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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 10.30.19
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Jason Mackey
11:24
Hi folks and welcome to my Pirates chat. Been a little bit, but I thought this would be a good week to get back on the horse. If you have Pirates questions, fire away and I'll be back here at noon to answer 'em.
Canyon
12:02
Are the Pirates going to have a full on rebuild and if they do who should they trade?
Jason Mackey
12:03
I don't think it's going to be a full-on rebuild. Bob Nutting even said as much the other day -- that they're not in a situation for a traditional rebuild, and I agree with him. They could look at trading Starling Marte, but I honestly think it makes more sense to keep him and try to address issues elsewhere. (Catcher, ahem, catcher).
Scott clifford
12:03
Hey Jason!    Have you heard anything about possible free agents that the Pirates may take a run at.   Minus the upper echelon ones obviously!
Jason Mackey
12:04
I have not, Scott. That's a little tough to say considering I can't even tell you who would be making said run. The closest thing would be Travis Williams, and he's not gonna make those calls. I didn't think the Pirates would be terribly active in free agency before all this, and I don't think these moves have changed terribly much.
Wayward
12:04
I know its early and they still need to hire a GM but did you get a sense that Nutting/Williams believe this team can compete with some additions or that a rebuild is truly in order?
Jason Mackey
12:05
Right or wrong, my sense is they think they can compete. I think they think they need to change a lot about the process, and that's fair. Basically be more like better small-market teams. But I think those guys think there's enough here to get it done without a total rebuild.
J
12:05
I believe that Taillon is now arbitration-eligible and would be in line for a solid raise -- except that he's going to miss the entire season. How do things work in this kind of situation? I mean, he should get paid, but if the Pirates low-ball him it would be tough to go to an arbitrator and say "I'm worth more" when he's out.
Jason Mackey
12:06
I hear what you're saying, but I also think Taillon could use seasons prior to make his argument. Yes, he's been hurt a lot. But when he's healthy, he's also pitched above his pay grade. And I think they could make the case that he deserves the back end of that now.
PGH Horse
12:06
Been a big week for the front office with decisions still to be made. As for on field product, would you say the pirates have a pretty decent core? Like the offense and we’ll see what new manager and especially pitching coach can do to help a depleted staff. Any chance the right on field management could lead the pirates to a surprise season?
Jason Mackey
12:08
I do. I like some of the pieces they have: Newman, Frazier and Bell in the infield; Marte and Reynolds in the outfield; with the right pitching coach/plan, I think this staff can be better. I worry about Polanco. I'd like to see more out of third base, either defensively with Moran or offensively with Hayes. And I'd like to see them spend on a catcher who could make the staff better the way Martin and Cervelli have done. Also wouldn't hurt the bring in another starting pitcher.
juniorkrz
12:08
What are the odds the Bucs trade Josh Bell to the AL where he belongs.
Jason Mackey
12:08
I would never say never, to anything, but unless it's a ridiculous offer that they simply can't pass up, I don't see it happening. He's the type of guy they should be marketing and building their team around. I know the defense lacks, but he's the closest thing they have to a star.
Guest
12:08
Painting the rosiest of pictures, if you were a potential GM candidate, why would you want to be the Pirates GM? The minor league system is depleted, the owner doesn't want to spend any money, the team's star has boras as an agent... Why would anyone take this job?
Jason Mackey
12:09
Well, one, because there are only 30 of them. Two, the fan base. It's widely recognized around the industry that Pittsburgh could be an absolutely incredible place to work if this team was any good, because of how much people love their sports teams here. Three, people do like challenges. ... I see why people would look at it as being difficult, but you're always going to have good people interested in the job for those reasons.
GPT
12:10
Which of the moves made thus far will have the most far reaching effect on future performance?
Jason Mackey
12:11
They've only really made one, right? That said, I think you're saying the GM/manager roles in general. That's a tough one. On one hand, I wanna say GM because he controls who comes in and goes, but I might say manager because I do think this club way underperformed this past season. There's so much more that can be juiced from this group, especially pitching.
Optomist
12:11
Did Travis Williams address anything  with regards to the annually low payroll?
Jason Mackey
12:11
Travis did not. Bob did, though. Here is Bill Brink's story on it: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports//2019/10/28/Bob-Nutting-Pirates-Tr...
Retire21
12:11
How did Bob Nutting go from praising Neal at the announcement to let Hurdle go to firing NH. Who got in his ear in those weeks in between?
Jason Mackey
12:12
It's an interesting question. Have heard people around the industry. Have heard his dad. Have heard managerial candidates. I've also heard that he wanted to make sure he had someone like Travis in place first -- someone to build the front office around. My sense is that it's probably a combination of several of those factors.
Tony
12:12
Do you know if Nutting interviewed or considered anyone else besides Travis Williams?
Jason Mackey
12:13
I do not, but I honestly can't see how he would do better. And keep in mind, much of Travis' role will be dealing with sponsors, politicians, the non-baseball stuff. Getting a "good baseball man" should and did run secondary to having a smart business man who knows people and the market.
Brian
12:13
Jason,
Jason Mackey
12:13
Brian,
Wayward
12:14
We know the Bucs need both SP and RP help along with a potential catching upgrade.  How do they handle other changes?  They either have young position players or guys that it may not be in their best interest to sell low on like Polanco.
Jason Mackey
12:16
Definitely not smart to sell on Polanco. Doubt you even could at this point. Or you'd get a bag of balls. Gotta ride out Polanco and see if he can figure it out here. ... I think you need to identify a catcher who's good at working with pitchers, who's worked in better pitching systems than the Pirates have, who has been around high spin rates, who can frame and do everything defensively and who is durable. You could probably live with mediocre offense if he does all the other stuff, honestly. They need someone to make their pitchers better.
pozone
12:16
Hi Jason, I am thrilled with the housecleaning. Who do you see as affordable players to bring some power to third base and maybe a starter and a reliever? Thanks
Jason Mackey
12:20
I don't see why they would address third base. I'm fine with Moran as a placeholder until Hayes is ready, but they could also shift Gonzalez or Newman there with the other (or even Cole Tucker) at short. To me, it's a redundant move. I'd rather take those dollars and spend them on the bullpen, if possible. Starting pitcher wise, someone like Wade Miley would intrigue me more for intel than his arm; they would have space in their rotation, could probably pick his brain, and I could get him cheap, maybe on a one-year deal. But that's me. I have no intel that's what they're going to do.
Tony
12:20
Do you see the team trading Marte or Bell for pitching?
Jason Mackey
12:20
I do not, honestly.
StuckinNJ
12:20
I know that Nutting says he cares about this team, which is probably true.  But do you think he thinks about his legacy as team owner?  So far, it isn't a pretty picture
Jason Mackey
12:21
I'm not sure. That's a good question, one I'll admit I haven't thought a ton about, either. Nutting is a smart man. Presumably he's proud, too. And yeah, he seems aware that he's not exactly anyone's friend around here.
Chuck
12:21
Jason,   After reading the interview reports from the other day, is there reason for the average fan to have hope that real change is on the way and the organization does have a new commitment?   Or is this all just to get us hopeful and involved again only to have it be same old same old?
Jason Mackey
12:22
I actually came away from Monday's meetings feeling better about their direction. It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Travis Williams. I'm not saying they're going to compete immediately, but I do think he's going to do good things. Yeah, it'll take some time, but I think it's a smart hire. He's going to look at this thing and figure out where they can do things better and put people in place to do 'em. You should trust that this guy knows what the heck he's doing and that he will get them better.
RS
12:23
Thanks for chat! I still don’t trust nutting but he has taken steps to regain this lifelong pirate fan. Impressed with the Williams hire. Are you aware of any other moves such as scouts/player development personnel or will that be addressed by new management? I can’t see how any of them can keep there jobs. Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:23
We are not -- yet. I think they're in the process of that, honestly. And I do expect changes. But I can't give you names at this point. I will say that I texted with Kyle Stark the other day, and he said he's still employed there and awaiting word on his fate.
Jeff
12:29
who are some free agent catchers you would like the org to look at
Jason Mackey
12:29
Just spitballing here, but I wouldn't complain about Manny Pina. Metrics-wise, he's very good. Also Travis d'Arnaud from the Rays, for intel-related reasons and what he could do at the plate.
GPT
12:29
How can the Pirates say they are on the cusp of competing, then follow that by categorically denying that payroll has anything to do with being competitive?  You can compete on a low payroll if you have star prospects (like perhaps Meadows and Glasnow).  The Pirates don't and need to supplement their roster with a free agent or two.
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