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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 10.06.21
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Matt from LA
12:51
The likelihood that we see a player's strike or management lockout in MLB next year?
Jason Mackey
12:52
I'm actually fairly encouraged, Matt. They've been talking. I think they realize how important it is to not strike right now and how bad that looks. I think they also learned from the COVID/2020 stupidity and how silly it all seemed. I don't think we get a cap/floor, but I also don't think it nets a strike.
Guest
12:52
If what we heard last night about Holmes, namely that he just needed to ditch his curve and rely more on sinkers, was all it took to fix him then how embarrassing is this for our Org from a pitching evaluation standpoint? And does that argue for massive changes to how we evaluate pitchers? We had access to the data that the Yanks obviously trusted. They should not know more about our pitchers than we do.
Jason Mackey
12:53
I mean, it's not good. But it's also not that simple. Did they talk about Clay throwing more strikes? Did they talk about confidence? Did they talk about how well Clay started the year with the Pirates? I agree he's been good, but just because a player improves doesn't automatically make it someone else's fault.
Canyon
12:53
Is this going to be Mitch Keller’s make or break season in 2022?
Jason Mackey
12:54
Yes, I think so. He needs to show he deserves a rotation spot or can live up to the type. Would've liked to have seen that this year, but for myriad reasons, obviously didn't happen.
Ted
12:54
Saw your tweet last night about the Yankees broadcast crew. What did they saying about the Pirates that rubbed u the wrong way?
Jason Mackey
12:56
That the Pirates can't evaluate their own players. It's not wrong. They've made mistakes. But they also got Roansy, Yajure, Smith-Njigba and Escotto for Jamo. That's a Yankees failure. They also couldn't remember the names of Park and Castillo. I didn't think it was the time to say that when someone your organization is paying $324 gets taken out in the third inning of a win-or-go-home playoff game.
Cullen
12:56
Your chats and podcasts are very informative,  have you ever thought about joining the Pirates broadcasting team?
Jason Mackey
12:58
Ha. I love what I do. I have approached AT&T SportsNet multiple times about an occasional -- guest-only -- role with them, although that obviously has not happened. Would love to guest on pre- or post-game or even hang out for a half-inning. The Reds do that with their writers, and I think it's neat.
wvpirate
12:59
Will there be a broadcast shake up this winter?
Jason Mackey
1:00
Depends on what you mean by shakeup. I think they very well might add Neil Walker. Dunno what that would mean for Walker, Wehner, etc., although my hunch would be nothing. I think it would probably be like a three-man rotation. I don't think anything happens with Block if that's what you're asking. Definitely not Brownie.
Andrew
1:00
chances that Oneil Cruz starting by May??
Jason Mackey
1:00
By May? I think very good. I struggle with opening day, but if you give me "by May," I'm much more OK committing to that.
Gus
1:01
If the decision came down to Tucker and Newman. And the organization had them pretty evenly matched from a talent standpoint, could Cole’s flashiness and likability actually earn him the spot?
Jason Mackey
1:03
I don't think they're gonna prioritize flashiness and likability. Definitely not the latter, honestly. Unless he's going around like threatening people or slashing tires, I would hope they take the best baseball player. Tucker could help himself by playing the outfield, though, which could become a position of need for them.
Chris
1:03
Jason, Great work this year reporting on the Pirates. I hope you get to continue next year. My question is, how does the looming uncertainty of the CBA affect/not affect baseball decisions for Ben Cherington?
Jason Mackey
1:04
Thanks, Chris. Ben was actually asked that exact thing yesterday. I'm gonna paste his answer: "Don’t know. It’s a good question. I think we’re all gonna learn this offseason. We have to be prepared either way. We’re not gonna go into an offseason waiting or making anything conditional on what happens with a CBA. We need to prepare for our offseason, business as usual. If information comes from that that we need to adjust to, we’ll adjust to it. I don’t know for sure. I think we’ll all learn together as we get into this offseason."
wvpirate
1:04
If in the new collective bargaining agreement there is going to be a floor for players salaries. Who should the Pirates try to acquire?
Jason Mackey
1:05
Pitching, pitching and more pitching. Couple starters. Reliever or two. Maybe an outfielder. But I'd want starting pitching.
ev
1:05
Jason, have a great off season! Until February,,..
Jason Mackey
1:05
Thanks, ev. You as well.
To
1:05
DH to NL next year?
Jason Mackey
1:05
I think so.
Josh Fogg
1:05
Isn't there a better chance at Kuhl and Brault being non-tendered vice being moved for what they're worth, ie, a couple of Derek Bell baseball cards?
Jason Mackey
1:05
I don't think so. I wouldn't do it. I would try to get something out of them, which I think you can do. Pirates also need pitching. Badly.
Josh Fogg
1:05
Does the fact that Travis is a much better fielder than Cal Mitchell (who is almost a liability) make him a better prospect? Supposedly, both can hit, but does Mitchell hit that much better to make him a better prospect?
Jason Mackey
1:06
Not in my mind. I want the better bat. I can work on the defense. And I've watched Mitchell play. He's not a liability. But I would much prefer the hitter, whomever that becomes. Could wind up being Cruz and needing a place to play him.
Justin R.
1:06
Hey Jason -- Thanks for a great season of coverage. With the obvious caveat that it is way too early, do you have any predictions for break out prospects next year?
Jason Mackey
1:07
Yes, way too early. But I think we could see some really big things from Swaggerty (finally) and Yajure. ... Roansy and Cruz will be here, too.
1:08
Going a little lower ... Endy Rodriguez might start to get more attention. Also like Jared Jones. Really good young pitcher. If Alexander Mojica can make more consistent contact, he has a ton of power.
DrScotTB
1:08
Love your work. I have one issue and that is your desire to put Keller in a positive light. He stinks 3 out of every 4 times he pitches. He is another bad choice by the previous regime.
Jason Mackey
1:08
Thanks, Scott. You're allowed to disagree with how I've covered Keller. That's fine. Thank you for doing it respectfully and not saying that I should get a new job or jump off of a bridge.
Matt from LA
1:09
Any prediction on a World Series' champ this year? Who, if anyone, will you be rooting for?
Jason Mackey
1:09
I wanna see Waino win tonight. Love watching him pitch. ... As for the rest, probably the Giants. Just because of my love for San Francisco. And the Rays in the American League. Always love seeing small-market teams do good things, and I wanna see old friend Adam Berry cover cool stuff.
Tom
1:09
If DH in NL, keep Yoshi?
Jason Mackey
1:10
If he'll sign, yes. I'd keep him for a reasonable rate if there wasn't one, if the opportunity is there.
Scrap in Harrisburg
1:10
If there is anything worse that bad baseball it is bad baseball lasting 3 1/2 hours.  Do you see the baseball powers really doing anything productive to make games shorter ?   
I propose buying better batting gloves so they don’t have to be retightened after EVERY pitch!
Jason Mackey
1:12
Haha. They're not tightening them because they came loose. They're tightening them because it's like ... I don't know, a fidget cube or something. It's something to think about, a way to buy time. But I agree with you. Games are too damn long. They need a pitch clock. I see no issue with making someone think faster. If a quarterback can drop pack to pass and throw in 3-4 seconds with 300 lb men trying to physically harm him, you can get in the damn box inside of 25 seconds, IMO.
Skip
1:12
What is your role covering CBA negotiations?
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