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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 10.09.25
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Jason Mackey
12:30
There's also no guarantee of missing games. Just got a text a few minutes ago from an agent believing there will be a lockout but no missed games. So, we'll see.
Momo
12:30
I believe this is the most important off season in the history of the Pittsburgh Pirates. This is the last season they will have Paul Skenes at a bargain basement price. His arbitration years kick in after next season. The Pirates have an above average pitching staff. We all know the Bucs need proven major league hitting. Chances are good that no good players will sign with the Pirates if there is any other option. The Pirates would have to overpay, and that won't happen, so they'll need to make some trades. Can Cherington be trusted to do that? If the Pirates have another offseason like last yo=ear, do you think
Jason Mackey
12:31
This seems more like a statement than a question, but I agree with you. Certainly one of the most important in the franchise's history. Especially with the lack of changes and seemingly putting a bunch of pressure on adding through FA and trades.
GodHelptheBuccos
12:31
Jason - love your baseball coverage and love your intelligent and insightful takes on this dysfunctional franchise!  Would love to see them sign E. Suarez, but we all know he will want a long term deal and the Bucos are severely allergic to long term deals.  So realistically a trade is how we need to get the pieces we need.  Who would you be willing to trade and who would you look to get back? My feeling is that Keller, Bart, Burrows and Mlod should all be shopped maybe Oviedo since we only have control for 2 yrs.  Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:32
I don't know why Suarez would sign here. I actually think they would be OK with, say, $45 million over 3 years. It's basically Mitch Keller's money. You trade him for someone cheaper. Great. I just don't see (a) Why Seattle would let him go and (b) Why he would want to come here when he's going to have better offers.
12:33
I'd be willing to trade Keller and any young pitcher not named Skenes. Would take A LOT for me to give up Chandler or Ashcraft. And, honestly, I'd really, really want to keep those guys. But you can sign a legit FA and trade Keller or a young pitcher for a bat. That should be the starting point.
Dan
12:33
Hi Jason! Who are the likely free agent bats within Pirates price range?  They will have to overpay to entice one or two to come here, I assume.
Jason Mackey
12:37
Yes, they will. Two I've cited already are Kepler and Bader (assuming he doesn't return to Philly). Suarez is a dream. I’ll bet SD extends Ryan O’Hearn. Could move Horwitz. Paul Goldschmidt? I’d like more certainty than Yoan Moncada or Chris Taylor. Luis Urias? Gio Urshela? No thanks. Mike Yastrzemski could make sense. Mike Tauchman, too. They’re not premier adds, I know. But within a price range. Michael Conforto? Trent Grisham projected at $12.1 M. That should be afford, but he’ll have options.
Alex
12:37
What do you need to see from the Pirates early in the off season to give you any kind of hope they will actually follow through on the comments Williams and Cherrington made?
Jason Mackey
12:38
I covered 20-8. There's very little they could do early in the season that would convince me of anything.
Matt
12:38
The Pirates enter another off-season where fans hope it will be different. To this point, the Pirates haven't made any splash-type moves under BC outside of Horwitz, which has turned into a nice trade early on. But if we're being honest, that is not a move that is going to put us in the postseason. It's obvious that we have a plethora of arms, and trade seems like the obvious way to upgrade this team. What position group would you rank as having the highest impact for this team to acquire talent? OF, 3B? Who are some "targets" in your eyes?
Jason Mackey
12:39
LF and 3B, Matt. Covered a lot of the targets above. I'll trust focus have a grasp on that. If not, scroll up.
Bill in Charleston
12:39
The Buccos need at least two reliable bats. If they commit to one more year of Cruz in CF, the most likely areas to upgrade are corner OF, 3B and (to a lesser degree) catcher. Do you see any names, via trade or free agent, who may be targeted?
Jason Mackey
12:44
Same, Bill. Lemme just hack out something I can copy/paste. Targets that I like:

Trade: Jordan Westburg or Coby Mayo, Orioles; JJ Bleday, Athletics. ...

Free agency: Max Kepler, OF; Harrison Bader, OF (if he doesn't return to PHI); Mike Tauchman, OF (lesser); Mike Yastrzemski, OF (same) ... Eugenio Suarez 3B, (pipedream); Michael Conforto, OF ... probably out on Chris Taylor or Yoan Moncada INF-wise ... I'd maybe consider Paul Goldschmidt and moving Horwitz. ... Would love Bo Bichette, but I don't see it happening.
Lance
12:44
I know your chats and mailbags still heavily skewed Pirates anyway, but just want to say welcome back. Your reporting and writing are unparalleled.
Jason Mackey
12:45
Thank you, Lance. I appreciate it. Does kinda feel like I never left. Ha.
Travis
12:45
What is your level of confidence that the front office will actually spend money and put legitimate back in the lineup to support the pitching staff next season?
Jason Mackey
12:46
They will spend money. I think payroll will be upwards of $90 M. I also don't expect people to start flooding the streets with excitement. It comes down to whether they can sign the right people, make smart trades and be better when it comes to development. They're never going to spend their way out of trouble.
Seven
12:46
Welcome back to the beat, Jason! The pitching staff seems 90 percent set in house for next season. How many bats do the Pirates need to find to become a legit wild-card challenger, and can they possibly afford the price for those bats?
Jason Mackey
12:47
At least two, Seven. And thank you. Good to be back. They need to improve in LF and 3B, and I wouldn't hate a third bat. Also need to fortify the bullpen.
Jimmy T
12:47
What do you read into Cutch's response to your quote? Do you think it is taking more umbrage with the "reunion tour" being over or the lack of production at the DH spot?
Jason Mackey
12:50
Not sure. Maybe the reunion tour thing, although I'm guessing.

I know this: I'm far from the only person who's said Cutch's productivity went down.

I've also praised him up and down for years -- and continue to do so -- for his legacy & what he means to the city, including saying this story should end the appropriate way, with him retiring as a Pirate.

But, it's also my job to speak on what I've heard, and there's a fair amount of questioning going on right now when it comes to whether it's the right move to bring him back.
Adam
12:51
Hi Jason, do you think the front office realizes something needs to change and the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result? What do you think they will do differently this offseason, if anything, that will provide a different result?
Jason Mackey
12:51
I would sure as heck hope they spend money & act differently. Don't spread out money and resources over 4 players and hope. Combine them into 2 players who'll impact the team. Also, care less about the future. Mortgage future pieces for now.
Seven
12:52
Biggest surprise to you at this point of the playoffs?
Jason Mackey
12:52
Shouldn't be but probably the Blue Jays. Very good team but the postseason has been a struggle recently. They've been dominant.
Bill in Charleston
12:52
Welcome back. I always appreciate your work at PG, whatever role you have served. Do you personally expect a Keller trade this offseason?
Jason Mackey
12:53
Thank you, Bill. I certainly think it's something they will consider. It depends on the return. Hard to project that with some of his second-half issues over the past 3 years.
PrinceBob
12:53
Good to do this again. I never thought the Pirates would fire Ben Cherrington. I thought if they were going to they'd have done it when they fired Shelton. But I took hope that I was wrong because you seemed sure they'd fire him and I figured you knew better than me. So how surprised are you that he wasn't fired?
Jason Mackey
12:54
Very. And a lot of the folks I talk to are still surprised they're going this route. Said this before, but I would imagine the lockout plays a part.
Bman
12:54
Going into the offseason, what would you say is the most obtainable bat in free agency to help boost the lineup.
Jason Mackey
12:55
I really think Max Kepler has a solid combo of obtainable, solid fielding, right amount of mileage, left-handed hitter, etc. Would make sense.
PrinceBob
12:55
Do you still think the Pirates will sign a multi year free agent now that the general manager is the same? When he says that they need to bet on unproven guys to me that's saying they're going to do what they do every off season.
Jason Mackey
12:57
I've learned to not expect big things ... or maybe to expect to be disappointed. Ha. So, not going there. But I do think Ben was talking about trading for a Bleday or Westburg and trusting that they turn into something sustainable here. I think that can be ONE of their moves. I just think it can't be their ONLY move.
Sweaty Ken
12:57
Do you envision the team actually signing some quality bats to go with the pitching after Skenes and Cutch called out nutting?
Jason Mackey
12:58
I would sure hope so. They need 'em. They'll do something. It has just become hard to expect the Pirates to make anything close to a splashy move, especially with this regime.
Lower the melancholy Roger
12:58
What are some realistic trade/and or free agent targets the Pirates could get for 2026?
Jason Mackey
12:58
Targets that I like:

Trade: Jordan Westburg or Coby Mayo, Orioles; JJ Bleday, Athletics. ...

Free agency: Max Kepler, OF; Harrison Bader, OF (if he doesn't return to PHI); Mike Tauchman, OF (lesser); Mike Yastrzemski, OF (same) ... Eugenio Suarez 3B, (pipedream); Michael Conforto, OF ... probably out on Chris Taylor or Yoan Moncada INF-wise ... I'd maybe consider Paul Goldschmidt and moving Horwitz. ... Would love Bo Bichette, but I don't see it happening.
Bill in Charleston
12:59
We all love Cutch and honor what he has contributed to Pirates baseball. That said, if they are really committed to winning, they cannot carry him as primary DH another year. How you expect that to play out?
Jason Mackey
12:59
I'd prefer they better the lineup to the point where he becomes a part-time DH. You sign him for a farewell tour, and that's that. The first part is important, though.
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