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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 09.25.19
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Kevin K
12:38
Do you see Bryan Rust As a Penguin next year?
Jason Mackey
12:41
Haha. Guess we're gonna start getting some Penguins questions, too. I'm fine with it. Whatever. Yeah, I see them keeping Rust. There has to be another way of getting cap compliant than trading a versatile winger who can play in all three situations who everybody likes who performs in the playoffs who is no-maintenance. You get my point. Move a goalie. See if you can find a taker for Jack Johnson, maybe package him with a goalie or a pick. Do something.
Pirate Parrot Prodigy
12:41
Have you heard any rumor that Josh Bell would move to the OF to make space for Will Craig at 1B?  It sure would be nice to have a DH in the NL for the predicament we are currently presented with.
Jason Mackey
12:41
Josh Bell isn't moving to the outfield to accomodate Will Craig.
Drew
12:41
I think the field manager - whether Hurdle, Prince, Banister, or someone from outside of the organization -- is at the mercy of the talent in the organization, and that falls on the general manager. Don't you think that changing the field manager and keeping the rest of the front office virtually the same is probably setting up the next field manager for failure?
Jason Mackey
12:43
I don't think it's gonna help, that's for sure. But I agree with you -- Clint (or any manager) can only play the guys on his team. They need better players, plain and simple. However, I don't think the field manager is exempt from that. Yes, they need to draft and develop better. That's probably the biggest thing wrong with the Pirates organizationally, other than the fact that they kinda don't know what they are -- rebuilding, contending, what? But if you're manager is picking between Pablo Reyes, Erik Gonzalez and Kevin Kramer, I mean, I like all those guys, but let's be realistic here: Is that a recipe that's going to contend with the Cardinals, Brewers and Cubs?
OShutdown
12:44
So last year SF offered Neal their top baseball job. What did they see that we do not? I mean JA Happ can only take you so far....
Jason Mackey
12:45
I think Neal is a really smart guy, honestly. I'm not saying I think he's the best GM ever or the answer for the Pirates or even that he should keep his job. But he's not a dummy. He's also above a drafting and development system that has struggled, and whether he's directly responsible or not, he's the one who bears the brunt of the blame. I can see another team thinking Neal, in a new environment (where he is able to spend some) might be better.
Tucker
12:49
Am I ever going to hit enough to challenge Newman or Frasier? thought I was supposed to have a pretty good bat?
Jason Mackey
12:50
I think you will eventually, Cole. But I think you might have to start next season in the minors and prove your bat to Pirates management before you get a regular spot. I think a spot is there to be won -- Newman can move to second -- but you haven't shown enough with the bat thus far.
Alan
12:50
Will Nutting hold an end of year postmortem?
Jason Mackey
12:50
Yes, we're told he will talk at some point. It's just a matter of when. I would imagine it's somewhat soon.
Jon
12:51
Any spot for Chad Kuhl in the rotation for next year?
Jason Mackey
12:51
Absolutely. I should have mentioned Kuhl above. I think there's absolutely a job for him to win in the rotation out of Spring Training. And the Pirates should probably hope that he wins it, too.
Guest
12:52
Daughter goes to Pitt and coming in for  family weekend.  was looking forward to catch a game but done giving money to see this.  suggest others do the same!
Jason Mackey
12:53
It's up to you -- and others -- to spend money how you wish. Not my job to tell anybody how to do that.
Alan
12:53
Which cities are at the top of the list to obtain a MLB franchise that currently do not have one?
Jason Mackey
12:54
A few that I've heard include Montreal, Portland and Raleigh. I would complain about none of those, for the record.
Guest
12:55
Any chance we see Neil Walker in a Pirates uniform before he retires?
Jason Mackey
12:56
I don't see that happening, sorry. It would be a great story for fans, but given what they already have in the infield -- including Hayes and Tucker in the minors -- I don't see how that makes any sense.
Alan
12:56
What's a typical gameday like for you?
Jason Mackey
12:57
Get to the park around 3, clubhouse opens at 3:15, there for an hour or so with Hurdle talking in there, maybe watching some batting practice and talking to folks. From there writing the pregame notebook, maybe working ahead, then the game. It's nothing too crazy.
PhillyJake
12:57
With all the talk about trading Vazquez, why was there never talk about Trading Bell?  As defensively "gifted" a 1B he is, surely some AL team would give up a number 2 or 3 starting pitcher for this future DH.  Opens a spot for Osuna and Craig to battle for in spring training!
Jason Mackey
12:57
It does, but you're also taking away your best hitter who doesn't make a lot of money. Furthermore, I'm not sure Craig or Osuna have hit well enough up here to prove that they can be the every-day guy there.
Keith
12:57
When will Rod Barajas be the next Pirates manager?
Jason Mackey
12:58
I don't see Barajas being the guy, sorry.
OK, folks. That does it for this week. Thanks, as always, for participating. Let's do this again real soon.
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