JotCast | Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 09.23.20

Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 09.23.20

View Full Chat Next Page

Jason Mackey

12:15

Hi everyone. I'm gonna be a little in and out today. I'm sorry. Dealing with Oneil Cruz stuff. Promise to do my best.

Stephen

12:37

Hi Jason. If you were the Pirates’ GM and could sign two above average players at any position, what would those two positions be and why? Thanks.

Jason Mackey

12:46

Hi Stephen: Good question. I would sign a right fielder, someone with some power. I'd go with an outfielder, likely a right fielder, and I'd imagine you're allowing me to go with a starting pitcher. Never gonna turn down one of those.

Hal

12:46

Who do envision being in the starting rotation next season assuming there are no trades or free agent signings? Thank you.

Jason Mackey

12:48

Here's what I would go with as of now: Keller, Brubaker, Kuhl, Taillon and Brault. I think one of Musgrove/Williams is gone, either via trade or, with Trevor, possibly non-tendered. More than OK having six for five spots.

Richard

12:56

There is lots written and said about the role injuries and poor performances by pitchers have contributed to the Pirates' terrible season, but one name never comes up. Felipe Vasquez. With 28 saves and a less-than-2.0 ERA last year, his absence should be considered a huge loss. You could argue he was as important to the Pirates as Antonio Brown or Le'Veon Bell were to the Steelers. Yet it's as if he never played ball here. He has admitted to committing terrible crimes, but is that cause to cover this season as if he never existed?

Jason Mackey

12:57

Totally fair point, Richard. Last season, too. However, he's a closer. I would posit that their issue has been less about closing games than what happened in the first eight innings. Yeah, their bullpen is thin. Vazquez would allow everyone to bump down a role. I think that's fair. But I think the earlier innings are the bigger issue.

Donna

12:57

It seems the Stallings has earned the confidence of the pitching staff and has hit better than expected. Do you think the Pirates will consider him to be a competent starting catcher or a capable backup and trade or sign a another catcher? Thanks Jason.

Jason Mackey

12:57

Hi Donna, I think he's proven to be perfectly capable here. He's an every-day starter in my book. They have other needs, for sure, and I hope they appropriate money toward them.

Jameson Taillon

12:59

Will I be ready for the start of the 2021 season? Any chance my penny pinching boss will non tender me, just to save money?

Jason Mackey

12:59

Hey Jamo. Yes, you're going to be ready. I think it's going to be a really interesting story to follow. You deserve some good health. And, no, Nutting isn't going to non-tender you.

Guest

12:59

What has happened to Bryan Reynolds? I still believe he can be a good player. Do you think the stress of being a first time Dad bothers him with the stress of fatherhood and playing for the worst team in baseball?

Jason Mackey

1:01

I don't think fatherhood has had much to do with it, honestly. He's been pressing and has admitted as much. One unintended consequence with this season has been what happens if you struggle early. That has been real for Reynolds. He got off to a bad start, freaked out because it was already like a quarter of the season, then tried to do too much when the Pirates were losing, in large part because nobody else was picking up the slack. I think he'll be fine for next year.

Jeff

1:15

Good morning. What are the best options for the Bucs concerning Gregory Polanco? Try to trade him? Or are we stuck with his contract? His OPS is among the worst on the team. If there is ANYTHING we can do, what would/should it be?

Jason Mackey

1:16

Good morning, Jeff. There's really nothing they can do, in my opinion. I can't imagine anyone would trade for him and take on that contract. Same time, I don't think they're going to release him because that's a lot of money to pay someone not to play for you. I think they're going to try and have him finish with some semblance of a flourish while also hoping he improves in 2021.

Wayward

1:16

As it stands now where/what positions do you see the Bucs potentially adding from outside or do they go into next year using young guys to "build"?

Jason Mackey

1:17

Sort of like last year, honestly, I think you'll see them fill in some cracks. But that's about it. The bigger focal point will be improving the guys they do have and getting more young talent. It's not exciting, I know. But that's what I expect.

Blackhawk Bob

1:17

Good Morning....It seems to me that Newman Polanco Bell and Moran seem to be much leaner than last year. Is this due to a change in training and diet by new management team or Nutting cutting back on post game meals ?

Jason Mackey

1:18

I don't share the same observation. And, no, on the Nutting postgame stuff. I agree with you they should spend more on players. I think that's fair. But in most other ways of treating players, the Pirates are fine. They give these guys what they need to be successful. They just need more higher-quality players.

Kimo

1:18

Jason seriously man how on earth can anyone be optimistic at what we fans watched this Pirates' season? Worst offense just about in team history, most everyone regressed badly. Pitching for the most part has been bad and Shelton hasn't shown me anything as a manager. Shouldn't at the very least Eckstein and Rabelo be shown the door? I'm serious.

Jason Mackey

1:20

I don't think so, at least not Eckstein. He was really good last year. Did he suddenly turn stupid? I'm not saying they're not good enough. They're way off and have a lot of work to do. I can see why someone might get frustrated by that, too, especially their issues with fielding and fundamentals. I would be optimistic because I think they have guys in charge -- talking Cherington and Sanders -- who know what a good farm system looks like. They've seen what teams like the White Sox and Padres have done this year. I think it's gonna be on Nutting to spend that last little bit like the White Sox did this offseason, but right now it's on Cherington and Sanders to improve the farm system and development process first.

Jim M

1:20

Jason, Oscar Marin probably deserves some credit for the recent uptick in starting pitching (sans Williams). I can’t help but wonder if early on the rookie manager and young staff might have been guilty of over-coaching. Brault said that before his complete game he was going to not think and just throw. Perhaps this is a stretch. Your thoughts?

Jason Mackey

1:21

I think you're over-cooking it, Jim. I think the players needed to perform better. I don't think it's a coaching issue, although I'm fine with what I've seen from Marin thus far. I think it'll be more telling, however, when we see it with better pitchers and over 162 games.

2:23

Is Stephen Brault just another Jeff Locke? He teases you on a few starts and then crumbles.

Jason Mackey

2:24

He could be. He also may be a legitimately good major league pitcher. I don't think we know. And I think it's encouraging that he's been on an upswing lately.

Mike

2:24

Was I the only one depressed and discouraged the other day when Ben Cherington to the media all but implied Nutting won't be spending any money in free agency again next year? This is almost criminal at this point. How could any owner want to own a professional sports franchise when you don't want to invest anything in it? It's comical Jason and upsetting.

Jason Mackey

2:42

I agree that it stinks. I would like to see them spend more money on major league players, too. I also think they need to focus on development; I'm not suggesting they should just simply buy talent. But if I was a fan, I would shift my attention away from the present and more to a couple years out. I agree that stinks. You want to see them win or be competitive now. And they might. But I think the bigger impetus here is acquire more talent and be able to sustain something like the A's or Rays.

Benny

2:42

Jason is it me or does Ben Cherington sound like Neal Huntington more and more? And that isn't a compliment.

Jason Mackey

2:44

Hi Benny. Neither was GMJR, I'll say that. But I don't care if Cherington burps for 15 minutes every time he talks. But if he develops players better, makes good trades and drafts well, who cares?

Ori

2:45

This ONeil Cruz situation can't be good. If he is charged with vehicular manslaughter or another serious charge do the Pirates cut ties? Can this lame organization have anything else bad happen to it?(A lot could be fixed however if Nutting spent a little cash)

Jason Mackey

2:46

Yeah, if he's charged with vehicular manslaughter and/or a DUI, I think the Pirates would be done with him at that point. Not only would they get nothing baseball-wise, but it would be a PR headache for an organization that has had a lot of those.

MjB

2:46

I'm very curious about our hitting coach and his future. While I don't know how much stock I put into blaming the hitting coach, the reality is that when a team is this inept at hitting, and to be honest, quite adept at regressing with the skill, someone has to take the heat for it. I guess if we could find a prize pupil for the mentor, we could argue that he should stay. Who is Mr. Eckstein's prize pupil?

Jason Mackey

2:47

I don't know about any of that, MjB. I'm not really looking to assign categories or titles here. I also don't think this season is Ecksteins fault. He was really good last year. He didn't forget how to coach. I would certainly re-evaluate how they're preparing hitters and try to tweak some things -- they would do that anyway -- but I'm nowhere near comfortable blaming this on him.

My Pillow

2:47

Can we now say that Josh Bell was a 6 week wonder? Look at his career numbers aside from that record breaking time last season and you see mediocrity. Actually you see a guy with a low WAR, low batting avg who when on a little streak hits some HR's. Who on earth would give the Pirates anyone of value in a trade for him? Also I think his dream of some big contract is history. You agree?

Jason Mackey

2:48

I don't. I think Bell's May and June 2019 were better than he actually is. I think much of what he's done this season is worse than he actually is. I think the truth, as it often does, lies somewhere in between. Also, it makes sense for all parties involve to wait here. Bell shouldn't sign because he could up his value. The Pirates should wait -- if they're going to trade him -- until Bell is more consistent and ups his value.

Pete in Peters Twp.

2:48

Hey Jason, love these chats. Do you think Trevor Williams may be in the bullpen next year? Also, can you give an update on Burdi and J.T.?

Jason Mackey

2:50

Nothing much to update, Pete, although we'll talk to Todd Tomczyk today. Thanks for the kind words on the chats. Taillon has been throwing to hitters. Believe he's up to three innings. He's be fine for spring training 2021. Don't suspect an issue with Burdi either, although I can speak specifically to his progress since he's not here.

Blackhawk Bob

2:50

Do you think O’Neil Cruz will ever play for the Pirates after the horrible accident in the Dominican ?

Jason Mackey

2:50

It depends on what comes out of his arraignment today at 3:30.

Guest

2:50

this really shows how much management wants to fail, worst owner in baseball, can they force him to sell? he obviously is in it for the money !!!!

Connecting…