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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 10.28.20
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Jason Mackey
12:42
I would rather keep National League rules (meaning no DH), but I don't think it will happen. I think the DH is here to stay. I actually liked the extra-inning rules and seven-inning doubleheaders. I think those will stay, too.
Bad Bad Man
12:42
Worst sports franchise  ? Toronto Maple Leafs ? NY Jets ?  New York Knicks ? Or the Pirates ?
Jason Mackey
12:43
The Maple Leafs? Definitely not them. Do we really need to have a title for this? Also, what are your guidelines? Because there's history will all of them. Seems like a "What I'm Mad About" list more than anything.
Guest
12:43
Hi Jason.  Milwaukee made the playoffs with a losing record.  I believe that bad luck (injuries to Taillon et al), stupidity (Vasquez), and cheapness (salary dumping Marte) prevented the Bucs from being the team that got thrashed by the Dodgers in the 1st round.  What's my point you may ask?  That Huntington put together a pretty good roster.  I don't have as much confidence in the new guy.  I know you disagree but I'll ask your opinion anyway.  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:44
I don't think Huntington gets enough credit for some things. (For instance, did you know the Pirates once drafted Walker Buehler?) Seriously. He did a lot of good. But he also did some stuff poorly at the end, and it was time for a change. I don't know on Cherington. I don't think he's an idiot. I think he's really smart. Does that translate into him being a good GM for the Pirates? I don't think we'll have that answer for a couple years.
Moneybags
12:44
True or False ? Bob Nutting doesn't give out candy on Halloween because he needs that "financial flexibility" ?
Jason Mackey
12:46
I had always assumed Bob didn't give out candy because he was busy walking around neighborhoods stealing it off small children, right after he scared the daylights out of them and pushed the elderly. (This is a joke.)
Troy
12:46
Hey Jason, is Don Kelly still in the running for the Red Sox job?
Jason Mackey
12:47
I had heard he's someone they're considering interviewing. I honestly don't know if that's "in the running" or not. But it certainly seems like Alex Cora is a preferred choice. Would have a tough time seeing Don Kelly transition from bench coach on a lousy team to managing the Red Sox, I'll say that. But I also think Kelly will be a manager sooner than later.
Tom
12:47
Hi Jason.  Did the Pirates ever disclose the length of contracts for either Derek Shelton or Ben Cherington since they were hired last fall?
Jason Mackey
12:48
Hi, Tom. No, they did not. Multi-year, obviously. But I have not seen any more than that.
Raymond
12:48
Let's reminisce about the modern "glory days" of 2013-15. Of those three teams which do you think really could have won the World Series?
Jason Mackey
12:50
I would go with the 2015 club. 98 wins, sure, so probably not a huge surprise. But a top three that includes Cole, Liriano (in his prime) and Burnett. That's pretty damn good. Incredible bullpen. Solid lineup. That group absolutely could have competed, I think.
Booooo
12:51
If I wanted to go as Bob Nutting for Halloween what should my attire be ?
Jason Mackey
12:51
A pinata or punching bag.
alan
12:51
Will The Pirates at least consider drafting a catcher in the second round?
Jason Mackey
12:52
I think they'll consider it, yeah. They know they need to add more talent to the position. But at the moment, to be fair, Jacob Stallings just got better year over year and is currently a Gold Glove finalist. If they don't, I'm not going to get upset.
alan
12:52
How long is Cherington's contract? I fear he gets fed up and leaves after it expires
Jason Mackey
12:53
I don't know exactly. My suspicion is three years. I think it's on Ben. Have said this before, but I think he knows he needs to build this team for the future, a couple years out. I think his belief is that Nutting will spend to support whatever his needs are when that happens. If Bob doesn't do that -- and for the record, I think he will -- then yeah, I could see Ben getting upset. But again, that's a long way from now.
Prince Bob
12:53
Following up, I think baseball needs to de-emphasize the fixation on homers and strike outs (I know, fans love home runs but I think that's being offset by boredom from long games with little action aside from homers.) Some thing I think could address this could be moving back fences, expanding the strike zone which should induce hitters to swing more and increase the value of contact hitters, and have a softer ball. On another note, as we're discussing broadcasters, where did Michael McHenry go?
Jason Mackey
12:55
I would have a problem with none of that. To me, I love watching baseball when there's action. Then if you have strikes being thrown and more action, the between-pitches discussion is generally centered on the previous play, not on what you had for lunch last Tuesday or whose grandma just traveled to Wisconsin -- the random stuff that makes us all mad. ... Re: McKenry, he's still around. Doing AT&T SportsNet stuff, some radio, too.
Cole Tucker
12:55
Now that I have shown I just can't hit that white ball can I transition into a reliever?
Jason Mackey
12:55
I thought you had a better year, Cole. I just think you need to find some more power. Too many singles.
Prince Bob
12:55
Why can't the Pirates DFA Polanco? No one will claim him, they'll be stuck paying him. But they could send him to Indianapolis where he could maybe re-learn to hit and bring him back up when/if he does. Or am I misunderstanding how this works?
Jason Mackey
12:57
They could, yeah. And you're right. Nobody would claim him. I just don't think they would want to pay that much money for a minor league player given the fact that they don't pay that much for major league players. I also don't see Polanco rejecting the assignment because he still gets paid, and he'd have to know that no one else would pick him up, at least for that money.
Alan
12:57
Does the money used for intl signings come from the Pirates or from Mlb?
Jason Mackey
12:57
I believe MLB, although lemme fire off a text and check on that.
Mark Cerny
12:59
Hey Jason, would the Pirates be interested in Gary Sanchez from the Yankees?  From everything I have read, they appeared to have soured on him.  Can't imagine it would cost a ton, and you get a potential building block.
Jason Mackey
12:59
I doubt it, Mark. Of all the places where they need help, catching is not one of them. Jacob Stallings is fine. I'm not sure it's worth the trouble.
rambler66
12:59
Did the Tampa Bay Rays lose because they had too many former Pirates?
Jason Mackey
1:00
Pay the man (or woman), Shirley. (Apologies to the great Norman Chad for stealing his line.)
Ideas Man
1:00
Do you think if they put Polanco on Facebook Marketplace they'd get anything for him ?
Jason Mackey
1:01
It's the Pirates. They'd go with Craigslist or the Pennysaver. (This, too, is a joke.)
George
1:01
How is it that Justin Turner's covid test results came back positive mid-game? Doesn't MLB require negative testing prior to each game being played?
Jason Mackey
1:02
It does -- I thought. I read that it was late. I think this is gonna be a tough question for Rob Manfred to answer. I had read that there were inclusive results with Turner's original test. OK, fine. But why was he allowed to play while they expedited a follow-up test? Probably because they didn't want to disrupt the series and just assumed that, because it was a World Series elimination game -- that the coronavirus would stand down.
Alan
1:06
Odds the season starts on time
Jason Mackey
1:07
I think it will. It's the minor league season I'm worried about. I think they may have to delay the start of spring training to allow enough space, which would delay the season. I also worry if it's practical. But the major league season I think will start just fine.
OK, folks. Looks like that's it. Thanks so much for participating. We'll likely do this again next week with some moves coming. Talk to yinz then.
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