You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 07.16.21
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat
Jason Mackey
12:52
No, I don't believe so. They might when they go out west because commercial air travel could cause COVID-related days if they make a move. But they haven't been using them, no.
GET3
12:52
Hi, Jason - How does the 40 man roster work? With drafting 20 players were do the show up.  On the 40 man roster or listed somewhere else.
Jason Mackey
12:53
The 40-man roster isn't related to draft picks. Think of it as like a precursor to the active roster. Or like entrance to the pool. You have to walk through the door before you can use the big pool (MLB) or the baby pool (MiLB). Here's a more formal definition for you: https://www.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/40-man-roster#:~:text=Defini....
Bill
12:54
Time for Alford to get one last shot? Send Oliva down to play everyday?
Jason Mackey
12:54
If Alford strings together some games, yeah, I could see that happening. Oliva hasn't done much of anything up here. Alford needs to get a little more established post-wrist injury.
Zap
12:54
Is Cherington under contract? At this rate I could see another big market club try to poach him a la Billy Beane.
Jason Mackey
12:55
He's under contract, yes. And maybe another team comes calling, I don't know. But he could have worked other places before and chose to come here, so I don't think he'd leave once he actually got the ball rolling. I think for Ben it's about showing what he can do, taking a team in the situation the Pirates were in and pulling off a 180-degree turnaround. And from his perspective, imagine how good for his career that will be if it happens? I don't think he would cut bait now. He's family is eating and surviving just fine.
Guest
12:56
I thought Ron Cook’s assessment of the draft was spot on, only diminished by Nutting’s ownership.  What doesn’t help was Manfred’s glowing review of Nutting. My question is all hope lost for a consistent post season playoff team let alone a winning team like the Penguins and Steelers?
Jason Mackey
12:59
[Head hits desk]. What mechanism is in place to prevent the Pirates from discovering/drafting and developing players? Or winning trades? They can build a consistent winner if they consistently scout, draft, develop and do all that other stuff well. The last run ended because they got stubborn and stopped doing the important small-market stuff. Also, I do think Nutting will spend to support what Cherington does. Think about it: If you're Ben and you've gambled with your professional future, would you do so in a situation where you don't have assurances that you will have the resources necessary? Come on. And then if you're saying he was duped, did a guy who's been a part of three World Series winners and has rebuilt the entire farm system in 18 months just get incredibly stupid? Maybe -- maybe! -- there might be something to actually feel good about here.
DJS
12:59
Regarding both possible trade rumors and a slight, potential 40-man crunch, I wonder if one option Cherington might pursue at the deadline is to acquire a competitive balance round pick in exchange for somebody like RichRod? We're lined up to pick in the A round again, so adding another one, plus whichever top-5 pick we get, could end up increasing our bonus pool slightly over the teams picking ahead of us (though I believe the Dbacks, Orioles, and Rockies will also all be back in Round A again too). Obviously depends on tons of variables we can't know, but just a thought.
Jason Mackey
1:00
You can't trade picks in the MLB draft. Wish you could, but you can't.
Mr. Curious
1:00
Im curious, why isn’t there trading of draft picks in MLB like there is in the NFL.  The Pirates could have squeezed an extra draft pick by switching places with another club.
Jason Mackey
1:01
I know. There should be. I don't know why it's not allowed, honestly.
Verbal
1:01
Wouldn’t it make sense for the Pirates to look for a catcher in the trade talks for Frazier and Rich Rod? Not a starter obviously but someone young and better than Perez.
Jason Mackey
1:01
Perez isn't their starter. Stallings is. And he's fine for now. He should be able to bridge the way to Mr. Davis. I think the best thing they can get back in those trades are prospects and a lot of them.
Zap
1:02
Last question - can the Pirates compensate for a lower signing bonus by paying some of these guys more in the minor leagues? or is minor league pay not negotiable?
Jason Mackey
1:02
Yeah, I don't think you can do that.
DJS
1:03
Thanks for the reply on the draft bonuses, Jason. 4.8 would indeed be surprising, though maybe not too crazy given how things played out. Callis mentioned a floor of 7-9 for Davis due (I think) to the BAL and KC underslots. I have a feeling the bonuses might actually be in "reverse" order, with Chandler getting more than White and Solometo, which is why I raised the idea of "bullying". I do wonder, like a greedy kid, if it's very low and we pull an 11th hour overslot with the Bishop kid from very late in the draft, even though he's re-confirmed his commitment. Seems like it would take 7 figures, and it's hard to see that as very possible. In any case, it's a terrific job by BC, and I really enjoyed your Davis profile - hoping to catch him on MiLB tv in a couple of weeks.
Jason Mackey
1:04
Nice! Thanks, DJS. I appreciate that. Same here. Although let's hope High-A Greensboro has that part figured out. I could see Chandler getting more, yeah, because of his pedigree. But again, I'm not sure how much I'm counting. Just them done. Really like the players and hope they left enough money in their pool to do some damage.
DJS
1:05
Unless I am mistaken, the competitive balance round picks can be traded, though it's not extremely common. I think the most recent example was as part of the Arozarena trade between STL and TB. Anyways, it's more of a lark, since that's way too specific of an idea to speculate about.
Jason Mackey
1:07
Crap. I'm sorry. I was going too fast and glossed over that. Was thinking you meant picks. Yes, they can be traded. And your strategy makes sense. That would help alleviate some of the crunch. I do think -- and Cherington said this recently -- that the impending crunch will play a part in trade talks. Like all of it, it's gonna depend on what teams are willing to give up.
Gary
1:07
You can trade Comp picks though, as DJS said. One was involved in the Gaby Sanchez dea.
Jason Mackey
1:08
Yep. I just caught that. Will teach me to try and chat while two little kids are running around screaming. My apologies.
Head hits Desk
1:08
All that stuff you mentioned about Cherrington gambling his future would be true except that the lease expires in 2030 and Nutting will prove the team. He’s not a Pittsburgher and not committed to Pittsburgh.
Jason Mackey
1:08
He hired Cherington, did he not?
The Dude
1:09
I don’t get how a guy hitting believe .150 is “fine for now”. Geez I suggested sticking  Tucker in right for Polanco way back when and it was a terrible idea. Now we’re going to play him at short?
Jason Mackey
1:11
I meant Stallings is fine for now, not Perez. And I don't think I ever called it "a terrible" idea. I probably said it was unlikely, because of them wanting to play and try and showcase Polanco. But I have a tough time believing I ever said that Polanco needed to play. ... And if your point is getting a backup catcher amid trade talks, I wouldn't honestly. They have like 14 guys at Class AAA right now. Just throw one of them back there.
Head hits Desk
1:11
He did hire Cherington and I bet he still moves the team.
Jason Mackey
1:11
You're free to feel however you want, and I'm free to disagree with you. One of the many beauties of this country.
1:13
OK, everyone. Looks like that's it for this week. Thanks so much for participating. Talk to yinz next week from Arizona, which will be one day away from San Francisco and Haight-Ashbury. I. Can't. Wait.
Connecting…