You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 08.04.23
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Tony V
12:25
What's changed with Mitch in the second half?
Jason Mackey
12:26
Got to this a little just now, but two things: 1. Cutter has been bad. 2. He hasn't pitched off his fastball enough. If his cutter is good, that sets up a couple different things. Sinkers away. Changeup. Also gives him more confidence. Sweeper hasn't been as tight as it has in the past, either.
pozone6031@comcast.net
12:26
I think it is time to live and die with our young players. What say you?
Jason Mackey
12:26
Aren't they doing that?
Bucs Fan in GA
12:26
Appreciate your up to date reporting on trade deadline.... Do you think FO views Jared Triolo as a legitimate fix at 1st base? Heard where Shelton said they are going to play him in OF? I like Triolo's versatility, but dang we have enough OF's. 1st base is in need of a solid defender. Not dismissing Connor Joe... Bucs Fan in GA
Jason Mackey
12:28
I think, one, Triolo needs to hit with more power to play regularly over there. I have no questions relative to his defense over there. It's with the bat. I think he's an option, but like with many of them, it will come down to who actually hits. I think they view Joe as a platoon-only type at this point, which is fine.
Bucs Fan in GA
12:28
Something is definitely wrong with Mitch Keller! Are they considering the fact that he may have a tired arm? He is posting some red flags with hitters really teeing off on him. What are your thoughts on his consistency of late? Bucs Fan in GA
Jason Mackey
12:29
Got to some of this, Terry. He could have a tired arm. I don't know that, but he has thrown a lot. That wouldn't track with his last start, though. Or his seven shutout innings against Arizona. He has been inconsistent. We also haven't seen huge drops in velocity or anything like that.
Jeff M
12:29
Do you know how much money the Pirates saved with deadline trades? Do you think there is any chance Budget Bob tells Cherrington that money can be rolled over into next years payroll?
Jason Mackey
12:30
I haven't done the math, but prorated portions of $6.75 million, $4.65 million, $5 million and $8 million. I don't think those moves will impact next year's payroll good or bad. They're moves any team out of contention would've and should've made, save for possibly Santana.
Cullen B
12:30
PPG needs to hire Rob Biertempfel (shame on The Athletic for letting him go) and create the best Pirates beat team in generations. With you, Rob, and Andrew most people probably wouldnt go anywhere else for coverage.
Jason Mackey
12:32
Rob is outstanding. And, yes, I wish the Athletic would see benefit in valuing local coverage. It's a shame. Unfortunately we don't have an opening on Pirates at the moment, however. But Rob has been a good friend on the Pirates beat, and I'm sure you'll be reading him again soon somewhere.
Trey
12:32
Jason, ever listen to the Phish channel on Sirius? I must say it ain’t great. They neglect many compelling jams. The dead channel is much better. And I thought this was a baseball chat?
Jason Mackey
12:32
I always love the lighter topics. I have. It's not my favorite (Phish). The Dead channel is outstanding, though. And I largely really like SiriusXM, especially MLB Network on there. They do a great job.
Nicky G
12:33
Jason, how can one turn an inside fastball the other way 400 some odd feet but otherwise kind of face plant? Danke.
Jason Mackey
12:33
Confidence, my friend. Confidence. The sport of baseball is a fickle one.
Jeff T
12:33
Hi Jason…I believe that before the season started, the over/under for wins this year was 75. Do you think they can still get there? If not, what do you think a reasonable number might be?
Jason Mackey
12:33
Vegas' over/under was 67, I believe. I said 74. I don't feel great about that prediction right now (meaning mine). If they get to 72, I think that might be best-case scenario. And even that feels far away at the moment.
Joel
12:34
Hi, Jason. Pretty sobering stomping by the Brewers last night. I am really frustrated with the Pirates throwing one of their best prospects into the deep end trying to learn how to play right field on the fly in the majors. This is just so misguided on so many levels, not least that I’m guessing that it’s really messing with Davis’ ability to develop his offense. When is this nonsense going to stop?
Jason Mackey
12:35
You're not alone, Joel. Henry is clearly not ready for this. And it's a shame because it's not for lack of effort on his part. He's a good kid and works tirelessly at multiple things. I'd also be OK with him taking some lumps in right if he got to show them what he could do behind the plate. It's strange that they haven't given him a chance to do that. Could the defense be worse than what we've seen in right?
D Mountain
12:35
Jason, so the ole’ gunslinger has left the ‘burgh, but I’m thinking I might pick up 3 or 4 easy wins against my old buddies next campaign. Just saying.
Jason Mackey
12:35
Thank you for your service, Rich.
GPT
12:35
I've generally agreed with their process, but here we are 4 years in and the Pirates aren't tangibly better and the minors (with the exception of Skenes) don't have much that screams a star is coming. The rotation for next year is a struggling Keller and a bunch of question marks, to go with a bunch of interchangeable 1-2 WAR position players. Where do they go from here, and do you think the 'process' is working?
Jason Mackey
12:36
That's a long answer, GPT. As I said before, I think we need to hear the kids out the rest of the way. There are going to be growing pains. But if they show improvement, I think that will change the narrative around the team.
Joel
12:36
Jason, I’m discouraged by the early returns on the Pirates’ top prospects at the major league level. No one is doing much of anything. I look at other organizations like the Braves and the Orioles and see prospects having an impact from Day 1. I fear there is something seriously wrong with the PIrates’ development system, which strikes at the whole premise of this rebuild. What is going on and how can it be fixed?
Jason Mackey
12:37
Similar question here. Expecting everyone to be the Orioles or Braves is a little tough, but I hear what you're saying. They've had premium picks, trade return, etc. There probably should be more talent showing. It's also a relatively small sample, and everyone seems especially ornery after last night. I'm gonna keep saying it: We need to let more of this play out. But I understand being frustrating right now. They should be better this far into a rebuild. That's fair.
KB
12:38
Jason, to paraphrase that old Parcells guy, at some point you is what you is. Time to consider that Triolo guy next year and see who wants me at deadline? Gracias.
Jason Mackey
12:39
KB ... is that supposed to be a Hayes thing? If so, no. I don't agree with that sentiment. Also, Hayes has been hurt a lot and hasn't hit much. Do we think there's gonna be some sort of lucrative market for that costing like $10 million?
Dying on the Vine
12:39
Great job Jason. So I got in this debate last night about Keller. I maintained Keller needs to get out of here because he is dying on the vine in this organization. The coaching and development because Bob Nutting won't pay for quality in either of those are killing the pitchers in this system. I think the same will happen with Skenes. They'll tinker with him and wreck him. I still have no idea how Oscar Morin still has a job. Thoughts ?
Jason Mackey
12:41
Umm ... I don't have many. Mitch was really good. Did Bob only buy the half-year plan? I'm not saying the Pirates are geniuses. They've made plenty of mistakes. But it's not Bob Nutting's fault that Keller isn't executing his cutter. Should they pay more for major league players? Yes, I think so. Should they make coaching staff changes? I would hope so -- though those typically happen in the offseason. But there's an amount of player accountability that's also important.
Peggy
12:41
Jason, can my sweet home run stroke continue or is this destined to be like that Nicky G scenario? Danke
Jason Mackey
12:41
I don't know, Peggy. I've enjoyed it so far, though. You've been fun to watch. Familiar story with a lot of young players. They do something good. League adjustments. I think Nick will be fine, but he needs to punch back.
Joel
12:41
Jason, it is to critical to the Pirates future that Ke’Bryan HAyes turns into a solid player on the offensive side of the ball. For me this is a code red situation that calls for extraordinary measures, like hiring a special hitting coach in the off season. There are coaches with a proven record of turning guys around —- Walt Hrniak with the Red Sox back in the day, Kevin Long with the Nationals more recently. The status quo is not working and Hayes’ career is threatening to be far less than it could be.
Jason Mackey
12:42
Not just Ke'Bryan. I think there are a lot of young players who have not fully developed under Andy Haines. I would be extremely surprised if he's back next season. But again, we're blaming everything on coaches here. It's not just the coaches.
Disappointing
12:42
Can we say that once and for all Davis and Gonzales are going to be a disappointment ?
Jason Mackey
12:43
Absolutely not. Based on fewer than 40 games? Gimme a break.
siggy623
12:43
Are you familiar with Gary Morgan? I often read his columns posted to YouTube. Along with yourself, I think that he has more insight into the Pirates than anyone else. Does management read his and your columns? If so, does it influence management at all?
Jason Mackey
12:43
I do know Gary, yes. We chat plenty. Have been on with him before. And they might read what we write or listen to what we say, but I highly doubt it influences their thinking.
Jeff M
12:44
Why did the Pirates acquire Rivas from the Padres? He had been released by the Cubs and couldn't not find a spot on an under performing Padres team. Do the Pirates see undiscover potential or did they just need a left handed bat to platoon at 1B?
Jason Mackey
12:44
Maybe both. I think they see something they want to explore, Triple-A production they might be able to get to translate to the big leagues. They think they have space to give him opportunity. And he's solid defensively. Might just be a way to ensure the position is covered, so to speak.
Connecting…