You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 07.16.19
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Jason Mackey
12:25
The best management team in sports? Sounds like some sarcasm there.
George
12:25
The Pirates are 44-48 and getting closer to the trade deadline is it time to think about unloading the free agents and get younger players to help this team rise above .500 because we are not doing it with them that is for sure
Jason Mackey
12:26
I think there's still time to wait and see some more, George.
Steve
12:26
Jason, How about moving Vasquez to the starting rotation,-an idea suggested by Jim Deshaies of the Cubs' broadcast team
Jason Mackey
12:27
Someone asked me the other day about moving a reliever to a starter role. ... No. Just, no. I know Vazquez started before, but he's become one of the best closers in the game. Plus, it's not like flipping a right wing to the left side in hockey or something that like. That takes buildup and manipulation of the arm and throwing process. I'd never in a million years move Vazquez.
George
12:27
Got the answer I needed from previous posts
Jason Mackey
12:27
Thatta boy, George. Now if only that could catch on ...
Guest
12:28
Hear me out, any chance the Buccos front office reaches out to Jose Tabata? He's still young, has a great rapport with the fans, and can hit clutch as well as anyone. Plus, he's just sitting at home waiting for a call. Could the bucs bring him back, maybe on a 10 day contract?
Jason Mackey
12:31
It's an interesting idea, for sure. And maybe while they're at it they can get Pedro Cerrano, too. ... Grab Henry Rowengartner, Rick Vaughn and Nuke LaLoosh to help the rotation. ... Maybe Billy Heywood can take over for Clint Hurdle.
Rob W.
12:31
Let's go in a different direction. If the Pirates win 7 of the next 9 or so, and they become buyers, is there anyone you can reasonably see them getting?
Jason Mackey
12:32
I liked the Homer Bailey add. I can't give you names, but I would expect -- if that scenario plays out -- that they try to target someone on the cheap that they can fix and keep around as a possible fifth starter, should Lyles continue to struggle.
Alan
12:32
The Pirates of all teams know that closers are dispensable. Look at their trade history at that position. With that being said, why wouldn't you trade Vasquez for a Kings ransom? When you find yourself 9.5 games out in mid-August, what use is it to trot him out for save against the Orioles?
Jason Mackey
12:33
Because he's under club control for a couple more years, and it's not just about the rest of this season, which I think people forget. I'm not saying no. I'm just saying the return would have to be insanely good.
raplf
12:34
Jason, re: the guy who asked about the Trade for Schmidt...was that part true? I hadn't heard that? Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:34
I have no idea. I don't think so.
Rob Weaver
12:34
If they Pirates win 8 of the next 10, who can you see them realistic adding?
Jason Mackey
12:35
While we're on the subject of adds, and I'm watching Kyle Crick and Keona Kela struggle some, know who might be intriguing to place a call on? Tony Watson. If the Giants are dealing guys, could be an interesting add for the Pirates. They could use a bullpen arm, that's for sure.
Mike from MD
12:35
Hello Jason.  Loved your chats from when you were covering the Pens.  Unfortunately, I am not of the belief that Pirates Ownership cares all that much about winning.  Mostly profit.  The only chance that the Pirates have of ever trying to win would be if the players strike and a salary cap, and most importantly, a salary floor is implemented.
Jason Mackey
12:37
Hi Mike, thanks for the kind words. Didn't really see a question in there, but I do agree that I wish there was a salary cap/floor in baseball. I can see why fans get frustrated with the Pirates, even though I also think they sometimes go overboard with it. ... A cap and a floor would solve a lot of problems we see in the game. I think it would help it from a business standpoint. Sadly, I also don't think it will ever happen.
Jake in DC
12:37
As frustrating as this season has been, I actually have solid hopes for the next few seasons. Most likely place to improve in infield, 3B and 2nd. How ideal that two of our top prospects are a 3B and middle infielder. Could use some pitching help. How ideal that our top prospect is a pitcher. What's that? Newman, Reynolds, and Bell are all playing exceptionally well and are super young? Sweet.
Jason Mackey
12:38
I think this is a reasonable way of looking at things. And yeah, they have a decent amount of good, young infielders. Could see them getting creative with maybe trying Frazier in the outfield again or even dealing someone for an outfielder, assuming Dickerson and Cabrera are gone. If Polanco steps up, that could be a very good outfield with Reynolds, Marte and Polanco.
Markus
12:38
How about Marte not running out ground balls again last night.  Hurdle not immediately benching him sends a terrible message to the team, no?
Jason Mackey
12:38
Hurdle is in a tough spot there. Yeah, it was bad. Not defending it. But you also need wins right now, and he's been hot at the plate. I think you might kind of have to live with it.
Jake in DC
12:39
Follow up on the paragraph I accidentally submitted early. I know thinks looks slightly bleak after the last four games, but there is good reason to be hopeful for the coming years. Agree?
Jason Mackey
12:39
Yes, I agree. I knew what you meant.
Tim M
12:39
Attendance is down in the MLB, and Bucs' attendance  is poor--26th out of 30 teams, and far off their 2013-2016 pace. Ownership did nothing to energize the fan base in the off-season, and the results on the field reflect it. Those of us of a certain age remember the constant bellyaching about moving the Bucs because of low attendance. Have the economics of the game changed to the point that attendance is no longer crucial, and when will Nutting start complaining about attendance (you know, blaming us for his failures)?
Jason Mackey
12:40
Given what has happened since the Pirates made the playoffs -- let's say in a politically correct way that he hasn't reinvested into the club as much as its fans would like -- I think it would be a really bad PR move for Bob Nutting to blame Pirates fans for not turning enough of a profit.
John
12:40
Do you have a list of all the 79' Pirates expected to return this Saturday?
Jason Mackey
12:41
I do not, I'm sorry.
Guest
12:41
Regarding your comments on Manfred, Jason... for being a Dead Head you sure do suck up to The Man a lot. Can't you at least acknowledge that Manfred is a stooge for the wealthy owners just trying to put some coin in their already filled pockets at the expense of us lowly baseball fans?   The trick is as old as time. You have to acknowledge that even if you don't work for Manfred, as you claim! Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:42
I think you're reaching. I'm not sucking up to the man. I'm saying that baseball has some improvements it needs to make, and I think Manfred is trying to make some, specifically to speed the whole thing up a little bit.
Guest
12:42
Jason, you're sassy today! I've seen a few smart aleck answers from you!!!! Yowza
Jason Mackey
12:42
My bad. I'll try to watch it.
Mark
12:42
How many more shellings is it going to take to get Lyles out of the rotation and give Keller another shot?  Thanks Jason.
Jason Mackey
12:42
Would imagine one more will do it, honestly.
actually
12:42
Jason, Rob Manfred owns the MLB, the Pirates effectively own the Post Gazette (in terms of granting access to players which is the paper's life blood), so you do basically work for Manfred. Is that why you were defending him earlier?
Jason Mackey
12:43
You think access to Pirates players are the Post-Gazette's lifeblood? The Pirates are very good with access, and I appreciate what we get. But you're way off base there.
John
12:43
Seems counter productive to move a gold glover in Dickerson and try to find his replacement? He does not seem to be expensive and may actually want to play here. Why not try an extension. What do you think?
Jason Mackey
12:45
If I'm Corey Dickerson, I'm gonna want to go somewhere where I can play every day. I'm also gonna take my Gold Glove and .300 average from a season ago and try to peddle it. Now, his 2019 season isn't doing him many favors, with the injuries and all. But if he can put together a strong second half, chances are teams won't care. ... Bottom line, I wouldn't close the door on it. But in Pittsburgh, at best, he's going to be part of a rotation with Marte, Reynolds and Polanco with the way they do things. And also, if you're Dickerson and can maybe get on the Astros or Dodgers or Yankees or a team with a legit shot at winning the World Series, wouldn't you rather do that?
TJ
12:45
Mackey, when you worked covering the Pens, did you defend the NHL Commish with the same blind vigor with which you defend Rob Manfred? That guy can do no wrong in your eyes it seems.
Connecting…