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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 09.27.23
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Sweendog
12:36
Hey Jason, what are the chances Cherington starts trading off some pieces this offseason in order to get a quality asset? Seems like we have an abundance of middle infield depth, particularly on the right side of the infield. I can see some teams being interested.
Jason Mackey
12:38
He could, but this idea perplexes me. I get asked about it a lot. "When are we gonna start trading prospects for guys?" It seems there's almost a rush to do it, which there shouldn't be. They still need more prospects. I also worry about the Glasnow/Meadows situation. That stuff can be hard to predict. I don't think anyone right now is getting screwed out of playing time. Until that happens, I'd rather keep prospects. That's reality here. If the Pirates are gonna get good -- and they've made nice strides -- it's gonna have to stay how it's been for the past 60+ games. With young players playing well together.
Guest
12:38
The starting pitching FA class for 2024 is top heavy but the middle is underwhelming. Pirates may be better served investing in internal options like extending Keller and Oviedo. Do you think Pirates will be buyers and if so will it be established starters or reclamation projects?
Jason Mackey
12:40
They already have those guys under contract, so I don't understand or agreement with your plan here. They need to supplement their starting pitching. That could be done any number of ways, but free agent-wise, yeah, you have higher price points or lower ones, which include more variance. I would hope the Pirates get at least one sure thing. If they also include a reclamation projection, I would be fine with it. Anderson, Quintana, Vince ... they've done that well.
Buddy
12:40
Any way Davis goes to winter ball strictly for catching? We have plenty of outfiedlers..
Jason Mackey
12:40
I doubt it. He needs to heal.
Will
12:40
We all know about Davis's work ethic.  His arm is definitely ready for RF but he needs a lot of work defensively.  Does he have the tools to succeed in RF without hurting team defensively.  Is one offseason enough?
Jason Mackey
12:41
I think so, absolutely. I think the Pirates need to pick a route here. And I was actually talking to Henry about this the other day. If they give him an offseason plan and say, "We need you in RF," I have zero doubt he could get it done. I think the issue becomes trying to do both -- and get healthy.
12:42
So, yeah. I think you give him some time after the season, then spend the offseason drilling into the nuance of the position. Hire someone to work with him. Send him somewhere. Have him live with Andruw Jones. I don't care. Ha. But figure it out.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:42
I'm curious about Rivas and his future with the club. He has a bit of pop with his bat. Is he a legit option at first or a stopgap until they find a better option? He has been wildly inconsistent, but he is not playing every day either.
Jason Mackey
12:43
Yeah, I don't see Rivas having any semblance of a future here. Nice guy. Can defend a little. But if he's on the roster or playing first base in '24, we have problems. Should be a FA acquisition with maybe Triolo, if he continues to hit.
Johnny M
12:43
They could really use Andujar at 1B (& DH, LF, & RF) next year. He has played them all in the past. Joe doesn't do it for me. And haven't The Pirates really craved positional flexibility (and alas most usually come cheap) since Cherington took over?
Jason Mackey
12:45
I worry that we're putting too much on Andujar recent bias.
Andujar 2019-first stint this year: .225, .583, 127 G.
Nobody needs or wants that. Now, are there roster redundancies with Joe? Yes. Palacios takes care of OF depth, Triolo 1B. Could you trade Joe and use that spot on Andujar, thinking he could bounce around and help the offense? It at least warrants a discussion. But let's not act like Andujar is Acuna Jr. here.
Will
12:45
Hoskins is a solid MLB vet but nothing spectacular.   He's roughly a 2 WAR first basemen with limited defense and recovering from a torn ACL.
Jason Mackey
12:48
Ummm ... he has a career .846 OPS ... wRC+ of 126 ... 27+ homers in every full season ... I think your assessment might be a little harsh. He is coming off an injury, but dude has been a really good player. You're making him out to be a bum.
Will
12:48
ie Pirates having arb pitchers under control for limited time vs buying out arb and extending.  Any deal for Keller or Oviedo will likely be comparable to money required to sign UFA, which may not be money well spent
Jason Mackey
12:50
No, it wouldn't. Oviedo will make like $725K in '24. Keller is Arb-2 and should get a nice bump from ~ $2.4 M. I would love for the Pirates to extend Keller. Not arguing against it. But it shouldn't prevent them from also signing a FA.
Rich In Indio
12:50
Jason, thanks for the chats.  I really appreciate them.  A way to early question but...  How do you see this infield and outfield shaking out.  Too many players for only a few positions particularly if they get a FA 1st baseman.  Who do you feel starts in 2024 at 2nd base ad R field .and maybe 1st base?
Jason Mackey
12:51
Thanks, Rich. You have to play Cruz, right? Hayes, Cruz ... second is funky. Said Peggy before. Could also see Gonzales or Triolo in the mix. I think it'll be a FA at first. ... OF is probably Reynolds, Jack and Henry, left to right.
Biagio
12:51
Triolo can hit and he can play anywhere! He imo is a keeper and want him to succeed.
Jason Mackey
12:51
I like Tri a lot. Good dude. Solid ballplayer, too. Unlike some others, I like the fact that they're bouncing him around. He can handle it.
MjB
12:51
Are the current on field decisions all Shelton, or is the GM playing a part in who plays, and how often?   If two guys are making these decisions, then, I am worried about the future.  If it's one guy who is being told by another, that at least would make sense.   My gosh...try the same lineup two days in a row and let's see what happens.
Jason Mackey
12:53
Ha. We're still getting upset by this? Most decisions are collaborative. Cherington is here, and he and Shelton talked last night. Would say the lineup is more Shelton, the roster more Ben. But there are always discussions. Also, this is the way they do things. You can hate it, but can we stop acting surprise. The Rays do the same thing. I don't give a crap what they do, personally, so long as they win games. And they've done a better job of that. Guys who have shown they can play every day -- Hayes, Reynolds, Suwinski -- mostly have. The hope should be to add more to that list.
Will
12:56
I never said bum. Defensive metrics are not kind to him and he's pushing 31 with 11 career WAR over 6 seasons. He'll cost a minimum of 15M/year over multiple years
Jason Mackey
12:59
You very well may be right on his contract value. I think Hoskins is a better player than you do, and that's fine. We're allowed to feel differently. I will agree with you on this, though: No way am I spending $15 million on a 1B. Need pitching help. Would much rather go cheap and spend on arms.
Will
12:59
who knows what plays out in MF.  Cruz returns to SS, Peguero, Triolo, Bae, Gonzalez compete for 2nd.  Davis likely in RF. 1B is open question as it always seems to be but I don't see how Hoskins moves the needle all that much.
Jason Mackey
12:59
I would honestly rather have Santana. Fraction of the cost, and I think it would be warmly received by the fan base and players alike. Cruz really liked him. The defense was great for a young infield. You have Triolo, you don't have to play him all the time. It's kind of a no-brainer for me.
Michael Ebonezor
12:59
I think they missed a golden opportunity to have Skenes here the last two weeks.  They could have thrown a few innings his way instead of Selby, Falter et al.  Might have done him good to bond with his teammates.  Your thoughts?
Jason Mackey
1:01
No way. It's all about 2024 for Paul. He already threw 122 2/3 innings at LSU, had his season. I'm not risking it with his arm. He's too important. The minute he said he was feeling fatigued on the broadcast, I would have shut him down, too. No way am I wasting bullets in meaningless games.
Will
1:01
What starting pitching free agents do you see the Pirates competing for on open market, give most capable SPs start around 20M/yr on multi year deals?
Jason Mackey
1:03
I don't think the Pirates are gonna pay anyone $20 million/year. That said, there are plenty of options out there. Giolito? Severino? Maybe Odorizzi coming back from injury? Don't love it. Would be good with Flaherty.
Guest
1:03
The Pirates didn't take the best possible player the year that they took Henry Davis and that looks like it will work out for them. But it seems like they could also greatly benefit using a draft pick as a trade tool. What is the logic in MLB not permitting draft trades to occur.
Jason Mackey
1:04
I don't know, honestly. I wish they allowed it. I've never understood why not. I think because they don't want small-market teams trading them, but they're also important team-building capital. Secondarily, small-market teams shouldn't trade picks because they offer a chance at premium players for cheap.
1:05
OK, folks. That's it for this week. Thanks so much for the great questions. I think we'll probably do a season-wrap mailbag next week, then we'll see what the offseason holds as far as chats and whatnot. Be well!
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