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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 09.02.20
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Jason Mackey
12:54
I think he does, yeah. Although I say that with this caveat: I obviously know nothing about the health/situation with his wife and child. That's most important. But I wouldn't stretch out his paternity leave -- and shift him to the restricted list or whatever it would be -- because he's in a slump.
Cy in Cali
12:54
Speaking of announcers, I’ve noticed that sometimes they don’t comment or connect with what the camera is showing.  For example, Baez make a great play and almost threw out Gonzalez at first.  After Gonzalez was forced at second, it looked like he gave Baez props for making the great play, yet the announcers never commented on it.
Jason Mackey
12:55
I think it's real easy to watch a game on TV and Monday Morning Quarterback the whole thing. If you did it, I'll bet I could watch you and say, "Man, why doesn't he ever talk about this?"
12:57
Let's change that to, 'Man, why doesn't Cy ever talk about this?' I don't know if you're a male or female, don't wanna insult anyone, and it certainly doesn't make an ounce of different when it comes being a baseball fan.
Dean
12:57
The Pirates have been going thru catchers the past years and when I first saw Jacob Stallings I thought this was another throw in to just fill the position. But the more I see of him he seems like he is the real deal. Do you think they finally found the player that best suits their needs at this position. Or will he be a back up in future playing.
Jason Mackey
12:59
Agree with you, Dean. I think he snuck up on some people. I'm perfectly fine with Stallings for now. I would like to see them infuse some young talent at the position, a guy who might be ready in 3-4 years. By that point, Stallings will be around 34. Would have no issue with him functioning more as a backup by that. But for right now, I'm fine with Stallings behind the plate.
Matt from LA
12:59
Although I appreciated "Guest's" question regarding the evaluation of Pirate announcers and your response, I just wish that the announcers could at least try to be somewhat objective in their broadcasts! I grew up listening to Bob Prince and Nellie King ON THE RADIO and, although your knew that they rooted for the Buccos, they were not nearly as blatant in their biased, subjective, homer announcing as Walk, McHenry and Wehner and Block. Those four sound like PR spokespeople for the Pirates!
Jason Mackey
1:00
I agree with you there. But that's not a Pirates thing. That's a sports in 2020 thing. Penguins did the same stuff. They view telecasts as a PR tool, not objective coverage. However, what they should realize is you can do both. Look at Phil Bourque, for instance. I think Bourquey is tremendous. Insightful. Funny. Just a good, fun dude. But he rips the Penguins when warranted. He also praises them when warranted, and he gets excited. I don't have any issue with the excitement if you're also gonna criticize when it's called for. That's where some of the PR vehicle broadcasts lose me.
Gabe
1:00
I’ve asked this same question every week I think, but it continues, should we be worried about Josh Bell?
Jason Mackey
1:02
I don't think so, no. But I'll ask you, what is worrying about Josh Bell going to accomplish? He's under contract for this year. I don't think it's smart to non-tender him for next year. So you're gonna pay him, and thus you need to play him. He showed signs in Milwaukee. I would be patient. He didn't suddenly forget how to hit. Guys through struggles. He's had a tough month.
Rob
1:02
4 out of 5 of the Pirates top prospects are infielders . At what point do they think about converting them to another position?
Jason Mackey
1:03
I think they probably need to consider it with Oneil Cruz. Other than that, I don't see an issue. Say hypothetically that Cruz becomes a RF. What's wrong with Tucker in CF, Cruz in RF, Peguero at SS, Gonzales at 2B, Hayes at 3B? Would need to see what this means for Newman and Gonzalez on the current roster. Maybe you trade them for pieces, I don't know. But it's not like anybody lacks a path to playing time there.
Gabe
1:03
I like Tucker in center. Seems like he’s really taking to the position. But are they wasting his talents by not playing him at SS?
Jason Mackey
1:04
I don't look at it that way. I think Gonzalez would be fine there. I wanna see Peguero. I've heard good things. But Tucker is an athlete. What's it matter if that plays out in CF or SS?
Frank
1:04
As in previous years, I’ve been disappointed with our errors and base running.  Which coaches are in charge of those areas? It’s frustrating sometimes.   Thanks Jason .
Jason Mackey
1:05
I don't blame you, Frank. It frustrates me, too, and I'm not a fan. Baserunning is Tarrik Brock and also Joey Cora to a degree. Cora works with the infielders on fielding, Brock with the outfield. Glenn Sherlock handles the catchers. I wouldn't absolve Shelton or Don Kelly either, but let's remember that it's first incumbent upon the player, too.
Gabe
1:05
How can anybody dislike Joe Block? Such a natural baseball voice and his pre game uniform descriptions are poetry. Give me Block and Rock every game
Jason Mackey
1:06
I don't know if this is sarcasm or what. Not trying to make Joe out to be Vin Scully. But I don't think he deserves the criticism, either. He puts a lot of time and effort into this, and I think he does a very good job.
Gabe
1:17
I feel like this trade deadline really wasn’t about accruing talent but more about freeing up roster space. I’m not advocating giving up Frazier/Osuna/Polanco for absolutely nothing, but gotta admit I was a little disappointed not to see them go. Now there’s a logjam in the infield and outfield. Don’t know how much longer I can watch Adam Frazier ground out to second
Jason Mackey
1:18
OK, had to handle some breaking news. Back now. ...  I think you're only going to have to worry about that for another month, honestly. I wouldn't be surprised if they traded Frazier this offseason. And I'd hardly call those logjams. We're talking about a few guys failing to hit .200.
Diane
1:18
Jason, I saw what Cy was referring to and agree with him.  Maybe the announcers aren’t always looking at the monitors or maybe the people behind the camera aren’t communicating with them.
Jason Mackey
1:18
I understand. I'd also cut them some slack because announcers aren't in ballparks. They're trying to do everything remotely. It's tough to have your attention everywhere all the time.
Josh
1:19
So Musgrove and Reynolds potentially joining the active roster today--do we just see two more options? Also, is Austin Davis just going through intake testing?
Gabe
1:22
Just to be clear, wasn’t sarcasm. I legitimately enjoy Joe Block
Jason Mackey
1:23
OK, cool. I'm not saying we can't have a critical discussion about what you like and don't like. We can do that with me. I have faults, and there are things I can do better. I just don't like the blanket blasting of a guy.
Josh
1:23
Just going to throw my hat in the ring...I can't stand any of the commentators. I was watching the other team's feed, but now that I'm continually blacked out on MLB TV I am forced to listen to #BucsBooth, and it's awful. Cringy Robby interviews, random in-game interviews, meandering nonbaseball stuff, continual trashing of modern baseball/not being up-to-date with modern baseball. It honestly makes me not want to watch.
Jason Mackey
1:24
Bringing the telecasts more into the modern era should be a focus, I agree. I think they've done better. Also, I don't broadcast the games. I cover the team. If you have issues with them, take it up with them, maybe.
Gabe
1:24
Short of injuries happening, is Hayes the last rookie call up we’ll see this season? Not sure where they’re gonna find the roster space to bring up Oliva or Cruz
Jason Mackey
1:24
I don't think it's the last one. I think they'll find a way to get one or both up here.
Matt from LA
1:24
Whatever became of Neil Huntington? Is he still in baseball? I do know that Hurdle decided to retire and leave Pittsburgh but do you know where he moved to? Not stalking either one, just curious?
Jason Mackey
1:25
Believe Hurdle moved full-time to Florida. Neal moved back to Cleveland. Actually, I'm not sure he ever left. Both are still getting paid to do nothing, so I think they'll continue to do that in a bit. I think you'll see Neal's name surface again once his contract with the Pirates is up.
Eddie Shack
1:25
Jason, when does baseball season start?
Jason Mackey
1:25
Good one.
Ricky
1:25
When’s cederlind and puig reporting?
Jason Mackey
1:26
Not sure on Puig. That's gonna be tricky. Gotta think we're close on Cederlind.
Cole tucker
1:26
How would my arm rate compared to other CFers
Jason Mackey
1:26
I would say average. It's not a cannon, but I don't think it's bad either.
Gabe
1:26
What’s the breaking news?
Jason Mackey
1:26
Pirates are all wearing No. 21 on Roberto Clemente Day.
Spazeroski
1:26
won’t Polanco have to be part of a package with another player (Frazier, Williams, Gonzalez, etc) that we basically give away to u load his salary?
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