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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 08.18.23
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Jason Mackey
11:50
Hello, everyone. Welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. We'll get started here very soon. So, fire away ...
Ryan
11:58
Do you expect Cruz to be rehabbing in the next week?
Jason Mackey
12:00
And away we go ... yeah, I do. Have heard second half of August was the target date for a rehab assignment to start. My expectation is Altoona. I also know Oneil is on the current trip, and Altoona is on the road. So, next when the Curve return, wouldn't shock me to see Mr. Cruz out there.
Canyon
12:00
What do you think the pirates would look like if they didn't have all these pitching injuries (obviously pitching injuries are going happen) or if Roansy or Ortiz didn't regress as bad as they did.
Jason Mackey
12:01
Good question, Canyon. They'd be better than 54-67, I know that. Maybe 59-62? It's an interesting thing to think about. And obviously we'll never know. But they're down almost an entire rotation with Contreras, Ortiz, Burrows and Brubaker. And obviously Priester didn't have anywhere near the desired impact. Oh, and Velasquez. It's been a huge hit.
Ethan
12:02
Given how dreadful Contreras/Ortiz/Priester looked in the majors this year (plus Keller's bad slump), what are the chances Oscar Marin is replaced after the season? (Haines gotta go too but that's well documented by now)
Jason Mackey
12:03
I fully expect Haines to be gone. Not sure I feel on Marin. Ultimately, I think he stays; they might not want to completely gut the coaching staff, and in Marin's defense, there have been injuries. Ortiz and Ro could also come back and be better. We don't know. But the sense I get is that they're largely happy with (or at least not irate over) the work Marin has done.
Jack
12:03
Will Paul Skenes be given the chance to advance to PNC in September?
Jason Mackey
12:04
No, he won't. I had heard that was being discussed at some level. Doesn't sound like it ever got very serious, and I was subsequently told that's not going to happen. Would be fun, for sure. But I get roster implications and why you wouldn't do it.
Ryan
12:04
I’m sick and tired of the philosophies here. Every player needs to be the same type of player to then regardless of pitching or hitting. Every pitcher  needs to pitch to ground balls and every hitter needs to be discplined and work counts. Ridiculous guys like Reynolds shouldn’t be lookin for walks. Haines sucks
Jason Mackey
12:06
Completely fair to be upset over that stuff. The Pirates said they would be player-centered. In other words, plans tailored to players' strengths. Yet they want everyone to be suuuuuper patient and see a ton of pitches, to the point of passivity that I don't think works for everyone, and their pitchers universally throw sinkers. It has gotten way too cookie-cutter-ish, IMO.
Cullen B
12:06
Now that Skenes is officially in the org, do you think there is any chance that the Pirates, within the next year or so, will put  a long term extension in front of Skenes? Pay him for his league min+arb+1-2 FA years at a fair price, something like 8yrs/60-80m. He would still be able to command another massive contract at 30, while still setting himself up nice during the "cheap" years anyway.
Jason Mackey
12:06
I doubt it. Not because they don't love having Skenes, but where's he going? Also with the inherent risk of pitchers and arm injuries. I just don't see a need here, and I doubt they do either.
Cullen B
12:06
Saw that Termarr got injured last night, any initial word on how severe??
Jason Mackey
12:07
No. I'm in Florida, with my family. Would imagine we get a Todd Tomczyk update maybe later today. Andrew "Rowdy" Destin would be your guy there.
Connor Williams
12:07
With Oviedo's innings being managed and for all intents and purposes, 2 bullpen days, how are they going to get innings? Teams always find a way to do that, even if it's not pretty. Is a second stint of Ortiz coming soon? Could Jared Jones make a start or two in September? And how tight of a leash is Johan on moving forwards?
Jason Mackey
12:08
The innings part is going to be interesting. Yes, I believe you'll see Ro and Ortiz again. Maybe very soon. They could dumpster dive, which stinks. I think you saw it the other night with Oviedo: under 80 pitches, two times through, maybe skip a start or something. Just real conservative. ... They could go Jones. I worry if he's ready for that. I think they would like to bring Priester back at some point.
Cullen B
12:08
Why does it seem like the velocity is down for a majority of pitchers in our system?? Is this anything to be worried about?
Jason Mackey
12:09
In my opinion, the Pirates are trying to make a bunch of mechanical tweaks for these guys. Some are probably good, but it ends up forcing them to be too cautious.
Ricky
12:09
I remember you mentioning before you thought we move to the next shopping aisle next year in free agency. Still expecting that? Need to sign some legit arms
Jason Mackey
12:10
When I said that, it was directed at this offseason. And I would argue they spent differently in free agency. I expect that to continue to a degree. They have needs at SP, 1B and maybe a couple other spots. Maybe not signing 6 guys, but filling cracks with adequate talent.
Guest
12:12
Obviously the rotation could use a boost for next season. Of the upcoming free agent starting pitching, who seems like they could be an ideal fit? And who would be your personal favorite to add from that same pool of free agent starters?
Jason Mackey
12:12
Shohei Ohtani.
Guest
12:13
Hi Jason! Really enjoy reading your article. It seems like people are worrying about the pitching and batting coaches screwing up the young guys. Noticed a pattern of the pitchers in particular losing velocity. Should we be concerned esp with Paul Skenes in the system now?
Jason Mackey
12:13
No. I think the velo drops are the result of the Pirates trying to fix stuff. It's done for the right reasons, but I think it's a bit much. I don't expect them to take that approach with Skenes. He's just fine.
Cullen B
12:13
How are the young guys supposed to develop if we dont have them playing consistently?? Id get playing the matchups if we were like the Giants and had the quality, and veteran experience but right now these guys arent there and it seems to potentially be stalling their development..
Jason Mackey
12:15
I get it. It's the way Shelton manages. Agree if this was a veteran group, it's different. I, too, would like to see them give these guys some consistent work. To be fair, they have done that with Henry & Endy. Jack has been awful against lefties. I've mostly given up hope there. Not sure who else we're talking about who's getting screwed out of playing time who has otherwise earned more.
Jeff
12:15
What does Anjuhar (bad spelling )need to do to be  recalled?
Jason Mackey
12:15
Andujar*
12:16
Keep doing what he's doing, I suppose. I don't think it's a matter of him proving anything. He's killing it in Triple-A. It's more the Pirates feeling like they have a need or wanting to see him. I'll remind that Andujar has been awful this season in the big leagues. Looks like a Quad-A guy to me.
Jarrod
12:16
What upcoming free agent starting pitcher would make the most sense for this team heading into next season? Experience and depth never hurt.
Jason Mackey
12:19
No offense, Jarrod. I hate these questions. They're throwing darts blind. Nobody would've picked Rich Hill. Nobody had Tyler Anderson or Jose Quintana. The guys I did think made sense, no dice. That being said, Luis Severino intrigues me. Bad year. Still young. Proven talent. Can the Pirates fix something there and get him for a discount? Might make sense.
Cullen B
12:19
Will Henry play any winter ball to get some RF reps? Absolutely brutal for the org to throw him out there without any past experience, although I think he will be fine long term, its just hard to watch right now.
Jason Mackey
12:20
Cullen, you've asked me more questions today than my wife. ... I don't know, but I wouldn't doubt it. He needs work. I feel bad for Henry. He's putting everything he has into this. Trust me, it's not for lack of effort. Tough thing to do to the kid.
Cam
12:20
Quinn Priester came out of high school touching 97-98 with his fastball. He averaged 92.6 mph with it in the majors this season. How big of a cause for concern is this?
Jason Mackey
12:21
You're a little high on the velo. Believe he sat 94-95 and touched 97 mph. In any case, I'm a little concerned, but I don't think it's because he suddenly has arm problems. It's more a concern about his development and how he's being told to pitch. His comment the other day about feeling stiff in 0-2 or 1-2 counts was alarming.
Jr
12:21
what happened to D Underwood Jr ? Stats at Indy are awful
Jason Mackey
12:22
Yeah, does not seem as though he has pitched well. Don't have a great answer for you. Duane did have some moments up here. I haven't seen enough to provide a full answer. In the past, missing with his changeup has been a consistent theme for DUJ struggling.
Ryan
12:22
Jason what do you think About Keybryan Hayes recently he has looked Good
Jason Mackey
12:23
Yeah, he has. Agree with you. My theory is that they're doing a better job taking care of his back thing. More rest. Understanding things better. Looks to me like Key is moving a bit better than he has. I do think there's a better offensive player in there. I wonder how much of his poor production has been related to injuries. Maybe more than we originally thought.
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