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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 08.19.20
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Jason Mackey
1:00
I think Kevan is extremely bright. I've enjoyed my conversations with him. He's also highly thought of around the game. "Smells of Huntington?" Ha. Made me laugh, but I think you're forgetting that Neal did some really good stuff here, too. I'm not saying it wasn't time, but he wasn't a total failure.
Jps717
1:00
The old mamgaement group took tons of well deserved criticism for not developing talent.  The new group is even worse so far.  Regression everywhere. Shelton in particular seems clueless.  I would give the group a D-.  What grade wuhld you give?
Jason Mackey
1:01
I wouldn't disagree with that. It's been bad. Below expectations, across the board. But I think you're grading development before it takes time. I will evaluate this front office on how guys like Liover Peguero, Nick Gonzales, Quinn Priester and Brennan Malone develop. I'm not gonna crush 'em for development because they've played like crap for 19 games. They've simply played like crap for 19 games, and they don't have enough major league talent right now.
Billy Beane
1:02
If my owners spent like Bob Nutting that would be a dream! In the meantime make sure you watch us and the Rays in the playoffs.
Jason Mackey
1:02
Thanks, Billy. Appreciate you swinging by my chat.
Chuck
1:02
Starling Marte is among the league leaders in batting average. This caused me to wonder why ex-Pirates players do better after they are traded than they did in Pittsburgh. Marte, Cole, Meadows and Glasnow are examples. Can you explain why?
Jason Mackey
1:03
Well, Marte did have a career year here last year, but your point is a good one, Chuck. And I'm not sure it's one set thing. Pitchers have been coached differently. Maybe the Pirates screwed up development. Maybe guys are just happy to get out of here. Maybe there's more protection. It's a whole bunch of stuff, but it's definitely concerning. I also think there are worse examples than Marte.
Bucs
1:03
do you except Cruz up next year
Jason Mackey
1:03
I expect and hope for him to get a taste this year. Probably only at short and maybe just to DH. But with no minor leagues and the major league team stinking, I don't see why you wouldn't give him a shot.
Neal Huntington
1:04
Hows all my lieutenants doing with the new front office? Love that my legacy will live on
Jason Mackey
1:04
They're good, Neal. Hope you're enjoying the time off.
Samuel
1:04
It has nothing to with Nutting's personal worth; it's the market. He's not running the team out of his pocket. If revenue isn't there, expenses can't match. Also, revenue sharing systems are extremely different in NHL and NFL, which is why it's easier for Penguins and Steelers. Didn't the Penguins just come out and say something about their revenue at the moment?
Jason Mackey
1:05
I don't know. I didn't see if the Penguins did or did not. Thanks for the contribution.
Neil H
1:05
Did I leave this organization with the least talent in all of MLB?  I mean they have basically nothing to build around at this point. Seems like stealing when I see that direct deposit hit my bank account each month. I truly am blessed.
Jason Mackey
1:05
Why is there so much Neal Huntington focus this week? Weird.
Neil H
1:05
And I cannot even spell my name correctly at this point. I have been listening to a lot of Neil Young lately....
Jason Mackey
1:06
You could do worse, Neil/Neal/Kneel.
Stephen
1:06
I agree with James and you about Roberto Clemente.  The museum is great, but I think it needs to be moved to a location with more space and much more parking.  I hope that those that run the museum are looking into re-locating.
Jason Mackey
1:06
I don't know. I love that part of the city. I think that's part of its charm. But if they did wanna move it and make it bigger, I definitely wouldn't complain. Love hearing about Clemente's legacy.
Seven
1:07
Watching Oliver Perez last night and being able to trace him through trades all the way back to Ricardo Rincon in ‘97 blows my mind. No question here, just find it remarkable he’s still around
Jason Mackey
1:07
Seriously. I looked it up last night. I thought I was gonna see that he's like 49 years old. He's "only" 39.
Neal H
1:07
I probably should have taken that Giants job a few years back, yes? Funny how quickly a man’ s reputation can go south.
Jason Mackey
1:08
You'll get another job in baseball and be just fine, Neal. As bad as the Pirates gig ended, I think there's enough there turning the whole thing around that someone else will pay you to make decisions. As they should.
The Eman
1:08
Who was your favorite Grateful Dead keyboard player (I gotta go with Pig)? Any current Pirate who could have been a true deadhead?
Jason Mackey
1:09
Musgrove and Brault have good musical taste. Holland is goofy and might work. Other than that, probably not much. ... I'll go Pig, too, although not by much. The good Brent stuff is really good.
Frazier A
1:09
What the heck happened to my bat? Need I remind you that I was at one time a decent hitter? So much for being a tradable asset....
Jason Mackey
1:09
It's been there in spurts. Needs to be more consistent, though. Especially if the Pirates are going to move you.
wvpirate
1:09
I noticed in the box score from last night Andrew McCutchen was pitch hit for. And he had 2 hits in the game. Yet Polonco was not pitch hit for. Bad managing. So Philly has spent alot on their team. Exciting players that includes Cutch and Neil Walker. Feels like Pittsburgh is in the poor side of the state. Does Nutting see what kind of reputation this is doing to the Pirates?
Jason Mackey
1:13
Nutting "seeing" what his handling of the franchise isn't the relevant point here. He's well-aware of how he and the Pirates are perceived. There are also limitations, as I mentioned and Samuel added to in a comment. ... But the point here, to both of you and everyone reading is this: If, say, Burkle and Mario would buy the Pirates. Just go there for a second with me. Burkle is stupid rich. We wouldn't hear about small-market challenges anymore, I can guarantee, too. Do you ever hear about them with the Penguins? No. Because he says win, bankrolls it, then goes about his business. That's not how Nutting operates. We can sit here and debate whether that's a bad thing, whether it's impossible to win or whether baseball's financial landscape screws Nutting. I can make some fair points on both sides. But believe me, it's not as though Nutting is unaware that his stewardship of the Pirates of late hasn't been loaded with popularity.
MoTownWV
1:13
What signs can you point to that indicate anything has changed within the Pirates organization? The names have changed but on the surface it looks like more of the same from roster management to player acquisition to development and potentially there has actually been regression amount the limited young core of the MLB roster.
Jason Mackey
1:15
Fair point. I would like to know from Nutting or Travis Williams what tangible progress they feel had been made here. Unfortunately those interview requests were no for Nutting and TBD for Williams, who won't talk baseball anyway. But we heard so much about the "four pillars," "cracking the code" and being more transparent about things with our fans ... well? ... And no, I don't see much that things are different. I trust that Ben Cherington has revamped some stuff behind the scenes -- he never says much when it comes to describing it -- but on-field-wise, I haven't seen much that would lead me to believe they've made progress.
Seven
1:15
Saw Keibert Ruiz homered in his debut. I know the dodgers made May and Lux untouchable Last season, but was Ruiz available had Huntington pulled the trigger on Felipe?
Jason Mackey
1:16
It's my understanding that the Dodgers were not willing to part with any of the three, hence why I didn't -- and still don't -- have an issue with Huntington keeping Felipe Vazquez.
Sammy
1:16
Jason I read your article about if the Pirates have taken any steps in their developing. Of course the answer is NOOOOOO. We were supposed to see marked improvement in basic fundamentals at the very least and imo they've been worse than in the Hurdle era. And the base running and hitting has been abysmal too. Shelton looks to be in way over his head and same with the coaching staff. They've all been awful. Thoughts? As a fan it's hard to see anything positive in this season so far.
Jason Mackey
1:17
You basically said it. And I've typed it a bunch of times here. No progress has been made. I don't see what we're building toward here. It's almost like we're more concerned about placating the present. But again, if you're looking for meaningful steps forward, is there anything you can really hang your hat on right now?
Curt
1:17
Jason please tell me that the Gregory Polanco era will be mercifully over after this season. He has been horrid and I can't watch him anymore.
Jason Mackey
1:17
I can't make that promise, Curt. They're in a tough spot with him. I think the best thing they can do, honestly, is try to figure him out.
Seven
1:17
To Chuck’s point about players leaving and having success. To be fair the opposite has happened. Pedro, JHay, Walker, Cutch have all regressed since leaving. As well as AJ’s one year stint in Philly.
Jason Mackey
1:18
True, true. Still, I don't blame fans for being made about Glasnow and Meadows becoming something else, how Gerrit Cole went from being good to absurd, the soon-to-come Shane Baz experience, that sort of thing.
John
1:18
Intentional physical harm, part of the game? Intent to injure? Jeopardize someone's career? I don't know why we let baseball get away with this because it's "part of the game". Doesn't anyone realize how dangerous this is? Don't players care? I  can't imagine condoning it; we don't in day-to-day life, but hey, it's baseball. Maybe I'll kill you with a 95 mph fastball, but don't you dare steal my signs. It's ridiculous, plain and simple. Nothing else explains it away.
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