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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 08.12.20
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Jason Mackey
11:12
Hello everyone. Thanks for joining my weekly Pirates chat. We're gonna get started at noon, but feel free to ask your questions now. Will be back shortly to answer everything.
12:02
And away we go ...
GPT
12:02
It would be so 2020, and befitting the hangdog Pirates, if they were epically terrible and still didn't get the #1 pick.  Do you know what kind of contingency plans there are for determining the 2021 draft order if this season isn't completed or some teams like the Cardinals end up playing 5 games?
Jason Mackey
12:04
It would, wouldn't it? As of now, Manfred can set the draft order. I have heard nothing -- and I don't think anyone has -- to indicate which way it could go, whether it would be based on winning percentage or they would institute a lottery. Whatever happened would have to be collectively bargained with the MLBPA. Also, I think like many things right now, we just don't know. It will depend on how the rest of this season goes.
MoTownWV
12:04
The injuries are being used as an excuse for the poor record but isn’t that a bigger issue because the margin for error is already so thin because the Front Office (both leadership teams) has signed nothing but scrap pile leftovers for the last two off-seasons.
Jason Mackey
12:06
Sure. I think that's fair. Everybody has injuries. Not every team craters. I also think it's unfair to say it's JUST been injuries. What about the offensive regression? That's been real, as Clint Hurdle would say. And they haven't really improved with fundamentals or defense. But to your point on injuries, it's a mark against their drafting and development that they don't have anyone ready to fill in. It also speaks to how perilously thin ownership has left this team, forcing Neal Huntington and Ben Cherington to spend the past year dumpster diving with Williams Jerez, Yacksel Rios, Parker Markel, Tyler Bashlor, Henderson Alvarez, Nick Tropeano, etc.
Guest
12:06
Do you think the current Pirates team could succeed at the AAA level? If fans were allowed to attend I don't think attendance would be much higher than it is now.
Jason Mackey
12:08
Second part first. I think that's a convenient thing to say to rip on them, and believe me, I think they deserve to be ripped right now. Not defending what they're doing. But being factual and coming off COVID-19, I still think people would show up. That said, I think they would be angry and justifiably so at what they're seeing right now. If there has been substantive progress made, I'm not seeing it. And I don't see how fans are gonna get excited over "trying to get better every day" or "we just have to learn" or whatever phrases we keep hearing. There needs to be some modicum of results.
Guest
12:08
is there any chance the pirates will ever move out of pittsburgh? maybe they can use the stadium for all high school sports, that would be more fun than watching this clown show !!!
Jason Mackey
12:09
Good one. No, I don't think they'll ever leave. I don't think the city would let that happen, and if Nutting ever decided to sell, he'd have a buyer and make a substantial profit in about 10 minutes.
Tony
12:09
Jason, do you think the Pirates will reach a point where they will be 'rationing' playing time..for a lack of a better term.  Meaning, maybe around the 30 game mark they feel that they've given enough playing time to/seen enough of a guy like Cole Tucker and will start giving the at-bat & games to guys like Hayes, Will Craig, Jared Oliva?  (is Oliva in Altoon?)

The unfortunate injury to Philip Evans made the decision for them.  

PS:  I would play Erik Gonzalez as much as possible the entire season.
Jason Mackey
12:11
Hi Tony. I think rationing makes sense. I get what you mean. And Oliva is in Altoona. To answer: Yes, I think we'll get there. And I think they should do that. Look, they're 3-13 with 40% of their starting rotation on the IL and pretty much their entire bullpen out. They're not competing for anything. But they can do what you're saying -- see what those kids have and try to set it up for next year. If they don't give those guys a chance, they'll truly be wasting an opportunity, IMO.
TONYSUFAK
12:11
  • why does Shelton not use the same line up for at least 2 or 3 days in a row.
Jason Mackey
12:14
Couple things: 1. I don't know. I don't understand or like it, either. 2. The reasoning we're given goes something like this: Much of it is because of the shortened ramp-up or the compressed season. The issue there: Other teams seem capable of using the same lineup most every day (or at least somewhat close), and this stretch of 60 games in 66 days really isn't that much different than a typical season. So, I don't really buy much of it, to be honest. ... They'll never say this, but I think it has to do with 1. They've stunk, and Shelton is trying to find something that works and 2. This year is more about evaluating than winning for them. So they're gonna try a bunch of stuff and see what sticks.
rICHARD
12:14
As much as I want the season to continue to entertain me, it's apparent it's a pretend season with no great excitement to be had.  I'm beginning to understand why more highly-paid players, particularly pitchers, might opt out.  Why play in a season that really doesn't count and possibly get a lon-term injury?  Your thoughts?.
Jason Mackey
12:15
The answer to your question, I suppose, would be to fight with your teammates or some sort of nobility argument. I'm sure that works on good teams. For the bad ones, I hear ya. If you're a mile out of first place -- been saying this for several weeks now -- I think you're gonna see a lot of guys, especially pitchers say, "Nah, I think I'm good."
Bruce
12:15
Who chases down all the foul balls hit into the empty stands and what do they do with them afterwards?
Jason Mackey
12:16
Various stadium workers. And I'm not sure. They might recycling them for batting practice, assuming they're in OK shape, but I know they're sanitized first.
Bruce
12:16
What ever happened to Stetson Allie?
Jason Mackey
12:21
He switched back to pitching in 2017 and had been with the Dodgers. Elected free agency last November and became a free agent before signing a minor league deal with Boston. He's currently in the Red Sox' system. I do not believe he's part of their 60-player pool.
Ty
12:21
In a scenario where Manfred creates draft order, how could pick 1 not go to Pirates if they continue playing like this and the roster is made up of Miguel Del Pozo’s? How is that decided? If they did get it, what’s the waaaay too early projection ETA on Kumar Rocker in Pittsburgh?
Jason Mackey
12:22
They could theoretically do like the NHL and NBA and hold a lottery. That's completely possibly, especially if involves some other sort of deal -- like a sweetener. And if they go strictly on winning percentage, watch the Pirates get hot over the final two weeks of the season and ruin their chances of getting Rocker.
Jim M
12:22
Jason,  Once Ke’Bryan Hayes is safely past the approximate super 2 date and other years-of-control dates, they’re crazy to not bring him up. Right?  Concerns about his hitting seem irrelevant with only 3 players on the team hitting over .226 including a third baseman who is out for the year. They can find at bats for Moran at DH, 1B when Josh Bell DH’s and occasionally at 3rd. Your thoughts. (Sorry for the long question). Jim M. Out.
Jason Mackey
12:23
Probably, yeah, Jim. I mean, as long as everything checks out in Altoona work-, hitting- and fielding-wise, I think they need to get him up here and see what he can do. They're certainly not going to have a better time. And I think they will do that. I'm expecting late August.
seferg
12:23
What happened to Nick Kingham?  I dont see him on the list of injured pitchers.  Is he hurt, sent down, traded?
Jason Mackey
12:23
He started the season in the KBO with the SK Wyverns. He got hurt and struggled, and I believe they released him.
William
12:23
Will the Pirates bring up Hayes this season and if so, will it be before September?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:24
I think they will, yes. Not much before September, I don't think. But I do see him making his MLB debut this season.
Donna
12:24
Hi Jason.  I’m wondering how Kramer is progressing medically and what the plans are for first baseman  Craig?
Jason Mackey
12:25
Hi Donna. I'm not sure on Kramer. We're going to talk to Todd Tomczyk today, and I will be sure to check on Kevin. Todd did not give us an update last week, but I don't think anything is wrong there. On Craig, he has not been impressive with his bat. It's a competitive position, believe it or not, but with Bell, Moran and Osuna all capable, I've not seen Craig do anything to separate himself from the pack there.
Blackhawk Bob
12:26
Good morning, My question is why are the Pirates so poor at doing the little things that can win games like hitting the cut off man, knowing when to take the extra base and when not to , advancing runners, working the count and playing sound defense. Doingthings like this can help overcome the lack of talent that this team possesses at the current time and won’t cost ownership a dime.
Jason Mackey
12:29
Hi Bob. I wish I had a magical answer for you. When I covered the Pens, it was not unusual for Mike Sullivan to hold VERY detailed practices. And also lose his you know what at a high decibel level if guys weren't paying attention to the details. I can't say I see that as much with baseball. Yesterday, for example, I asked if Shelton took the day to work on something special. (With Sullivan, on a random extra practice day, there was almost always some sort of theme or something he would try to drill into.) Here's Shelton's answer, in full: "Today was just a regular workday. We got a lot of rain downtown. We weren’t able to take ground balls on the field. We just went out and hit. Pitchers were able to throw. We had some guys throw sides. The catchers did a little bit of defensive work because the plate was covered, and it was fine. But as much rain as we got, we just kind of stayed off the infield. Also, as much work as we’ve done to give two days of fresh legs is probably good for anybody." (cont'd)
12:30
(Never mind on the cont'd. Got everything in there.)
wvpirate
12:30
Do you know if Burdi needs surgery?
Jason Mackey
12:30
We do not yet know. Todd Tomczyk is talking today at 1:30. I would suspect we will learn more then.
Ace Rothstein
12:30
Got a bundle down on the under at 24 1/2 and now looking for more action. The Pirates were favored in 2 of the game’s against the Tigers. Is it likely they will be the favorite in any game the rest of the season?
Jason Mackey
12:30
If they are, it will be after a hot stretch that comes relatively soon, and it will be against an opponent that stinks. So, possibly not.
wvpirate
12:30
Where do you see Cole Tucker playing next year?
Jason Mackey
12:31
Good question. I still think he's an infielder. Maybe with Newman bumping over to short. I'd like to see what they have out of Martin and Oliva in center. I like Martin more out there, although I think Cole has handled himself well. But we also don't know what Martin can do with consistent reps up here.
Doyle37
12:31
Last week a player wearing the number 64 batted third for the Bucs. If that doesn't prove the Pirates are a AAA team ??? In the history of the Pirates, has anyone ever wore #64  and batted third ? Huge insult to Arriba
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