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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 10.23.25
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Jason Mackey
11:47
Good morning, everyone. It's chat day! Lots of discuss, I'm sure. Working on another analysis piece but feel free to fire away. I'll be back at noon to answer everything.
12:00
And away we go ... Cullen is gonna get us started with a novella.
Cullen
12:01
(1/2) Hey Jason, sorry in advance for the long block of text. This is going to be super unpopular but if the Pirates aren't going to be competitive, I hope the Dodgers win the next 2 world series and we have a long lockout.  Burn it all down. To me, today's players are being far to selfish and shortsighted to see the sport is in a heavy decline and the writing is on the wall. They're screwing over the next generations for their short term gains and a few extra $$ for those at the top.
Jason Mackey
12:01
You're allowed to feel however you want, Cullen. Not my place to judge. I, too, am rooting for the Dodgers and substantive change to baseball's economic structure.
Cullen
12:02
(2/2) What happens in 20 years when all the people who grew up when the sport was still the national past time die? I can tell you as a early 30s something guy no one in my extended circle gives a crap about baseball and are super casual at the very best. A perfect example is when Ohtani had the greatest post season performance of all time and to those I reached out to, most of the responses were lukewarm at best and almost no one understood the gravity of what he did. That should be a huge warning sign to MLB that the sport is dying and they need to fix the system to have more parity, be more entertaining, and reach the younger audiences that have shorter attention spans. Ill get off my soapbox, but what do you think will finally get the players to admit there is a problem and to come to the table to negotiate and save baseball?
Jason Mackey
12:02
Again, I hear you. I think it's a common opinion. And I don't think players are going to bend on a salary cap. But I think they should.
12:03
Everyone involved should look at the NFL and how the league does things. It's a national sport. It's what baseball could be from March-September, then six weeks of glorious overlap. It should be marketable, a public talking point, all of that. It's not. Everyone is more interested in pursuing immediate gratification rather than the wholesale changes needed.
Cullen
12:04
You said the Rays have heavily scouted our farm system, should a trade for Yandy Diaz AND Brandon Lowe be on the horizon? To me it just makes to much sense as they both have 1 and 2 years remaining respectively, are on big salaries (for the Rays at least), and they can backfill in both positions easily. On the Pirates side, we have a ton of young pitching that the Rays would covet. And we could still afford another bat and some relief arms all while keeping Keller. Both Lowe and Diaz should probably be extendable in the Pirates price range if they perform.
Jason Mackey
12:04
I wouldn't read too much into specific scouting. Teams like the Rays and even the Pirates do a lot of that due diligence. They have to. But I agree with you. Lowe & Diaz make a bunch of sense.
Michael Scott
12:04
Hiya Jason! I enjoyed hearing your podcast with Colin Beazley on the Pirates' off-season plans. It sounds like you guys are a great duo discussing the Buccos! Now time for my question, when do you realistically see the Pirates making acquisition moves in the offseason?
Jason Mackey
12:05
Hi Michael. Thank you. Beaz and I will be doing those most Tuesdays and Fridays. We have another one coming tomorrow.

I wouldn't expect them to be first out of the gate, that's for sure. Maybe later December but probably more realistically in January.
Michael Scott
12:05
Do you see the Steelers winning a playoff game this year and winning this Sunday against the Packers?
Jason Mackey
12:05
Michael, Pirates chat! Come on. I'm very much kidding.

I do see both of those things, yes. One playoff game, though. Not multiple.
Michael Scott
12:05
Finally, the Penguins are 5-2, yes, I know it is a long season but do they have a realistic chance at making the Postseason? I mean, the young guys look pretty solid, and maybe that is the answer we've been looking for. Rely on the young guns!
Jason Mackey
12:06
I don't see why not. If they play with structure, if they're bought in, there's enough talent to still make it. A lot of ifs here, again, but if Justin Brazeau pans out, if the goaltending remains decent, if there are no major injuries. You get my drift. They could, sure.
Erryg
12:06
Hi Jason, love your work.  Given that the terms of MLB’s labor agreement could change drastically after the 2026 season, isn’t there a real risk that Paul Skenes could have earned enough service time by then to become a free agent?  If so,  isn’t it rational then to trade him sooner rather than later?
Jason Mackey
12:07
No on both fronts. He wouldn't earn service time during a lockout, No. 1. Secondarily, they would have three years of club control left at that point. I don't see what a lockout would give me to make me trade him sooner. I'd wanna win sooner. Not trade him sooner.
epiballo
12:07
Hi Jason! Love your Bucco coverage! Talk of offering a big contract to players who haven't proven themselves sounds so un-Pirate like. I'm speaking of Connor. How do you access the two times they did: Hayes and Reynolds?
Jason Mackey
12:09
Thank you, sir! Are you talking about Konnor Griffin? Doubt you mean Connor Joe.

I have zero issue with those contracts. They made a bet on Hayes. It didn't work out. He still played great defense, they got value on the deal, then moved on. I don't even have an issue with the Reynolds thing. His year was weird. I don't think he's anywhere near done. I'm writing for Sunday why that is.
Wayward
12:09
Jason, I enjoyed your analysis of the potential pitching candidates.  There were several that were intriguing to me (Henderson, Blanks & Jacobson), for different reasons whether using both analytics and feel, to don't overthink or connecting with young pitchers.  If you were the one making the decision which way would you go?
Jason Mackey
12:11
I'm not sure. I'd want to hear interviews. Blank and Henderson are definitely up there. I also don't know if they would leave. Lastly, I would solicit opinion from guys like Keller, Skenes and maybe 1-2 more to really nail the hire.
epiballo
12:11
I like Pham, a productive player. But resigning him would be a PR 'more of the same' nightmare. Has Cherrington offered any rationale for not moving the three players on expiring contracts at the deadline? Did he try? Was the return offered minimal? A bag of baseballs would have been more than they got for IKF.
Jason Mackey
12:13
You're speaking in questions. I don't see them re-signing him. They need more than he can provide. I think he probably wants a regular role. Just not a great match.

I don't think Ben has offered any sort of magic statement, and I'm not sure there is one. It doesn't sound like Heaney was tradable. I'm sure Pham was. IKF to a degree, too. Was he trying to preserve his job?

The answer has been the leadership angle, and I can see some validity there. It's just hard to say without knowing available return.
epiballo
12:13
Reports have said that one of the reasons for not retaining the pitching coach were player comments made during exit interviews. Do you know what they were that led to him not being retained? Given the Bucs pitching success, he seemed like the last guy they should get rid of. Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:14
"Reports have said" ... I said. Then others followed. Ha. I'd like to be known as Reports from now on.

I don't know the specifics of those conversations, no. I also know it wasn't the primary reason. More one input into the overall decision.
epiballo
12:14
Roberto Clemente was my favorite player, but it seemed strange to name him to the Pittsburgh Walk of Fame (or whatever it is called). Shouldn't this be for Pittsburgher-born folks who went on to excellence in their fields?
Jason Mackey
12:15
I'm not gonna complain about the city honoring Roberto Clemente. No such thing as too much there.
epiballo
12:15
I like O'Neil Cruz, but the Pirates can't afford another year of what seems like a lazy approach to his game. Is that coachable? It seems like that is an inside motor that, by this time, is baked in. If he had Henry Davis' work ethic, he would be a star instead of an enigma.
Jason Mackey
12:16
Yeah, he might. And if a frog had wings, he wouldn't bump his ... you know where I'm going.

I'm making the bet on Cruz every time. For $3.6 million? Absolutely. What if he figures it out? Get through to him. Relate to him. Meet him -- literally -- where he's at. There's too much potential there. I'm just not cutting bait for $3.6 million.
epiballo
12:16
What Pirates are playing winter ball? Who do you think should, but are not. I ask this with Cruz and Davis in mind.
Jason Mackey
12:17
I don't know yet. When I/we get info, it will certainly be communicated.
JR
12:17
I think it makes sense to trade Skenes now. While it is great watching him pitch in a Pirates uniform, it won’t be forever as there is no way they can sign him. While they seem to have a good crop of pitchers to fill out the roster, trading Skenes now should bring a boatload of quality players.
Jason Mackey
12:18
You're entitled to your opinion. They and I very much agree with it. Win now with Paul. They should be criticized for not having more urgency, but I'm very much against trading Paul.
PhilinCT
12:18
Mr Mackey, great article today on reasoning why the hitting coach was kept and the (?)hope for next year. What rookie hitters in the system do you think/hope will (or should) start the season in PIT or be there by the ASG? Thanks for your time.
Jason Mackey
12:19
Thank you, Phil. Konnor Griffin is an easy one. Would love to see him here opening day, extension in hand. Esmerlyn Valdez intrigues me. He's going off in the AFL. There aren't a lot of candidates, unfortunately.
PrinceBob
12:19
There seems to be general agreement that the Pirates need to add a third baseman and outfielder who can hit. But I've now read three articles suggesting that because Jared Triolo hit very well over the last month or so of the season they might give him the third base job. Do you think that's possible? I like Triolo but does a month of solid hitting offset a couple years as a "good field/no hit" guy?
Jason Mackey
12:20
I'd be surprised if they did that. Maybe if they line up with a shortstop who can hit. But one of those two left side/infield spots needs to be an outside bat with power. I'd be fine with Triolo starting at SS, keeping it warm until Griffin is ready, then shifting into a super utility role.
LSU Nate
12:20
Jason, we all want an owner who will spend. We want a winner! But we all know that isn't going to happen. When it is all said and done, what will Nuttings legacy be in Pittsburgh?
Jason Mackey
12:21
One of anger, frustration ... I mean, it's not good. I'd imagine the most hated sports owner in our city's history. Can't think of anyone else close.
George T
12:21
Hi Jason, My biggest concern with the Pirates is I don’t believe they can identify good talent or develop them.  So until they make major changes to their to these departments they will never be a competitive.  Low market teams need to excel in these areas to be competitive.  Without developing their own players they can only buy a few good players.  Do you see it this way?
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