JotCast | Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 07.28.21

Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 07.28.21

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Hank

1:21

Do you think Brault, Yajure, & Keller will all be in the Pirates rotation before seasons end?

Jason Mackey

1:22

Yes, I do. You make a fine point, Hank. Not a ton to look forward to, but that is something. Will be very interested to see what those guys are able to do.

Bob

1:22

Do you think we will see any MLB or Close to MLB talent acquire by Friday? Like a Bednar type player

Jason Mackey

1:23

I don't think so. Their MO right now is young, high-upside guys they can development. I can't say it won't happen, but again, I would be surprised. The return they've received thus far is pretty much what they're seeking.

Joseph M.

1:23

Are you now, or have you ever been, a member of the Communist Party?

Jason Mackey

1:23

Nope.

Braiden N.

1:23

Hi Jason. I’ve noticed Cherington acquiring a lot of high upside, young prospects in trades and even the draft. It seems much of this philosophy is going to depend on development, as so many seem to have raw attributes to build off of. What have BC and the Pirates done to ensure that they will be developed to reach their full potential?

Jason Mackey

1:24

They've blown up their development program, for one. Pitching-wise, they created an entire lab, basically like Driveline to better develop guys. They've prioritized individual skills and more of a baseball-heavy workload instead of an over-arching, discipline-based philosophy that we saw before. I think the coaching is different. They're treating players differently.

Guest

1:24

Next pirate to get traded?

Jason Mackey

1:25

Rich Rod.

Bill

1:25

I know the deadline hasn’t passed, but I am stunned I haven’t seen more reported interest in Chad Kuhl. He’s pitched very well over his past 6 starts I believe. Phillies would make a lot of sense after Anderson deal fell through.

Jason Mackey

1:26

I think there's probably some skepticism -- and I can't say it's unwarranted -- given his injury history and track record of up-and-down performance. Could still go; agree that he's pitched well. But I can also see teams waiting for the price to drop, knowing they might have options they like better.

jeff

1:26

How do you see 2B/SS shaping up in near term before Nick Gonzales and Liover Peguero are ready?

Jason Mackey

1:27

Good question, Jeff. I won't BS you. I don't totally know. I wanna see some of these guys: Castro, Marcano, Park, etc. I do think it should be a proving ground. And I think Newman should be given a chance, too. I don't care about Erik Gonzalez's playing time. He's a bench guy for me. But the younger guys should get a shot.

Steven

1:27

Hi Jason, I think I know the answer to this but is there any possibility any of the guys drafted this year end up in Altoona by the end of next season? I’d assume Davis if he’s progressing well.

Jason Mackey

1:28

I guess there's a chance, but it's not terribly likely. And yeah, probably Davis is the only one I could see there. I think if Davis winds up at High-A, that would feel like a huge victory.

Hunter

1:28

Hey Jason! Is it possible for the pirates to have too many middle infield prospects?

Jason Mackey

1:28

No. It's not possible for anyone to have that.

Steven

1:28

Do you see the Pirates potentially getting a return for Rich Rod what I’m sure they were hoping for with Anderson and the Phillies?

Jason Mackey

1:29

I think they should -- and will -- look to do better. Rodriguez is dirt cheap and has two years of club control. Anderson was a rental. Rodriguez has pitched well and has a bunch of experience in leverage roles. I expect the return to be more.

Npc210

1:29

Should there be “worry” about the 40-man situation this offseason or are diehard fans fretting a bit too much? I mean, the FO knows what’s coming, the roster has a lot of expendable guys and plenty of moves can happen between now and November.

Jason Mackey

1:30

I think they're fretting too much. As I said before, this isn't the 40-man roster of a 100-win club. If you lose some guys, whatever. There will also be trades. There's zero expectation for now. I get people caring about it, but I think it's a little much.

Steven

1:30

Why did Ovedio start last night? Why not just go with Cody Ponce? He pitched well!

Jason Mackey

1:30

He did. And he seemed to pitch well in Indianapolis out of the bullpen. I think they wanted to see something different. Oviedo was a starter in the minors. Give him a chance. I have no issue with it. Trying something different. It was actually refreshing.

Steven

1:30

Do you see anyone in AA that’s projected to end up in AAA by the end of this season or at some point next season making it up to the Pirates? Contreras, Martin, etc.?

Jason Mackey

1:31

Yeah, if Contreras is healthy -- we'll know more later with Tomczyk talking, but he was supposed to start throwing -- him. Martin for sure. Mitchell. Maybe Castro or Cruz, if he's back.

Npc210

1:31

Is there a feeling Marcano can develop a bit more power? And if he ends up being an everyday guy, is it at SS or 2B?

Jason Mackey

1:32

There is, yep. I would say that's his biggest area of untapped potential. Needs to add some weight and pop. Second part, not sure. He's played well. From what I understand, he has the arm for short. But I don't know much about his comfortability and range.

Justin

1:32

The recent acquisition of MI who either are already on the 40 man or will have to be added to the 40 man soon - Park, Castillo, and Marcano - along with the advancement of Castro, eventual readiness of Oneil Cruz, and 40 man placement of Peguero, have me wondering... How many of the Newman Tucker Gonzalez trio do you think make it to 2022 with the organization?

Jason Mackey

1:33

My brain is admittedly a jumbled mess right now, but MI? What am I missing? I'm gonna go with one of the three. Longer-term, I don't see any of them as a substantial part of the future.

Rick

1:33

Any word specifically what killed the Anderson to Phillies trade?

Jason Mackey

1:34

Some issue with one of the prospects' physicals. I don't know which one. I don't think anyone does.

Steven

1:34

What’s the update on Swaggerty? Thought he was gonna be a potential piece in the OF but haven’t heard a lot.

Jason Mackey

1:34

He has shoulder surgery, and he's out for the season. Are you looking for beyond that?

Sean

1:34

Hello Mr. Mackey. Have to believe Rodriguez is going to be the next domino to fall. Are you hearing anything about any other off the wall trades such as the Holmes one? Maybe Stallings or Kuhl? You’re gonna have some long nights ahead!

Jason Mackey

1:35

I've had some long days and nights behind. Last day off, I believe, was July 9. Don't remember last time I worked under about 10 hours, either. But it's the job. I signed up for it. Not complaining. Yes, I expect Rich Rod to be the next domino. I don't think they will trade Stalls. I think they like what he can do for a young pitching staff. He's still, somehow, only Super 2, so they can keep him around and use him as a bridge to Davis.

Kevin

1:36

Hey Jason. Big buccos fan who actually feels pretty good about the new direction the team is taking. I think a lot of Pittsburghers think this is the same approach they've had in the past: (Good players get to the bigs, trade for prospects before big pay days, rinse and repeat), but so many people don't realize how bare the farm system was after the 2013-15 playoff years and needed rebuilt in order to get back to winning. Gotta accumulate as much talent as possible and hope it develops properly all at the right time (see Cubs in 2016). My question is what is different about GMBC's plan for developing these players than in the past? He's had a lot of stars develop like Devers and Boegarts in Boston. Any idea how they developed into big leaguers better than what the Pirates did with Cole, Glasnow and others that didn't reach that full potential?

Jason Mackey

1:37

Agree with you, Kevin you should feel good. Fans should understand this: The last group did an awesome job filling the farm system and pushing toward 2013-15. They got young kids. They developed them. They exploited market weaknesses. Then they stopped. With everything. It was sort of amazing. Then they sat in denial for a while, then they made the moves they should have made, probably a year or two late, if we're being honest here.

1:38

But to answer your question: A ton of stuff. The old regime wanted everyone to pitch the same way. This one does not. They're night and day with how they're trying to accentuate strengths vs. having guys learn things with which they're not comfortable. More on specific skills. They're more flexible with timelines. I think they're scouting differently, which leads to a different type of player to start.

Ron

1:38

Hi Jason. Are we going to package some prospects that are rule 5 eligible in say a Rodriguez trade in order to get some better prospects back?

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