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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 09.29.21
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Jason Mackey
11:58
Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining my weekly Pirates chat. We'll get started here in a couple minutes.
Chief Powhatan
12:04
Of the Pirates' 40-man roster, 11 pitchers are on the injured list.  Is our training staff doing something wrong?  Seems a bit mesmerizing to me.
Jason Mackey
12:04
OK, let's roll.
12:05
I don't think so, Chief. They're playing 162 after 60. I think pitchers who are more established are built to handle this better -- hence why they're more established. Pirates don't have those kinds of guys. Also, I think you need to account for the added stress on the arm and how careful the Pirates are with this being a 100-loss season. You can say they stink. That's fair. But I can't say with any certainty that the training stuff is a flawed operation.
Don
12:05
Good Afternoon Jason, Thank you  for your time Sir.  The articles you’ve done on the Minor league teams and players have been great.  You’ve done an excellent job trying to give us some hope for the future.  Here is the present though, can you explain how Oscar Marin still has a job?  I look at the box scores at all the home runs the Pirates give up and sometimes I think the pitchers are out there throwing BP.  I think it’s time to give Joel Hanrahan an opportunity to see what he can do.  Thank you.
Jason Mackey
12:06
Hi Don. I understand the sentiment on Joel and wanting to see him get a chance. I would not be shocked if another team hires him this offseason. In fairness to Marin, what legitimate talent does he have? They're dumpster diving left and right. Yes, I would like to see him make players better. And maybe there's a legitimate inability to do that. But I also think it's tough to give him a complete grade because of injuries and a weak roster.
BillC
12:07
Thanks for the coverage Jason. I’ll miss the chat and the podcast over the winter. I’m wondering if Cole Tucker is showing enough to be a younger slightly cheaper Wilmer Difo for the 2022 Pirates
Jason Mackey
12:08
Hey Bill. I will, too. But such is life. I'll still be around. Just don't know how much Pirates I'll do, if any. As of now, yes. They need a utility/bench type. Shifting Tucker into that spot kicks the can a little bit. They know what Difo can be. I think this last little stretch may entice them to see more of Tucker. He's played well.
Marc G.
12:08
Jason, do you get the impression the decision to have Contreras start tonight was made fairly quickly or do you think the organization had been contemplating it for a while? Thanks for the great coverage this year.
Jason Mackey
12:09
My pleasure, Mark. Thank you for reading. Probably somewhere in the middle, honestly. I think it's a combination of Roansy showing progress, which he has, and them having a need. They would not -- and should not -- shoehorn him into a start. But does he have the staff? Yeah. I think you'll see them be careful with him. And I would say it's probably picked up steam over the past week or so.
Greg
12:09
Jason, Hope you and yours are well. Congrats on the award. Just wanted to thank-you for all your hard work and  insights this season. Hope you will be covering the Buc's next year too. Seems like everyone has forgotten about Brualt, but i think it would be a mistake to give up on him now. Thoughts? And thanks again.
Jason Mackey
12:10
Thanks, Greg. I appreciate the kind words. We'll see about next year. I don't know at this point. Some conversations being had at the moment is all I can really say. Re: Brault, I agree that it would be a mistake. I would bring him back and hope he can stay healthy. If he is, I have no doubt he can contribute.
Jim M
12:10
Jason,  Given the way Ben Cherrington is bringing up Contreras after only 3 2/3rds innings in AAA, do you think there’s any chance they bring up O’Neil Cruz before the estimated mid-June super 2? I get that the 2 are unrelated given the pitching injuries but I’m hoping this a sign that the new mindset isn’t as rigid as the previous regime.
Jason Mackey
12:11
Yes, I do. I don't get the sense they're going to be overly concerned with Super 2. Now, I do think they're going to want to see more progress from Cruz, especially on the defensive side. You're not doing him favors by bringing him up if he's an incomplete player, just because he has a lot of power. Contreras, to me, is different. They can control his innings/pitch count, and he's probably not quite as raw as Cruz.
Richard
12:11
I'm a Brian Reynolds fan, but I hate watching him bat on TV because he spits after every pitch. Do you know if he spits after each bite when he dines with his wife?
Jason Mackey
12:12
I'm gonna guess no. Also: who cares? Bryan Reynolds could vomit after every pitch. He's still a great hitter? Why does this matter? Baseball is weird like that. What other part of life do you feel the sudden urge to spit all the time? But it's the game, and I'm not going to direct all sorts of anger at Reynolds because of it.
Big Mike
12:12
Hey Jason do Think The Pirates will soon Have to exceed 21 old Club record contract. The six-year $60 million contract given to Jason Kendall To be able to keep Reynolds or Hayes or both long-term
Jason Mackey
12:13
Yes, I do. For Reynolds at this point. I don't think it's in Hayes' best interest to sign right now. No harm in waiting. To me, Reynolds would be the bigger priority, and I think he might need/want that sort of long-term security. ... I suppose maybe he would sign for something less. I wouldn't rule it out. But you gotta sign someone at some point, right?
Gus
12:13
Does starting Roansy now mean he’s got a chance at the 2022 opening day rotation?
Jason Mackey
12:14
I think it depends on how he fares, Gus. Let's watch tonight. I think he has a chance, yes, although my sense is it's more of a cameo than anything.
Ryan
12:14
Good afternoon Jason what do you think about the season Reynolds has had so far he’s been pretty good go Bucs the rest of the season
Jason Mackey
12:15
Hey Ryan. I think he's been absolutely outstanding. One of the best players in the National League, easily the Pirates MVP. Should be -- and is -- an important building block for the future. Gotta sign him. Above-average center fielder. Excels on balls in. Love his approach at the plate. Just outstanding.
Gus
12:18
Multiple choice for you
Jason Mackey
12:18
Do I have to make up the choices, Gus?
MjB
12:20
I could be wrong, but it appears to me that Mr. Moran does not enjoy running the bases.  Someone more astute than I am might even suggest he is jogging when he should be running.  Does it look to you like he is someone refusing to run hard?
Jason Mackey
12:21
I have noticed Colin ... let's say going less than 100% a few times down to first. That said, I'm not going to be that guy in the press box thinking I'm sort of moral authority on effort. I'm not. It's a long season. It's a grind. I
12:22
'm very much aware. I will also say it's Colin Moran, MjB. There's ... how do I put this kindly, only so much the man can do. Solid hitter. Serviceable at first. Fine with him hitting cleanup. But he's not winning many races.
Colin
12:22
Colin Moran has been thrown out at the plate 5 times costing them at least 5 runs. Could a shave and a haircut help him run faster?
Jason Mackey
12:23
Moran should not have been sent on four of those. I don't think it has anything to do with personal hygiene or hair length.
Ted
12:23
Does the 2022 roster have both Cole Tucker and Kevin Newman, neither, or just 1 of them?
Jason Mackey
12:24
Good question, Ted. I will say -- and I think this might be unpopular -- it includes both. I have a hard time seeing them move on from Newman after what he's done defensively, and I think Tucker has been good enough for intrigue on a bad team in 2022.
Ian
12:24
Hi Jason, how likely is it that the Bucs will sign Yoshi Tsutsugo this offseason?

Thank you.
Jason Mackey
12:25
Hey Ian. I can't put a percentage on it. I wish I could. I do think there's a chance. I also think he might have more/better options than the Pirates, which often means -- because of their competitive state -- that players take those. If Yoshi can go be a DH for a solid American League club, you would have to think that's preferable to him.
Mark
12:25
Hi Jason.  Thanks for doing this.  I haven't noticed Reynolds spitting.  What I find annoying is Moran fidgeting with his batting gloves before every pitch.  It really slows the game down.  Wasn't there something a few years ago about staying in the batters box?  Maybe not.
Jason Mackey
12:28
There is. It's not enforced, though. And it should be. I agree with you on that stuff. Moran would tell you he's "thinking." So would every other player who takes an enormous amount of time doing this crap, and they're basically just allowed, which is dumb, in my opinion. Tell them to hurry up. Make them hurry up. Some of them -- and I'm not saying Moran does this -- act like they're the first people in history who are asked to make a decision quicker than they'd like. Think a quarterback would like to take 7 seconds to survey a defense? Yeah, but it's not an option because he'll get creamed. If people aren't watching your sport because it's too damn long and boring, maybe it's time to do something to speed it up. I love baseball. I also understand why people aren't entertained by it. I don't have 3 1/2 hours to allocate to it on a nightly basis; I'm sure you don't either. So realize it's 2021 and adjust. OK, rant over.
Gus
12:28
Sorry, I was thrown off by the spitting question. Opening day starting second baseman. Multiple choice: Chavis, Castro, Tucker, Newman, or other?
Jason Mackey
12:29
I'm going Chavis. Tough call, though. I think you'll see Newman start the season. Maybe Tuck on the bench or in the outfield, Castro at AAA but pushes for time.
Wayward
12:29
Surprised to see Contreras start versus Yajure?
Jason Mackey
12:30
Nah, I think you'll see Yajure start again. He pitched Friday. Six days -- they're going six, not five, remember -- falls on Thursday. Would expect Yahoo to go then.
Baz
12:30
Who gives the money to the Bucs to sign intl. free agents?
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