You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 09.27.23
powered byJotCast
View Full Chat Next Page
Jason Mackey
12:03
We'll get started in about 5 minutes ...
12:11
Alright, let's get started. ... Sorry, yinz. Had to finish up a conversation with my wife.
Wayward
12:11
Jason, first and foremost thanks for the great coverage and the chats!  After seeing the bulk of the young guys who do you think makes the 25 next year and who may start off at AAA?
Jason Mackey
12:12
Hi Wayward. Thank you. It's been my pleasure. This is a great community. Hard say on next year, though I see most on this year's club coming back, at least as it pertains to young guys. That, to me, means Davis, Endy, Triolo, probably Peguero. I think there's a good chance Gonzales sticks. Should probably classify Jack here, but I think he sticks.
Guest
12:12
My comment is you are one of the best baseball writers since the late Charley Feeney! I hope you continue in your role.
Jason Mackey
12:13
I don't know about any of that mess, but I do love my job and plan to stay in it this offseason. Ha. Last season we dabbled with some stuff, shifting to other beats. I think this winter I'm gonna try something called vacation.
Cameron M
12:13
Any thoughts on the 40-man roster crunch yet? More specifically, any notable names that we’ll look to clear a roster spot for to protect from Rule 5, and who do you think will be the 40-man casualties as a result?
Jason Mackey
12:19
I don't like using the term "crunch." I think it's overcooked, especially for a team in the Pirates' situation. Not saying they're bad, but there are certainly areas to trim. If I'm looking to clear space, I'm not particular worried about Bido, Stratton or Nicolas ... Rivas ... not sure on Andujar at this point. But I don't expect it to be a huge issue. Rule 5-wise ... Gorski and Nunez weren't protected last year. Not sure they've done that much more to change that. Ashcraft makes me think. He's a Rule 5 type you could maybe stash and thus I think I'd protect him. Toribio? Maybe but probably reaching, honestly. Need to spend more time on it, but I don't see it being a huge issue.
Cullen
12:19
Out of Bednar, Suwinski, and Keller who gets extended this offseason?
Jason Mackey
12:20
If I have to pick one, I'm going Mitch.
Cullen
12:20
Does Ben Cherington get promoted to "President of Baseball Ops" soon? If so who inside the org has the inside track to replace him as GM?
Jason Mackey
12:21
It's an interesting question. It wouldn't shock me. I think it would have been easier had things gone really well, like over .500 well, but given how they've played over the last two months, yeah, I could still see it happening. I think that's why he came here. I would go with Kevan Graves or Steve Sanders. Both highly regarded assistants. I think highly of John Baker & Will Lawton, too. But I think Graves/Sanders provides a more logical succession plan.
Johnny M
12:21
Hi Jason. You had a small piece on Kyle Schwarber last week. He had 2 strikeouts last night & is leading MLB with 212  Ks
Jason Mackey
12:22
Yeah, I had a note on his season, something done by like 13 guys since 1920, if memory serves. If you're trying to tell me Kyle Schwarber isn't good, I'm not buying it.
Jeff M
12:22
Extensions are a big talking point with the Pirates. I hope they put a real effort into signing Cruz & Keller. Why is an extension with Bednar never really talked about? Is the anyone else they could consider extending at this point?
Jason Mackey
12:25
I hope they do, too. My understanding on Cruz is that they've talked but never gained any meaningful traction. Also complicated by his injury. The Pirates will likely approach again, but if your Cruz, what do you do? Sign now, take the assurance? Or bet that you can make a bunch more. I admittedly don't have a great feel there. Suwinski would be one who might make sense; however, I have a hard time seeing them with two outfielders on long-term deals. As for Bednar, this is probably the cold reality of the business: They don't have to do anything. Relievers are volatile. He's only eligible for arbitration for the first time this year. If they wanna go year-to-year, it's not the greatest thing to do to someone who's been such an awesome franchise ambassador, but it is their right.
Cullen
12:25
Should the Pirates let Ortiz crank it back up to 99 and use him as a potential late inning bullpen guy?
Jason Mackey
12:25
I would much rather see Ortiz transition to a relief role at this point, yeah. I think he could be really good, too.
Johnny M
12:25
(Cont) He is only 11 behind the Mark Reynold's all-time record (223) for a season. Currently in 6th place. At his rate lately he may get it. What is funny is that he may also earn his 2nd straight Silver Slugger Award.
Jason Mackey
12:26
Yeah, I mean, he's a three-true outcome guy. It happens a lot in today's game. I don't love it, but let's not pretend that it's only Kyle Schwarber here.
Gene
12:26
Is Josh Palicios on the team next year?
Jason Mackey
12:26
I think so, yeah. They really like him -- and I can see why. "I don't see why not" was what Cherington said Sunday. That's pretty telling.
Cullen
12:26
Did any of the guys get to meet Michael Keaton when he was in town for the game?
Jason Mackey
12:27
A few. Actually meant to ask Shelton about that. He did. Bednar. Maybe Brubaker, too? Thanks for the reminder.
Dan
12:27
Hi Jason. Whose the best free agent first baseman other than Carlos the Pirates could swing for the fences and sign?
Jason Mackey
12:28
They could do better than Carlos. Best is probably Rhys Hoskins, though I don't see Philly letting him get away. Others include Brandon Belt, C.J. Cron and ... well, it thins out fast.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:28
I've heard of the possibility of Santana coming back to play first base again for the Bucs next year. Why would he want to come back when he is playing for a playoff bound team? Will it have to be for more money, or he just loves playing for the Bucs?
Jason Mackey
12:30
Who knows if the Brewers want him back next year, No. 1. But, yeah, I do think he genuinely liked it here. He enjoyed the younger clubhouse culture. He formed a nice bound with Oneil Cruz and some of the team's younger Latin players. They idolized him. Him, Cutch and some of the vets, you could see they had a tangible impact. I think he probably knows what could be possible here in '24 as well.
Fat Al
12:30
Should we be concerned about Endy's poor hitting? Catching and intangibles look great, but he's supposed to be an impact bat!
Jason Mackey
12:30
I hear ya, but no. I'm not concerned. What is being asked of Endy right now is crazy. Switch-hitting catcher. That's a lot of inputs. I think he's going to be fine. He works his tail off. Super talented. The offense hasn't been good, but I think you just need to let him grow. He'll get there.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:31
Is there any legit reason that Davis has not played catcher but for a mop up inning or two this year. Why not see what they have with both Endy and Davis behind the plate?
Jason Mackey
12:32
Yeah, it's a curious one. After Davis got hurt, they killed the catching experience. So the answer is that he hasn't even practiced there. But I think probably what's left unsaid is that he best fits as a right fielder. They need to get to the offseason, then design a plan for him to figure it out there. If that leaves Endy and Delay backing up, I think they could do much worse.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:32
I know and want Cutch to come back next year but is it in the Buc's best interest to have him come back instead of developing a younger player with a future with the ball club?
Jason Mackey
12:33
You could make that argument, sure. You could certainly use those reps on a younger guy. However, I would argue that, from a team standpoint, the Pirates could break through and experience some much bigger things next season. Cutch has done that. Having him there to talk to guys and explain situations, offer perspective, that matters. He was also quite good in '22. Let's not discount that. Lastly, doesn't Cutch deserve, from Pittsburgh and the Pirates, to end this the right way? Meaning not hobbling off the field, one homer shy of 300?
Tom J.
12:33
Jason - As the season is winding down this weekend, just a big thank you for the awesome coverage all season. You are great at your craft. You work really hard at what you do. Thank you, Jason, from a life long Pirates fan.
Jason Mackey
12:33
Thanks so much, Tom. I really appreciate that.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:34
Is finding a top free agent pitcher and first baseman the priority of the Bucs this winter? Any sense of what money Nutting will spend since the team has shown improvement this year?
Jason Mackey
12:34
No sense on what will be spent, but I think they will make a couple of notable signings. And, yeah, you identified the spots. They spent, I believe, over $30 million last year, if memory serves. Would hope close to that ... but more concentrated. Carlos Santana would work just fine for me. Save if you can there and pour it into pitching.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:35
If Cruz comes back healthy next year, the infield will be crowded. Who is the starting second baseman next year and who will be the utility infielder? I hope Triolo is in the mix as he is a great fielder and is showing some pop at the plate recently.
Jason Mackey
12:36
Yeah, good questions. I hope the infield is crowded. Would be a great problem to have. At this point, I'm going Peguero. But I don't feel super confident there. Gonzales could be that guy. Triolo could be that guy. If Triolo keeps this up, I like him as a Kris Bryant type. I hope they also get him some outfield work.
Connecting…