
Of all the Pirates drafted, which one is going to be the hardest to sign?
Jason Mackey
12:27
Maybe Zander Mueth? If they have to go over slot a bunch for Skenes, maybe they get pinched here. But I still think they get it done.
62 Stack Monster
12:27
Hi Jason, how big of a deal is it that Elias Diaz is prospering as a catcher AND a hitter?  Can the Pirates not identify major league talent?
Jason Mackey
12:29
I don't blame the Pirates there. I would have made the same move on Diaz. You would have, too. He was 28, terribly defensively, not going anywhere with the bat, and they had Stallings. I give credit to Elias for figuring it out. This stuff happens. They've screwed up plenty of development, but I don't have a huge issue with this one.
Ryan
12:29
Good afternoon Jason what players get called up next Endy and Quinn and what players do we trade at the deadline I’m thinking hill and Choi
Jason Mackey
12:29
Answered that first part plenty. I don't see them trading Choi. They probably can't given his contract, lack of production and injury history over the past year. Only other one I'd add to the list is Carlos Santana.
Buccos Lover
12:30
Jason what’s your prediction for overall record? The ups and downs of the 1st half were a lot for most fans. Hoping to see these young Bucs coming soon and we do our best to catch a spark. I’m guessing 73-89. This team feels way better than the 62-100, 2022 Buccos. Only thing that worries me is pitching health/depth. Best wishes!
Jason Mackey
12:31
I predicted 74-76 wins at the start, and I haven't moved off of that. It's been an adventure getting there. I could see them teasing once more, too, before depth ultimately gets them and the bottom falls out.
PrinceBob
12:31
This is a question inspired by Elias Diaz's home run and All Star MVP award. Are the Pirates worse at developing minor league talent than most other teams or is it that maybe I just think that because I pay them a lot more attention than I do anyone else. The reason Diaz brings this to mind for me is because I saw him play in Altoona a few times and thought he was a potential MLB All Star when the time came. I decided I was wrong when he was mediocre at best and now it turns out I was right.  But again, maybe if I followed other teams as closely as I do Pittsburgh I'd have a similar number of experiences.
Jason Mackey
12:32
It's not like I'm following a bunch of other teams closely, either. From talking to people in the industry, the Pirates' last regime did not have a good reputation. They were too cookie-cutter with things. People feel differently about the new group. I don't think Diaz is a great example, but let's remember that Cherington and Co. had nothing to do with his development. The interim group made the decision to cut ties, and, as I said, I have no issue there.
Marc
12:32
Hey Jason, thanks for the chat. Any update on local tv rights? I would love to stream the Pirates and ditch cable. Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:33
No update, other than to say games will continue to be viewable. There are many moving parts here, and I do hope to have more for you soon.
George Costanza
12:35
Hello Jason. Other than Skenes, who do think the best draft pick was in this year's draft?
Jason Mackey
12:37
It's probably a tie for me between Forrester & Mueth.
Greg
12:37
Cherington has always established that he will make deals to improve team. Are Keller or Bednar, or even Hayes and Reynolds (extensions aside) still potential trade candidates? Both are controlled at reasonable cost and could add value to contenders if they offer the right return.  Santana and Hill seem more likely, but any chance of Cherington more fully shaking up roster?
Jason Mackey
12:38
I don't think so would be my short answer. Bednar is a special case, IMO. That would not go over well, and when they are competitive -- which they obviously hope to be this season and/or soon -- they need someone to close games. There's no direct replacement. Tough to see how trading Reynolds or Hayes right now, when their value is probably not great, makes you better. I still think they're a better team with those guys in the mix ... and hopefully better than they've been, obviously.
George Costanza
12:38
Is there concern that Termarr Johnson has dropped 48 spots on Baseball's top 100 list?
Jason Mackey
12:39
Not from this end. I think that stuff is a little overrated. Eddy Yean and Hudson Head were top-10 Pirates prospects at one point. Grain of salt with all of it.
Greg
12:39
Lots of comparisons between Keller and Contreras dealing with struggles, but often overlooked is Contreras body of work by age 23 season, whereas Keller struggled until his age 26 season
Jason Mackey
12:39
I mean, I guess. I don't see this being a huge deal.
Nick F
12:39
I hear some noise to extend Keller and Cruz- but have you heard anything about extending Suwinski? I think he is on the path to being a very special player
Jason Mackey
12:40
I know they've had conversations with Mitch and Oneil, to varying degrees of success. I agree with you: It would make sense. But I do not know for sure if he has been discussed or not. Jack also strikes me as someone who doesn't want anything to do with that stuff until after the season. Very much in his own world -- I mean this as a compliment -- when it comes to baseball work.
Greg
12:41
One of nagging concerns about Contreras as frontline starter is smaller size - ie not prototypical MLB SP stature.  Are there concerns the velo dip is related to physiology or does team see issue more as mental adjustments?
Jason Mackey
12:41
Have not heard any of the concerns described as physiological. Psychological, yes. But he was throwing 98 mph at that size not long ago. Nobody was worried about his height when he made his MLB debut or during the '22 season.
Greg
12:41
Understand Cruz timetable is only an estimate, but if it holds as mid August, when would we expect to see him begin a rehab assignment?
Jason Mackey
12:42
Said earlier I'd push that back a bit. Beginning a rehab assignment ... maybe like first week or August? Real tough timetable there. Not gospel by any stretch.
Austin H.
12:43
But how is the pitch framing measured? I want to make sure I keep in tip top form there. What metric is used to say I'm better at pitch framing than any other catcher? Personally, I think it's something that some of the media uses to defend my hideous signing, but I want to extend my career as long as possible.
Jason Mackey
12:44
Wow. This is an honor. The media makes up pitch-framing to defend the Austin Hedges signing. I've been accused of some wacky stuff during my time in this job, both on Penguins and Pirates. This one ranks right up there.
Greg
12:44
Castro really struggling and playing time has reflected it, but have Pirates considered optioning him to Indy to try to get his groove back and maybe see more consistent RHP?
Jason Mackey
12:44
Yes. And you may see it. Bottom line, he hasn't produced enough to justify staying. Forget anything else. Now, he has hit lefties well. So maybe he starts doing that again and stays. But I would say it
12:45
's awful close to demotion time, if, say, someone comes off the IL or they wanna take a look at someone else.
Greg
12:45
Agree wholeheartedly with your take on Skenes selection and not entirely sold on Crews sticking in CF in majors where he'd have maximal value. Surprised to see the pick dinged by some national media as being cost driven.  Skenes is getting bank and Pirates know that.  Looks like they got their man.
Jason Mackey
12:46
Did not see that assessment of the move. Don't know how it can be cost-driven, but they'll still almost assuredly pay above-slot. It is legal to like Skenes more than Crews. That's not a wrong or terrible take.
Bill
12:46
Questions on two prospects. How is the health of Travis Swaggerty? Also do you see them promoting Termarr Johnson soon?
Jason Mackey
12:48
Swaggerty is back and on rehab with High-A Greensboro. Curious to see how he fares. As for Termarr, not necessarily. He would be going to High-A, first of all. Not the bigs. But I'm not sure I feel a need to do it right now. There's plenty of stuff for him to keep working on at Low-A.
Guest
12:48
Here’s a question posed to me —runners on first and second—a double steal attempt—runner on second is thrown out at third—does the runner on first get credited with a stolen base?
Jason Mackey
12:48
If he stole second, then yes.
Bucs fan
12:48
Wont be a highly proven lineup but I think the buccos could have a great lineup next year. Lots of talent. Would like to see Rhys Hoskins at 1B
Jason Mackey
12:49
I wouldn't hold your breath. My guess is they'll try to fill that spot internally. To be fair, they have some interesting candidates.
Bill
12:49
I maybe mistaken, but you mentioned in a chat a while back that you were working on deal with 93.7 for something. Is that still in the works?
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