You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 09.15.21
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Daniel Sametz
12:26
Hi Jason,
I was hearing the podcast you did and I agree that they should bring a free agent next year. Do you think it will really happen and who do you think it's going to be if so?
Jason Mackey
12:27
Hey Daniel. I do think they will bring in someone. And I can't predict who that will be, honestly. Someone who works cheap, is willing to play here and someone they can trade, right? It's an off Venn diagram. I hope they sign multiple, but I'm not optimistic.
Ron
12:30
The heck with signing free agents...they need to get Reynolds under long term contract
Jason Mackey
12:32
They should not be mutually exclusive. I understand being realistic about the situation. I'm not advocating spending $100 million. But when you lose Polanco, Frazier, etc., plus Bell, Taillon and Musgrove in January, and you never really replace any of 'em, and your major league team loses 100 games, and you're struggling to get fans ... yeah, you can add a couple reasonable professional baseball players. That's not a big ask.
PrinceBob
12:32
One of the biggest changes I've seen in professional sports in my 69 years has been teams able to be profitable from TV, revenue sharing, etc. There was a time when you could not operate a team for long with attendance like the Pirates have in recent years. Now you can make money with near empty stadiums so it's hard not to be cynical and think some owners are okay doing that.
Jason Mackey
12:33
No doubt. It sucks. And the people it screws are you guys -- the fans. Not only because teams are able to sustain themselves with mediocrity or simply by being good enough, but also because -- in the Pirates defense -- them competing against the Dodgers, with their vastly different resources, is insane.
Mark Cerny
12:33
Hello Mr. Mackey, when do you forsee this ship making the turn to being on the upswing?  Are we looking at one more rough year in 2022, and 2023 begins the rise?
Jason Mackey
12:34
That is my take, yes. I don't see any way 2022 will be markedly better, sadly. I mean, you could see younger players, and maybe the losses will be more meaningful. But how can you expect them to suddenly win 70-plus games? I can't and don't. By 2023 I think there will be more of an influx of talent that it should start to turn.
Terry Martin-Alpharetta, GA
12:34
HeyJason, Your updates and info have been much appreciated this season. You definitely keep us informed and in the know. Question-Do you anticipate the Front Office looking at bringing in a SP to anchor this collection of young arms? Mitch Keller definitely has the potential, but he can not be expected to lead right now.
Jason Mackey
12:35
Hey Terry. I don't know if "anchor" would be the right word. But what they did with Tyler Anderson this offseason was smart. I expect them to do something like that again.
Terry Martin-Alpharetta, GA
12:35
Jason, Who do you think will be starting 2B//SS next season?
Jason Mackey
12:35
At this point, I would go with Newman at shortstop, Chavis at second base. Cruz, Castro, Castillo, Park and maybe even Bae could wind up being close.
Wayward
12:35
It seems Newman has shown enough the 2nd half to go into the season with the lead at SS?  Conversely are we seeing the end with Tucker?   What about Alford, seems he really hasnt taken advantage of the chance?
Jason Mackey
12:37
I agree with your first point. I'm not overly excited over Newman, but I don't think he's been awful, either. Believe I typed earlier like a .680-something OPS since the break. Fine. Combined with the defense, it'll play, for now. I haven't seen anything out of Tucker that convinces he's ready for major league time. I disagree on Alford. I've liked him. I wanna see more, but I would not say -- and pardon the double negative -- that he has failed to take advantage. He's shown some signs.
Terry Martin-Alpharetta, GA
12:37
Jason, Do you think we will add an OF to flank Reynolds and Alford next season. Some good looking FA OF's available. And hey, we need a big bat to drive in some runs...Atlanta has too many OF and they hit with power. An Adam Duvall, Eddie Rosario, Joc Pederson, Jorge Soler would fit the bill...Your thoughts!
Jason Mackey
12:38
I think it depends on a couple things. What happens with Alford? Tucker? How's Swaggerty feeling? I like Gamel and Reynolds. They also nee depth, but they don't want to bury anyone. We should see young guys get a chance.
Drew
12:38
Hi Jason, I just wanted to say how much I liked your story about Greensboro's manager Kieran Mattison.  Maybe it's because of the various levels in the minor leagues, but baseball seems to have more of those guys who don't take a conventional/linear approach to coaching and managing than some of the other sports.  It's going to be neat to see how his career develops as well as the players he's currently managing.
Jason Mackey
12:39
Hey Drew. Thanks so much for that. Honestly, lemme take a minute and address this: The Mattison story, more so than anything I've written in a long time, has gotten a lot of positive comments. It's fun to hear just genuine happiness from people, not everyone just being made about the Pirates all the time. I also think it's neat because Kieran is a really good, smart dude, and he deserves the spotlight. Fun team down there. Will be curious what happens to them and him next season. They could wind up moving up together.
Wayward
12:39
For fun, how about taking a stab about next years bullpen looks like?  I think Bednar, Stratton, Kuhl and Shreven make a solid start.
Jason Mackey
12:40
That's fun? Ha. And Shreven ... Brault? Man, there are so many moving pieces in the bullpen, with the Pirates more than most. I actually don't see Kuhl in the 'pen next year. I think he'll be a starter here or elsewhere. I'm comfortable typing Bednar, Stratton and Howard. Beyond that, I think it's tough. Very much a crapshoot.
Steve
12:40
Hi Jason. Do you see any players using the basket catch aka Clemente and Mays? Clemente said it gave him a quicker release on the throw and at waist high or below for the catch I can see his point. Diving and leaping have their place but the basket catch is a classic I would like to see again. Do you know of any players utilizing it?
Jason Mackey
12:41
I do not. I can't remember the last time I saw something like that.
Andrew S
12:41
Hayes looks really comfortable in that leadoff. Do you think he will stay there next year as well?
Jason Mackey
12:41
I don't think so. He's been good, but he's been a singles hitter. Again, fine for now, but not a long-term solution. They need more power from him.
PrinceBob
12:41
Was Trevor Cahill abducted by aliens? I know he was hurt, supposedly getting better, and then...
Jason Mackey
12:41
And then I believe he literally fell down some steps. I'm not making that up.
Andrew S
12:41
Also my mid-July next year who do you see as the starting nine?
Jason Mackey
12:42
Hmm ... 3B Hayes, SS Newman (still, yes), 2B Chavis, 1B Moran, C Stallings, LF Swaggerty, CF Reynolds, RF Gamel. This is not a batting order.
ev
12:42
Jason, I am skeptical when people say, "Look how the Rays did it.." and as such, we can expect the same for the Bucs.  But, a big part of what the Rays did was to fleece the Pirates in a very lopsided trade.  Not to mention, the player traded is a Ray once again. If the Rays didn't benefit from that trade, would they be as good as they are now?
Jason Mackey
12:43
Yes, they would. The Rays' success is about much, much more than one trade. There's an entire drafting and development system in place. They do it year after year, better than anyone. They evaluate. They find hidden value. They innovate. It is so much more than one trade.
Guest
12:43
I listen to and enjoy the podcast every week. Do you see the Pirates adding a veteran piece a la Russell Martin or AJ (via trade) to a multi-year deal this off season? In other words,  a guy who might be here when the "window" might finally crack open. Not expecting them to spend crazy money of course but something more than the one-year deals on scap-pile veterans looking to rebound?
Jason Mackey
12:44
I know what you're saying and it's a good point. But I think you're a year early. I could se something like that happening next offseason.
Bruce
12:44
I really like Chavis and his style of play. I hope he works out.
Jason Mackey
12:44
I do, too. I think he might be really, really good.
Bruce
12:44
Argh!
Forgot to post, but I got his Arghh shirt.
Jason Mackey
12:44
I've seen these before. Awesome, awesome shirt.
Bruce
12:49
Do you know much about Enyel De Los Santos?
Jason Mackey
12:50
Not a ton. I know he has pretty good stuff and can get strikeouts, but he also seems to not always know where it's going. Think this is one of those things where they hope they can maybe fix him. Wouldn't be shocked if he pitches tonight.
Mark
12:50
Jason, now that you no longer cover them, are you a fan of the Penguins?
Connecting…