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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 08.19.20
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Jason Mackey
12:31
Agree, 1,000% Thank you for pointing that out. If any of yinz ever get the chance to check out the Robert Clemente Museum, do it.
Chase
12:32
If the Pirates need to rebuild with scouting and development of young players then why are Larry Broadway, Junior Vizcaino, and Joe Dellicarri still here? That regime is what got us in this mess and now Cherington is relying on them? Makes no sense to me
Jason Mackey
12:34
Fair point, Chase. There seems to be a culture in baseball -- and I don't totally understand it -- of going at a glacial pace with this stuff. If you stink, OK, you stink, and you try to fix it. That's how a hockey team would operate. But their reasoning goes something like this: They want to learn what was done here before, see what worked, what didn't, where the faults are, then react off of that. Again, I don't totally agree with it, but 1. It doesn't matter what I think and 2. That's why those guys are still around. I have a tough time seeing all three stick around for the 2021 season.
Jim
12:34
Pirates get first pick. Who you taking?
Jason Mackey
12:34
Oh, c'mon. Kumar Rocker. No question.
Ashlee M.
12:34
I admit, I’m a casual Pirates fan with two young sons and a budget that is tight. I will pay to watch winning teams but not hundreds to watch a rebuild.I’m going to spend the money when it’s worth it.What year do you see the Pirates as legitimate threats to win a championship?
Jason Mackey
12:37
Ashlee, I completely understand. I have two little ones, too. If I wasn't paid to go, I likely would not make that sort of financial investment given how little financial investment ownership has made and how little I hear from folks at the top. To me, you can have one or the other, but not both. ... I can't give you a year, but it's definitely going to take some time, if ever. ... I think the Pirates can get competitive again in a couple years, maybe 2-3, but to win a championship? That's crazy hard for tight-budget teams. Maybe impossible. They'd probably have to spend a lot more than they are now, unless baseball institutes a salary cap.
Rich
12:37
Because I can only watch one game at  a time and because it's always the Pirates when they're playing, I can't really compare this with other teams. So is it my imagination or are Pirate pitchers really worse that most other teams' in not getting out of innings once they get two out and have no one on? And similarly, do their pitchers get to an 0-2 count and then get either to 3-2 or the whole way to a walk more often than most other teams' pitchers do? It seems like it to me but maybe that's just my own frustration coloring what I see.
Jason Mackey
12:42
Rich, thank you for making me look this up. Dead serious. So I did some quick research and found this nugget: Pirates pitchers have the worst ERA (4.57) in baseball when they're ahead in the count. I think we can probably debate cause vs. effect here, but it speaks to what you're saying. They also have 48 walks when entering two-strike counts, a total eclipsed by only six teams.
Bored in the ‘burgh
12:42
Right now, I find that watching  the Democratic Convention is more exciting than watching the Pirates.  C’mon Buccos,  let’s get going!!
Jason Mackey
12:43
Haha. That's probably debatable -- not a political comment, just saying I prefer live sports to anything -- but I can see why the Pirates have been frustrating for fans, absolutely.
MoTownWV
12:43
Is it too late to get Clint Hurdle back? There appears to be no logic behind the late inning decisions on pinch hitters and pitching changes by Shelton. It's almost like Shelton is asking himself, "How can I screw this up" on the rare occasions where the Pirates have a chance late in games. Are you sure they aren't intentionally tanking?
Jason Mackey
12:44
They might be. I can't say they're not; however, the tank part comes with your roster and lack of moves. I don't think they -- or anyone -- would ever "throw" a game. They're just trying to compete with significantly less talent than their opponents. ... Also, re: Shelton's decision-making. Agree to a point. It has been underwhelming. I also cut him something of a pass given how little with which he's working.
Neil
12:45
Good article today, Jason. You hit on most of my frustrations. Curious, what is management's reasons/logic for trotting out the same veterans game after game while the supposed top prospects and future continues to wallow on the bench or in Altoona? Does it have anything to do with Super 2 status or other financial/control concerns? How do you know if Ke'Bryan can even live up to the hype if he's never given the chance?
Jason Mackey
12:46
I think Ke'Bryan is Super 2 and COVID stuff. But we're there. I think they're being a little too cautious right now, but I do see why they waited too long with him. The others? I have no blessed clue. Jason Martin and Jared Oliva should be up here. It's almost like they feel this loyalty to Jarrod Dyson because they signed him. And with Polanco's struggles, while I might still try to play him and help him work out of this, I couldn't argue with someone who said they should play Martin or Oliva over him. I just think you need to be cognizant of the end goal with Polanco, because you have to pay him.
Pirates trade deadline
12:46
What could the pirates land for the following and what’s your percentage they get traded: Keone Kela, Rich Rod, Adam Frazier, Moran and holland
Jason Mackey
12:48
Very little. Kela would be your best bet. Maybe a top-15 prospect. Maybe. Holland would be a small piece. Think Lyles last year; he netted Cody Ponce. Can't imagine Holland gets much more than that. Frazier, honestly, probably the same given his start. I might even hang on to him, hope he has a strong final month, then try to flip him in the offseason. I'd keep Rodriguez and Moran.
Blake cederlind
12:48
When we chat next week will I be on the pirates roster
Jason Mackey
12:48
I sure hope so, Blake. But I'm not terribly optimistic.
Pirates 2021
12:48
Do you think the pirates could play .500 ball next year? They should have a decent rotation I think
Jason Mackey
12:48
I thought they would flirt with .500 this year, so I may be the wrong person to ask.
Josh bell
12:48
What all could the pirates land for Me  and do you see him traded
Jason Mackey
12:49
It's TBD, JB. I don't see it happening now. I think they would like to see your value higher, and I think you would like to see your value higher. Also, while I don't think it ultimately will happen, I don't think they've completely punted on signing you to a long-term deal. So, just hang tight and work out of this slow start.
Ricky
12:49
I’m shocked the pirates are 4-15 without signing Puig. They would be 15-4 with him. Can’t believe they didn’t sign him
Jason Mackey
12:50
Only years later will they realize the magnitude of their mistake, Ricky. Could seriously set the franchise back.
Matt
12:50
Hi Jason - can you share your perspective on how the players feel about playing for Derek Shelton? Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:51
Hi Matt. I don't think they have an issue with him. Or, if they do, they're not saying it publicly. I would also offer the caveat that this stuff is tougher to get a feel for given we're not in the clubhouse every day. But from everything I've heard, they like him, like playing for him and feel like it's a combination of injuries and bad breaks that have sabotaged their season. They do have a point, to a degree.
Gabe
12:52
With fans not being allowed to attend thus making ticket sales irrelevant, wouldn’t this be the best time to trade a fan favorite like Josh Bell. Even tho he looks lost right now, he’s our biggest trade chip. Wouldn’t have to worry about much blowback from fans since right now they’re non existent.
Jason Mackey
12:53
If I'm the Pirates, Gabe, I care less about upsetting fans and more about getting the most back for him. I don't think you're doing that if you try to trade him now. Fans will get over it if the guys the Pirates get back are good. And if you don't think you can sign Bell long-term, then you do need to trade him. But it's about maximizing the return, and they need to have him put up some better numbers for that to happen.
Gabe
12:53
What’s Erik Gonzalez’ contract situation? Will he be around for awhile? He’s not necessarily young at 29, but looks like a nice piece to keep around
Jason Mackey
12:54
Believe he signed early in the arb process last year. This year would be his second crack at it ... and he could really be helping himself. The Pirates have him under control for two more years, so yeah, unless they can maybe flip him for something, I agree with you. Would not get rid of him unless I got an offer I liked.
Gabe
12:54
Let’s say for some odd reason the Padres were looking to trade Tatis Jr. Is there any combination of 4 players in the Pirates entire organization that the Padres would accept in a trade?
Jason Mackey
12:55
No. Plain and simple. No.
Kenny
12:55
It feels like Ben Cherington is almost too nice to be successful here. This front office should have been gutted but all we hear is that isn’t his way. This whole front office needs to be overhauled and it sounds like Cherington isn’t that type. I don’t want any of NH’s guys here and running departments.
Jason Mackey
12:56
I don't think "nice" is the right word, Kenny. I think Cherington is no different than a lot of people in his position. He's going to take some time to look around before he completely overhauls anything. I agree with you that I think he and baseball in general tends to be a little over-cautious. But I don't think it's because Ben feels bad or doesn't want to hurt anybody's feelings.
Gabe
12:56
If Polanco continues to be dreadful, do they simply have to keep playing him because of his contract? I assume he’s untradable because of his performance and contract. Is DFA a possibility?
Jason Mackey
12:58
You could DFA him, sure. But you still have to pay him, thus why I think it makes more sense to let him work out of this. I'd also like to believe there is something in there somewhere. It's a challenge for them right now to bring it out. I do think he's healthy. I also think he's looked like crap. Something needs to change. He didn't just suddenly forget how to play baseball.
John
12:58
Why would you think intentionally hitting someone is okay? That's childish and dangerous.
Jason Mackey
12:59
In a baseball game? It happens all the time, John. I'm not advocating punching someone. You drill someone in the backside -- never high -- with a fastball to send a message. I'm hardly the first person to suggest this. Like pretty much every team, we had a specific sign for it in college. It's a part of the game.
Rustin
12:59
What is your evaluation on Kevan Graves? I’m sure he’s very talented but anything that smells of Huntington I don’t want around this team
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