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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 08.12.20
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Jason Mackey
12:32
I don't understand what relevance the player's number has to whether he's good. Sidney Crosby wears 87. Does that mean he stinks? Yasiel Puig wears 66. They would've won a World Series title had they signed him.
wvpirate
12:32
Do you see Dyson being moved? And Jason Martin getting a chance to play this year?
Jason Mackey
12:34
Moved to where? A new apartment? He's a 35-year-old who's hitting .118 with zero extra-base hits. That's not exactly what you would call an attractive commodity.
Gabe
12:34
Asked you this last week and wondering if you feel the same a week later, are you concerned about Bell and Reynolds?
Jason Mackey
12:34
I am not, honestly. I don't think they suddenly forgot how to hit. They'll be fine. But sometimes these things take time -- as I said last week -- and the longer it takes, the worse things get for the Pirates, because they do need these guys to produce.
Scrap
12:34
I am a looong time Pirates fan who just turned 76.  I have a hard time watching this team.  Can’t hit, can’t pitch, can’t run the bases although you have to get on before you can run them. There is presently nobody who can improve the team with a trade.  Please tell me that I might see a winner if I live a few more years.  🙂
Jason Mackey
12:35
Hi Scrap. I think things will get better, yes. But I would plan on living more than 1-2. Try to think, like, dozens, which I'm sure your family will appreciate. But I think this could take awhile.
Gabe
12:35
Will we see Hayes this week?
Jason Mackey
12:35
I think more toward the end of the month or early September is more likely. This week might be kinda early.
Dude
12:35
Is there a point this season (and not counting an injury) where we have seen enough of Polanco?
Jason Mackey
12:36
Is that not now? Seriously, I think it might've been last week that I said this, but they're paying him a lot of money. The best thing they can do is keep playing him and hopefully he finds it. Either he's a contributor for them or maybe someone else thinks that he can do something. But he's a really, really expensive bench-warmer on a bad team.
wvpirate
12:37
Report card so far on Derek Shelton? So far I have not been impressed. I know you need the team to hit and pitch. Is the team missing Jacob Cruz too?
Jason Mackey
12:39
I think you're overthinking it with Cruz. Rick Eckstein is still there, and it's more than the coaches. The players aren't executing. They're not doing what they get paid to do -- hit the ball. It's hard to pin that on the assistant hitting coach. I haven't been impressed with Shelton thus far. Maybe a D? There's a lot that's not his fault -- the injuries, the poor performances, etc. But we were also told a lot about culture change, being player-centric, adjusting how they do things, etc. They've actually regressed from last year. A lot. So, in that lense, a D might even be a little kind. But I don't wanna crush the guy because I do like him and think he could be good. It's just hard to square with the putrid results.
MoTownWV
12:39
The Pirates winning percentage is 200 points below everyone else in baseball. We are the worst team and it isn’t even close. Season is over already. Is there any reason for fans to watch? It’s not like there is a core playing that you can watch with excitement for the future.
Jason Mackey
12:40
It's a tough sell, I know. And it's not my job to promote Pirates baseball. If you're mad, tell them about it with your television or wallet ... or, shoot, contact them yourself. If I was a fan, I would absolutely be angry. I'd be OK if they were playing a bunch of young kids and admitting they need to rebuild. But they're really not doing any one thing, which is about the worst thing you can be in pro sports -- lacking a definitive direction. And, hey, maybe they have one. But they're not articulating it.
Charlie
12:40
Provided hecomes back, stays healthy and plays well, what do you think Kela's trade value is? Would the Pirates be better off waiting until the Off-season?
Jason Mackey
12:41
Well, he's a UFA in the offseason, so, no. But I think he could net them a prospect or two, sure. Provided he comes back soon and pitches really well for a couple weeks.
Colin
12:41
Hey Jason, one question, when will Mitch Keller pitch again?
Jason Mackey
12:42
Hard to say, Colin. He has not yet played catch since he was hurt. Supposed to do that in the next 4-5 days. After that, honestly, you're probably still looking at weeks before he comes back when you take into account any sort of ramp back up.
Gabe
12:42
Can’t help but notice Tatis Jr is 21 and an mvp candidate at the moment and here we are wondering if 27 year old Newman will develop into an everyday SS. Any indication this regime will be a little more aggressive in bringing up their talent? Perhaps Nick Gonzalez?
Jason Mackey
12:43
You're taking a shot at the former regime for how slowly it brought guys along. However, I think one of the most damning things the group did was rush Gregory Polanco. So, I'd like to not have my answer tied to that, since I don't think there was a definitive trend. But I do think they will give Gonzales a chance when he's ready. From the people I've talked to around Nick, it shouldn't be terribly long. But he does need to play in minor league games first.
Wayward
12:43
Shelton keeps talking about the guys taking better at bats, getting closer to squaring the ball, etc...  Do you actually see that and who, if anyone, do you think is on the edge of getting better results?
Jason Mackey
12:44
I think Reynolds is close. I really do. Newman, too. That said, I do think that's just something he says. But Reynolds has gotten on base -- meaning he's seeing it OK, he's just not getting hits to fall. And he's hit the ball hard -- just right at people.
Toby
12:44
Anyone ever mention you resemble Orlando Bloom?
Jason Mackey
12:44
I don't think so. It's probably just my picture in the paper. Trust me, I'm much uglier in person.
wvpirate
12:44
I was meaning Dyson being moved off the roster. Released most likely
Jason Mackey
12:45
I don't think they would release him. Especially with Tucker and to a lesser degree with Martin and Oliva, I think having him around to help those guys is beneficial. I just would make him my fourth outfielder at this point.
Mark
12:45
Hi Jason.  Do you think they still have Uncle Ray's number?  Is Marin in over his head?  He has no answers right now.  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:46
I'm sure they have his number. Ha. I don't think that one is gonna happen. And I don't think Marin is over his head. He's new. Same for Shelton. The injuries have been hard. I'm fine saying what has occurred can't conitnue and this isn't acceptable, but I'm also not going to say either is unqualified or should be canned over 16 games. I mean, c'mon.
Spazeroski
12:46
Ok I get that they don’t have much in the way of skills but little things like hitting behind the runner, sacrifice flies, and not walking a batter an inning would win a game here and there. I’d that on the coaching staff?
Jason Mackey
12:48
Sort of. The players also have to execute that stuff. The walks are especially bad. I also don't think their problems are as small as minute baseball details.
Wayward
12:48
This time next week, some results/trajectory.  Is it time to jettison Dyson, maybe Riddle, bring up Hayes and play him semi-regularly, play Tucker/Martin in CF, and go ahead and commit to Brault, Brubaker and Kuhl as SP (not that they have much choice right now),  etc..?
Jason Mackey
12:48
Any other moves you'd like to see by next week? I think you just turned over 50% of the roster in three questions.
12:50
Dyson: No, he has value for younger guys trying to learn the outfield. Riddle: Why? He's a bench guy who has barely played. I mean, I guess, I just don't see him being a huge issue either way. ... I think Hayes still needs a little bit of seasoning, and I wanna make sure Super 2 has passed. ... agree on Tucker/Martin in center. ... I think they're going to break apart the piggyback and use Brault and Kuhl as starters.
Wayward
12:50
Isnt it warranted?
Jason Mackey
12:50
I know. I'm just messing around. It was just funny how you kept firing off one after the other.
J Tabata
12:52
Just wanted the brass to know that I am available. Hard to believe, but I definitely would be an upgrade for this squad.
Jason Mackey
12:52
Oh, boy. I guess they would have to un-retire your number, but I suppose that could be done.
Dina
12:52
I enjoy McHenry as an analyst.  I’m learning something every time I hear him.  What are your thoughts on the job he has done to date?
Jason Mackey
12:53
I'm a big Fort fan. I think he's really good. Maybe because I'm a catching nerd, but I just appreciate the ability to talk about the nuance of the game and also do it in a light-hearted way.
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