You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 09.02.20
powered byJotCast
Jason Mackey
11:05
Hello, everyone, and welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. Thanks for stopping by. We'll get going around noon, but feel free to fire away now:
Tom
12:15
I know it's only one game, but Pirate's management certainly looks foolish to let Hayes stay in Altoona, while playing other mediocre athletes. "We wanted to showcase players for trade possibilities!" What claptrap! Let the young guys earn their spurs!
Jason Mackey
12:17
Hi Tom. Claptrap. That's a new one for me. Anyway, I don't have an issue with it. Sure, I can see why people wanted Hayes up here sooner. That's fair. But I think we should also look at this big-picture, and it's much better to bring him up a little too late than a little too early. I think the timing of this stuff is going to be essential for this new group, and I'm perfectly OK with erring on the side of caution as long as guys are able to make the transition. That said, it's one game. A lot to see learn about and see play out.
Aileen
12:17
I felt terrible for KeBryan Hayes' family that they couldn't be at PNC Park to see his debut.  Couldn't the Pirates have allowed them to sit in one of the luxury suites or somewhere where they would have been physically distanced from the team?
Jason Mackey
12:18
Logically, yes. Logistically and legally, no. I agree it's stupid. I think it's stupid that we can't have small groups of fans inside sports venues -- socially distanced and with arrival and exit times, etc. But to my knowledge, the Pirates do not have the authority to make such a decision.
J-town Johnny
12:18
Jason,  love the chats.  Do you think Bryce Harper for the money he is making is the most overrated  player in baseball?
Jason Mackey
12:19
Thanks, Johnny. Dollar for dollar, I won't disagree with you. Not a big Bryce Harper fan, honestly. Seems to be a lot of ego there. I hope I'm wrong reading it from the outside, but that's my perception.
Joel
12:19
Hi, Jason. I can't really fault Cherington for doing nothing at the trade deadline because he had nothing to deal due to poor performance and injuries. At least Hayes made a splash in his debut. This is maybe too open-ended a question, but what now? What are the priorities for the balance of the season and the off season?
Jason Mackey
12:20
Hi Joel. Good question. I'd list a couple things. One, let's see what happens with Hayes. Was last night a one-off or the norm? We don't know. Two, Erik Gonzalez. Is he an every-day player, or has he enjoyed a hot start? I wanna find out. I wanna see Mitch Keller come back. I wanna see Jared Oliva at some point. (Jason Martin was a dud.) I wanna watch Cole Tucker more in center. I wouldn't be opposed to seeing Oneil Cruz or Nick Gonzales get a shot.
Rich
12:21
You and many others have said the best thing to do with Gregory Polanco is keep playing him and hope he works it out. I agree especially in a lost season like this.
Sorry, didn't mean to send that. If the Pirates keep playing Polamco and he does eventually start to hit, do they immediately try to trade him to anyone for anything as long as they can unload all or nearly all of his salary rather than risk him reverting to current form or getting hurt for $11 million next year or do they decide he's their answer for fight field in 2021? And if he never does get into any kind of form, if what we see is what we keep seeing for the rest of this year what do they do? Will they hope he works it out next spring or early next season or is there a point where you see them cutting bait and eating that $11 million?
Jason Mackey
12:22
Rich, short answer is yes: I'd keep playing him. I think you have to. With the goal of what you said, that he figures it out, gets hot, and maybe someone wants him. Long-term, it would help them a lot to trade Polanco. Given his injuries and poor performance, I really don't think they can.
Yuri
12:22
Hi Jason.  Great job with the deadline chat although it would have been more exciting if the Pirates had made some trades.  Do you have any indication that the Pirates were close to making any deals and do you anticipate moves being made in the offseason?   Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:23
Thanks, Yuri. Appreciate that. They got down the road on a couple things, yes. Musgrove was one. Also, this isn't terribly unique. Happens a lot, including with Neal Huntington last year. And, yes, I do expect some of these deals the Pirates held off on to materialize over the winter.
James
12:23
Hey Jason, no questions for you.  Just a shoutout to young Mr. Hayes on his Pirates debut.  Like Cole Tucker, he exudes love for the game. It’s
Jason Mackey
12:23
Young Hayes was fun to watch.
Charlie
12:23
Did Gustave ever officially go to Altoona?
Jason Mackey
12:23
Last I heard he was quarantining because he came here from the DR. But, yeah, when that is through, he will report to Altoona. I would also expect to see him in Pittsburgh at some point.
Matt from LA
12:23
Considering their record and their standing, will the Pirates finally use the rest of this season giving the young guys (e.g., Cole and Hayes) a chance to play everyday rather than players (e.g., Moran) who we know will not be a part of our future?
Jason Mackey
12:25
First, Matt, I wouldn't punt on Moran maybe being a part of their future. He could be, albeit as a DH. And I wouldn't have an issue with that, at least the short-term. I think his days as a third baseman are over, but he can still hit. He's been one of their better bats this season. But, of course, with their record as bad as it is, they better be letting the young guys develop.
Rick in Turtle Crick
12:25
Hi Jason...do you see Tucker’ future in the infield or outfield?  If outfield, is center field or right field better suited for him?
Jason Mackey
12:25
Honestly, Rick, at the beginning of this thing I might've still said infield, thinking they move Frazier, back comes Tucker. I've changed my mind. I've liked Tucker in CF. At this point, I wouldn't be shocked if he's their opening day CF next season.
Matt from LA
12:26
Although I understand the reasoning behind the Pirates lack of activity at the trade deadline, is there any hope for much more over the offseason if our trade commodities (Frazier, Williams, Polanco)  do not improve (statistically speaking) over the remainder of this season?
Jason Mackey
12:26
Yes, as I said before, I think they will revisit some of those trades this season. Frazier would make says if there's more interest after a hot month. Even Musgrove or Williams. Would not trade Kuhl. If they can get anything at all for Polanco, I think they should do it.
Charlie
12:26
Likelihood that the Hayes news was a distraction from no activity at the deadline? Seemed odd to come out right at 4:00 pm Monday from literally every person who covers the team.
Jason Mackey
12:29
I'm not sure, Charlie. I think it probably was related to the deadline and playing other guys to try and get something for them. I don't necessarily have an issue with that. As for a distraction? I don't think that's it. I don't think they're playing their top prospect as a PR stunt. And, I mean, that's news these days. I broke it. Two minutes later MLB.com had it, then the Athletic, DK, Trib. Probably less than 10 minutes later, it's confirmed. Same thing when national guys get stuff. It's reporting in 2020, and it would be the same way if somebody else got something and I was chasing.
Guest
12:29
Off the wall comment and question....I have an MLBTV subscription to watch the Pirates.   However, I cannot stand Joe Block as an announcer.  I listen to every announcer in the league, and I don't dislike the man.  I just cannot stand his voice and prattling jokes. Do you know how Pirates' announcers are evaluated?   If he is calling the game, I always switch to the opposition's broadcast.  That's me, and I am not calling for his dismissal.  It just makes me wonder how they evaluated and whether the Pirates have any voice in those evaluations?
Jason Mackey
12:32
I don't share your opinion on Joe. He's one of the most prepared people I've ever been around. He's also extremely personable and loves what he does.  ... I do wish the broadcasts as a whole focused on baseball more. Like sometimes with McKenry or Wehner, they'll get into real nitty gritty, nerdy stuff. May be just me, but I love that. I feel like sometimes they can stray a little far into obscure stories and stay on them for too long, ignoring the game. But, no, I don't know how those guys are evaluated. That's not my world.
Dave
12:34
Somehow, the Pirates have 20 (half of their 40-man!) projected for arbitration this offseason. What do you see more likely--the majority tendered with a return of basically the same roster in 2021, or around half, with stop gaps to fill the created holes?
Jason Mackey
12:36
It's hard to give a blanket answer to that, Dave. I think you're probably going to see a little bit of both. If I had to pick one, I would say the majority tendered with a return of basically the same roster in 2021. I think bringing back only half of the arb-eligible guys is a little lower than I expect.
Donna
12:36
Jason, are there any upcoming free agents the Pirates may be interested in and have a chance of signing?  Keep up the great work!
Jason Mackey
12:38
Thanks, Donna. It's tough -- if not impossible -- to predict that. I don't expect this group to start spending a bunch of money soon. I think tangible on-field improvements (read: winning games) will have to happen first. Until that, their free agent signings are going to be non-descript guys who are way too tough to predict.
Have to do something, folks. Be back in 10.
Tony
12:44
Hi Jason,  Could this have happened at the trade deadline:  The Pirates trade Kela to a team and get a PTBNL in return.  If Kela pitches for that team the Bucs can choose from a list of prospects..all probably mid-level.  If Kela doesn't pitch for that team in 2020, the Pirates choose from a list of tomato cans.  Is that scenario allowed under MLB rules?  What a disappointment Kela has been this year.  At this point I don't even care if he pitches for us this year.
Jason Mackey
12:47
Hi Tony. Not to my knowledge. Especially the tomato cans part. I don't believe trades can be made on a contingent basis -- whether or not that player pitches. I think if you make a trade, the acquiring has to give up something, even if it's international bonus pool money. Can't be tomato cans. And considering they didn't trade Kela, I don't think they had any offers in hand.
Guest
12:47
Maybe I'm not up to speed on how much development should be expected, but I thin bringing Hayes, Newman, Tucker, and Reynolds p in the past year is not bad.  With this years development of Rodriguez and Stallings, and the yet-to-fully-be-fulfilled strength of Bell and Polanco, I don't feel too bad about the team in the field or at bat.  Still need lots of help on the mound. Am I too optimistic?
Jason Mackey
12:48
I think you're probably more rationale than most. Look, the Pirates have some pieces here. Reynolds, Newman, Bell, Hayes, Tucker ... they're not completely screwed. But they're not deep enough to account for injuries, they don't have enough pitching, they need more offense, top to bottom organizationally they need more talent, they need to do that on the cheap ... My point: They're not starting from zero on the scale of 0-100, but they're obviously not at 80 either.
Guest
12:48
I'm probably not permitted two questions, but I do wonder why managers refuse to move guys down in the order when they are struggling.  Last night, I would have gone Gonzalez, Newman, Frazier, Moran, Bell, Stallings, Hayes, Osuna, and Tucker.   That would scare me more as a pitcher than Tucker early in the order.
Jason Mackey
12:53
You can ask two. I answer everything asked as long as it's not rude, defamatory or pushing some sort of political agenda ... For context, last night it was Gonzalez, Tucker, Newman, Bell, Stallings, Moran, Hayes, Frazier, Osuna. ... We're saying Tucker is too high? He's hitting .292 over his last 48 at-bats. I'm fine, in this lineup, with him hitting anywhere outside of 3-4-5. ... Meanwhile, you're telling me Frazier should be higher because he's been hitting better? He's at .250 over his last 48, to use the same sample size. Now, I'm not saying batting average is everything because it's not. It has its flaws. But I think we may be quibbling here. The issue isn't the order of the players. It's the performance of them.
Josh
12:53
Let Reynolds miss all the time he needs, that's fine in my book; however, technically his three allowable days on the Paternity List are up. Does he come back today?
Load More Messages
Connecting…