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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 09.15.23
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Josh P
12:38
Jason, I noticed last chat a very wise chatter emulating yours truly asked if I was capable of bringing more to the table. Have I somewhat answered that truly Nostradamus like inquiry? Danke.
Jason Mackey
12:39
I like you as a depth outfielder, Josh. Need to bring it a little more consistently, though.
Jason Jaramillo Fan Club
12:39
First, as the season winds down, yet another terrific job of covering the Pirates this season for the PG. I greatly appreciate your work. Where Henry Davis plays in the field has been a consistent theme this year. He's struggled in RF and his catching has been non-existent. I've not heard much about putting him at 1B, where there clearly a need. I believe 1B is more difficult to play than the average fan does. At the same time, he doesn't need to be Keith Hernandez over there. Just make the plays you're supposed to make.
Jason Mackey
12:40
You're the one person in this city who hasn't heard about Henry Davis playing first base. Congrats. Ha. I hate it. He's not good at two positions, so now we wanna take that to three? No. He also has one of the strongest arms on the team. I don't want to see it buried at first. He needs to learn right field, and I think he can.
Endy
12:40
Jason, if you were a lowly fan instead of an esteemed professional, would you consider my bat a disappointment?
Jason Mackey
12:41
Easy there with the word esteemed ... not sure I'm an esteemed anything. I'm not worried about your bat. I mean, I am. But not now. There's a lot on your plate. I believe it'll come. I know it's in there.
Billy
12:41
Jason, Fat Man in the Bathtub, yea or nay?
Jason Mackey
12:41
Bathtub Gin.
Woobie
12:41
Will we see a Peguero-Gonzales DP combo at all this season? I don’t think Williams is worthless, but I don’t get why he is playing so much while Gonzo is raking in AAA.
Jason Mackey
12:42
Yeah, I think we will. I, like you, am surprised we haven't seen it. But I think it's coming. Maybe this weekend. But soon.
Crazy Chester
12:42
Jason, ever check out Robbie’s guitar work on Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde? It’s exquisite.
Jason Mackey
12:42
I have not, sorry.
Woobie
12:42
Do the Pirates sign an established SP to a multi-year contract this winter? They should be done with rentals being the offseason centerpieces IMO. And I don’t know about you, but I hope they aim higher at 1B than a Carlos Santana reunion, but there seems to be some smoke there.
Jason Mackey
12:43
Yeah, I like both ideas, honestly. A multi-year deal should be a next step. And remember, it takes two to tango. They need someone to want to come here. This year, if they finish it right, should help. Agree on the Santana stuff as well.
The Truth
12:43
Robert Stephenson after being traded to the Rays is statistically one of the best relievers in the majors. How can this keep happening with the Pirates over and over again, especially with pitchers? So much for guys getting better here vs. when they leave.
Jason Mackey
12:44
Umm ... that's bound to happen. Oviedo got better here. Falter & Jackson have gotten better here. Keller, obviously. Not saying Stephenson isn't concerning. It is. But that stuff is bound to happen. The Rays also routinely do that to teams. I don't know why anyone trades with them.
Will
12:45
Even with an average-ish finish, Pirates could easily beat 2022 win total by 13-14 games.  Sure they played over their heads then slumped badly before stabilizing, but overall it's hard to be too critical of 2023 progress. Considering injury toll on pitching depth and loss of Cruz it's hard to be too down on 2023 season.
Jason Mackey
12:45
Yep. Can't really disagree. Imagine if they had Cruz, Velasquez, Burrows & Brubaker for the whole year. We'd be talking about maybe clearing .500.
PrinceBob
12:46
I've managed baseball teams for kids from ages 7 to 19 over 18 years. It's time to humble myself and ask what does it mean when color men talk about a batter "staying inside the baseball" or "keeping his hands inside the baseball?"
Jason Mackey
12:48
Hahaha. I love this. Sometimes I think it's nonsense. But picture this: Inside fastball, right-handed hitter, you're looking to drive it. Have to hit it early (earlier than outside / picture a diagonal line across home plate), so how do you do that? Hands inside, turn on it and crush it. Predicated on early pitch recognition and quick, consistent body movements. Just one example, but hopefully that makes some sense.
Guest
12:48
The general feeling is that Andujar is not part of the Pirates future. Since he has been brought back up, he has hit well and driven in several runs although he is only sporadically in the lineup. Do you feel that Pirate management is giving him a fair chance? I fear the Pirates will eventually DFA him again and he will be picked up by some team like the Rays and become an all-star.
Jason Mackey
12:54
Ha. Good one. An All-Star like he was between 2019-22? Had a .583 OPS from 2019 through this  recent callup. He's Arb-3. I'm OK with the Pirates moving on. If he catches on with someone for a year, awesome. I'll hedge my bets they don't get burned, though.
Peggy
12:57
Jason, me or that Nick dude at second next spring? No pressure, but my livelihood depends on your response. Danke.
Jason Mackey
12:58
Come on, Peggy. I know you don't stress like that. I think it's you. Maybe Nick becomes utility? I like the energy and power you've brought. Very nice surprise.
Canyon
12:58
Do you think the Pirates will bring back Vince Velaquez as a depth option in the rotation? He was pretty good for the Pirates and he would be fairly cheap.
Jason Mackey
12:58
Yeah, I think that would make sense. He wants to come back, too.
GC
12:58
Jason, are you expecting me to dominate my first team, or am going to pitch to contact and eschew the dreaded pursuit of Ks? Gracias.
Jason Mackey
12:58
I don't know, but I'm looking forward to watching you pitch tonight live, I know that.
BR
12:58
Jason, a successful campaign for me on a personal level, or should I have brought more to the proverbial table in light of my direct deposit size?
Jason Mackey
12:59
It's also not over, but I have zero issue with what you've done this year. They did the right thing and glad they did.
Ben
12:59
Random question, but why are the Pirates the only team that uses their broadcast teams for both radio and TV? Do you envision that changing next season with AT&T going away?
Jason Mackey
1:00
They've stuck a lot with Greg Brown TV, Joe Block radio. Not sure why. Also don't know if they're the only team who does it that way. I kinda like it. If they go the NESN route, I would expect it to change. If they do it themselves, then I think it will stay status quo.
Logan
1:00
Hi Jason! Do you think it is possible we could see Jared Jones get called up for a cup of coffee before the season ends? I thought they might do something similar to what they did with Oneil Cruz in 2021 and maybe call him up for one or two games.
Jason Mackey
1:00
Possible. I wanna see another start or two from him, though. He's been a little up-and-down. I don't wanna rush it. But, yeah, I think it's certainly on the table if he performs well.
Bells
1:02
The Pirates draft a player, talk glowingly about the player. Fans become attached and follow said player through the minors. He comes to the show, struggles and is sent down. They pick up another organizations castoffs and continue to give them opportunities over their home grown players. Why?
Jason Mackey
1:04
Umm ... I'm pretty sure you're describing a couple different kinds of development. And they've done a poor job of it in the past. The hope is that it has improved. I also think it's unfair to render final opinions on these guys. Seems fans expect immediate results with this stuff, and that's just not realistic. But I agree they have struggled with the development stuff in the past, and they've certainly gone the waiver claim route.
JB
1:04
Curious about why Pirates fans are so vocally down on Suwinski. He and Reynolds are essentially the same player this year. Same OPS, HR, etc. Suwinski strikes out more but is a better fielder. Both are very streaky. Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
1:05
I wonder the same thing. He's very polarizing for some reason. I think because fans see what he can be and get upset that he's not yet it. He's developing. And they forget his age. But he does take a lot of criticism. The passivity doesn't help.
TIm
1:05
Regarding Andrew McCutchen, I have heard you say that it should be one more year with the Pirates then that's it, and that should be the understanding going into next season.  But what if he essentially duplicates this year's production and stays healthier, which seems reasonable to expect?  Why not keep it going longer if he if still productive?  37 is old but not ancient in baseball terms.
Jason Mackey
1:06
Well, then you do it. You can always change. What I don't wanna do is tether my roster to something that has turned sour, I don't care who you are. But if it's going great, you say, "Hey, Cutch, wanna do it again?" You do, and nobody cares about what was said previously.
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