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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 07.21.23
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Jason Mackey
12:54
If this continues, they have to do something. I think Shelton is sensitive to doing something in-season. But given his extension, the fact that they probably won't make any other changes ... I mean, if the offense doesn't improve, I don't know how Haines is back.
Caelan
12:54
Why have they gone away from Cutch leading off and Davis in the 3 hole. It was short lived but there was success in that alignment and I personally liked it a lot. Especially Cutch up top.
Jason Mackey
12:55
They change stuff all the time. I don't know if you can "go away" from something that existed for like 5 minutes.
David
12:55
Is Triolo working at first base at all? He’s done nothing but impress since he’s been up. Adding 1B to his defensive repertoire would make him a serious asset to the team especially once Hayes returns.
Jason Mackey
12:55
He did in spring. Hasn't recently because there has been no need. He's been plenty busy starting at third every day -- and playing well.
Guest
12:56
Who will be the next Pirate elected to the Hall Of Fame?    Has to be Bonds, right?
Jason Mackey
12:56
Should be Bonds or Dave Parker. Would rather see the Cobra get honored, but I think both should be in.
WB
12:56
Pirates are not hitting for much power since hot start  (29/30 in wOBA, 30/30 wRC+, 30/30 SLG since May). Opposing pitchers are inducing chase instead of challenging hitters and seem willing to walk batters and take their chances on the next batter.  It's tough Pirates hitters fail to adjust and rack up unsustainable K rates.
Jason Mackey
12:57
I don't disagree with your assertion(s). Offense has not been good since 20-8.
Guest
12:57
Any chance we trade Hayes?  I would love that.  He's basically an average but can't stay on the field.
Jason Mackey
12:58
Not right now, no. I don't think they would get great return for him, one. Two, I think there's a belief that he can still grow into more offense and consistency.
Tim
12:58
Is Rodolfo Castro attempting to hit right handed more in AAA or only trying to improve from the left side?  And somewhat related, from the Pirates perspective, is second base Nick Gonzales' to lose going forward?
Jason Mackey
12:59
I don't know what exactly Castro is working on in Triple-A. Would imagine he's still switch-hitting and naturally that should include work to maintain and improve on both sides. ... And, yes. I think that's the goal. Whether that happens, I don't know. But I think it's probably what they would like to see happen.
George T
12:59
Hi Jason, I am a little confused on something I see in box scores were a pitcher get a blown save and also a lose. But the other day Bednar came in in the 8th inning the pirates when ahead in the top of the 9th Bednar finished the game but he was only credited with a win why not a save also
Jason Mackey
1:00
It's a quirky thing. Don't know if I have a great answer for you, but you can't win and also save a game. But you're right, you can blow a save and lose it. Odd. It strikes me like pitching: starter goes 4 IP. Not enough for a win! But then it goes to a reliever who pitched 1 IP? Huh?
Tarzan
1:00
Presuming both have good health, who do keep for future team.....Hayes or Triolo?
Jason Mackey
1:01
Can I take both? Also, what's the return on Hayes? I wouldn't be against trading Hayes. I think Triolo could do similar stuff for cheaper, and they could spend those dollars elsewhere. But is there a market? What is it? I have a tough time believing another team would willingly take that contract right now.
Guest
1:01
Can our pitching coaches actually coach?  I'm not impressed with their track record and they need a strong staff for Skenes.
Jason Mackey
1:03
Haha. They helped Keller. They've helped Bednar. They've helped Oviedo. I'm not defending all of it. As I wrote before, I think they're trying to do too much with some young guys. I also think they should know when not to do something with Skenes. ... In the minors, BTW, Jones has improved. Solometo. Hasn't been perfect, I know. But not all coaching.
Joel
1:03
With warm up pitches before the game and between innings, by the tine pitchers hit 100 pitches in a game, they are really at 200 pitches for the night. So why do managers pull pitchers at 100? Whats another 20 pitches at that point?
Jason Mackey
1:04
Not to be a smart ass, but 220? Maybe that's too many? I don't know. I'm not a doctor. It's also a lot of times driven by the third time through and not wanting hitters to get a third look at a pitcher, because their chances go up. I also think there's far too much caution with that sort of stuff these days.
wvpirate
1:04
Do you expect Jose Hernandez to be activated before the game?
Jason Mackey
1:05
It would not surprise me, no.
Gene
1:05
I really believe the Pirates are trying to be successful but they need to keep playing the young guys and hopefully things will click in the next few years. Your thoughts please.
Jason Mackey
1:05
Yeah, that's the goal. I mostly agree with you, Gene. For better or worse, this is it. Let's see how they grow. And for the Pirates, unless they suddenly start doing business differently, young kids are going to have to pay well for them to win.
Hank
1:05
Given what you know, how does Bob Nutting feel about the direction of the team? He seems to be trusting Ben to get it done and he's giving out extensions. Do you feel that he will keep Ben and keep giving out extensions when it's appropriate?
Jason Mackey
1:07
He was encouraged by the start, not so much by the next two months. I think there's kind of a hold-out-hope feeling that things will get a little better. I think if they won 74-76 games, Bob would be mostly understanding that that's where they're at in the rebuild. I think if they dropped to 66-68 wins, he would be frustrated, believing they had taken a step back when he wanted them to win more games.
Johnny M
1:07
Hi Jason.  A little humor sprinkled in here. Who has the best nickname on The Pirates? Mine is Rich Hill's. You can't go wrong with that one. :)
Jason Mackey
1:07
Nope. It's hard to beat.
DJ
1:07
Is there any scenario where the Pirates would add help for next year at the deadline? I am looking specifically at Quintana, who is healthy now and rumors are starting to emerge about contenders. I am also thinking that the free agent market is pretty middling, so it's hard to see how we'll even get back to the level of salary we are spending this year.
Jason Mackey
1:08
Holy Lord. DJ, you win this week's Down the Road Award. Next year at the deadline? We haven't gotten to this one!
1:09
Yeah, I expect them to sign people this offseason. But I don't think it's tied to the deadline. Also, I'm smiling as I type this. Not trying to be a jerk. Just having some fun.
Bucs Fan in Ga
1:09
With the way Jared Trilio sp is hitting, I would definitely give him a first baseman's mitt! The guy can hit! And with runners in scoring position too!
Jason Mackey
1:09
There have been some encouraging signs, for sure.
Hank
1:09
Is there a chance the pirates add someone at the trade deadline with years of control? I am thinking of someone like Dylan Cease.
Jason Mackey
1:10
I don't know about Dylan Cease, but yeah, if they got back a Johan Oviedo type, wouldn't be the worst thing. Actually asked Cherington about that this week. His answer was loooong: "It doesn’t have to be black and white, binary, whatever. You can do a combination of things. One might look a certain way, one might look like another, but it adds up in a way that pushes us forward and gets us closer to being competitive in the way we want to. It could be that. It could be any number of things. We just don’t know. I think what we need to do is stay open-minded and really think about where is the team right now, what players do we have either already on the team or in close proximity. What are the gaps that we have between where we are and being good? And can we use the deadline as a way to fill those. It could look like any number of things. We just have to do the work and be prepared."
George T
1:10
Hi Jason, why is everyone looking to move someone already here to first base when there is someone at triple A who plays 1B and DH’s and is hitting over .300 now.  None of the current call up where hitting .300.
Jason Mackey
1:11
Who are you referencing here?
skimak
1:11
About the issue with players taking too many called strikes. First of all they don't watch the ball all the way into the catchers glove. Pete Rose said that is how he learned the strike zone so well. Also with two strikes one should be swinging at anything close. What do you think Jason?
Jason Mackey
1:12
Yeah, I mean, what they're doing is selling out to an approach. I'm looking for this here ... and if I don't get it, I'm leaving it. Well, they've left a lot. I don't expect any of these guys to be Pete Rose. That's unfair. But I'm just saying I would like them to be a little less adherent to a plan and more free to be hitters and think in the moment.
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