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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 07.29.22
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Jason Mackey
12:50
You can deal him and be concerned about the innings. Look, it's the right business move to trade him, assuming you're not going to re-sign him, which I don't think they could do. The prospects you get back matter more than the little bit of stability he would offer in terms of innings. Especially this: What happens if he gets hurt? Then you've screwed yourself two ways.
Guest
12:50
Do you know how the players and coaches respond to the negative comments about them on PPG articles? At the present, Yoshi, VanMeter and Shelton are routinely criticized in many of the readers' comments. I would think it would really bother them, but perhaps as professionals they are used to it and consider it part of the job. I'm curious about your thoughts.
Jason Mackey
12:51
Players read articles. They don't check comments. At least ones that I know. I've never had a player mad at me -- really for anything -- but certainly not over stuff that's factual. I had a regular conversation with Sidney Crosby where he would say something like, "Do you think I'm unaware that I'm not scoring? Also, you're not going to put more pressure on me than I put on myself." As long as you're fair, accurate and professional, players understand you have a job to do.
Justin
12:52
Obviously they're gonna try to deal Stratton, but could you see another surprising trade of a controllable reliever happening?  I could see some random trade of, say, Underwood happening since they're so heavy on out-of-options guys right now.  And his underlying numbers seem solid enough for a good team to want him as depth.  Similar to how nobody saw the Holmes deal happening last yr.
Jason Mackey
12:52
Yeah, I could. I think Beede would be that guy for me, but you make a fine point with Duane. If the Pirates can get something for someone, I think they would do it. Frees up a spot. Gets something back. Austin Davis is a good template from last year. It's just hard to say who because it depends on who other teams like.
Jeff
12:52
If Bednar wasn’t a local kid, more probable he would be traded?
Jason Mackey
12:53
I think the chances would increase, sure. But even if he was from San Francisco, he hasn't pitched terribly well of late. There's a bunch of control. Are you making the smartest decision if you do it now? I don't think so.
Joel
12:53
Continuing to play unproductive vets like VanMeter, Marisnick, and Tsutsugo is perverse. But entering seasons with gaping holes and banking on players who have never had above average results anywhere has been a pattern with the current regime. What makes you think things will be any different after the trade deadline?
Jason Mackey
12:54
Perverse. That's an interesting word choice for doing that. ... Well, because I've had it told to me that that's what it likely going to happen. But also because it makes sense. Give vets a chance -- albeit they've had too much of one, IMO. Then you have to see what your younger players can do. Natural transition point.
Ryan
12:54
Good afternoon Jason who’s the next pirate to be traded tonight’s starter ?
Jason Mackey
12:55
I'm gonna go with a surprise and actually say Ben Gamel.
Don
12:55
Good Afternoon Jason.  Thank you for your time Sir.  How has Jack Suwinski fared since being sent down?  Do you think he’ll be brought back before the end of the season?
Jason Mackey
12:56
Been a little scattershot, Don. Hitting .143 but has three homers. Similar to what he did up here. I do think he will be brought up before the end of the season. Just need to get a little more consistency in his swing and up that average a tad.
Edmund Fitzgerald
12:56
Bigger wreck right now ? Me or the Pirates organization ?
Jason Mackey
12:56
Good one.
Jaden
12:56
Who do you think traded now till the deadline?
Jason Mackey
12:56
I think they send out Quintana, Gamel and Newman. Maaaaybe Stratton. I go back and forth on that one.
Spaceman Bill Lee
12:56
In honor of my namesake, here’s a far-out question for you Jason:  Can you ever envision a time where baseball will have designated hitters AND designated defensive players?  This would apply to players who would be great hitters but couldn’t field worth a darn and vice versa. Have fun “fielding “ this question!
Jason Mackey
12:57
Dear God I hope not. I honestly miss pitchers hitting. Not them specifically but more the strategy the NL game afforded. More than I thought it would, honestly. They'll never go back, but I do miss it. ... No, I don't see them ever creating a field-only player. It's overkill.
Jeff
12:57
Do you feel Shelton just a caretaker like John Russell was and he will be replaced when contract up?
Jason Mackey
12:59
I don't think they know. I don't think they went into it thinking that. I think they want him to be here for the long haul. I agree his on-field decisions have been only so-so, but I do think he's done a fine job with creating a culture, encouraging collaboration, relating to players, etc. He's not a cardboard cutout. Now, they obviously need to win. If that doesn't start to happen soon, then they'll need to act.
Joel
12:59
I am concerned about Henry Davis. The guy can’t stay healthy (and as Bill James wrote back int he day, staying healthy is a skill). What is the current prognosis?
Jason Mackey
12:59
Still a couple weeks away, they say. It has been a rough start for him, for sure. I'm not ready to say he CAN or CAN'T do this or that. We don't know enough. But it has been disappointing, for sure.
Guest
1:00
Any word on minor leaguers get promoted up a level?
Jason Mackey
1:00
Not yet. I think you'll see some of that coming out of the trade deadline.
Paul
1:00
Trying again...With the Pirates having so many high-strikeout, potential power guys (Chavis, Castillo, Cruz, Suwinski, Martin, Castro, Gonzales, etc.), is there a limit to how much improvement the team will make?

Sure, some of the young guys will improve (Cruz, maybe Gonzales, maybe Suwinski), but that approach seems to be embraced. Doesn't someone have to get on base for a team to be successful rather than a bunch of guys swinging for the fences?)
Jason Mackey
1:01
I don't see the correlation there, Paul. I also wouldn't characterize some of those players as "power guys." Anyway, they can become better hitters, no doubt. Doesn't really have much to do with power.
Halvybuckets
1:02
Could we see a prospect, Bae maybe, included in a deal with Quintana to increase the return?
Jason Mackey
1:02
I really, really doubt they would do that.
PR Disaster
1:02
So since this organization is completely incapable of doing anything right when they trade Bednar where will they go and will it officially drive away the remining handful of fans they have left ?
Jason Mackey
1:02
Negative about the Pirates much? I don't see them trading Bednar. Go find another activity. Something you enjoy.
Mark
1:02
What makes you think we'll get more for Quintana this year than we did for Anderson last year? They had pretty similar statistics. Also how prospects do  you really need? At some point, don't you have to improve your MLB team?
Jason Mackey
1:03
What I've said is about what they got for Anderson. The players just haven't done a ton. Would argue that Quintana has been a little better than Anderson. And, for the Pirates, they need all the prospects they can get. Right now. When they have a greater core of young guys, yeah, the switch should flip from outgoing to incoming. But we're not there yet. Too many important future pieces still in the minors.
Drew
1:04
The MLB Morning Lineup email that I receive each morning listed a prospect for each team that might get dealt at the deadline.  For the Bucs, Travis Swaggerty was listed as a possible trade piece.  On the one hand, I know we have a bunch of young outfielders and something's got to give eventually...on the other hand, it doesn't feel like he's had a good look yet at the big league level.  Your thoughts?
Jason Mackey
1:04
I would be surprised if they dealt Swaggerty for that reason. Why? What would they get? Likely not much. He's gotten very little run up here. I more expect them to bring him up and play him just to see. Maybe he stinks, maybe he's great. I don't think we know at this point.
Josh
1:04
The Pirates need pitching and a power bat and the fans want a winner as soon as possible but I don't even think next year will be a good year, the orioles were supposed to be terrible this year and they shocked a lot of people and actually want to win
Jason Mackey
1:05
Thanks, Josh. I think next year the Pirates could do what the Orioles are doing this season. Just my personal opinion.
Justin
1:05
Do you get the sense that the team thinks that Bryse Wilson is anything more than an up-and-down arm with good attitude? I mean that has some level of value, but curious if they think he has literally any upside anymore.
Jason Mackey
1:05
I think they do, yeah. I think there are also some questions on what he is. But he's also been so darn all over the map. Even his last outing. Awful early, then I believe went six. I do think they're gonna give him more run to see if he can figure it out.
John
1:05
Has there been any explanation as to why Henry Davis was playing injured?
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