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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 08.05.20
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Jason Mackey
12:23
i'm expecting four, unless his pitch count spikes early. But I think four is the goal. And I agree. I'm interested, too. I think Brubaker can be really good.
Doc Brown
12:23
Who deserves more starts in right the rest of the season? Tabata or Presley?
Jason Mackey
12:23
Chad Hermanson.
Nicholas
12:23
I like Shelton’s decision to bat Bell third in the lineup.  With the DH in the National League, do you think that increases the possibility of Bell staying with the Pirates?  Thanks Jason.
Jason Mackey
12:25
Hi Nicholas. I'm not sure that matters. (I don't like Bell in the No. 3 spot, BTW. I would actually go back to something like this: SS Newman, LF Reynolds, 2B Frazier, 1B Bell, DH Moran, 3B Evans, RF Polanco, CF Dyson, C Stallings, with the possibility of flipping Reynolds and Frazier.) With Bell, I think it's going to come down to affordability and the Pirates' willingness to pay a franchise player type of contract.
Rich from Indio CA
12:25
I don't understand the lineup changes.  Guys get in for a game and then sit for two.  How can anyone build confidence and consistency.  If it's planned then they need to change the plan.  Do you see a pattern or is it the chaos theory at work?
Jason Mackey
12:26
I agree, Rich. I hate it. Baseball is a comfortability sport. Do it over and over again, settle in, keep doing it. This ain't that. Few are the teams that can deal with constant upheaval. However, I liked Shelton's quote postgame yesterday. He basically said that because they're stinking right, he's forced to juggle things. While I think he's been too extreme, I think there is some truth there.
James
12:27
Hi Jason. Do you know if analysts like Bob Walk, John Werner and “The Fort”  ever talk to the players after a game is over offering their advice and suggestions based on what they have seen?
Jason Mackey
12:28
Hi James. They do not. Definitely not. That would be a major faux pas. Maybe someone like McKenry, who's younger, has that relationship. But that would only be an extreme case. A player would likely lose his mind if Wehner walked into the clubhouse and started offering hitting tips.
Gabe
12:28
With Rocker being the consensus #1 pick and the best college pitching prospect since Strasburg, if  the Pirates Indeed finish with the worst record and Manfred institutes a lottery of some kind for that top pick, is there anything the Pirates can do about it?
Jason Mackey
12:29
They can ... try to win it? I don't know. What sort of answer are we expecting here? Kidnap Manfred like in Celtic Pride and make him throw the draft? I'm not sure what could be done if it's a lottery.
Rich from Indio CA
12:29
If your trying to showcase guys to max their trade value, then play them.  Right now, other than Moran, no one is showing any trade value.  How much say does Shelton have in his daily lineup?  Is Cherrington making those decisions?
Jason Mackey
12:31
Cherington. And plenty. I do think it's a combined effort between the two, but I don't think either is dictating. I think a lot of it is data driven, too, which will infuriate people. They also won't admit this, which causes problems, but they also just wanna see stuff. Like Tucker in center and leading off the other day. And people complained about Erik Gonzalez -- I get it, believe me -- but they're also gonna have to cut the 30-man down to 28 tomorrow, and he's one of the guys on which they'll have to make a decision. So while I'd definitely rather see more consistency, I get at least some of what they're doing.
Dale
12:31
Was it even a reasonable proposition to begin with by saying this season would be a try out year to prepare for a competitive 2021 season? Most of the teams in the division have improved themselves through free agency and trades the last year or so. It's clear as day there isn't nearly enough MLB level talent on the pitching staff, let alone competent batters in the lineup. Isn't it more reasonable to set the expectations out at least a few years to see if the new front office can draft talented players? Obviously there will be no significant increase in payroll or free agent signings for the foreseeable future.
Jason Mackey
12:33
I'm not sure anybody set out a hard-and-fast COMPETE BY _____. Look, they're not great right now. They have a lot of work to do, and they need to develop players and sign players. I thought they would be better than this, sure, but it's not like anybody thought they would contend for a World Series title. (Again, it looks stupid, but I've maintained flirt with .500. Just being transparent here.) ... It's gonna take time. They should be using this year to set up for other ones. To a degree, they have.
Wayward
12:33
At what point in the season do you see trades pick up?  I was thinking about the 20-25 game mark.  Also, if that is the case, a couple of positive starts by Holland could impact the return.
Jason Mackey
12:33
I think that's fair, Wayward. Right now teams can convince themselves that this was a bad stretch. Some might be right, others not. But I would say at least 20 games, probably more.
Never Give Up Never Surrender
12:33
I've been watching the Bucs since 1970.  I bought into your rosy reports on them.  Now?  I thought the 85 team was the worst I've ever seen, the 2020 makes them look like the 27 Yankees.  Take off you rose colored glasses and give us the truth on what needs to be done to turn this club into a winner - in your opinion.
Jason Mackey
12:35
My "rosy reports?" I've said they'd flirt with .500. It looks like I'm wrong, obviously, but I didn't say they'd win the division. Let's be clear. Also, I've answered your question a bunch previously. They need to spend more money. They need to get more out of the guys they do have. They need to flip pieces at the deadline and not screw up those trades. Then they need to develop those guys, in addition to the prospects they do have. That could absolutely take a couple years.
Gabe
12:35
I know the bullpen is a mess, so it’s hard to blame Shelton for that, but why Del Pozo with a 4 run lead?
Jason Mackey
12:35
Why Del Pozo at all? He can't throw a strike.
Leah
12:35
Hello.  What do you think about Shelton playing Jason Martin in center since Dyson is hitting so poorly?
Jason Mackey
12:37
I'm not against it, Leah. I think this is the perfect year to see what they have in him. Also, I'd like to see them give reps to Cole Tucker; so, maybe you move one of them to right. But from what I've seen out of Dyson, he should be a fourth outfielder, not an every-day player. I hope he proves me otherwise, because I like him and think he does some things that help him. But he's hitting under .100.
Gabe
12:37
Regarding the top pick, I just meant legally. File a grievance. Anything? Like imagine if the Red Sox are awarded first pick. I don’t know, It’s all we got Jason
Jason Mackey
12:38
I don't see that happen. I think the Daniel Stern and Dan Aykroyd option is more likely.
Never Give Up Never Surrender
12:38
Do the Pirates have no idea how to play the game?  No outs runner on 2B routine ball hit in front of the runner to the SS - out by a mile at 3rd.  Slowest guy on the team at 2B, no outs single to center.  You STOP him at 3B with 2-3 shots to get him in - nope Cora sends him out at home by a country mile.  Twins have 1 out runner on 2B & 3B instead of walking the batter setting up potential double play they pitch to him.  Ballgame.  How can the Pirates players coaches and manager have less baseball IQ knowledge than your average Little League player?
Jason Mackey
12:39
I don't have a good answer for you, honestly. Those decisions baffled me, too, although Newman isn't being coached to do that. I would've had Stallings and walked Sano. It's baffling to us on this side, too, trust me.
Gus M
12:39
What do you think of putting Reynolds in Center and try Neumann in left and put Tucker the better fielding SS back in the infield
Jason Mackey
12:40
I think you're causing more problems than you need to. What's wrong with giving Tucker or Jason Martin a chance to show what they can do? I like Newman as an infielder personally.
Rich
12:40
I went too long on my original post and didn't get the question into the message. I think it was whether I'm overly pessimistic with that assessment and if there really are players who would bring back solid prospects in trades or if there is any other hope for avoiding what's starting to look like a beak and extended future.
Jason Mackey
12:41
Immediate trade chips, you're looking at Holland. Before, you might've hoped for Archer, Dyson and Kela, too. Oh, and Frazier. I think he would net something. Kela could change if comes back and pitches well. No way a team takes a chance on Archer right now, and Dyson would have to hit a lot in a hurry to change minds. ... I don't see the future as being bleak. I like some of their young kids, and I think they'll get more, especially if they get Kumar Rocker. I just think it's going to take time.
Dale
12:42
My bobblehead collection will not be complete until they release one for Del Pozo. Will look great on the mantle next to Lyle Overbay.
Jason Mackey
12:42
I know you're joking, but it wouldn't surprise me at this point if they had one for him.
Kyle
12:42
Are the Pirates sticking with Larry Broadway and Joe Dellicarri in the Director of Player Development and Director of Scouting roles or is their still a possible change?
Jason Mackey
12:43
As of now, yes. I think those decisions could be re-evaluated after the year, after there's some more comfort. But to my knowledges, at this point, yes, they're sticking with them.
Gabe
12:46
Can’t imagine the payroll being any higher, if not lower going into next season. That being said, think they’ll pick up the Archer option to fill a much needed role, as well as a chance to flip him?
Jason Mackey
12:47
I don't think they will pick up the option, no. It's a gamble to do that, and a pretty large one with his 2021 contract at $11 million versus just a $250,000 buyout.
Johnstown Jonnie
12:49
Brian,  Is there any hope for the Pirates ever fielding a competitive?  They are down right BAD.
Jason Mackey
12:50
Brian? Ha. Yeah, I think there's hope of them doing that. How, you ask? They need to spend more money. They need to get more out of the guys they do have. They need to flip pieces at the deadline and not screw up those trades. Then they need to develop those guys, in addition to the prospects they do have. That could absolutely take a couple years.
Nuttings Daughter
12:50
Just an FYI, I really don’t want to inherit this team. I’d rather dad sell and get me into some mutual funds. Any stock picks? Thanks
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