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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 09.08.21
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Jason Mackey
11:29
Hi, everyone. Welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. Thanks, as always, for joining. Have some stuff going on this afternoon that may cut us short; so, we're likely going to get started before noon.
11:31
OK, folks. We're just gonna get rolling now in case I need to take off early.
RS
11:32
Thanks for the chats! Is the rosters only expanding to 28 just a result of covid protocols? I understand that completely but will it return to 40 once we finally get past this? It would help teams like the Pirates to give a few more guys some MLB experience. Plus it gives us fans a chance to get a look at some Pirates that may still be here in a year or two.
Jason Mackey
11:33
Hey, RS. Yes, it's the result of COVID protocols. And, no, I don't think it makes sense. I also don't think the Pirates like it. I think there's a middle ground here. 40 was too many. 28 is too few. I would hope that after this season, as part of the new CBA, they settle around 35 or so. Enough to help small-market teams and not too many so the games aren't 4-hour slogs.
V. Fontaine
11:33
Do you have any sense that the Pirates are interested in bringing back Tsutsugo next year? He seems to have legitimate power, which the roster lacks. The fact that he had a lot of success in Japan would seem to indicate there's some there there, if you will. I'm not expecting him to be an All Star but possibly a nice bench or part-time starter for a team in transition.
Jason Mackey
11:34
No doubt. I think there's interest there. I also think there's time. Their play here is going to see more. My answer to this sort of thing has basically been John Nogowski. If Tsutsugo keeps up what he's doing, absolutely you have a conversation and see if you can get something done. You also need to remember that if Tsutsugo is really good, the Pirates won't be the only team interested. So then it becomes, what's his best offer? Does he want to be here? That sorta thing. But could there be a fit with him, absolutely.
V. Fontaine
11:34
We hear a lot about the top prospects hitting but I'm curious about any defensive shortcomings. To quote Casey Stengel, "I don't like them fellas who drive in two runs and let in three."
Jason Mackey
11:36
You've heard plenty about Oneil Cruz playing shortstop and some of his development there. I'm not sure what else you feel like is missing. Marcano is very good defensively. And versatile. His issue has been hitting. You've seen Castro. Bae is a solid defender, the same for Gonzales. I'm just picking out random guys, but I don't think there are glaring issues. The more important part is being able to hit.
Destiny
11:36
How many Pirate players on this roster do you think would be starters on the Dodgers?
Jason Mackey
11:37
That's a tough apples-to-apples question, but Bryan Reynolds is an easy one. I would have to think they would want Ke'Bryan Hayes, although the fact that they have Justin Turner shouldn't be a knock on Hayes. Stallings might be a platoon. So, maybe add 'em up and say 1 1/2 or 2?
Prince Bob
11:37
If there is a work stoppage next season what issues will be the big sticking points?
Jason Mackey
11:39
Good question, Gunner. Lots of stuff, honestly. I think baseball needs to drastically revamp its economic system, to be honest. A cap and a floor should be issues discussed. Revenue sharing, too. Probably how much players are getting, as well as division alignment, the use of the DH, sticky substances, roster sizes ... all kinds of stuff. But for me, the biggest has to be settling on a financial arrangement that benefits both sides. And I think it can be done.
Prince Bob
11:41
Do you think a stoppage is more likely, less likely, or about the same as you did at the start of the season?
Jason Mackey
11:42
Given what we heard from Tony Clark and Rob Manfred at the All-Star Game, honestly, I'm more optimistic than I was at the start of the season. They're talking. They seem to realize how bad a strike would look. I view that as encouraging. Definitely did not feel that way at the start of the season.
Justin R.
11:42
Hey Jason -- Saw a couple of your tweets re: the interview with John Baker. How fundamentally different is the development approach as compared to the last management group? The MiLB results this season seem mostly quite encouraging, but I want to temper my expectations.
Jason Mackey
11:43
Night and [bleeping] day. Honestly. John Baker is incredibly bright. How they're doing things under him, man, it's such a breath of fresh air. I really, really like him. And they have a bunch of good people under him, especially with the affiliates. If you're worried because of what the major league team has done in the past, I guess I get it. But I see no reason not to get excited about the farm system.
Ryan
11:43
jason what do you think about the play of yoshi recently and Bednar go pirates the rest of the season
Jason Mackey
11:44
Hey Ryan. How can you not love it? He's a DH. If it's in the NL next year, there's no way I play him in the field unless I have to. But, man, he can hit. We've seen that. I like the bat and power a lot. Bednar should be their closer. And probably will be. He's downright nasty. A back-end reliever with three pitches and a 98 mph heater with control and a great makeup? Yeah, that'll make you some money. Bednar is in the Hayes, Reynolds camp for me, future pieces who should be here awhile.
Jeff
11:46
What might a fair to both sides Bryan Reynolds look like?
Jason Mackey
11:48
With all due respect, Jeff, there are people who make a lot of money coming up with these valuations, for both sides. They're also nuanced. Would Reynolds take less because he really likes it here? How much does he value certainty and not doing this again versus wanting to maximize value? I hate answering these questions because it's so hard to be anywhere close to right. And I don't wanna be a jerk and say, "Well, whatever they agree on." I've said before somewhere between Polanco and Cutch, but, one, that's a wide range. And, two, it's probably unfair to Reynolds to base a possible contract for him on two different players.
Brendan
11:48
Hey Jason - random but kinda going off the question above about John Baker/player dev, do you have any idea why the Pirates insisted minor league players wore their socks high/were so anal about certain things in their lockers, etc? Always seemed strange from a group that was heavy on analytics, etc. Just a Kyle Stark thing? Thank you!
Jason Mackey
11:50
I'm not sure why they were so particular about that stuff, Brendan. It does seem like things are much looser now. Players are encouraged to be themselves and have some fun. Meanwhile, what they're doing -- I'm told -- is more baseball-specific and probably overall much more useful. Lastly, I think there are other things this group does differently in terms of placements and promotions that ultimately influence how players develop. I think they're also more ... I don't think pushy is the right word, but eager to integrate tech into what they do.
Joel
11:50
Hi, Jason. Great to see so much prospects coverage, especially the interviews. Please keep it up. I must say, though, I guess I’m old school and would prefer to have young guys who settle in and focus on one defensive position. Plus, in the majors we’ve seen way too many infielders with no power  making a hash of playing the outfield while contributing nothing offensively. What are your thoughts on the extreme position flexibility that the Pirates seem to be promoting?
Jason Mackey
11:52
Thanks, Joel. Glad you've noticed. To me, that's the most important part of the organization right now. Numbers-wise, too, they do much better than staid, day-to-day coverage of the big league team. So, there will be more. ... To your point, I have no issue with it. I'm a big believer in his first, figure out a place to play later. For a team like the Pirates, they also need to be mindful of what position are open. You don't want a good, cheap prospect blocked because he only plays one position and the guy ahead of him on the depth chart only plays one position. So, you need to flexible. I also think some people do better sticking to one thing -- I'm not one of them -- and the Pirates need to identify those guys and leave them alone.
Not his first, hit first.
Canyon
11:52
Is the hitting coach going to be the only firing this season/offseason? Also why did they fire him at such a weird time?
Jason Mackey
11:54
I think it's still TBD, Canyon. I would say that just because they fired Eckstein, it does not mean everyone else is safe. I think it's just that they knew Eckstein was gonna be gone, so they figured they would get a jump on hiring a replacement, plus gain some info on the type of person they need to hire. There seems to be this narrative that they're doing something nefarious here. What sort of controversial thing could they be doing by firing the hitting coach of the league's worst offense for two straight years with a month left? If the Penguins did this, no one would bat an eye lash. But the Pirates do it, and it's like they're trying to cover up Watergate or something. I don't get it.
Prince Bob
11:58
Why do the Pirates keep sending runners from third home when a dribbler is hit to a drawn in infield?
Jason Mackey
11:59
Shelton runs the contact play a lot. I think he does it because he feels that runs are going to be at a premium, with which I don't disagree. Last night I thought was the wrong call. Tsutsugo on deck, Perez running. I'm telling him to hold. But that's just me. Generally speaking, I'm OK with Shelton being aggressive on the bases because they don't get a ton of chances to score.
Grasshopper
11:59
Is it concerning that Nick Gonzales has such a wide split between his home/road stats AND is K'ing over 30%? He is a college bat who should be doing well in High A, correct? Will Altoona be his true test before we get too excited about him?
Jason Mackey
12:02
I don't believe that home/road splits for a player in Class A in less than a full season should determine who he is or is not. I don't get the adhere to this stuff. What do we think is happening on the road? He forgets how to hit? Gets uncomfortable? Scared? Confused? It's a small sample and overblown, IMO. The strikeouts matter; even his 24% (roughly) since Aug. 1 is a little high. But he's also young. That stuff will improve. Minor league players strike out and make errors. it's why they're in the minors. Gonzales is about the last thing I'd worry about right now. He'll be fine.
Prince Bob
12:02
If Bednar seems like he'll be the closer, what do you make of having him as set up man with Stratton closing in the last couple(?) of games? And do you think Stratton will be here next year?
Jason Mackey
12:03
Shelton is playing the leverage. Bednar came in to face 3-4-5 in the eighth. Shelton would rather have that than Stratton goes 3-4-5 in the eighth and Bednar close. It's a way to let Bednar get more comfortable. And yeah, I could absolutely see Stratton being here. He's a quality reliever who can work multiple innings. Probably tradable next deadline, too.
Steven
12:03
I’ve been real impressed with Bryse Wilson. He’s not flashy but he gets out and gives you innings. So far it looks like we won the trade with ATL. Hopefully he keeps it up.
Jason Mackey
12:04
I think it's too early for win/lose on any trade, but I agree with you on Wilson; I like him a lot. I like how he attacks the zone. Has the stuff. Great makeup to the kid. He looks to me like a part of the '22 rotation, absolutely. A solid pickup.
Zach
12:04
Is the whole reason we're holding Gonzalez back from Altoona because of Greensboro's playoff push? I hope not, that seems stupid.
Jason Mackey
12:05
There's more to it than that. I will have more Thursday. Working on something I think you guys will enjoy. But, no. It's about building something together and a core group of players coming up together. I see value in that. What the Pirates have done in Greensboro this season has been cool, and I'm not even sure Nick wants to leave it. There will be time for that stuff.
Guest
12:05
When will the payroll reach the MLB average again?  Currently
Jason Mackey
12:06
The average is skewed by absurd spenders, one. Two, I would say in 4-5 years -- probably less -- the Pirates will be spending significantly more than they are now. Last point: It doesn't matter as much as some people think. If they draft and develop well, they can pick their spots with where they spend. Yeah, they should spend more than they do now. A lot more. I'm not defending that. But I think there's often an over-adherence to that and not enough on the other stuff.
Guest
12:06
approximately $100M. Someone needs to ask Nutting.
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