JotCast | Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 07.16.21

Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 07.16.21

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Jason Mackey

12:24

Still TBD. Have to see who's producing at that time. Could be Castro. Could be Newman shifting over, giving Tucker a shot. Maybe Gonzalez. We have an eternity in baseball time.

DaquidoBazzini

12:24

I saw the article about Rob Manfred praising Bob Nutting for advocating a salary cap. I know Nutting "mentioned" that to you in your interview before the season began. Can you point out any instances where Nutting has indeed really pushed for this? I've had a hard time finding any other times he's really stuck me as a true advocate.

Jason Mackey

12:25

It sounds like he advocates for it behind closed doors, in owners' meetings according to what Manfred said. I believe this spring was the first time he's said so publicly. But I do believe -- because I had been told this by multiple people close to Bob -- that he's a tireless advocate for small-market teams. I asked Manfred what Bob does. I wish he would have given more insight than he did, but I can't make words come out of his mouth.

Ryan

12:25

Good afternoon Jason any word when Brault on how braults rehab is going or do we have to wait till Wednesday

Jason Mackey

12:28

He threw 1 2/3 innings on Sunday, meaning he should throw again very soon, perhaps tonight. Will ask Shelton at 3:45. I have not heard of anyissues.

Bill

12:28

Happy Friday Jason-- saw your tweet about Trey McGough at Altoona. What a cool story and nice season he's having. I know he's not a "stuff" guy, but does he have any chance of making it to AAA and MLB in the future?

Jason Mackey

12:29

Sure, I would think/hope so. He's getting guys out. I don't care how you do it. I'm a very big believer in throwing it over the plate and daring hitters to beat you. Pitching and hitting are funny sometimes. I don't know if this applies to McGough or not, but sometimes knowing how to pitch and avoid trouble is more impactful than pure "stuff." I've honestly not seen the kid throw, and I'm kind of excited about making that happen soon. But if you're throwing well and getting outs at Class AA, there's something in there somewhere.

Guest

12:29

Hi Jason, just wondering of our recent draftees, who do you think will be quickly signed & who is likely to not sign? I'm specifically referring to the top 4 or 5 rounds of draftees. Thanks!

Jason Mackey

12:31

Yeah, got this one a little bit ago. I'll summarize it a different way: I don't worry about Davis, Solometo and Chandler. Not much feel on the other two, but again, the Pirates are going pretty significantly under slot with Davis; unless the asks are outrageous, they should have the money to pull both off.

Tom

12:31

Hi Jason, I am tempted to ask about a devil's advocate, surprise scenario where Frazier is kept and extended for 3 or 4 years (which only costs a modest amount of money, if we look at La Stella's contract), but I'd rather hear a little bit more about one of the reasons this idea is lurking for me: have you heard anything about the kind of return Cherington is actually seeking? There's a rumor going around about the White Sox and Andrew Vaughn, but that seems like a ridiculously high price, even if we assume Frazier nearly replicates this season next year. Is the ceiling of a deal more like the Marte return, i.e., two possibly quite good, but extremely young and hence extremely risky types? From my armchair that seems most possible, rather than established top-75/100 prospects who are more at the AA level or above already.

Jason Mackey

12:34

Tom, per your first suggestion, I've addressed this a little. What incentive does Frazier have to sign instead of becoming a free agent and opening himself up to the highest bidder after the 2022 season? Also, Pirates used their first-round pick on a college second baseman. It doesn't make sense to extend a player in that same spot. As for the other stuff, one, thanks Jon Heyman, for floating Andrew Vaughn and multiple top 100 guys. Sweet. Two, I think Cherington would move (quickly) if either of those options came down the pike. I don't think they will, personally. I think it will be similar to the Marte trade with multiple, high-upside guys who project to jump into the top 100 eventually. They might be able to get more because Frazier has a friendly contract.

Guest

12:34

What does Mason Martin’s timeline look like? Loved your piece on him and his approach at the plate. I can’t wait to see him in AAA and up with the big league club.

Jason Mackey

12:35

Thank you! I would say Class AAA this year and to start next. If what we've seen continues, I could see a promotion to the big leagues in 2022. That said, if it doesn't happen until 2023, for whatever reason, I don't think that's a failure or anything. He just turned 22 in June.

Bill

12:35

Even as the Pirates were putting together an impressive draft class, I saw so many fans and media complain about Nutting and never spending to pay them. I agree that he needs to step up and pay (Reynolds and Hayes would be good starts) but it's almost at a point where people cannot enjoy anything good with the Pirates cause of the Nutting hatred. I just cant figure it out anymore.

Jason Mackey

12:36

Welcome to every single day of my job.

wvpirate

12:37

When is the deadline for those players selected in the draft to sign? And will there be a tracker showing which players have signed?

Jason Mackey

12:37

Aug. 1 and yes: https://www.mlb.com/draft/tracker. You can sort by team and everything.

Phil in GA

12:37

Jason, any thoughts on the coming 40 man roster crunch this offseason? Seems like some decent prospects will be unprotected. Also, would Soriano and Cederlind count towards the 40 during offseason even though they are rehabbing? I seem to remember that you can’t DL someone in the offseason.

Jason Mackey

12:41

I think it's gonna be crazy. Ha. I don't know about anything more specific than that. I mean, honestly, they have a bunch of their top 30 prospects who need protected. They're in rebuild mode. How do they not do that? Now, I do think the expected crunch will influence roster decisions -- who they trade, who they let play, etc. There's a lot to learn. But in terms of protecting guys like Peguero, Martin, Bolton, Swaggerty, etc., you have to; it's not optional.

DJS

12:42

Hey Jason, I imagine this one is a "just pump the brakes and chill" kind of question, but any inkling on the bonus status for Davis or the likelihood of the three prep picks getting inked soon? Jim Callis mentioned on a podcast that Davis could be as much as 3 million under slot, which makes sense given the other picks, especially Chandler so late. If Chandler is way above slot, it almost seems as if the Pirates essentially bullied other teams by using that slot flexibility -- all three seem great, but Chandler was definitely the big show stopper pick in the draft if you ask me.

Jason Mackey

12:44

Not pump the brakes and chill. I do think Davis gets done soon. I've heard three different numbers between $4.8 million-$6.5 million. That's a wide range, obviously. The first seems really low. And there's are speculated, obviously. If I had it confirmed, I would present it in a more formal way. I'm just sharing some of what I've heard. But I think it'll be more toward the top of that range, and I think there's a very good chance Solometo signs as well. I don't know about "bullied," but the Pirates absolutely read the market and exploited the daylights out of it.

James

12:44

What grade would you give to this pirates draft class?

Jason Mackey

12:44

As of this writing -- A+. Just tremendous. Love what they did. But, of course, time will tell.

V. Fontaine

12:44

Well I'm never participating in these chats again:) Just kidding. I appreciate your honest responses.

Jason Mackey

12:45

Ha. I'm sorry. I'm just trying to be honest with yinz wonderful folks.

CoalportKid

12:45

For those masochists out there, I suggest looking at the Shane Baz AAA numbers. Has any Pittsburgh team ever made a trade as bad as the Archer trade?

Jason Mackey

12:45

I don't think so, no. It's a rough one.

Zap

12:45

Your coverage is excellent Jason, especially considering the volume of content you and Mike Persak pump out. This draft has me really excited about what's in store for the Buccos. My question: What's your starting Pirates lineup at the end of 2022? Which prospects are up by then?

Jason Mackey

12:47

Thanks, Zap. Appreciate that. We try to keep the beast nice and fed. ... Hmm, lemme think end '22, let's get aggressive here ... 3B Hayes, SS Cruz, 2B Castro, 1B Martin ... LF Swaggerty, CF Reynolds, RF would like to think Oliva but he's starting to worry me. Also don't know if Smith-Njigba or Mitchell will be ready. ... Could also maybe -- maybe -- see Alford in the outfield mix.

DaGama

12:47

Jason, am I crazy to keep liking Kevin Newman’s potential to become a very good MLB shortstop? To me his great glove, his speed and smarts on the base paths, and his durability buy him extra time to find his way at the plate.

Jason Mackey

12:48

I have no issue with Kevin Newman playing for this team right now. I've really liked his defense, and he deserves credit. But he has a .525 OPS right now. That should never happen on a good team.

Danny

12:48

Regarding 40-man crunch. Could you see the Pirates trading some of those Rule 5 eligible guys for a more-established Major Leaguer with a few years of control? Might have to get creative

Jason Mackey

12:49

I don't think that's in their best interest, but again, it's tough to say without knowing the specifics of the deal. Like can they trade some Rule 5 eligible guys for a legitimate player who's part of their future? Yeah, I'll take that. Doubt it'll happen, but I'll take it.

Tom J.

12:49

Hey Jason - Hope you are well.You covered both Hockey and now Baseball. Which position is tougher: A goalie or catcher

Jason Mackey

12:50

Goalie. I think catcher is more physically demanding, but if you're a catcher have a bad game, your team can still win. If you're a goalie and you stink, you're losing.

Cullen

12:50

Have we signed any of our draft picks yet, or are we close? I saw numbers being floated on a espn+ article and it implied that some deals were done or close to it.

Jason Mackey

12:51

There are "agreements" in place, including one with Henry Davis. They need to finalize them with physicals. I expect that to happen with Davis this weekend. Believe Chandler is in. Expect Solometo to sign. Brenden Dixon is also in.

Gary

12:51

For Phil...you have to remove players from the IL after the WS and they can't go back until ST, so yeah, Cederlind/Soriano would take up a spot.

Jason Mackey

12:52

Thanks, Gary. Sorry, meant to point that out and got sidetracked. Appreciate the assist.

Go Bucs!

12:52

Are the Pirates still using Taxi Squads?

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