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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 08.05.20
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Jason Mackey
11:31
Hello everyone. We'll chat at noon. Feel free to ask your questions, and I'll be back at noon to answer them.
Ryan
11:58
Good afternoon Jason with rosters going down tomorrow who do you think we get rid of and who do you think makes the taxi squad i think and Rios
Jason Mackey
12:02
Hi Ryan. The first one I think is obvious: Miguel Del Pozo. Second, I'm not so sure. I think Erik Gonzalez has complicated things. Phillip Evans definitely isn't going anywhere. You have to have four outfielders and two catchers. So, honestly, maybe Cole Tucker? I hate saying that, but if you're legit trying to make him a center field, maybe he goes to Altoona and works every day on it? Again, I don't love it. But position-player-wise, it's probably either him or Gonzalez, and they seem to like Gonzalez. I would not get rid of Jose Osuna, for I think obvious reasons. You could also send out a pitcher. Cody Ponce would be my candidate there, but if they keep talking about a lack of pitching, I have a tough time believing they'll send out two pitchers. It would not be Rios, as he fared reasonably well against the Twins. I'd give him another chance.
Brian In CT
12:02
I think I read that the all time low winning % for a season is .235, set in 1916 by the Philadelphia Athletics.  Think the Pirates can break that record?
Jason Mackey
12:02
Ha. They're bad right now, I agree. I don't think they'll be this bad the entire season.
GH
12:02
Please compare and contrast Hurdle’s game strategy vs. Shelton’s game strategy. What are some similarities and what are differences?
Jason Mackey
12:04
We're 11 games in. I think we're a little early for a full comparison. Also, Shelton's circumstances are much different. I do think Shelton is more content to sit back, not bunt and play for a big inning; however, I should preface that with saying there's now a DH, and the Pirates -- given they're hitting .194 -- should never, ever give up outs. So, it's different. Both had quick hooks with starting pitchers, but Shelton's have been more a function of the shortened ramp-up. Again, it's tough to pick out any significant differences. Similarities? Both seem to roil the fan base pretty effectively.
Buzzard Bill
12:04
Jason, I'm having a hard time watching what is supposed to be major league baseball coming from the Pirates.  Any hope of .500 baseball seems to have gone out the window with the number of pitching injuries.  Is it time to just call it what it is, a tryout period for next year's team?  If so, where are the young bats that could help next year?
Jason Mackey
12:06
Hi Bill. I can understand why this has been hard to watch. Secondly, I don't know. Not to be glib, but I mean, you can look to Ke'Bryan Hayes; that's reasonable. Further down there's Liover Peguero and Nick Gonzales, although next year might be a stretch given there's no minor league season in 2020. Jason Martin? Jared Oliva? Maybe. But I don't think those are numbers that are gonna convince you to buy a full-season plan. What they need is for guys like Newman, Reynolds, Bell, etc., to hit the way they're capable. Yes, this was supposed to be a build toward 2021, whether they want to say it or not. But they haven't even done that thus far.
GH
12:06
Why can’t the Pirates brass admit that this season is a rebuilding year and the expectation of winning is designed for years ahead?
Jason Mackey
12:07
I don't know. It would do them a lot of good to message it that way. I think they're putting themselves under more of a microscope by not admitting to a rebuild and sort of making it sound like you're trying to compete.
Yuri
12:07
Hi Jason.  Newman, Tucker and Gonzalez...which one is the best defensive shortstop?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:08
I'm not sure, Yuri. It may be Erik Gonzalez, honestly, but there's no way I would play him there over the other two, unless he suddenly starts showing a ton more with the bat. I liked Newman the other day at second. I could be OK with that. My concern with all three, though, is honestly their offense.
Gene
12:08
Hi Jason as a lifelong Pirate fan it is really frustrating to see the bullpen blow leads . Hopefully next year they spend some money on relievers.  Your thoughts on this?
Jason Mackey
12:10
Hi Gene. I don't blame you for feeling this way. Next year, yeah, I would like to see them spend on relievers. I'd like to see them spend on starting pitchers. I'd like to see them spend on at least one outfielder. I'd like to see them spend on a lot of things, and I don't think that's a unreasonable ask for fans. And, if you're Bob Nutting and supposedly  can't spend, what are you doing here? If I make minimum wage -- and there's nothing wrong with that -- I'm not gonna show up at Morton's and try to order.
Harold
12:10
Jason, from what I’ve seen, I think it may be time to use Polanco strictly as a designated hitter.  His arm doesn’t appear to be strong enough to play right field.  Agree?   If so, who should replace him?  Thank you.
Jason Mackey
12:11
Yeah, Harold. I think I agree. The throws the other night were not good. That said, I would give him a few more chances. Because, why not, right? They're 2-9. But when I watch him play, he looks like a future DH. And maybe not even that considering he's hitting .063 whatever it is.
Rich
12:11
I know 11 games, even in a 60 game season is too early to draw conclusions and that this stretch could be a statistical anomaly, but we were told that's what the last half of last season was. And while I know spring training records are supposed to be meaningless, I have to think that 3-21 (4-20?) may mean that what we've been seeing is not so anomalous. If this team is really this bad, there seems no hope for quite a long time. Trade major leaguers for prospects? Who is going to bring back real talent? Maybe Josh Bell but even he's not going to bring back an armload now given how he's hitting. Kela? When he's been consistently unavailable? Maybe Derek Holland if he can hold form. But there's not much. Any minor league prospects who might help are being developmentally delayed and the Pirates don't have a great record of developing players now. The only path just to being respectable in the next few years that I can see is signing free agents and we know how that will go.
Jason Mackey
12:13
Hi Rich, I'm not sure of the question in there, but in any case, I sort of agree with you. I would trade anything they could ... aside from Bell. I don't think now is the time. I would like to see them re-sign him, although I don't think they actually will. But more than that, if you are going to trade him, his stock is low right now. Let him hit, even if it carries you into next season. Preferably you could have him rake this season then maybe do it in the offseason, when you have the leverage of not HAVING to trade him. But Kela, sure, if someone is willing to give you anything for him. Love Holland, but I'd absolutely move him. Frazier, too. It should be about acquiring future pieces and not screwing up those deals.
Donna
12:13
Manager Shelton is personable and seems to have a great relationship with his players.   I think he needs to get back to the basics when it comes to base running and throwing to the right base.  This team can’t afford to make so many mistakes.
Jason Mackey
12:14
Thanks, Donna. They have not taken the expected step forward with fundamentals, I'll agree. Frazier and Newman have run the bases poorly. There have been fielding gaffes, too. Although, honestly, that stuff ranks below offense and relief pitching in terms of my concerns with the Pirates right now.
GH
12:14
What was the purpose of flying a drone during yesterday’s game?
Jason Mackey
12:14
I don't know. We never got an explanation for why it was there. If you have seen one, please feel free to pass it along.
Mr Swanasky
12:14
How does Bob Nutting continue to get a pass in Pittsburgh? The man has destroyed the Pirate franchise through his cheapness. When will enough be enough from this guy?
Jason Mackey
12:15
I don't see how Bob Nutting is getting a pass. He's pretty much ridiculed by everyone. I mean, are you saying because someone "allows" him to own the team? Who's gonna change that? Certainly not Dave from Brighton Heights.
Dennis
12:15
Just a comment, today is the 99th anniversary of the first radio broadcast of a MLB game on KDKA radio.
Jason Mackey
12:15
Thanks, Dennis. Appreciate you passing that along.
Bill
12:15
Hi Jason, hope all is well. Do you expect to see Hayes make his debut this year? How much longer does Dyson get seeing as he isnt part of the future?
Jason Mackey
12:17
Hi Bill. I do. It only makes sense. I think it'll be in August. Not yet. There's no reason, honestly. Evans  has hit. When he's been over there, Moran's defense has been fine. ... Dyson is a tricky one. I like what I'm hearing about his attitude, coaching up Cole Tucker and trying to be a positive influence on these guys. If Dyson is your fourth outfielder, I'm OK with it. The problem is that he's not. So, it depends on what they wanna do. If they play Tucker every day in center -- at least you're working toward something -- then I like having Dyson around to mentor him. The issue becomes what you do with Polanco and Heredia because you're not gonna carry five outfielders, and both are likely untradable.
Gabe
12:18
Jason Martin can do what Dyson is doing right now, and probably much better. Do u expect Dyson to start losing some at-bats? Also, with the new extra inning rule, think a team will be interested in trading for him?
Jason Mackey
12:19
I don't. Nobody is going to pay $2 million (full season) for a pinch-runner, although he is strong defensively. I think they have him for the year, although I agree with you; Jason Martin would at least be building toward something. I'd be fine with him there. I'd be fine with Cole Tucker there. I could see an argument for both to get time because right field is also a black hole right now.
Bill
12:19
Jason, the only silver lining I see is that we may get a top pick. Have you heard if MLB is going to use standings for the draft order or if they plan some type of weighted lottery?
Jason Mackey
12:19
I think it will be standings, Bill. And yeah, that not stink. Kumar Rocker!
Gabe
12:19
What’s your level of concern with Josh Bell and Bryan Reynolds?
Jason Mackey
12:20
Very, very small. They'll be fine. My concern exists with what sort of damage will be done by the time they get right. But it's been 11 games. Even the best players have bad stretches. Shoot, look at Christian Yelich right now.
Mr Swanasky
12:20
Some are calling this a rebuilding year for the Pirates. Can you kindly tell me what they are rebuilding with? They have next to nothing,
Jason Mackey
12:21
That has sort of been Cherington's contention with that term. In a much nicer way, he's basically saying we're building ... it's not a rebuild because we're not redoing anything. I get what he's saying, but we're splitting hairs. They should be building for the future. Can we agree on that?
Guest
12:21
What to do with Polanco?  DH him and hope he starts to hit?  Sure seems like his OF days are numbered and with Bell at 1B, really no were to move him.
Jason Mackey
12:22
Honestly, what they are doing. If you DH him, you're taking out Evans, Moran or Bell. That's your BA leader, your HR leader and arguably your biggest name. For a guy hitting .063? And what about Jose Osuna or anyone else they're trying to rest? You can't trade Polanco. The best you can do is hope he snaps out of it. And that's probably best done by continuing to play him, as painful as it might be.
Guest
12:22
I am interested in Brubaker start tomorrow.  What do you expect from him, 3-4 innings?  Not sure how built up he can be.
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