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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 10.06.21
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Jason Mackey
12:28
They would have to sign Yoshi first, but it depends on the offer for Moran. I wouldn't move at anything, since I think Moran could still up his stock with a strong start to 2022.
Rich in CA
12:28
Jason, just for fun is there a moderate/big time free agent the Pirates should go after and at what position?
Jason Mackey
12:29
Carlos Correa would look downright gorgeous in a Pirates uniform. Max Scherzer, too.
Ryan
12:29
Good afternoon Jason what did you think about the play of O’Neil Cruz the last few games and who do you think we trade or sign during the off season
Jason Mackey
12:30
Thanks, Ryan. I loved Cruz's power. I thought his throwing was tentative (understandable) and he chased too many pitches. He was also two games into his MLB career, and I'm not actually going to quibble about. Dude has a massive amount of power, and I can't wait to watch him with regularity. So fun.
Guest
12:30
Is there any way we can get Mitch Keller to add a horizontal pitch? Sinker, 2-Seam, Cutter, something?
Jason Mackey
12:32
He throws a slider. It's one of his best offerings. Sinker/two-seamer depends. A Clay Holmes-style sinker involves downward break. A two-seamer often involved inward tail, and it's hard to pick up, because it's predicated on finger placement, release, arm action, etc. Maybe a cutter, since he's already close with a slider, but I'm not sure what that's accomplishing. He needs a changeup that has more than a 3-4 mph drop off his fastball.
Wayward
12:32
Thanks for the chats and great coverage this year Jason (and Mike too).   What was the funniest thing that happened to you this year while covering the team that you havent shared?
Jason Mackey
12:34
I'm gonna pick on poor Mike here. So the Cincy trip in September. Mike stops in the office to pick up a car. P-G has a fleet of cars we can drive to save money. He stops and talks to our editor for a minute. She Google messages me. "Have you talked to Persak today?" I had not. Apparently Michael left his entire suitcase in the office and didn't realize until he was in Cincinnati, a couple hours before the game started. So the next day he had to go to Target and buy several days' worth of clothes. We got a good laugh out of that one.
12:35
There are also many running jokes among the writers, one of which includes cheering in the press box for the fabled FedEd Grounds Crew, the legends that they are.
Connor
12:35
Do you think Ke'Bryan Hayes's increased ground ball rate is due to his wrist injury or just adjustments pitchers have made against him? And what is he planning to do to reverse that trend?
Jason Mackey
12:36
I think it's probably both, but I think once he gets the wrist right -- honestly, minor surgery would not shock me -- he'll be fine. He might have to bring his hands lower. But once he has his health and all of his power, I don't see that being an issue.
Canyon
12:36
Is there a reason Davis isn’t going to play in the fall league?
Jason Mackey
12:37
Between college ball, draft showcases, Florida Complex League and High-A, I think they figured that after the oblique injury, that was enough for one year. Get healthy. Started back next season. A tough thing to bite off when you're brand new and haven't played 6-8 weeks or whatever it is.
Nick
12:37
Is it realistic to think the Pirates will sign multiple capable starting pitching options this offseason? Somewhere between Anderson and ace?
Jason Mackey
12:37
I think it's realistic to think they will sign an Anderson-type. More than, given where they're at, I think might be a bit much.
Woj
12:37
Hi Jason, thanks for the great in-depth coverage of the Bucs and prospects this year. I saw a reference in your chat a few weeks back regarding Pirates season ticket prices for 2022. just wanted to mention our half season weekend package Club Level (41 games, same as 2021) decreased about $455 for next year. Includes home opener, 1 game vs. Yankees game and 2 vs Red Sox, etc. I was happy to see that the price dropped given the Bucs' level of performance this year
Jason Mackey
12:39
I ran an analysis on this, comparing every available plan year-over-year. Two conclusions I drew: It's very much based on opponent, and first half is much cheaper than second half because that's when the Red Sox and Yankees come to town. I don't like pricing things this way, but the Pirates are hardly the only team that does it.
BVA123
12:39
Now with Cruz coming up what do u see the lineup as next year? I had it as 1. Tucker 2. Hayes 3. Reynolds 4. Moran 5. Cruz 6. Stallings 7. Gamel 8. Alford 9. Pitcher. It’s probably far off but I could see that real soon
Jason Mackey
12:41
Could be. It's tough. Cruz is fun and has power and all this cool stuff, but he's played two games. I struggled anointing him as the opening day shortstop. You gotta figure Marcano might be in the mix. Newman is still on the team. What happens with Castro? Bae? Lotta moving parts here.
Connor
12:41
Where can we expect Nick Gonzales to start in 2022? Double-A? And what are his chances to get to the big leagues at some point during 2022?
Jason Mackey
12:41
I think Class AA is a solid starting point for him. I'm obviously not ruling out the big leagues for him. Like Nick a lot. But I think 2023 is much more likely.
Jim
12:41
Gary Sanchez buy low trade- for 1B and then trade bait, thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:42
What? Why?
Terry Martin-Alpharetta, GA
12:42
Hey Jason, You have done an awesome job keeping us up to date on everything Bucs! In my opinion, your work is the best ever for the Post Gazette! My question, what is your gut feeling on whether Newman or Tucker will be our SS in 2022? Makes little sense to carry both when you have such a glut of middle infielders in minors. Curious to what you think....Beat'em Bucs
Jason Mackey
12:43
Thanks, Terry. Certainly not the best ever for the P-G, though. Easy on the morning tea. I agree it doesn't make sense to keep both. If you made me pick at this point, I would say Tucker > Newman. And maybe they can trade Newman for something, because of his defense. But with Cruz, Castillo, Bae, Park, Castro ... you don't need both guys.
Woj
12:43
Jason, what is the timeline/key events related to the offseason MLB and MLBPA negotiations? What do you think are the primary sticking points to getting a deal done?  Any hope of a real salary cap and/or floor being established?
Jason Mackey
12:45
Lemme work backwards here ... no, I don't think there's real hope, unfortunately. Wish there was. I think it's badly needed. But I would be surprised if it happened. ... CBA expires on Dec. 1 ... lot of sticking points and hard to narrow down to one. Size of playoffs. On-field rules. Cap/floor. Revenue sharing. Roster size. I mean, these two could argue  over ice cream sundae toppings.
Terry Martin-Alpharetta, GA
12:45
Jason, Given the state of our starting pitching, it makes sense to look at options. Do you see any particular pitcher on FA being appealing to FO and Cherington. Know that is a crystal ball type question. But really appreciate hearing what you think. No one is going to hold you to your answer. Just curious...Beat'em Bucs
Jason Mackey
12:45
Terry, I can't answer that. I'm sorry. The Pirates don't set out saying _______ is our target. Or ________ are our targets. I mean, they certainly have a list of guys who might fit. But it's not like one, two or three. And it never, ever gets out.
Coach O
12:46
Jason, why can’t this off season the Pirates spend $$ to acquire a veteran free agent or two to a 4 year contract. They certainly have the money to do it. Similar to what Reds did with Moustakas and Castellanos? Reds also have #8 rated farm system. Dual approach to building a team. Those guys will still be  around in 2023 and 2024 when prospects are ready plus they make the team more competitive and watchable in ‘22.
Jason Mackey
12:48
I agree, Coach O. I wish they could do both tracks. Rebuilding and putting a watchable product on the field are not mutually exclusive, although the Pirates act like they are. In their defense, though, the budget is limited. Trust me, Bob isn't just walking around the ballpark flinging cash in the air. They also haven't gotten jack from attendance lately. Again, I agree that they should spend more; however, do it when makes the most sense, and that isn't now. I would rather see kids get a chance, see what you need, then go and get it. Does it really matter next year if they win 75 or 68 games?
Woj
12:48
Jason, watching Clay Holmes pitch last night, I was impressed. The announcers made it sound like a simple "tweak" (not throwing his curve as much) made all the difference for him being better with the Yankees. Your view? And, if it was that simple what does that say about the current regime and Oscar Marin in particular?  I think we got Hoy Park in return, right? Seems like we lost that trade
Jason Mackey
12:49
Pirates also got Diego Castillo, who has been quite good at AAA. I don't blame Oscar and staff for Clay. They're not coaching a guy to be erratic. He needed a change of scenery to figure it out. He was great here when he could control what he threw. He just couldn't do that consistently enough. Now, do I think Oscar should be criticized for not helping enough guys get better? Yeah, I think that's fair. But I'm not comfortable pinning Holmes on him.
Matt from LA
12:49
Are Yoshi's obvious defensive shortcomings in the outfield made up by his power hitting?
Jason Mackey
12:50
On a team like the Pirates, yes. For a competitive team, I wouldn't be willing to live with that. He's absolutely a DH. Even at first it's pretty rough.
Matt from LA
12:50
Chances that we see the DH for all of MLB next year? Any other possible rule changes?
Jason Mackey
12:50
I think we see the DH in both leagues, yes. I think that's an easy one. Not sure I see anything else, though. Maybe September roster sizes. 28 is too small. But I don't think they go pitch clock, ABS, bigger bases or any of that stuff, no.
Ted
12:51
Do you think the organization made up their mind on Cole Tucker? Or did the “Cole Tucker Game” give them pause?
Jason Mackey
12:51
I think what Tuck did in September probably earned him a roster spot. He was good. Makes me want to see more.
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