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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 08.04.21
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Jason Mackey
12:27
If they have nicknames, those aren't them. Ha. But those are funny. Not being allowed in clubhouses, I can't say we get much of that right now, sadly.
Bill
12:27
Jason, what are your thoughts on Swaggerty? Its a shame the shoulder injury occurred because had it not, we probably see him make his MLB debut this summer. I still hope he's part of the future OF even as a 4th OF if he doesnt hit. Hope they add him to roster this winter
Jason Mackey
12:28
I think they will, Bill. I like his speed. I think this was gonna be a breakout year for him at the plate. I still think he can be a starter for this team, but I also don't think they should force it. Even if he takes two more years -- remember, he skipped Class AA -- I'd be OK with it, if they get his development right.
Wayward
12:28
Outside of maybe Davis do you see anyone else out of this draft class to get an assignment outside of the Florida Complex League?
Jason Mackey
12:29
There might be some lower-round guys, college kids, who would, but among their top five, no. I would be surprised if any of the high school picks moved into affiliated ball this season.
Walter D.
12:29
Hey Jason, enjoy your chats.   What’s the latest on the Cruz injury?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:29
Todd Tomczyk is about to speak to the media. We were told last week that Cruz was symptom free. If he remained that way, then they were going to talk about throwing again.
Leonard
12:30
Hayes sucks. He never hit in the minors that well and after only 1 good month last season we all thought he was gonna be the next Cutch. Have you seen him at the plate now? He looks scared and is swinging at so many terrible pitches. I'm worried Jason.
Jason Mackey
12:30
This is a rational view on the situation. My God, Leonard. Have some patience, my friend. It's a slump. He doesn't suck. He will work his way out.
Southside Jimmy
12:30
Good afternoon.  Just wondering if you have heard any comments from Josh Bell regarding the dismantling of the Nationals?  Thanks Jason.
Jason Mackey
12:30
I have not heard a thing. Been busy here. Did he address it?
Barney
12:30
Is it time to stop treating Hayes like a sure fire star as so many have assumed?  Rocking a sub-.700 OPS and has 4 HR in almost 200 AB's.  Looking a lot more like Joe Randa than Nolan Arenado.
Jason Mackey
12:32
I think it's time we started to treat Hayes like what he is: A very good defensive third baseman who has played 77 games in the majors. We don't know what he is. He's also going to struggle, and that's OK.
ev
12:32
IF Tucker fails to impress this year, will he be left available for Rule 5 next year?  Lots of prospects to protect....
Jason Mackey
12:32
Yeah, I could see him being a casualty there, absolutely. That's why I expect them to take a look at Tucker the rest of the way, to figure out what they have.
Guest1in SF
12:32
Is there any reason to bring Ka ai Tom off of the IL, at least before September.  I can't see it.
Jason Mackey
12:33
They probably want to knock down his Rule 5 status while they stink. Do I agree with it? No, I would DFA him yesterday. But if they put him on the active roster, it's probably because they want to shed that as quickly as possible, then move him to the minors.
Bill
12:34
Future catching tandem, Davis/Bins in a couple years? I like the acquisition of Bins because hes probably about a year or two away and can give you a young backup to Stallings in time.
Jason Mackey
12:35
Potentially. I like both, although I don't like catching tandems. If Bins produces, trade him, move him or something. But that's a bridge you cross when you come to it. I just don't like the timeshare situation back there. If Davis can produce with the bat -- and I think he can -- I want him back there as much as possible.
Wayward
12:35
Have we replaced the Nutting is cheap crowd with a Hayes stinks crowd?
Jason Mackey
12:36
I don't think so. The Nutting-is-cheap crowd ain't changing. And I get it. The Hayes stinks crowd is just upset because he's struggling, which I get but ... c'mon, folks. He's a young kid. He's gonna struggle. It's OK.
Yuri
12:36
Hello Jason. In light of Newman’s poor offensive showing, what do you see the Pirates doing with him?  Can he be sent down to the minors?  With his defensive ability, he just needs to be adequate at the plate.  Thank you Jason.
Jason Mackey
12:37
Hey Yuri. Yes, they could send him to the minors. He has options remaining. He has been better of late, I'll give him that. But I also think they should use that spot to find out about Castro, Park, Tucker, etc. You know what you have in Newman, and it's probably more this season than what we saw in 2019 at this point. Not sure you're counting on THAT to be part of your future. Or at least I'd hope not.
Guest1in SF
12:37
Back to your response on Tom,  couldn't they expedite the process of sending him to the minors by putting him on waivers? He could be playing for Bradenton in a week, after he clears waivers.
Jason Mackey
12:38
Yes, they could. They would risk losing him at that point, though. And my guess -- considering they haven't done it already when he was hitting like .050 -- is that they think someone else might see what they see.
Wayward
12:38
Big change in the IF/bench for next year?  Cant see many, if any, of the Polanco, Evans, Gonzalez, Perez  being back.
Jason Mackey
12:39
I agree you. Gamel is actually under contract, so maybe he's one of those guys? Although at this point, he's a starter. I think you could maybe see Perez back, simply because they don't have another option, he's done a nice job, and I'm not sure if it would make a ton of sense for him to leave.
PrinceBob
12:42
Someone mentioned Gregory Polanco maybe getting the MLB minimum salary if he plays next season. How does that work for a guy who's been around long enough to be a free agent, i.e if that happened for him what's the least he could get?
Jason Mackey
12:43
Assuming the Pirates buy out Polanco, which I expect them to do, he would be a free agent. As such, his salary would be the same as other free agents. He would have to be paid at least the major league minimum, which I believe is $570,500.
Darnell
12:43
Hey Jason.  Kudos to Gamel for his drag bunt last night.  Bunting seems to be a lost art.  I think a player like Newman who has speed and is struggling at the plate should try bunting more.  Your thoughts?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:45
I agree that it's a lost art. Too much focus on launch angle, etc. I like Gamel's game for a lot of reasons, one which involves his ability to handle the bat. Also agree on players struggling using the bunt more. However, I would also prefer for Newman to produce more at the plate or for Shelton to play someone who does. I don't care if he bunts once or 500 times. They need more.
PrinceBob
12:46
Thanks. That's what I was looking for.
Jason Mackey
12:46
Of course.
Guest
12:48
Do you think we can start a Bryan Reynolds for MVP campaign?
Jason Mackey
12:49
Ha. You can start one. You can start almost anything. And I agree, without a doubt, he's the MVP of this team. But it might be a tough sell league-wide considering at this point, they might not win 60 games. Or at least it seems that way right now.
Ryan
12:49
good afternoon Jason what do you think about the play of Castro he’s been looking good so far let’s go Bucs
Jason Mackey
12:50
I've liked him. He's got a fun energy. A big fan of his power. I think he's a little inconsistent with his swing decisions, but I hardly think that's an issue for someone his age. I also don't know if he's an every-day second baseman. But there's certainly enough there that I can see him growing and being a part of this team's future somewhere.
Zeus
12:50
Do you think Hayes has had a disappointing year?
Jason Mackey
12:51
From an offensive production standpoint, sure. His OPS is under .700. He doesn't want that. Neither do the Pirates, and I don't think that's reflexive of him as a player. But the injury didn't help. Same time, he's only played 77 games. Nobody said this was supposed to be easy. I think it's been good for him in the sense of having to work to overcome stuff.
Chris
12:51
Hi Jason.  In addition to updating the scoreboard, I hope the music played throughout the games will also be updated.  Some of the songs are older than I am!
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