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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 07.21.21
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Seferg
12:25
What positions are working ok so far and what havent?
Jason Mackey
12:25
Well, the stool I'm sitting on is uncomfortable. The desk chair upstairs is much better. It's hard to type standing, so I'm going to avoid that.
Beth
12:25
Hello Jason.  My boyfriend is trying to get me interested in baseball.  If the Pirates have the bases loaded with nobody out or one out and the pitcher is up, why doesn’t the coach tell the pitcher to bunt to “put the ball in play” I hear during the games.  Thank you!
Jason Mackey
12:27
Hey Beth. Great to have you along. I hope you find baseball as fun as I do. It's a great sport. With the bases loaded and the pitcher up, often -- because they're typically poor hitters -- you will have the manager tell that guy to not swing, fearful the pitcher hits into a double play, and the inning ends. Oddly, Derek Shelton had Chad Kuhl swing away in that situation during a recent game. If you have a pitcher who bunts really well -- these are very rare -- I suppose you could try a suicide squeeze, where the runner at third breaks for home, and the batters HAS to get a bunt down. But typically you see pitchers take pitches in this situation, hoping for a walk.
Joel
12:27
Jeff Passan of ESPN put out some info on Rodriguez noting that his spin rates are down since the doctoring the ball crackdown. And he has had a couple bad outings recently. Will this impact his trade value?
Jason Mackey
12:29
It could, yes. He's also had some good ones. I have not looked at his spin rate splits, so I'll refrain from commenting there. But with trades, acquiring teams as thoroughly vetting those players. So, if something has legitimately changed, something that causes concern, sure that can affect the trade value. I have heard nothing, though, that indicates teams are being scared off because of sticky stuff.
Cuzzy K
12:29
Is it looking like Anderson will be traded after his next start? So it falls in line with Brault coming back and replacing him as we send him away.
Jason Mackey
12:30
Roughly speaking, yes. It doesn't have to be a straight swap, but Anderson is on an expiring deal. He will be dealt. Brault will soon make a third rehab start. He'll be back sooner than later. It lines up nicely.
Ryan
12:30
Good afternoon Jason what players get traded i say Rodriguez Anderson and Frazier i think bednar becomes closer if Rodriguez gets traded
Jason Mackey
12:30
I agree with you on all fronts there.
Blackhawk Bob
12:30
With the Bubba Chandler signing what do you think the chances of signing Lonnie White Jr to a deal ?
Jason Mackey
12:30
They're very good from what I've been hearing.
Justin
12:30
A lot of the front office has turned over, but Cherington kept Joe Dellicarri around.  Would you say that the Huntington Pirates seemed to have their act together when it came to scouting, but not with development?  Has the scouting team in general remained similar to the Huntington days as far as personnel?
Jason Mackey
12:31
I think that's fair. Something we don't talk about enough with Neal and Co. is the fact that they did draft halfway decently ... they just never got the most out of those players. Other organizations did. Now, could they have been better? Absolutely. Especially in the first round. Those misses alone basically taint everything else. But it wasn't all-around terrible. To your point, though, absolutely the bigger issue was the failure to develop.
Joel
12:31
Alford is raking at AAA and I think he deserves another shot. But am I right that he’s off the 40-man roster again? Is that an obstacle to bringing him up? It shouldn’t be, but is it?
Jason Mackey
12:33
You are correct -- he's raking and not on the 40. I can see waiting until after the deadline. Chances are you wind up with plenty of 40-man room. So, why change your 40 now, nine or 10 days out, when you can wait and not have to take that risk? I would like to think Alford finds it, but there's no guarantee there.
Jordon
12:34
Chandler came out right away and said he was signing with the Bucs. You can clearly see why, given that bonus number. Should we then read into White's silence on the matter?
Jason Mackey
12:34
No, you should not. Baseball players are just like normal society -- everybody is different. One of the many things this sport has taught me is to respect all people and their way of doing things. Maybe White Jr. doesn't want to talk about it, and that's his right.
Mike
12:34
Jason, with NOGO doing such a good job since be acquired, do you think when CM is ready to come back, they platoon or Nogo getting the majority of playing time
Jason Mackey
12:35
I think it's TBD. Might depend on Polanco, an outfield spot, how Moran is feeling, is Nogo is hitting. They could, although I'm not a big fan of platoons. And I think it's hard to NOT play Moran. But if you can't move one, then yeah, you can't have Nogo sitting on the bench if he's hitting over .400 with your team. You find a place.
Nick
12:36
i know you just briefly touched on this, but where does colin moran fit in if nogowski stays hot? is moran still even somewhat capable of playing anywhere other than 1st or 3rd? i know he played 2nd and left at scattered times. does nogowski hold up the defensive end in the OF? thanks for the chats enjoy them a lot
Jason Mackey
12:36
Thanks, Nick. Glad you like them. I don't think you would introduce a new position to Moran coming off injury. And absolutely not on 2B. He doesn't have the range or quickness. I would try Nogo in the outfield, if anything.
Darnell
12:36
Hey Jason.  When Crick was let go, I heard one of the reasons is because he was a problem in the clubhouse.  Is this true?  I know he and Keone Kela didn’t like each other.  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:38
He and Kela actually got along great. That was a weird misconception that I never understood. They actually used to laugh about it. Crick hated Vasquez. Vasquez hated Crick. Kela could be a hot head because I don't think he was a fan of the Hurdle Era/clubhouse culture that existed. But Crick and Kela were fine. I'm sure there were people who disliked Crick, the same as I'm sure there are people who dislike me. But it's my understanding that they needed a roster spot, he was hurt too much, and they felt like his performance had slipped since the last one.
Joel
12:38
I’d like to see Henry Davis get to Greensboro for a month or so to conclude the season. Realistic?
Jason Mackey
12:39
Yeah, I think that's realistic. Maybe not a month, but I wouldn't be shocked if he plays there some.
Nick in WV
12:39
Is it likely that Anderson will be dealt after his next start? So it will line up for Brault to replace him with his return from his rehab assignment.
Jason Mackey
12:40
Maybe. They won't deal him based on Brault. But he will make, max, two more starts for the Pirates.
Justin
12:40
Will Rodolfo Castro lead the 2022 Pirates in 2b innings?
Jason Mackey
12:40
It wouldn't shock me.
Drew
12:40
The Cubs recent poor play has some people saying they will be sellers at the deadline. Does the availability of guys like Kris Bryant and Craig Kimbrel affect the return the Pirates might get for Frazier and Rodriguez?
Jason Mackey
12:41
It could, but I doubt it. Frazier and Bryant are very different players. Maybe Kimbrel and Rodriguez are more of the same, but Rodriguez comes crazy cheap, with years of control. Also, there are plenty of teams in need. I don't think the Pirates are gonna have trouble moving those guys.
Mike
12:41
Jason, did I just read that correctly, the Pirates are giving Bubba 3 Million to sign? WOW!! love what BC and company are doing with this draft, only the beginning.
Jason Mackey
12:41
That is accurate. I do as well. Makes a ton of sense. Ben knows what he's doing.
EV in Melbourne
12:41
Hi Jason, I am intrigued by the Lonnie White and Bubba Chandler picks.  Both have scholarships with Penn State and Clemson (?) awaiting.  With the recent NIL ruling for college athletes, their income potentials while in school have increased.  Throw in a paid education, one would assume that the Buccos would have to pony up way over slot to sign.  They have, I think, $4M left in their draft pool.  Are these two prospects deserving of the majority of that cash?  Slots for both were $1.05 M and 700K or so respectively (source mlb.com)
Jason Mackey
12:42
Hey EV, Chandler signed for $3 million. I expect White Jr. to sign as well. I think it's less about NIL and more about starting their pro careers and wanting to put themselves in a good place. $3 million will tend to do that, and I think White Jr. will stand to get paid as well.
Guest
12:42
I know we got some Center Fielders in the minors like Swaggerty and Head but the way Reynolds is playing in CF it looks like it’s his job for as long as he wants it.
Jason Mackey
12:43
Reynolds isn't going anywhere. I've said this. Others have said it. Apparently nobody believed us until Rosenthal put it out there. So, that's good.
Polanco Is cool
12:43
Why do you hate on Polanco so much. Pretty unprofessional imo
Jason Mackey
12:43
I hate on Polanco? Impressive consider I'm also told I go out of my way to defend him. I'm a man of many talents.
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