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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 10.23.25
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Jason Mackey
12:38
There should be. But I don't see one, for reasons I outlined. I think there are just too many powerful people opposed.
Ethan
12:38
Have the Pirates been in touch with any of the higher-profile pitching coaches who are now available (Ethan Katz, Jeremy Hefner, Paul Davis)? Seems like that's the one area where they could actually entice a guy with an impressive resume to come in
Jason Mackey
12:38
I do not yet have a list of who they've contacted.
Off season
12:38
What number do you think Skenes will wear with the Yankees when Bob has him and Griffin traded in December ?
Jason Mackey
12:38
Good one. They're not getting traded.
Schreib
12:38
Esmerlyn Valdez has had some eye-popping numbers in the fall league
Jason Mackey
12:38
That's an understatement.
PNC Park
12:38
With all this talk about the grass at Acrisure why don't the Pirates let the WPIAL play their football championship games at PNC Park ? Is Bob that awful a person that he isn't willing to let high school kids play on the big stage ? It's not like they wouldn't have time to repair any damage to the grass
Jason Mackey
12:39
You really think Nutting would turn down the chance to make a buck? Come on. Interesting idea. I just think it means more because it's, you know, a football stadium. Wouldn't the WPIAL baseball finals at Acrisure feel kinda odd?
Schreib
12:39
Do you think he can become a legitimate power hitter at the big league level?  Or is this just a hot streak?
Jason Mackey
12:40
I wanna see him play Triple-A ball first. I think it's possible, sure.
PC
12:40
The Pirates had a winning record when Cruz was out of the lineup.  His attitude and work ethic seem to have a losing effect on the team.  Do you think teams would be interested in him if we were to think of trading him?
Jason Mackey
12:41
You think professional players played worse because their teammate jogged to first? Come on, PC. You can criticize Cruz and say he needs to grow up and give more consistent effort. Completely fair. Beyond that? I think you're stretching it.

I think teams would be very interested. In fact, they were at the trade deadline.
PrinceBob
12:41
How many Pirate players, if any, live in or near Pittsburgh in the off season?
Jason Mackey
12:42
Just Cutch, I believe. Used to be Bednar, too.
The truth
12:42
We all know the "we need to get better. We need to get better hitters" stuff is all lip service. Just like last year and the year before. They think we are that dumb. And people keep buying their bs. Excuse me if I sound cynical
Jason Mackey
12:42
Feel however you wish. I don't blame you. They need to go do it.
Nick
12:42
Do you get any sense of urgency from the organization that they will actually capitalize this offseason on the best pitcher in baseball?  Is there any reason to expect anything other than more of the same, Heaney Pham Frazier, etc
Jason Mackey
12:43
Umm, I'm not saying I think they're going to send everyone running down to the North Shore to buy season tickets. They're still the Pirates. But, at the same time, I do think the signings will be different than Heaney, Pham and Frazier.
Legacy
12:43
No Jason. Bob won't be just the most hated sports owner in our city's history, he'll be the most PERSON in our city's history. He's gonna make Henry Clay Frick look like Mr. Rodgers.
Jason Mackey
12:44
Again, I'm not arguing with you. They need to win. Now.
SDWC
12:44
Is Jared Jones on track to compete for a job in the rotation come spring training?
Jason Mackey
12:45
I think that's too early. Couple months into the season. He's too valuable. I think May is probably more likely.
Cullen
12:45
Are we finally seeing the fruits of the change in how we operate internationally? Florentino, Valdez, Blanco jr are recent success stories and I acknowledge they're a bit away from the show, but it's great seeing them flourishing
Jason Mackey
12:46
You'd certainly hope so. Those guys are pretty darn exciting. Blanco is such a fascinating kid. Like baseball Darnell Washington.
Never agian
12:46
The Mariners almost made the WS. The Pirates will not only never make the WS again, they'll never finish with a winning record again. EVER.
Jason Mackey
12:46
OK. That was productive.
PrinceBob
12:46
I know you're still pretty high on O'Neil Cruz and seem to think he's going to realize much of his potential. Can you think of other players who struggled for several years and then blossomed?
Jason Mackey
12:48
Max Muncy was a negative WAR player until he turned 27. Justin Turner was worth a whopping 0.6 bWAR until his age 29 season (4.1 bWAR). Those are just two quick ones off the top of my head.
Sully
12:48
Jason congrats on the move to the pirates beat. Unfortunately there may not be many highlights in the foreseeable future warranting your considerable talent. Red Smith needs you to shine.
Jason Mackey
12:48
I'm comfortable with my ability to do this job, whether the team is any good or not. Thank you.
Matt L
12:48
Who starts in LF opening day?
Jason Mackey
12:48
He isn't on the roster yet.
Reality
12:49
The fact is this franchise except for the 1900s, 1920s and 1970s has been pretty bad. And 1960 was purely a fluke witness their 4 place finish the next year. Pirate history just isn't that storied or great. And their future will be worse
Jason Mackey
12:49
What's with the random, negative statements? I mean, I get the frustration, believe me. But isn't there enough to steamed about now that we also don't have to be upset about 1960 or all of Pirates history? Good Lord.
Commissioner
12:50
I understand it’s your job, but why should anyone really care about the Pirates when their owner doesn’t care about winning? He can say he cares and wants to win but his actions say the exact opposite. Talk is cheap!
Jason Mackey
12:50
What do you want me to tell you here? My current analysis piece is the second-most read thing on our website at the moment. The third? This chat. You can tell me people don't care. You're wrong.
Nick
12:51
Left handed pop at a position of need: Yoan Moncada & Trent Grisham make sense?
Jason Mackey
12:51
Grisham concerns me. I know the homers. But a lot of years under .200. Would have to overpay, and I'm not sure on the amount it would take. There are better options. I'll pass on Moncada. Too many injuries. Best HR season since '19 is 14 in '21. They can do better.
More of the same
12:52
Suwinski gets a 5 year contract and a huge bump in pay because that's how this franchise operates.
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