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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 10.06.21
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Jason Mackey
11:52
Hello, everyone, and welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. We'll get started at noon, but feel free to ask away now, which I see many of you have already done. Thanks!
12:03
OK, let's get going ...
Chief Powhatan
12:03
Interesting column on Pirates' trade possibilities, Jason, but are the same broadcast teams returning?  I've heard enough from Joe Block.
Jason Mackey
12:04
If they could trade Block for Mike Trout, I'm sure they would consider it. But I'm not sure how that works. Ha. ... BTW, I'm a big fan of Joe. I think he's very smart, puts a ton of time in, and you can really learn a lot by watching/listening to him. I don't understand the criticism.
Retire21
12:04
How long before we lose Cruz Control?
Jason Mackey
12:05
Hopefully not for a long, long time. Although I would understand why we're not guaranteeing him an opening day roster spot in 2022. Been two games. But if he's the best player in spring, he should play. Simple as that.
Chief Powhatan
12:05
The Pirates are looking at another 95-plus loss season in '22 so I'd trade Moran, Newman, Brault, Kuhl to secure some young arms.  The NL Central has some hitters.  We need arms.
Jason Mackey
12:06
If there's a market, I don't disagree with you. Pirates need pitching. By your logic, though, they might have it in Brault and Kuhl, if they'll make Kuhl a starter. That said, I think I would be OK trading those guys, getting prospects, then trying to repurpose that $5 million into a veteran starter a la Tyler Anderson, then trade that guy for more prospects.
Cullen
12:06
Should the Pirates consider offering Oneil Cruz a contract early like the Sox did with Luis Robert and Eloy Jiminez and Atlanta did with Ozzy Albies and Acuna Jr?
Jason Mackey
12:08
Kraig Riley brought this up to me on 93.7 FM, and I'm not completely against it, but it depends on the dollars for me. I would like to see more. Now, if I can get it done on the extreme cheap, sure. But I would be leery on spending on a ton just because the sample size above AA is so small. (Yes, I know he's looked really good. I'm not dumb. But I also think it's important for them to sign Reynolds to send a clear message to the fan base, and that would be above Cruz on my priority list.)
Ryan
12:08
Do you See the Pirates bringing home Andrew McCutchen on a 1 or 2 year deal this offseason? Would be the perfect fit for this young team. ESP since we have a lot of prospects coming up by June of 2023.
Jason Mackey
12:09
I don't, Ryan. As much as I would like to see (and cover) a story like that, I don't see a fit. The Pirates should want a placeholder, someone they can either trade or make into an OF4 whenever Swaggerty, Mitchell, Smith-Njigba or others are ready. That's not Cutch. He had a pretty good year and should reap the financial benefits of that.
Ryan
12:09
Hey Jason. Enjoy your work and I am a die hard Pirates fan and big Pirates baseball card collector. Here is my projected lineup for when we start contending again by June of 2023
out of Hayes, Cruz, Nick Gonzales, Peguero,  Martin , Davis and Priester- Which ones do you see the Bucs signing long term?
Jason Mackey
12:11
Ryan, you have a seven-man lineup with no Bryan Reynolds and presumably one outfielder -- Cruz. He can cover ground, but I don't know about all of it. Seriously, though. I can't predict that sorta stuff. Depends on who pans out, who doesn't, who stays healthy, who wants to stay here, who's expendable, etc.
Munkeefist
12:11
How plausible is it that Cruz starts next year in the bigs? Love the chats!!
Jason Mackey
12:11
Thank you. I think it's plausible. I wouldn't put a percentage on it. I wouldn't call it likely or automatic. But it is plausible.
J-town Johnnie
12:11
Jason, I think Cherington has done a great job with the hand he was dealt. People need to be patient because the current direction is the only path to long term success for this team.  Your thoughts please.
Jason Mackey
12:13
Same as yours. They have two choices, as far as I can see it: Outspend teams or try to be better at drafting and development. Which one do you think makes the most sense? Since Ben took over, the farm system has gone from 15-20 range to top 5. That's damn good. Doesn't mean it'll all pan out, but it's a good sign. And they've changed a bunch of stuff with development while having a really good draft. Those are the marking points we have thus far, and they've been very good.
WHC
12:13
It seems to have become a trend that teams are focusing on "spin rate" when evaluating pitchers but I am wondering if that focus (and teaching / developing) hasn't lead to a drastic increase in pitching injuries.  When watching the Pirate pitcher it seems that they are more interested in throwing hard and spinning the ball than actually locating their pitches.  The Pirate has no less than 14 pitchers this past season on the DL, most because of arm or shoulder injuries.  It seems that the old Ray Miller adage of "Work Fast, Change Speeds, Throw Strikes" is not so important any more. You cover the team much closer than those of us casual fans.  What do you see regarding their pitching philosophy and any insight as to how to explain all the arm injuries?   Thanks
Jason Mackey
12:16
I could go on for hours with this, WHC. Will try to keep it somewhat concise: One, the Pirates aren't alone. Going from 60 to 162 is a challenge, and pitching injuries have been up across MLB. Two, the Pirates are running out guys who aren't the cream of the crop, obviously. They're going to be more susceptible to injuries, by potentially overextending themselves. MLB teams are also crazy cautious now. You have a hangnail, 10-day IL, because contracts are so unduly large. Ray Miller's pitchers threw curveballs and sliders. That's spin rate. (It's also in the negative with things like changeups and sinkers, pitches that die.) I'm sure it's an input in some way. By manipulating grips and snaps and trying to make the ball move more, sure, you're going to put more stress on the arm. But Miller's pitchers did that, too. What they did just didn't have a fancy name for it.
MjB
12:17
I'm very confused about Chad Kuhl.  I understand the limiting of innings to save the arm the year after surgery.   I don't understand why the Pirates did not use him as a starter, even if that mean he would only throw three innings.  It's the same theory, and clearly he does NOT want to be a reliever.  The second part of my conundrum is why do this with guys like Kuhl, draft them, raise them through the system, groom them to be starters, and then mess with their heads and confidence level.  He has the stuff of a good starting pitcher.  You raised him to be that guy.  Why handle him this way?
Jason Mackey
12:18
Well, to be fair, this group did not draft Chad as a starter. The former group did. I think the new group believes Chad can be a very good reliever. They very well might be right. But ... I'll use an analogy for my own career, if my editor thinks I can be a really good college writer, but I like covering pro stuff ... wouldn't be terribly smart to make me cover colleges, right? I would struggle being bought in. The results wouldn't match. I think that's what we're seeing with Chad. I think they need to get on the same page here. If he needs to start, fine. Pirates gotta give. If they really want him to be a reliever, either Chad needs to shut up and do it, or they should work out a trade.
Tom J.
12:19
Can the St Louis Cardinals get to the World Series?  Yes, the Dodgers and Giants won 106/107 and the Brewers and Braves are obviously good, too.  But, the Cardinals are really hot and had the least resistance in the last couple weeks. Thank you, Jason.
Jason Mackey
12:20
This is independent of tonight, where anything can happen and I can't wait for this game to start, but absolutely. They're arguably the best defensive team in the league. You do that, you give yourselves a chance. O'Neill and Goldschmidt have been outstanding, ditto for Waino, obviously. They have leadership, pitching, etc. They're also playing the Dodgers. Ha. So we'll see.
Lad09
12:20
Jason thanks to you and Mike for the great coverage this year.  Just an awesome job!  My question is: do you foresee any surprise DFA's when it is time to set the 40 man before the Rule 5 draft?  I am going to go out on a limb that despite his good defense, Kevin Newman is dropped from the 40 man due to his extremely limited offensive upside.  Would have said Tucker before the last month but something clearly changed for him at the plate. Better results but also a much stronger swing and improved approach. Small sample size warning of course, but someone has to go in the middle infield....
Jason Mackey
12:21
Right. I think you're on the right track there. They might not have to DFA Newman. I also don't know if they should. He hasn't hit, you're right. But he was the leader in defensive runs above average, had the best fielding percentage and made the fewest errors among shortstop. He should come relatively cheap. Someone has to be willing to give up a prospect for that, right? Not anything huge, mind you. Just something, anything to where you don't have to DFA him and can get something back.
John A
12:21
Jason, all of us can continue to complain about our Pirates, but nothing will ever change until Nutting allows our GM to spend more money. The Pirates spend less than only the Indians and Orioles. Has anyone ever pressed Nutting for a legitimate reason for his spend thrift? Does he not have the money other owners have? Does he not really care if the Pirates win or lose? Does he not understand baseball? Is he just cheap? I am tired of the “small market
Jason Mackey
12:24
I've done it multiple times since I got on the beat, yes. There are a few things at play here. One, it doesn't make sense to spend a bunch now, honestly. They're not ready. I would much rather have Bob save his money for whenever the Pirates have a strong core, then supplement it. Two, yeah, baseball's financial system is stupid. MLB allows the Dodgers to trot out a firehouse, and the Pirates get a Super Soaker. That said, they couldn't could spend more than they have. And if Bob doesn't wanna do that, no worries, sell the team to someone who does. But I do think he and they have a good plan here. I think he's realized some mistakes made -- and honestly, they aren't terribly financial; more baseball-based and not acting soon enough -- and will be different this time around.
Danny
12:24
The Yankees and Marlins strike me as two teams that could have interest in Jacob Stallings. I know the Pirates will very likely want to keep him but what would it take to pry him away?
Jason Mackey
12:25
I don't think it can happen, Danny. Honestly. He's so valuable to them. And they have no one else. I suppose never say never, but it would have to be a deal no acquiring team is willing to do, I would think.
Guest
12:25
Who are you higher on at this point in time, Travis Swaggerty or Cal Mitchell?
Jason Mackey
12:25
I guess I would say Cal, who I like a lot. Swaggerty might have more upside -- might -- but he was hurt and hasn't played Class AAA. So that part of it is hard.
Danny
12:25
With the Pirates payroll being so low, could they choose to take on a contact to get another prospect in a deal this offseason? Randal Grichuk from Toronto comes to mind…
Jason Mackey
12:26
I don't see that happening based on Ben Cherington's comments yesterday. They'll spend, but it's going to be in very specific areas. Not what you mentioned.
Wayward
12:26
Any surprises with the 7 guys that are going to play in Arizona?   Obviously some are going to make up for missed injury time but am curious about what they may be looking for from guys that played mostly full seasons.
Jason Mackey
12:27
Nah, none. About who I expected, honestly. Young guys looking to get more experience, players who missed time, too. Believe all seven missed time at one point or another.
Rich in CA
12:27
Jason, thanks for the chats & all the articles this year.  They were very informative.  Looking towards 2022 do you think they will bring in any starting pitchers to shore up the rotation?
Jason Mackey
12:27
Thanks, Rich. Appreciate that. Yeah, I think they will probably sign one or two, another Tyler Anderson type. Just hope they do that and not a Trevor Cahill type.
Guest
12:27
How would you feel about seeing what we could get for Moran and freeing up 1B for Yoshi since his OF defense is not good?
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