You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 08.12.20
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat
Danny
12:54
Do you think Stratton gets a look in the rotation at all?
Jason Mackey
12:55
I don't, Danny. I think their most logical move right now is to split apart Kuhl and Brault. Stratton isn't stretched out as a starter, and they need all the help they can get in the bullpen. Just makes too much sense for me to keep him there.
Spazeroski
12:55
Not a Forg fan. Or Brownie either. Give me Walk and Joe for every game. Just sayin’
Jason Mackey
12:55
To each their own. I like Bob and Joe, too. But I was just answering specifically about McKenry, and I think he does an excellent job.
Ry
12:55
Do you think we'll see Will Craig get a shot? Mise well see if he can hit in the bigs in a wasted year.
Jason Mackey
12:56
Maybe. I think the issue is making him earn it. He didn't in spring training. He fielded fine, but the bat wasn't there. I haven't been to Altoona, so I don't know if that changed. If it has, then sure; I think it's important to see him. I just wouldn't do it unless he's hitting enough to warrant the promotion.
seferg
12:56
Is it mean to celebrate that the pirates havent lost a game in 3 days?
Jason Mackey
12:57
Not mean. Whatever floats your boat.
Wayward
1:02
Ever seen a bullpen this decimated by injuries/illness?
Jason Mackey
1:02
I have not, honestly. This is a new one for me. I think it's new for a lot of people.
GPT
1:02
Is there anything newsworthy coming out of Altoona, like a specific player that looks good?  Really a shame the Pirates' prospects won't get minor league game experience this year.
Jason Mackey
1:03
Depends on what you wanna call newsworthy. It's also hard because we're not there and don't have access to guys, although I understand why. I think Hayes and Craig would be "newsworthy." Cruz and Gonzales, too. Just how much guys are able to develop, although it can't possibly be much.
seferg
1:03
With everything on a truncated timetable, how will the missed games with St Lous  be made up?
Jason Mackey
1:08
That's a good question. One interesting thing is Aug. 24. That's the day before a two-game series in Chicago. The White Sox and Pirates both have off. Could they move the series up and free up the Pirates and Cardinals on Aug. 26-27? Pittsburgh and St. Louis share an off-day on Aug. 27. The Cardinals play the Royals Aug. 24-26, so you could make one of those a doubleheader and free up a pair of dates for both teams. Obviously that's one scenario, and St. Louis has a bunch of those to work through. Cardinals are here for four Sept. 17-20 with no off-days for the Pirates on either side, so maybe in that scenario, you'd just play a bunch of doubleheaders.
Gabe
1:08
With the way this season has gone, do you think Cherrington does a major shakeup this offseason? Specifically looking to move Josh Bell to replenish talent?
Jason Mackey
1:09
Not this offseason. Bell's stock took a hit last season, and it's only gone lower -- not higher -- this season. Unless Bell goes bonkers over the final 44 games, I think it's possible, but I would only do it for a terrific deal, which Ben probably wouldn't get.
Ry
1:09
Why pull the plug on mears so fast, esp when they were just throwing del pozo out there any chance possible? He may have been the worst pitcher in my pirates fandom lifetime, no joke. Along with mears, id like to see cederlind and blake weiman get a look. They at least have upside, wouldn't you agree?
Jason Mackey
1:10
I think it was about getting a fresh arm up here. It wasn't about giving up hope. I think they believed they were gonna have to cover a lot of innings, and Mears, because he threw the day before, could only give them so much. Ended up they didn't need to use Brandon Waddell, but I think that was the thinking.
wvpirate
1:10
Let's go to the positives. Which players have been the bright spots or surprises going into next year so far?
Jason Mackey
1:11
Haven't been many, honestly. Gonzalez looks like he might be something after all. I think Stallings has been excellent defensively. Tucker has been OK in right. Brubaker has looked like a potential future piece, and I've been encouraged by Chad Kuhl. That's probably it, though, honestly.
Gabe
1:11
also, if no one on the current roster is safe this offseason, who would bring back the most value
Jason Mackey
1:12
This offseason ... I mean, probably Reynolds or Newman if you're saying no one is safe, but I don't think that's the way to go. (And yes, I think -- as I've said -- those guys will pull themselves out of this.)
Danny
1:12
Do you think Tomczyk will give you a Kela update today? He should hopefully be back soon
Jason Mackey
1:12
I'm expecting Kela to be back for the Reds series. And yes, Todd will speak on it.
Ry
1:12
Why is it being portrayed that the guys in altoona can not develop? With all the new teaching tools via new technology out there to improve spin rate, launch angle, bat speed, etc., along with the necessary funds to provide this to players, i see this as an opportunity to slow down the pressure of a season and genuinely improve a players weaknesses. This is 2020, the resources are as plentiful as ever.
Jason Mackey
1:13
You make some good points, Ry. I think that stuff does get overlooked. I think the point that people -- including me -- are trying to make is that it still doesn't replicate competing against another human being and what that is like. And I agree with that way of viewing it.
Rico
1:13
Jason I'm sorry but your "articles" sound more like puff pieces. This team is terrible and so is the manager. The guy shuffles lineups every day, mismanages the bullpen and doesn't seem to have a clue about in-game managing. Why don't you call this out rather than write puff pieces?
Jason Mackey
1:14
Rico, thanks for the ... uh, kind words. I just wrote an article the other day about six terrible stats that explain their start. It's not my job, as the beat writer, to write my opinion or "call people out." Those guys are columnists. I'm supposed to provide news, with a little bit of an analytical bent. I like to do that with numbers, but directly "calling someone out" is not my job.
1:15
OK, folks. That's gonna do it for today. Thanks so much for participating. Let's do this again next week!
Connecting…