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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 08.18.23
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PrinceBob
12:43
You've mentioned several times over the years that you are not a Pirates fan. I'd like to delve into this a wee bit if it's not too personal. I've been a Pirate fan since 1959. If I ended up having your job tomorrow I don't believe I could stop being a Pirate fan. I'd know that I needed to be as dispassionate as possible but if I was covering one of their games where they had a one run lead in the ninth with two out and the bases full I know I'd be hoping they get that out. Were you not a Pirate fan before you got your job? Are you a fan of another MLB team? Were you a Pirate fan but came across some way to stop being one when you became their beat writer?
Jason Mackey
12:45
I am absolutely not a Pirates fan. Some days, I absolutely hate them. But the trick for someone like me is to stay in the middle -- not a fan, not miserable. It really changes my job in no way. ... And, yeah, I grew up a Pirates fan and a Penguins fan. I now own/wear zero clothing with team logos on it ... I don't cheer or care ... it's work. I don't know how else to explain it. ... I'm not a fan of other MLB teams, no. ... A big part of it might be this: I'm not "their" beat writer. I cover the Pirates for the Post-Gazette.
Johnny M
12:45
Do you see Henry Davis playing 1B in the near future or leaving him out there to learn more RF. It would be a shame to waste that arm.
Jason Mackey
12:45
Aw, hell. Can we stop with the Henry Davis first base talk? Same with Oneil Cruz. Two best arms, a position neither has ever played. And we're trying to put them there ... because why?
Darnell
12:46
Hey Jason, if Boone is fired by the Yankees, do you think the Pirates would consider hiring Sean Casey to replace Andy Haines?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:46
I doubt it. I love Casey. It's not that. But his personality and how buttoned-up this regime likes to be ... to the point of being super secretive and intentionally dull ... no, I don't see that happening.
Spalding
12:46
Did Henry Davis not get enough time in AAA? It always felt like the FO preferred Endy at catcher. So why not bring Davis up early to AAA and put him in RF? I did not understand having him catch, knowing full well that he probably wouldn't be the starting catching in the majors.
Jason Mackey
12:47
It's an odd situation, for sure. I think they hoped his catching would improve to the point of it being passable in the majors. It has not. At least they don't think so. But, yeah, the byproduct has been catching reps in the minors that could have been used on RF.
Rickie D
12:47
Seeing the velocity down questions of the Bucs pitchers: Might home teams "tweak" their radar a little down when the away team is pitching, to put doubt in the pitcher's head about their "stuff" that day? Are their league rules regarding radar use? Maybe I have just seen too many NE Patriot shenanigans over the years?
Jason Mackey
12:48
I don't know of "tweaking" radar use. And this strikes me as something a little too conspiracy theory-ish.
Guest
12:48
Which young pitcher besides Keller or skenes does the best next year
Jason Mackey
12:49
I'm still looking forward to seeing Mike Burrows pitch. Really nasty stuff. Won't happen right away, but we kinda don't talk about him enough.
Ethan
12:49
Sonny Gray would be a great addition to the rotation next year if they decided to spend a little bit. Pirates will get a good look at him tomorrow
Jason Mackey
12:49
Don't disagree with you. Would be fine with that.
Jack
12:49
We absolutely need a lock-down lead-off hitter.  I feel O Cruz is that guy.  What yinz say?
Jason Mackey
12:50
I like Oneil Cruz as a leadoff hitter as well. He has very much been missed this season in that spot.
Guest
12:50
Hey Jason! We are starting to see players who can contribute  come up the minor league ladder. The young Bucs impressed me greatly the way they competed vs the hometown Atlanta Braves! Frustrate me then when playing the Mets! The kids need to play! Beat’em Bucs!
Jason Mackey
12:50
Okey doke. Thanks for the comment, Terry!
Johnny M
12:50
It's maddening that Shelton won't let Cutch bat leadoff anymore. He has the best OBP on the team by far. Plus, Cutch hasn't hit a HR since June 30th. He's better served there batting 1st, don't you think?
Jason Mackey
12:51
I'm OK with Cutch hitting leadoff. I also think Cutch doesn't love it, so Shelton might be navigating that dynamic. We may not be far away from it mattering; if Cruz is back in September, there's your leadoff guy.
Bill
12:51
Do you see Bae returning soon from his rehab? Seems to have found his swing again.
Jason Mackey
12:52
Possibly, yes. Believe hits in 7 of 11 PA entering last night. Maybe swap him out for Alika?
Bill
12:52
Ortiz has put together a couple good starts at Indy. I'd rather see him start up here and keep guys like Bido and Jackson in relief roles
Jason Mackey
12:52
Ortiz has been good. I think we'll see him soon. I agree with your point on Jackson & Bido.
WWRS
12:53
Since today is his birthday, given the embarrassing shape the Pirates are in, mostly because of their owner, what do you think Clemente would say if he was still with us ?
Jason Mackey
12:53
It's not my job to speak for Roberto Clemente, nor do I think I'm qualified to do that. But I'm willing to bet he would have something intelligent, kind of introspective to offer. And I wish we could hear it.
Tim
12:54
What are your thoughts on Rivas? Similar to Andujar in that he crushed AAA but hasn't replicated it in MLB.  A placeholder or something more?
Jason Mackey
12:54
I think they're giving him a shot from here through the end of the year. He may be something. At minimum, I think he's a professional major league defender at the position who may or may not be able to get the offense to translate. Basically the Bailey Falter equivalent at first base.
Flop
12:55
Do you think the Pirates got the scouting on Priester and a lot of these young prospects that have failed at the Major League level wrong ?
Jason Mackey
12:55
I don't think we know. I mean, we're trying to make some sort of proclamation on Priester based on six starts? Look what happened with Glasnow & Keller. It takes time. Need to be patient.
Bob Walk
12:56
Will the Bucs be needing my services in September? With Oviedo approaching his inning limit will they shut him down? This would leave only Keller and Falter. Bido, Hitch Hutch and Jackson don’t give me warm fuzzies. Neither Ortiz nor Roansy, according to the metrics, appear to have resolved their issues. Priester is not a possibility. Who is left? Should we try to resign JVM the pitcher?
Jason Mackey
12:56
No, Bob, stay in the booth. I think we'll see Ro and Ortiz, plus some bulk guys. Probably a few dumpster dives. Maybe Jared Jones & Priester again.
MK
12:58
Why is Pirates development, generally speaking, not up to par with other teams of their market size? Is it poor evaluation of development staff, scouts, etc. or something more there?
Jason Mackey
12:59
I don't know if it's right or wrong, but MLB Pipeline just ranked the Pirates' farm system in all of baseball. Is it too high? Maybe. But saying they completely suck at development is probably an equally large reach.
Steverino
12:59
That was a nice article on the Farm system, but in reality, are any of these guys the next Cutch? I see some potentially good players, but none that are impact players like Cutch or Bonds. Heck, I don’t even see any Bonilla, Van Slykes or Martes? Do you?
Jason Mackey
1:00
Oh, boy. Umm ... I think they have enough talent in the system that they can theoretically win. I don't know if it pans out. I'm also not capable of predicting if there's the next Barry Bonds in there. But I do feel like they should have enough talent to compete in the coming years.
1:01
OK, folks. That does it for this week. Sorry I didn't get to everything but on a tight schedule today down here in Florida. We'll do this again real soon!
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