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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 09.23.20
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Jason Mackey
2:52
I don't see a question here, but I understand the frustration. As I've said a billion times, I do wish they'd spend more. I'm also Bob Nutting. Thirdly, I think it's possible to win like the A's and Rays if you have someone smart. I think Cherington is smart. We'll see what happens. I also think people will care less about Nutting is Cherington -- who is smart -- can win like the A's and Rays.
Yuri
2:52
Hello Jason.  Have you heard if the current coaches will be retained?  Also, any truth that Don Kelly may a candidate to replace Ron Gardenhire in Detroit?  Thank you.
Jason Mackey
2:53
I would imagine Don Kelly at least gets an interview in Detroit. ... Also, nothing is official with staff retention. Normally that comes out at the end of the season or close to it.
zeke
2:53
cmon man answer some questions or don't do the chat at all.
Jason Mackey
2:55
Sorry, Zeke. I've been dealing with two different editors, agents, people in the Dominican and the Pirates relative to this Oneil Cruz mess. I got pulled away. If it makes you feel any better, I'm going to be here in the office all day, because I was delayed, and I won't get to see my kids until tomorrow.
Googietastic
2:55
Can the blame for this occurring be placed squarely on Bob Nutting for not having this kid in Altoona ?
Jason Mackey
2:55
That thing disbanded last week. Also, I can't imagine in exit interviews they told Oneil Cruz that fatal crashes should be a part of his offseason workouts. It's convenient to link the two, and you shouldn't.
Matt from LA
2:55
Although I commend the recent success of the starting pitchers over the past couple of weeks, the bottom line is that the team is still losing games. So, any hope for next year has to be tempered by that reality. I just hope that the Pirate management does not use the "optimism" from end of the season, meaningless games to justify the lack of player movement over the off season? s
Jason Mackey
2:56
I think people put too much stock into the offseason momentum thing in general. I wanna see some stuff, sure, but it's not like Steven Brault will start the year 5-0 with a 1.05 ERA because he finished strong in 2020.
Drew
2:56
I don't mean to minimize the tragic loss of life, but I want to ask a question about Cruz and the resulting impact on his career.  From what I've read so far, he is facing a maximum of five years (which seems awfully light for killing three people)...at 21, even if convicted, he could be 26 when he is released.  Is it possible to salvage his career?
Jason Mackey
2:57
It's possible, sure. And I understand the split, Drew. It's a fair question. You can ask about his career WHILE ALSO being sympathetic to the situation. I don't see how he salvages his career, no. For one, if he killed three people after drinking, not too many people are gonna have sympathy for that. Two, he will have sat for five years. That's a lot of rush.
Richard
2:57
Felipe Vasquez.  Thank you for your response, but I'm really asking why his name has not been mentioned by the announcers or the PG reporters.  You'll spend more time today covering Oneil Cruz, who may never make the MLB team, than anyone has spent analyzing what the loss f Vasquez has meant o the MLB team.  Is there some pressure to avoid talking about him?
Jason Mackey
2:59
We're covering Felipe Vazquez from a trial standpoint. I don't think you have an issue with that, right? But, I mean, how many times have they blown a lead in the ninth? I'm not looking it up, but that would be the impact. Felipe Vazquez didn't field ground balls (which they can't do) or hit (which they also can't do). Yeah, his presence might have bumped everyone down a peg on the depth chart, but their bullpen has been so decimated by more than Vazquez that they barely have one of those.
The Cynic
2:59
Which organization has more criminals in it? The Gambino Family or the Pirates ? The Pirates make the Minnesota Vikings or Cincinnati Bengals look like a church choir
Jason Mackey
2:59
I honestly don't blame the Pirates for Vazquez, Cruz or Kang. I don't think there's anything they could have done differently on any of them.
Ben
3:00
What is the likelihood of the Pirates not being able to sign the Vanderbilt pitcher at #1?
Jason Mackey
3:00
If they get the No. 1 pick -- assuming the draft rules represent 2020 results, and the Pirates finish last -- I would have a tough time seeing signability be a problem. Would imagine Rocker doesn't want to go back to college; he's gonna want to make money. And the Pirates need him to turn this around.
Mr. Warmth
3:00
Asked my Magic 8 ball if the Pirates would screw up the first round draft pick and it responded "It Appears So". So do you agree ?
Jason Mackey
3:01
If it's Rocker, even they can't screw that one up.
Joel
3:01
Jason, I know I should be focusing on the deaths of the motorcycle riders and not on baseball issues, but this Oneil Cruz accident is just unbelievable. Let's see what happens legally, but the Bucs once again seem to have lost a high-end talent through off the field mishaps. They can't catch a break. It's beyond belief, really.
Jason Mackey
3:01
I agree. It's crazy. Even since I came onto this beat -- maybe I'm the problem -- we've had Vazquez, front office blowup, COVID, a terrible season, the collapse of '19, this. It's just been one thing after another.
Josh
3:01
Any Cruz updates you can share at this time?
Jason Mackey
3:03
His arraignment is at 3:30. Also, there's some skepticism from his agent and the Pirates that he may have not been drinking, although getting information from the DR is always really tough. I've spent all day on the phone trying to get more. I'm curious to see what happens at the arraignment as it pertains to legal documents and the possibility of him drinking.
Nutting R
3:03
So this debacle of the last few years has me seriously thinking of calling up Cuban or maybe some Hollywood types. Clearly, I should focus on newspapers and other 19th century revenue streams. Your thoughts?
Jason Mackey
3:04
My thoughts are the same as they've been: Spend enough to where you're league average or at least a little below or sell the team. That said, I can understand not spending a ton now ... if you're telling me they're gonna add at the right time. I.e. like the White Sox. Let them fix the farm system, draft guys, etc. Stay cheap now. But when the time comes that they can compete, then they better spend. And if that doesn't happen, I'll grab a pitchfork, too.
Fall Down Go Boom
3:04
So going back through my Facebook memories today and 7 years ago I talked about the Pirates in the playoffs. Should we just learn to come to grips with the fact that 2015 will be the last time the Pirates ever make the postseason and 2018 will be the last time they ever break .500 again for the rest of their existence and the existence of humanity in general ? Not to be too critical
Jason Mackey
3:05
I don't think so. I think it's very much possible with this group. However, I also don't think it's close.
Shelty
3:05
Have you noticed that there’s been crickets from one James Leyland about my managerial prowess as of late?  I have made many, many strange tactical decisions. Concurrence on your end?
Jason Mackey
3:06
I think it's hard to pass judgement on Shelton after just 60 games. I'd like to see a longer season and better players before I reach any definitive conclusions.
Ex Parrot
3:06
Do you think Bob Nutting is hated by other owners and by his players and Baseball staff as he is by the people of Pittsburgh ? He seems like a very very unlikeable person. Like a younger Montgomery Burns
Jason Mackey
3:06
I don't think that's the case around the game, no. Although I can't say I spend a lot of time talking to other owners about Bob Nutting, although I wish I did.
Mark
3:06
Hi Jason.  I noticed that your 2021 starting rotation had current 40 man roster guys.  Is there a chance that if the Pirates get the number draft pick, that pick can go right to the show?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
3:07
No, I don't think that will happen. Even the best need some seasoning. They could also someone, though. A free agent, although I wouldn't expect that to be a flashy name. More of a Jordan Lyles or Derek Holland type.
Wayward
3:07
A lot has gone wrong this year right from the start.  If you had to pick which one or two hurt this team the most what would it be?
Jason Mackey
3:07
Which one or two what? What am I picking?
Josh
3:07
From what you've been able to glean, how does the FO view what happened in Altoona this summer? More specifically, do you think someone who would have spent this season at a certain level otherwise (ie Swaggerty or Martin at AA) will be ready to move up another level next season like they would probably would have had there been a season?
Jason Mackey
3:08
Here's my best guess on that: I don't think they were unhappy by any means. I think they got enough done. But I don't think it's going to result in a bunch of level-to-level jumps. I could be wrong, but I think it's more a case of feeling like they made just enough progress as opposed to a bunch or not enough.
Try the Soup
3:08
So given they probably won't change a thing next year with the roster do you think, if they play a whole season, the Pirates break the 1899 Cleveland Spiders record for most losses in a season ? I'm betting yes
Jason Mackey
3:09
I'm not saying they're a playoff team. But they shouldn't be in a conversation as the worst team of all time.
thomastown
3:09
After a brief scare, it looks like the Pirates are back on track for the first draft pick. I would like to get your opinion on each of the following scenarios on how this may play out and which you see as most likely.
1. Pirates continue to lose, get the top pick and draft the consensus best player (Rocker?).
2. Pirates lose and have the worst record but Manfred changes the rules and Pirates don’t get the top pick (hopefully not, as you just wrote about).
3. Pirates somehow win just enough games to blow it and miss the top pick.
4. Pirates continue to lose and get the top pick but draft someone they can sign for less money rather than taking the best player.
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