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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 08.11.21
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Steven
12:24
I know you love making predictions, so if you had to guess, who's here on opening day next year?
Jason Mackey
12:25
I don't like making predictions. ... I also don't see the point in making 26 of them at once.
Steven
12:25
Is the DH coming to the NL next season? Is that confirmed?
Jason Mackey
12:25
I think it is. That's the sense I get from being around it. It is not confirmed, however.
Steven
12:25
Are there any of the veteran/depth guys you expect to be back next year? Gamel, Perez, Nogo, Difo, Gonzalez, etc.?
Jason Mackey
12:27
Gamel, yes. He's under contract, believe the final year of arb. Would be stunned if Nogo is here next week. Perez, possibly. He could bridge to Bins or others. Difo would make a lot of sense. Good energy guy. I think it was telling that they DFA'd Gonzalez and not Difo. But, yeah, I could see them bringing Difo back as a pinch-hitter/bench guy.
Noah
12:27
I saw a report from Heyman that during the trade deadline the Marlins were interested in Bryan Reynolds but the Pirates wanted the Marlins top 3 prospects, which are respectively the number 9,12,18 prospects in all of baseball. If you were the Pirates, would you have made that trade?
Jason Mackey
12:28
It sounds like if the Pirates were the Pirates they would make that trade. I have not seen the exact thing. I try to digest at least as the random Twitter barfing as possible, especially when I don't have to. But if you're asking would I trade Reynolds for three prospects inside of the top 18 overall, yes, I would do that.
Retire21
12:28
Rooting for Frazier who is back up to .321 after a tough start to win the NL batting title....I think he's a .001 behind. Has anyone won a batting title playing for 2 different teams in that season?
Jason Mackey
12:30
There have been a couple of occasions, yes. Was actually investigating this with the Pirates and Elias. This is from the Elias Sports Bureau:  Three players won a batting title in a season in which they played for more than one team. Dale Alexander in 1932, Harry Walker in 1947 and Willie McGee in 1990. Alexander is listed as Det-Bos and Walker is listed as Stl-Phi. Willie McGee won the N.L. title in 1990 despite being traded to Oakland in late August. Despite playing his last 29 games of that season for the A's, he won the NL batting title because he had enough PAs to qualify. We list McGee as Stl. McGee won the N.L. title with a .335 BA despite finishing the season with a .324 BA (.335 for Stl, .274 for Oak)."
Steven
12:30
Are there any FA targets you think the Pirates might be interested in that you can think of?
Jason Mackey
12:31
I don't think we're there yet. And Steven, you've entered "more questions than my wife territory." Blowing it out today.
Retire21
12:32
If the Pirates hadn't traded Meadows they probably wouldn't have gone after Reynolds. Who would take of the two longterm?
Jason Mackey
12:33
Huh? The McCutchen trade happened in January '18. The Archer trade was July '18. Your logic doesn't track. I would take Reynolds, FWIW.
Bill
12:33
Any eta on when O’Neil Cruz or Roansy Contreras will start playing again? Is it too late to expect to see them in Pittsburgh this season?
Jason Mackey
12:33
Probably yes on the second part. I think you would be pushing it. They're only at Class AA, remember. Maybe -- maybe -- Cruz for some ABs, but that's it. We will get an update later today when Tomczyk talks. Last we heard both were throwing with no issues and Cruz was supposed to start hitting.
Steven
12:34
Can you briefly explain the Rule 5 draft? I don't entirely understand it. Also - who are some Pirates that might be left exposed in this draft?
Jason Mackey
12:34
Better than me explaining it, this is a pretty concise explanation: https://www.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/rule-5-draft
Steven
12:34
We're stuck with Mitch Keller all next year too, huh? - I just don't see him living up to his fullest potential, I don't get it.
Jason Mackey
12:35
He went down to the minors, made two starts back, and we've determined he stinks in perpetuity? I'm gonna let it play out.
Bill
12:35
Do you see Colin Moran being the opening day first baseman next season?
Jason Mackey
12:35
I do, yes. If I was making predictions -- which I'm told I love -- I think that's the play for them. Then let him produce and try and execute a trade midseason.
Justin
12:35
Bae is having a nice little season in AA, and will presumably be in AAA next year.  That's just a call from the majors!  Have you ever gotten any sense that the front office is conflicted about him regarding his domestic assault, or do you think they aren't particularly concerned about it?  I guess less than 1% of the fans in PNC park will probably know about it, so I guess they probably don't care too much.
Jason Mackey
12:36
Yeah, I've not heard it discussed once. If there was concern, I don't think he would be playing. And he is having a nice season, I agree. He's probably a promotion candidate as well.
Mason Jackey
12:36
Besides the obvious like Newman, who else would be a non-tender candidate this offseason
Jason Mackey
12:38
Good question. Have hinted at these guys before, but would certainly hope they bring back Difo and Gamel. I think they're productive, useful players. Depends on what Banda does the rest of the way. If they feel they can do better than Perez behind the plate.
Steven
12:38
Out of the draft picks this year, do you see any in Altoona next season?
Jason Mackey
12:39
I think Davis could get there, but man, we're way, way early on this stuff. Only a handful have actually played affiliated games.
Ryan
12:39
Good afternoon Jason what do you think about the play of hoy park let’s go Bucs
Jason Mackey
12:40
I love it! He's so fun, for a variety of reasons. Love how many places he can play. His swing has some smooth, easy power. Has a fun energy to him that I think guys really like. I think the Pirates need to find out what they have in this guy and is his play is sustainable.
A different Bill
12:40
If you had to take a guess at the next DFA casualty, who would that be? Nogowski? Polanco? Difo?
Jason Mackey
12:40
Nogowski, yes. I don't think Polanco, at least not now. That's a dirty thing to do someone who has been around as long as Greg. Maybe Difo, since he's already cleared. But definitely after Nogowski and probably a couple others.
Adam in Boulder
12:40
Newman is the second or third worst hitter in all of MLB this year, correct? What would Newman need to do for the Pirates to give someone else an audition at short if being one of the worst hitters in MLB isn't enough for them to sit Newman?
Jason Mackey
12:41
Depends on your preferred metric, but yeah. It ain't good. And I honestly don't know. Maybe I'll ask Shelton today why he keeps playing Newman.
GlennC
12:41
Jason,  is Nick Gonzales still the longterm solution at second base with all the new players being brought in?
Jason Mackey
12:42
Yes. Despite all the players being brought in, he's still one of their top-rated prospects, regardless of service used. Absolutely nothing has changed with Nick.
Dave
12:42
Hi Jason, similar to the AFL question, we might be a bit far out from the relevance of this, but given the roster and payroll commitments, do you think BC will invest in some one year veteran deals for next year? Seems like an everyday OF, SP,
Jason Mackey
12:43
Yeah, you'll see him address some depth stuff. And you bring up reasonable areas. I think you will see him add starting pitching depth. An outfielder, too, maybe, although they need to see what they have in Alford. Also remember Swaggerty, Oliva, Tom, Mitchell, Smith-Njigba. For a terrible team, might be better to go Reynolds, Gamel and an audition spot out there.
Justin
12:43
More of a comment that just hit me now than a question.  Just sharing that i can't remember a time when the Pirates have fielded an entire lineup of legitimate prospects like they will be in AA when Cruz returns.  OF/DH Suwinski Mitchell Njigba Fraizer. IF Castillo Cruz Bae Martin Bins.  Hope that group can make a run.
Jason Mackey
12:44
The Pirates farm system has gotten very good and exciting. it's my No. 1 piece of advice to fans who are pissed off for whatever reason. Go learn the farm system. It'll be OK. Yeah, the major league team is bad right now. Buy MiLB.TV and get into the Bradenton Marauders.
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