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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 08.25.21
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Jason Mackey
11:02
Hello, everyone. Welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. We'll get started at noon, but feel free to leave your questions now. Thanks, Jason.
12:00
And away we go ...
Steven
12:03
I’m sure I won’t be the only one who asks this, but why was Castro optioned to AA? Why not put him down at AAA with more major league caliber/ready pitchers?
Jason Mackey
12:04
I have a couple theories. One, to continue his relationship with the coaches there. I think they've helped him this season, and they want to continue that. Two, there ain't much time left. In either season. Why up and move, when he might be back in Pittsburgh? Three, I think they want to get Marcano and Tucker playing time. Maybe others. I just think it was the path of least resistance, and I don't see AAA being THAT much better that you absolutely have to make a move right now.
Steven
12:04
Did you end up snagging one of those Grateful Dead shirts they gave away in St. Louis?
Jason Mackey
12:04
I did not, unfortunately.
Steven
12:04
I feel like the Brubaker we saw last night is the real JT Brubaker and that his past few starts were fatigue or something else. Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:06
I certainly think he showed last night that he's capable, although I didn't doubt that. I don't know what the issue was the past couple of starts. Yes, he left flat stuff up, but why? He has denied fatigue. Pirates have denied fatigue. Mechanics don't look terribly different to me. Will this version hold? I hope so. But I can't guarantee it.
Ty
12:06
Why does Rodolfo Castro never get any time in Indy? It’s always MLB or back to Altoona.
Jason Mackey
12:06
Before they were trying to give playing time to others in Indy. Now, I just don't think it's worth the fuss. Trust me, it's nothing personal. He's not banned from the ballpark or anything like that.
Steven
12:07
What a showing from Chavis last night. You could see the power in that swing. Hopefully there is more to come.
Jason Mackey
12:07
Yeah, I like him a lot. Someone -- mark my words -- is gonna surprise and play his way into the Pirates' plans for 2022. Would not be at all shocked if it's Chavis.
Justin
12:07
Do you think Tsutsugo and the Pirates have a handshake deal to keep him around for 2022 if things go well?  Does the pickup make any sense otherwise?
Jason Mackey
12:08
No, I don't. I don't see why either side would agree to that. I think they have playing time to give and a need for players. He wants to be in the show, obviously. And he's cheap. There's a match there. I'm not sure there needs to be anything beyond that.
Don Slaught
12:10
Any news on the idea of banning position shifts? Are you for or against?
Jason Mackey
12:13
There's no "news." That's not gonna come out now. I'm for it. I think baseball, in myriad ways, needs to get back to the way it used to be -- with balls in play, pace of play, etc. This, to me, would be part of that.
Yuri
12:13
Hello Jason.  Are you aware of any Dave Parker health updates?  Th
Jason Mackey
12:13
I have not heard anything good or bad, Yuri. Sorry.
Brian
12:13
It’s gonna be hard to lose more than the orioles, and I don’t know how much you know about Elijah Green, but is getting the first pick that much more of an advantage next year than say 2,3, or 4?
Jason Mackey
12:14
I've met and done a story on Elijah Green. He's an excellent player, but yeah, I don't see there being a huge difference, honestly. Also, the Diamondbacks are still the worst team in MLB. That said, if the Pirates are in the bottom four, I'm confident they're going to get a difference-maker. Same as it would have been this summer, honestly.
Orlando Merced’s LapDog
12:14
When will the Bucs finally move out of town?
Jason Mackey
12:15
Hopefully never, considering covering them is how I provide for my family, but thank you for the unnecessary trolling.
Donna
12:15
Hi Jason.   What are your thoughts on the Pirates playing Polanco?  It seems the Pirates want to show some appreciation for his attitude and dedication to the team, but I feel bad seeing his poor play, especially at the plate.  Thank you.
Jason Mackey
12:16
I don't blame you, Donna. I think they've played him too much. I'm OK with them keeping him on the roster -- at least until he's pushed out by someone, and it becomes a business decision. In my opinion, that hasn't happened yet. But starting him more often than not, you might actually be hurting him more than you're helping him. And you're not earning trust with fans, especially when you say playing time must be earned.
Jim M
12:16
Jason,  I realize the Pirates aren’t likely to contend for a few years but what would be wrong with going with this lineup for a while: Chavis 2B, Hayes  3B, Reynolds CF, Moran1B, Stallings C, Tsutsugo LF, Alford RF, Newman SS?   I get it. Alford, Chavis & Tsutsugo were available because they have been borderline busts but it’s fun for an unrealistic fan like me to dream what if the Pirates help them find their best version of themselves. It would make this team more watchable while we wait for the top prospects to arrive.
Jason Mackey
12:18
They could easily do that. They might do that tonight. Gamel is under contract for next year, though. He's been productive. I'd prefer to not bench him. I'd at least rotate him and Tsutsugo. But I see what you're saying about wanting to play other guys and as a fan feeling like there's a future. That's absolutely a fair and logical way to think about this.
Keith
12:18
Hi Jason. Any idea who is pitching today?
Jason Mackey
12:18
I don't have it confirmed, but my best guess/prediction is Bryse Wilson, coming off the 10-day IL.
Justin
12:18
I know you didn't cover the Huntington front office, but what do you think is the main thing or two that the current group is better at than the last group, if anything?  Development? Simply committing fully to a rebuild?
Jason Mackey
12:21
I covered enough of it. Development, yes. At least so far. I like this group's approach. Seems more individual and baseball- or position-specific. There have also been some aggressive placements and promotions. And how they talk to fans is different, I think. I've heard comments that that's appreciated. It's different/better with media, too, especially Cherington who has been excellent about explaining what they're doing, why they're doing it, etc. I think there's also a greater comfort with processes put in place -- things like scouting and learning about young, high-upside guys, then targeting specific ones in trades, things like using technology to develop pitching prospects or analyzing movement patterns, that sorta stuff.
Sunner in Orlando
12:21
Are Chavis, Alford and Tsutsugo just stopgaps for now while our prospects develop or are any of them thought to be part of the Bucs future?
Jason Mackey
12:22
They could be. I think it depends on whether they produce. And like a lot of this stuff, if one is productive and entering free agency but the Pirates have an option filling in behind, then, yeah, probably makes sense to trade that guy and restart the cycle. But it shouldn't be a fire sale. It should be turning over duties to a younger player who's ready to produce. Those are different.
Carl in Carrick
12:22
Thanks for your chats Jason.  I appreciate the defensive effort the Pirates are making this year.   While Newman has only 2 errors, can the Pirates afford to “carry”him on offense or do you see someone else starting in his place next season?
Jason Mackey
12:23
My pleasure, Carl. It depends on which version of Newman is the real one. If he's the guy who he's been in August, yeah, that'll play. If he's the guy he was in April-July, no. I think you could see them turn things over to Park, Marcano, etc. It'll be interesting to see what happens with Newman the rest of the way.
The Dude
12:23
What can you tell us about the Gregory Polanco situation? Was he put on waivers, was he claimed, was he withdrawn, etc. Listening to the broadcast it sounded as if it was supposed to be a secret.
Jason Mackey
12:25
Polanco went on outright waivers. He was not claimed. So he remains part of the active roster. Putting him on outright waivers was never to get rid of him. It was done for two reasons: One, to give Greg a chance to get on a playoff roster and, two, for the Pirates to open up playing time without having to DFA Polanco. Didn't happen. In previous years, no, this stuff doesn't leak out, though it has always happened. They also used to have waiver trades, of which this would have been a part. Now, they don't. So this is the club's option. It's a shame it was misreported and confused a lot of fans.
Marc G.
12:25
Hey Jason, wondered who you see the Pirates calling up for September. I know they can't call up the entire 40-man, but do you think we'll see anyone who hasn't played in Pittsburgh this year?
Jason Mackey
12:26
Good question, Marc. Unfortunately -- and this is ridiculous, IMO -- rosters only expand to 28. I think you could probably see a pitcher and a position player. Someone like Miguel Yajure makes sense. Maybe -- maybe -- Tucupita Marcano on the position player side. I would also consider seeing what Oneil Cruz can do, although those conversations have not yet started.
Brian
12:27
Why would Shelton put that recently claimed Japanese player in the leadoff spot for 1 game? I mean it absolutely made no sense. This guy has hit 3 HR's already for us. His game is not suited to bat leadoff. Just ridiculous.
Jason Mackey
12:28
"That recently claimed Japanese player" has a name. It's Yoshi Tsutsugo. Lemme ask you this, Brian: What is the harm in trying? They're a billion games under .500. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't. But, geez. I'm not gonna fault Shelton for giving it a shot. The guy is also hitting .333 with a 1.278 OPS as a Pirate. I'm OK with that guy batting pretty much anywhere.
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