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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 07.15.20
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Jordan
12:37
While I understand what you're saying about Hayes and Kela in theory, it doesn't make a lot of sense in practice. Today, the Red Sox placed several players on the IL--neither with a day or injury designation. That would quite clearly point to all signs meaning COVID Related IL, and if the team goes and adds additional players over the 60-man CPP, that only further cements it, so, what's the point?
Jason Mackey
12:38
I'm not sure I get your point here, Jordan. Are you saying they should just say what the player has? I agree with you, but that's not solely a major league rule. We're talking about HIPAA here.
Jordan
12:38
Can they really start playing baseball in 8 days when teams are shutting down workouts, holding players out of workouts, etc. due to testing issues? Testing is what this whole plan is based on.
Jason Mackey
12:38
I don't know, but I can tell you that I really, really expect them to try. Right or not, I think MLB is now very much committed to this. I very much see them continuing to do this.
TP Ranger
12:38
Jason, I appreciate all of the effort to put on a shortened ML season this year, as well as your efforts to cover it. I view it more as an interesting diversion rather than a legitimate season, although I know the eventual champion (if the season plays out) will count just like the others. Do you think the shortened season will enable the Pirates to get a good read on how their young players will perform in the future?
Jason Mackey
12:40
Thanks, TP. I appreciate that. And I agree with you: There's no reason to dislike it, right? It's still baseball. It's still live sports. It's a heck of a lot better than writing about pro rata. ... Do I think this will paint a meaningful picture for the Pirates? Unfortunately no, I don't. It's hard. They're going to do the best they can. But development and evaluation are going to be incomplete. There's simply no way around that, IMO.
TP Ranger
12:40
Which of the three players the Pirates gave away in the disastrous Archer trade do you think the team will miss the most? They sure would be good pieces to have now. That move set the team back a couple of years, at least.
Jason Mackey
12:41
I would go with Glasnow. It's not the same, but the Meadows trade I think was softened a little by Bryan Reynolds' emergence. But Glasnow is a stud. And, thinking more, shoot, they might run into the same problem with Shane Baz. It's hard to rank 'em, honestly. It's like coming up with reasons to avoid Olive Garden.
Jordan
12:41
Any insight about what kind of stuff is going on in Altoona?
Jason Mackey
12:42
Not a ton. We can't see it. I can't imagine they're riding the rollercoaster or building water slides. Pitchers are throwing live. They're fielding, running the bases, hitting, doing intrasquad games. Basically just practicing every day and staying ready. But you do raise a good point: Would be nice to chat with Brian Esposito about what has been happening over there.
12:43
PROGRAMMING NOTE: If anyone other than Jordan and TP Ranger have questions, by all means. No offense, you two, but you've asked me more things today than my wife.
Jordan
12:43
I haven't watched any of it, but when it's reported that so and so pitched three innings in a sim game, is it quite literally 9 outs? I know it doesn't necessarily have to be. Are the scrimmages being treated more like the real thing?
Jason Mackey
12:44
It depends. Usually with what you hear about -- say, Musgrove -- yeah, he did record that many outs. Occasionally with, say, bullpen guys they might stick to a pitch count or something like that, but with the primary pitchers, it's quite literally that many outs. Just like a normal game.
TP Ranger
12:44
What part of the team are you most interested in evaluating under game conditions under the new regime? Pitchers, hitters, defense, outfield, infield?
Jason Mackey
12:44
All of it, honestly. I love watching this stuff, so don't take this that way. But it doesn't feel real. I can't wait to have actual results from everything you mentioned -- plus more -- to compare and write about.
Jordan
12:44
Fine, last one...we aren't going to see Will Craig or Jared Oliva at the Logan Valley Mall, right? I assume they are under quarantine of some kind?
Jason Mackey
12:45
Yeah, I don't think that's going to happen. I don't think they're locked in their rooms, but I think they're also being instructed to, you know, not visit malls.
TP Ranger
12:45
Ha, Ha, good one Jason! Thank you for taking the time to share with us. I am retired from your field, so I appreciate the extra effort you make to respond to these questions. My final question to you today concerns your personal safety at the games. Are you concerned at all?
Jason Mackey
12:47
It's cool. I'm screwing around but also kind of nudging people along. We have a bunch of people in the room right now, but nobody asking stuff. ... I'm not, honestly. I wear/believe in masks. I limit my footprint outside of the house. I use hand sanitizer and wash my heads (and my ex-nurse wife makes sure I don't slip). We signed up for this. And, plus, there are people covering wars or other much more dangerous stuff, I'm not going to sit here and complain about baseball. I'm going to follow the rules, shut up and do my job.
marty v
12:47
Ja-Lo and A-Rod want to buy the Mets.  I'm sure they could buy the Bucs at a much cheaper price.  Can you give them Nutting's phone number?
Jason Mackey
12:49
Sure. Let me get right on that. Sidenote: Can you imagine how that conversation would unfold? You know Nutting would reference, like, "If You Had My Love" or something from back when.
Wayward
12:49
Which of the younger players were you most surprised were not included on the 60 man group?
Jason Mackey
12:50
Hmm ... I thought Jared Oliva would be included. I don't think he's far off. Maybe Jason Martin and Will Craig, too. But I also understand the fact that they can probably do more down there.
Amy
12:50
Hi Jason, do you think Manfred’s job is in danger because of the labor-management negotiations that put baseball in an unfavorable light?
Jason Mackey
12:52
I don't know about "in danger." But do I think baseball has a chance to make a move here? Absolutely. I worry about 2021. I think, because of Manfred and Clark, there's a chasm between the two. What if Major League Baseball removed Manfred and sought to replace him with a Black commissioner. Promote equality. Shoot, live it. Mend the relationship with Clark. Grow the game. Reach a new audience. I just think there's opportunity here to be better and different, and I hope MLB takes it.
Drew
12:52
Jason, sorry to be late to the chat.  Don't dock me.  Have the Pirates signed all of the players they have taken in this year's draft?
Jason Mackey
12:52
All good, Drew. No fine this time. Yes, they have. Plus a couple undrafted free agents.
Jake
12:53
Nutting seems more like an "Anaconda" guy to me.
Jason Mackey
12:53
Hi Jennifer. I loved you in "What To Expect When You're Expecting."
Ricky
12:54
The pirates should look to trade for Yasiel Puig at this year deadline. He would be a nice addition for the last month of the season when the pirates should still be at least in contention. He could give a break to polanco some days or dyson
Jason Mackey
12:54
Ricky, your dedication to the brand is nothing short of incredible. I respect it.
Drew
12:55
My daughter saw something on social media that Nick Gonzales has reported to Altoona.  In addition to the taxi squad does Altoona look like it's going to be a development base for minor leaguers?
Jason Mackey
12:56
That is accurate, Drew. He's awaiting his test results as we speak. And yes, it's going to be a development base for minor leaguers. I also think there are a couple guys who could realistically get promoted, although I'm not sure Gonzales is one of them. Still needs seasoning.
Itsyoboi
12:56
Will Chris archer travel for the team or be at any workouts this year or won’t he be with the team once
Jason Mackey
12:57
I/we have received no indication that he'll be with the team in any way. Worth mentioning: He's not a part of their 60-player pool, while Jameson Taillon is. I think you've probably seen and heard the last out of Chris Archer the Pirate.
Itsyoboi
1:00
Will cederlind or Hayes appear in a game first
Jason Mackey
1:01
Tough to say at this point, honestly. We've seen neither one. Kinda tough to speculate on a virus with no information. It's also tough because one is a pitcher who won't be able to pitch in games, and the other is a hitter who, in a normal world, would be a little ahead. So I guess I'll say Hayes if I absolutely have to pick one.
Mason Jackey
1:01
How has Dyson looked
Jason Mackey
1:02
Hi Mason Jackey. Nice name. Good defensively. I like his mobility. I like how much he communicates (we can hear it). There's been some swing and miss, but it's too early to react to any of that. For $2 million when they didn't have another center field option, he's been fine.
Jake
1:02
Good point about Taillon; does he have to go down to Altoona when he doesn't make the team?
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