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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 10.16.25
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Will in N. Hills
11:25
What’s the word on potential new pitching coach? And do we really trust BC to get a good return for Keller? Don’t we need a veteran member on the staff? I think he’s worth keeping.
Jason Mackey
11:26
Not much. Been very quiet.

I think it depends on the return with Mitch. Believe me, I don't want to see Mitch guy. Like him a lot. Good dude. Solid pitchers. But they need offense. Gotta give to get. They can replace him for cheaper. I understand the argument. If he would fetch something via trade, I think you have to consider that.
Clint
11:26
The cat’s out of the bag - Cherington’s only job duty is to keep payroll low by selling off assets when they become expensive.  Now that he’s feeling heat from the media, is there a chance he tries to make a splash move to actually improve the team?
Jason Mackey
11:27
Payroll is gonna be about the same way as it was last year. Was Cherington clearing out what he could to set the Pirates up to maybe chart a new(ish) direction this winter? Yeah, I think that's possible. I don't even think that's a flawed strategy. Just have to go do it, and they haven't done a good enough job of that to this point.
DennisSC
11:27
Are you hearing any possible names to replace Oscar Marin?
Jason Mackey
11:27
No. That's been oddly very quiet. Believe me, hasn't been for lack of effort.
T
11:27
Mr. Mackey, with the return of the same hitting coach what could bring us hope that once top hitting prospects of Cruz and Davis could find their way?
Jason Mackey
11:29
This overly simplistic, I know, but changing the process? It's not just Matt Hague. There's a lot that goes into it with tech, approach, adjustments, other types of coaching, data, etc. I understand why it frustrates people -- it's not a great look to keep the hitting coach but fire the pitching coach after this type of year -- but players like Cruz & Davis can still figure it out.
Matt D.
11:29
This is a go all-in or bust year. There's no room for another 70-75-win season. They need to clean house if they don't have a winning season.

Do the Pirates go out and sign a guy to a multi-year deal? Do they actually try something different this year, or are we going to be on the edge of our seats waiting for a Tommy Pham-type signing in February?
Jason Mackey
11:30
I agree with you -- they need to win or it's gonna be over. I think they will try to sign a multi-year deal. They've also tried in the past. That's not as easy as it might sound because why would a player with other options -- if you're good enough to earn a multi-year deal, you probably don't stink -- want to come to a place where they haven't made the postseason since '15? The Pirates must earn that. They need to do that by rolling out a plan, signing better players and winning games.
FirstTimeLongTime
11:30
Jason - I know it's highly unlikely given his professional nature, but wouldn't it be great to see Skenes come out and say they need to spend more and acquire some legit FA's.  Would really put ownership in a PR nightmare (if it could get any worse).
Jason Mackey
11:32
Ha. You nailed it with the last part. What, are people gonna be mad about the Pirates? Are they gonna call the owner cheap or say the organization is poorly run? Also, Paul did say a lot of this stuff without saying it if you read between the lines here. I also think if they don't win or make a more obvious effort, yeah, he's probably gonna say more. It'll be warranted, too.
"Worse? How can it get any worse, Ellen? Look around. We're on the threshold of hell!" -- Christmas Vacation
RPKinsella
11:32
What confidence can any of us have that GMBC is the right person to evaluate the pitching to trade and the hitting to acquire given his record?  Priester for Yorke.  Holmes for Park and Castillo.  Taillon for Smith-NJigba, Escotto, Contreras and Yajure.  Bednar for Flores.
Jason Mackey
11:34
Totally fair. There's nothing I can say here that will undo any of those trades. They haven't been good enough. And until they make better trades, that criticism is completely valid. They need to earn confidence and really haven't yet, other than some pretty good young pitchers.
Seth
11:34
Do you think the team considers trading Reynolds this offseason? I understand he’s the only consistent bat in the lineup and isn’t protected, but he’s getting older and more expensive. Do you think they could move him for younger and/or cheaper?
Jason Mackey
11:35
I don't. This would be a terrible time to do it, too. Coming off one of his worst seasons? They're better served to ride it out and expect him to improve or for the numbers to correct. Personally I think they will.
Steve Jeremko
11:35
I wonder about Bob Nutting's perception ... he appears to be an involved owner, but why is he so reluctant to make the big changes needed to improve this franchise.  He has got to be aware of the criticism levelled at him from all directions  Does he really believe the snake oil peddled by Cherington, Williams and others?
Jason Mackey
11:36
Another fair question. Nutting is more involved than many think. Those I talk to close to him also consistently cite his over-abundance of loyalty. Or, more to the point, being too slow to make necessary changes, almost convincing himself that they're gonna work out (when they often don't). He's certainly aware of the criticism. I know that for a fact.
CC Bucco Fan
11:36
I have two names that I would like to see the Pirates explore for their pitching coach. First would be A.J. Burnett if he would be interested. He could teach that young staff how to be mean and intimidating with the stuff they have. The second would be Joel Hanrahan although he might be done with the Pirates for the way he was treated in the past.
Jason Mackey
11:38
I don't think there's a chance of either. I don't think Burnett would want that. I think Hanrahan would, but his way of operating isn't at all what this group believes in. They love numbers, data, cameras, all that stuff. Not that Joel doesn't but I just don't think they're cut from the same cloth. Big fan of both of those guys, too. Great pitchers. Have such a great feel and head for the game. Just answering your question honestly.
Matt
11:38
Hi Jason. It was interesting to hear that player sentiment played at least some part in Oscar Marin not returning. Have you heard anything about what players thought of Matt Hague?
Jason Mackey
11:40
I have not. But lemme say this: I don't think player sentiment was THE reason Marin was fired or not brought back. It was an input. If player sentiment was bad on Hague, same deal, it wouldn't be THE reason. There are a lot of factors here.

That being said, I would like to know more about why Hague remains, what the plan is gonna be to do thing differently and all of that.

Lastly, I think hitting coaches generally get too much blame and credit. Hitters have to perform. A GM needs to built a roster. I'd say both sides came up short in 2025. It's not just the hitting coach here.
PrinceBob
11:40
Do you see anything obviously different now from what the Pirates were doing in the mid teens when they were getting into the post season? Obviously there's a different GM and manager. Is that it? Do you think it would be better now if Littlefield was still GM? Has baseball changed in a way the Pirates haven't kept up with?
Jason Mackey
11:42
I was not covering the Pirates back then, so it's tough to say for sure. One thing I hear often is a feel of cohesion around the team, something that I think Hurdle brought, I think that's also spurred by winning.

I'm not saying things are terrible right now. They're not. But it's a lot more tense or an over-arching search for a solution than it is the cohesion or confidence that existed back then.

I also think the group back then did a better job of helping players or finding someone who wasn't productive with another organization and getting more out of them. This one hasn't found that speed, and it has been a problem.
PrinceBob
11:42
Are the Angels an even more incompetent organization than the Pirates are? They spend actual money on players, for a while they had arguably the two best players in the game, and yet the Pirates have been in the post season more recently.
Jason Mackey
11:43
Probably, yes. I don't know a lot about Angels operations. But dollars spent versus team success is pretty brutal.
Rick
11:43
I believe McCage who was with the pirates  previously and now in the Brewers organization would be a good hire
Jason Mackey
11:44
I don't hate it. Also not gonna happen. They got rid of him last offseason.
JollyRoger8
11:47
Regarding a possible work stoppage that wipes out the 2027 season; would the Pirates lose a year of control on Paul Skenes or would they maintain an extra year of control through 2030?
Jason Mackey
11:48
They would not lose a year of control. No work, no earning of service time. Everything is basically paused.
Jim
11:57
If MLB has a work stoppage, do the minor leagues shut down as well?
Jason Mackey
11:57
Yes. MiLB players became unionized in late 2022, so I would fully expect both to be shut down.
Your Name
11:58
What’s with Cherington’s obsession with trading for/claiming on waivers/signing utility players? Does he really believe you can construct a roster without power hitting corner players?
Jason Mackey
11:59
Every organization does some version of this -- and I'm not saying the Pirates should do it this much or anything. My point is that look at someone like Justin Turner or Max Muncy. They were minor league free agents the Dodgers helped. That happens in baseball. The Pirates a decade ago did it with pitching. It makes sense. This regime just hasn't been very good at it. They should also pay money for more sure things.
Matt L
11:59
In response to “no absolutely not” do you think Cruz can’t handle 3b? He has the arm, good enough glove and range, and is not a good outfielder. They have a glaring hole there. 3b requires reaction time more than deep focus, which he clearly lacks
Jason Mackey
12:00
We've found 2 defensive positions he struggles to play. Why are we going to add a third? Also, if you want to move him to the infield, fine. I don't agree with you, but I guess I see the logic. Just play him at short and move Triolo to third. Aren't we overcomplicating things here? Also, my preference would be to let Cruz get more comfortable in CF and push him to do it. I'd prefer that a billion times over shoehorning him into third base.
Danno
12:01
Obviously money is the major deciding factor but with the pitching staff do you think players will maybe choose the Pirates if the money is the same?
Jason Mackey
12:01
Every one is different, Danno. Is it multiple years? Are they part of the rotation? What's the org's plan for their pitch mix, usage, mechanical tweaks? What other moves are happening? Do they like the pitching coach? So many variables.
BrettofIndy
12:02
This is going to sound crass, but have the Pirates considered testing Cruz for AADD? It seems like something that could be an issue and might have been missed in the DR.
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