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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 08.05.22
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Jason Mackey
12:35
It would take a lot, but yeah, I could see it. 7-3 no. But 5-5 is a reasonable expectation given the teams they're playing. Not like it's the Padres, Cardinals and Dodgers.
The Dude
12:35
I know we have to hear that Pirates are so bad that no manager could win with them, but don’t we still have to consider day to day decisions and whether individual players are showing any improvement? Is there a player on the team that has actually improved after working with Oscar or Andy?
Jason Mackey
12:36
Mitch Keller has. They've had young guys contribute. Jack Suwinski should be here and certainly showed promise. I get Reynolds' start, Hayes, etc. But there have been some. I'm more concerned on the pitching side because from my understanding, it was more Dewey Robinson than Oscar helping Keller.
Chief Powhatan
12:36
Is it really in the works for MLB to have every team  play every other team in 2023?
Jason Mackey
12:36
I believe so, yes. And I'm kind of excited about it, not gonna lie.
Chief Powhatan
12:36
What's the status of former #1 overall pick Henry Davis?  Is he shut down for the season?
Jason Mackey
12:36
No, he's taking swings in a cage. Has progressed from soft toss. Saw something he put on his Instagram story from the cages at Pirate City.
I C Light
12:36
If the Pirates have a deep farm system as has been printed, why are there no first basemen or catchers available to bring up? And is there no one better than Vanmeter or Allen?
Jason Mackey
12:37
Well, there are better options than VanMeter and Allen. We've been over that. They also have a top-50 prospect at catcher in Davis. Yes, I know he's been hurt. But it's not like that causes people to instantly cut bait.
Will
12:37
What are your thoughts on the hitting inconsistency and vulnerability to offspeed/out of zone pitches. Is this just of byproduct of young hitters learning MLB pitchers?  Many young Pirate hitters look locked for fastballs and opposing pitchers are wisely getting them to chase offspeed / spin.  Lots of really frustrating ABs and not surprising Pirates dead last in NL in Zone Swing % rate (but then again Yankees surprising bad there too)
Jason Mackey
12:38
I think the broadest assertion I can make or conclusion I can draw is that, yes, they have young hitters who are good enough or mature enough in their approach. That's sort of the point of baseball, right? Getting your opponent to do something they wouldn't normally do. Would be like yelling at the pitcher to throw strikes. If everyone could just automatically do it, I'm sure they would. That goes for chasing as well.
Bill
12:38
I really like the returns in the Quintana deal. Nunez is a type of player we dont have a lot of. Do you think he's a lock to be added to the 40 man this winter?
Jason Mackey
12:39
Yes, I do. I'm not ruling out him being the opening day 1B in 2023 given their lack of depth at the position.
john
12:39
what's your new gig?
Jason Mackey
12:40
It's a columnist/enterprise hybrid called "senior sports writer." I write 10 Thoughts every Monday, likely a newsletter, podcast, video and chats as well. Also doing takeout pieces across all beats and traveling for stuff. Basically bouncing around and reporting a little differently than anyone else at our paper across all sports.
Kenny Pickett
12:40
Do I need a restraining order from Fillipponi? Can the guy just let me play?
Jason Mackey
12:40
Poni likes Pickett? I didn't know.
Sable
12:40
Do you think Chavis stays in Pittsburgh. By the way, I love your chats.
Jason Mackey
12:41
Thank you! Yeah, for now I think he does. Makes sense for both sides. I don't know about beyond, say, next year, but he's only arbitration-eligible for the first time this offseason, and I think it makes sense for the Pirates to go through with that.
Moving on
12:41
How happy will you be not having to cover this roaring dumpster fire everyday ? Mazel !!
Jason Mackey
12:42
I'll still be around the team. And I wouldn't describe it as that. I loved my time on baseball exclusively covering the Pirates. I'm also ready for a new challenge.
Lucky
12:42
Was the sweep just a case of the Brewers not playing well or is this a sign of encouragement ? I really don't see any talent in the Pirate organization. I am inclined or more likely too cynical to think it was anything more then the Brewers just not playing well
Jason Mackey
12:42
Probably a little bit of both. The Pirates played well, but the Brewers are also a mess. Goes to show what even a little bit of offense will do for you.
Justin
12:42
Just wanted to give a quick congrats on the new role and a thanks for being the best beat guy for the bucs over the last few yrs.   I appreciated that there were times when you said "I dont know, but I'll send a few texts" in response to a chat question and then a few hours later you'd tweet an answer.  Much appreciated!
Jason Mackey
12:42
You got it. Thanks so much for reading and participating in these!
Brian
12:43
I know they did away with traditional August waiver trades, but can you still deal a guy who is in DFA limbo?
Jason Mackey
12:43
Yes, for cash. Typical DFA stuff still applies.
Justin
12:43
Would you claim Dinelson Lamet if you were in charge?  Very successful at times in the past, due < 2 mil remaining this yr, under control thru next yr via arb.  Plus it'd just be sticking it to MIL maybe.
Jason Mackey
12:43
I don't know. I would have some reservations. I would want to know from my scouts that they really saw something they could fix. I wouldn't do it blindly.
Troll
12:43
Is the t-shirt trolling of Bob Nutting the best video ever ? This kid deserves a statue
Jason Mackey
12:45
That was pretty funny. I know people won't believe this, but Bob has a pretty good sense of humor. He knows people are upset. He knows the Pirates have made mistakes. He's not a bad guy, but yeah, I wish they would either spend more or, if he can't, sell to someone who will. Because there are filthy-stinking rich people out there who will treat the Pirates like a toy. Not quite Bob's approach.
New Guy
12:45
Cherrington basically admitted the total lack of power in the organization after he traded for Nunez. Why has this organization under him have de valued power for athletic OFs and middle infielders? No problem with spending draft capital on pitching because you never enough but to be here for three years and besides Davis he's done nothing to address it before Nunez.
Jason Mackey
12:46
You're making some broad assertions based on one guy. The year prior they drafted Henry Davis. They have Oneil Cruz. It's not like Ben has actively said, "No, I hate homers. Gimme guys who don't hit them." There's a reason those guys get paid a boatload of money.
Cullen
12:46
If Cruz puts up solid numbers the rest of the way, what are the chances we see the pirates offer a long term extension, hopefully on a team friendly deal? looking at Atlanta they seem to have a ton of success doing this.
Jason Mackey
12:46
Probably very good. It's a situation that would make sense for both parties. I absolutely expect there to be dialogue this offseason with something like that.
I miss Willie
12:50
Headed o Altoona tonight -- who should I watch as the next big prospect?
Jason Mackey
12:51
I don't know who's pitching tonight. They're also dealing with injuries. But watch Triolo, Fraizer, Sabol and Peguero. That'll keep ya busy.
C. Montgomery Burns
12:51
If Burrows has a good six weeks at Indianapolis, and pitches similar to how he did in Altoona, would the Pirates give him a one-start cameo at the end of the year?
Jason Mackey
12:51
Yeah, I'm expecting that. He has to put together a nice run in Indy first, though.
Justin
12:51
When a player is traded, do they receive paychecks from the new team, or from the team that their contract was with (with the new team being invoiced by the old team for the money)? Like, will Quintanas paychecks for the remainder of the year have cardinals or pirates logos?
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