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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 10.01.20
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Jason Mackey
12:43
I also think Nutting understands and accepts the fact that they screwed this up last night. Neal Huntington, Clint Hurdle and Co. did some really good things. At the same time, they had a breakdown in their farm system and made some dumb decisions. The long-term-ness of this was no more. Hence why I think they wanted to hire Ben Cherington, who has simultaneously always had the desire to kind of build something from nothing and have a bunch of control. Cherington's patient approach and Nutting's desire to run his business that way made a match. I think the important moment will be what happens when Ben turns this around, if he turns this around. Will Bob spend? If he doesn't, then people should criticize him. I happen to think he will.
Guest
12:43
Does the pirates let go of Williams this off-season
Jason Mackey
12:43
I like Trevor a lot. Great person, always thoughtful ad insightful. But business-wise, it certainly makes sense.
Prediction please
12:43
What is their current spending level now and will it go down or up next season?  Sounds like down as hard to believe as that is. Thanks
Jason Mackey
12:44
I think it will stay about the same. I think you'll see Archer gone, plus you'll get some raises with so many guys going through arbitration. I don't see them making any sexy free agent signings.
Bucco Neil
12:51
Thanks Jason. I really was not looking for a "Nutting is the Devil" kind of answer and yours makes sense.I always drive old cars not because I couldn't afford a new one but because I hate the idea of a monthly payment.
Jason Mackey
12:54
Nutting is not an evil person. He and the Pirates have definitely made mistakes, obviously. He should also spend more. But people create this narrative like he's walking around pushing people out of wheelchairs. ... Now, I also get being [expletive] [ticked] as a fan. That's fair and fun. Those people read, I hope they read the Post-Gazette, and I'm also incredibly lucky to do what I do. I just think there has to be a middle ground where you can say he needs to spend more without saying he should be banished to a cold, remote country somewhere.
Bucco Neil
12:55
PS, I wouldn't mind Nutting taking a bit more pride in his team's results than I do in how my cars look.
Jason Mackey
12:55
For sure. People want to see him mad and invested in about something because they are. They deserve that, and both he and the Pirates would be wise to show that.
Rob B
12:55
How will the change of Larry Broadway's role in the organization change things? What can we expect from that move?
Jason Mackey
12:57
Good question, Rob. I tried to ask GMBC this Wednesday, but got nowhere. I think he was worried about sounding like he would be publicly criticizing Larry. I get it. Ben's answer involved improving coaches to improve players. Also fair. Big-picture, I think you need someone who's going to install a system where players more consistently complete their development at the major league level. No more Glasnow, Meadows, etc. Secondarily, I think they must do a better job developing pitching at the minor league level overall.
Guest
12:57
Do you think this offseason in terms of the whole league will be slow because of COVID-19
Jason Mackey
12:57
Yeah, I think the market will be slower than normal for that reason and also, in a way, because some mega deals got done last season. I don't expect the same sort of punch.
Pitch counts
12:57
Did Hurdle or Shelton more strongly advocate pitch count adherence for starters?
Jason Mackey
12:58
Probably Shelton, but it's hard to compare, honestly. It's not apples to apples. Shelton had a split spring training, a shortened ramp-up, guys coming off injuries and a 60-game season. Hurdle had a decade or so of managing over 162. Shelton was more cautious, but he also had more extenuating circumstances.
M. Mendoza
12:58
Are my career accomplishments being re-evaluated in light of the Pirates prowess at the plate?
Jason Mackey
12:59
I'm sorry. Is this Luis Mendoza? Sorry, couldn't resists a Mighty Ducks joke. No, they flirted with you enough this past season.
Minor leagues
12:59
Who propositions who?  Does a minor league team try to affiliate itself with a major league franchise like Buffalo and Toronto or is it the opposite?
Jason Mackey
1:00
I'm not sure if it's like going out on a date. I think sometimes there's a match. But ultimately I think it's the major league club that can say, "Hey, we're not happy with this arrangement, we're taking our business elsewhere." Provided, of course, there's not an active agreement.
Bucco Neil
1:00
You know, what with the Internet, Nutting could be banished to a cold remote country but still own the Pirates.
Jason Mackey
1:00
That is true. And I wanted to say Siberia, but I didn't want to offend the many Siberians who are participating in this chat.
Bucco Neil
1:04
Svarlsburg is the easiest cold and remote place for banishing and there probably aren't loads of Svarlsburgers chatting here, just for future reference.
Jason Mackey
1:04
That's good to know. Thank you.
John
1:04
I'm surprised I haven't seen it at least mentioned, but with yesterday's announcement about the Appy League, it means the Pirates are officially out of a affiliate, no? Not that this really is news, but it's just now official.
Jason Mackey
1:05
That is a correct; however, it has been expected for quite some time that Bristol would be lost.
Stan
1:05
I found Shelton's comment on saving decisions from the season and running them by analysts to be quite interesting. The question is, of the list, how many involve Del Pozo?
Jason Mackey
1:06
Haha. You know, there are times where I legitimately forget that he pitched for the Pirates this season. That was weird. They used him a lot, then almost, at once, realized  he wasn't good. I hope none of what Shelton runs by analysts involves MDP, honestly.
1:07
OK, folks. Looks like that will do it for this week. Thanks, as always, for participating. We'll see about chatting next week. Happy to do it, although I don't know if the interest will be there. Guess we'll see. Thanks!
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