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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 07.29.22
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Jason Mackey
11:42
Hello, everyone. Thanks for stopping by my weekly Pirates chat. We'll get rolling here shortly.
11:59
And away we go ...
Carl in Carrick
11:59
Hi Jason.  Are Bligh Madris and Endy Rodriguez being groomed to play first base or is  this a temporary measure until if/ when the Pirates trade for or sign a free agent first baseman?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:00
I would describe those situations differently. They're taking a look. Bligh has played there before, in college. We'll see. They're giving it a shot. Endy, too. Although it's not just 1B with him. They're looking at him at 2B and the OF. They could wind up signing someone, too. Hard to see. Basically what they've gotten over there hasn't been good enough, and they need to see what else they have.
matt
12:04
Is there anything the pirates can accomplish with the rest of the season that would make you feel like there's any hope for 2024 or thereabouts?
Jason Mackey
12:06
Sure. I think there's hope for 2024 or thereabouts anyway. I don't need to see anything else this season to change my mind on that. But Roansy Contreras getting back here and looking good ... Oneil Cruz finding more consistency ... Bryan Reynolds continuing to look like Bryan Reynolds ... contract/extension stuff ... maybe someone nailing down second base ... if the outfield sorted itself out. All kinds of stuff that would help me feel encouraged. I also like the rebuilding efforts they're doing at the lower levels. That stuff just takes time.
Yuri
12:07
Good morning Jason.  With the approaching trade deadline, it seem all the talk is about the Pirates getting prospects in any deal.  At what point do you think the Pirates will try to obtain solid, proven players?  Thank you Jason.
Jason Mackey
12:08
They could try that now if they're being offered, but that's not how trades work. If you're peddling good players, it's likely because you aren't good and want to restock with prospects. If you are good, why are you trading away good players? Also, you can get more with "lottery tickets," prospects who are unproven. I.e. In a perfect world, the Pirates scout young guys and accumulate more of them, players they can grow up into quality major leaguers. Make sense?
Bill
12:09
Happy Friday Jason. If Newman and Gamel are dealt (I would think both have value), would Marcano take over at 2B since Bae is hurt and would they give Swaggerty another look? He really didnt get the chance the others got and Suwinski is striking out a lot at Indy.
Jason Mackey
12:09
Yeah, Swag was out early. And, yeah, I think he would get another chance. Also agree with you that Newman and Gamel will be dealt. Gamel for sure. Bottom line, after Aug. 2, you're likely going to see a Return of the Kids. Which is long overdue, IMO.
Bill
12:11
Do you expect bullpen trades in order to open up a spot for Holderman? Also nothing against Banuelos but I'd rather see Cam Alldred in that spot, hes been solid at Indy.
Jason Mackey
12:13
It's tough to say, Bill. I think they expect a bullpen trade or two to open up a spot. And, at minimum, they need to bring up Holderman. He should be up here now. The best case scenario would be for them to get something for Stratton. I just worry whether anyone will take that chance. ... I like Banuelos. I don't think he has to go to get Alldred up here. I hope not.
Maz01
12:14
Hi Jason, You do an outstanding job with this chat and your coverage. No matter how Q pitches tonight, what is the realistic return for him if a trade were to occur? You would think that Q would fetch a better player than Tony Watson did(Oneil Cruz), but I think not. Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:15
I wouldn't be looking at Watson-for-Cruz as a comp. Cruz is a special player, and I think the Pirates really did something special there. I look more at Tyler Anderson last year. I'm expecting a top-30 guy on another team, plus a complementary piece. Would like it if one of them was a pitcher. Not gonna be premier return, but it shouldn't be a sack of marbles either.
Tom J.
12:16
Hello Jason - What is the feeling about the Pirates outside of the organization?  What do GMs, Scouts...even other writers you may come in contact with say about the current/future of the club?  Thank you.
Jason Mackey
12:19
Hi Tom. More positive than it is for fans, I'll say that. You certainly have your detractors, people who think they will remain the same old Pirates. However, there's also a large group of people I talk to who are hugely encouraged by their farm system and how they're doing things.
Bottom line, it's not impossible to do what they're trying to do here. But the margin for error is thin, and they still have plenty of work to do.
Donna
12:20
Happy Friday Jason.  I haven’t been impressed with the Pirates’ coaching staff this season.  Do you anticipate any changes being made during or in the off season?  Thanks Jason!
Jason Mackey
12:21
Hi Donna. I would disagree with that. I think Mike Rabelo has done a fine job at third. Don't have any issue with Tarrik Brock at 1B or working with the outfielders. Would like to see more pitching progress, and they might address that. I think organizational talent is a bigger issue than the coaching staff, frankly.
Sunner in Orlando
12:21
This season represents a broken record. At some point the Pirates must start to keep their best players and make a run. With the inevitable sell off of Quintana and Newman, the Bucs will undoubtedly lose over 100 games again. We as fans deserve better. If they trade Reynolds, the team will spiral down to the worst record in the majors. When will this groundhog day season change for the better?
Jason Mackey
12:22
(Not sure keeping Kevin Newman would prevent a 100-loss season.) We've been over there a thousand times. This season was gonna be rough. We knew this. It should be about young kids and building for the future. They've done some of that. The real test will be growing up that group and when they can start showing signs. I think it could be next year where they start to make you go, "Oh."
Sunner in Orlando
12:22
Will Yoshi and Vanmeter be DFA'd at the deadline? They are taking valuable ab's from promising guys on the bench and in AAA.
Jason Mackey
12:22
I'm expecting them to be DFA'd out of the deadline, if not before.
Cullen
12:22
Which Pirates prospect not named Termarr will be the next in the top 100 prospects list?
Jason Mackey
12:23
Will probably go with Burrows. Maybe an outside chance of Bae or Nicolas?
Bob
12:23
The amount of playing time given to VanMeter, who can neither hit nor field adequately, is bewildering. Especially when there are so many young players who could benefit from playing. Do the Pirates actually believe "showcasing" VanMeter will result in trading him? Or do they believe that putting him in the lineup somehow makes the team better?
Jason Mackey
12:24
They can't possibly believe he's tradable. He's a good veteran guy with position versatility -- I guess. My thought if they're hoping he gets on some crazy hot streak and someone has a need, but yeah, that's really far-fetched at this point. There's also an element of allowing guys to prove themselves, but, once again, we've crossed that bridge. Maybe twice.
Cullen
12:24
When do you expect Endy Rodriguez to get the call up to AA?He is absolutely raking at High A Greensboro
Jason Mackey
12:25
He's on a good run, you're right. But you need to be mindful of playing time. You play him for a little bit, then what happens when Henry Davis comes back? I'm not in a hurry to move Endy. He's still young. I'd ride it out for the time being.
JeffT
12:25
Hi Jason…thanks for your work on this beat! Is the trade deadline also going to be the end of the line for JVM and Yoshi? Or is Yoshi already done, since he hasn’t been out there for a couple of days against RHP?
Jason Mackey
12:25
Thanks, Jeff. Yes, I think it's going to be the end of the line.
Cullen
12:25
What are your thoughts on the return for the Vogey trade? Is Ben starting to target prospects who can help us this year vs lottery tickets at the trade deadline?
Jason Mackey
12:26
Love the return. He's not specifically targeting anything. They have ways of distilling "value" of players at all different levels -- major league producer with less development available, young guy who's more moldable, that sort of thing. I like Holderman. He fits a need. Hence why they did the deal.
Prince Bob
12:26
In terms of wins and losses compared to what you expected at the start of the season, have the Pirates been better, worse, or about the same, as you thought they'd be?
Jason Mackey
12:26
About the same. I predicted 62-100. Haven't checked lately, but they're pretty close.
Prince Bob
12:27
I see that Jose Quintana "love" playing here. Do you think that means he'd be willing to sign here if the Pirates made a reasonable offer and if so, do you think they should?
Jason Mackey
12:28
Depends on what you define as reasonable. I also don't think he'll get the chance. I think the Pirates will trade him, because it's best for their current business model, and Quintana will be a free agent after the season. I highly doubt the Pirates will end up being his most attractive offer at that point. ... And, no, I don't think he would entertain signing anything right now, just because he doesn't like in-season contract stuff.
Bill
12:28
Stratton really has struggled this year. If there are no teams that take a chance on him, would the Bucs DFA and give other guys a shot? Would love to see Bolton out of the bullpen last couple months
Jason Mackey
12:29
I'd love to see Bolton, too, but I don't see why you would need to DFA Stratton to do it. ... I wouldn't DFA Stratton. He has value for them over the final two months, which obviously aren't going to be super fun and rosey. Yeah, the production has lacked. But Stratton is a good person, good family man, a personal example young guys should follow. Have younger pitchers spend time around him. Absorb some of the attitude and prep that he does.
Prince Bob
12:29
Sort of similar question about Brian Reynolds. Do you think he wants to stay even with the unpleasant contract stuff at the start of the season? Do you have a sense of whether or not he'll be here long term?
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