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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 11.02.23
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Ron Burgundy
12:36
What free agent pitchers are realistic options? And who, if anyone, do you think they actually sign?
Jason Mackey
12:38
We've been going through this a bunch, and my realistic options list generally looks like this: Flaherty, Gibson, Giolito, Severino, Montas ... have also seen Heaney and Miley listed as fits. Honestly, MLB.com lists 55 on its site right now as the top WAR-based targets. At least 30 would make sense. It's a wide net.
Ron Burgundy
12:38
What level do you think Skenes starts at next season?
Jason Mackey
12:38
I'll go Triple-A.
Carlos
12:38
Jason, think I’ll be back in the ‘burgh? Also, Evil Ways, Black Magic Woman or Oye Como Va, assuming you had to choose?
Jason Mackey
12:39
I'm gonna go with no. Saw the Athletic projecting a $7.5 M salary. I don't think the Pirates will/need to pay that, if that is indeed the market.
Oh, and Oye Como Va.
Johnny M
12:39
I still don't know what they should do with Andujar. They DFA’d him and nobody picked him up, either. Who knows what we have with him. Batting only .250, he had a .476 SLG% & which inflated his 108 OPS+ (.776 OPS) Is he trade bait to help get a SP or keep him if Santana doesn't return here.
Jason Mackey
12:40
Nobody picked him up because he was awful and costs ~ $1.5 million. But I get your point. They would have to tender him a contract before we can start talking about trade bait. I don't see any of that as a realistic end point, honestly.
BVA123
12:40
Jason, hope all is well with you. I know we are 12 hours off of the WS finishing but curious to ask, 1. What are you hearing on the Pirates plans this offseason? I'm assuming that the Buccos won't be trading guys unless they are prospects so that we can get a much better player back. 2. Is Cutch a presumed lock to coming back this year?
Jason Mackey
12:42
If you could be a little more specific with the offseason question, that would help. I've answered quite a bit about scope, spending, direction, etc. Is that what you're wondering? You're right on the second point. Can't imagine we see any significant trades. Should be the inverse of Bell/Jamo/Musgrove or just standing pat. ... Yes, I would be stunned if he's not back. I have yet to speak with anyone who doubts it.
Mitch
12:42
Jason, was the stress of contract negotiations the reason I had a few bad weeks sprinkled in mid summer?
Jason Mackey
12:43
Not sure, Mitch. Maybe. Although you snapped out of it by pitching differently. Not sure the contract had anything to do with that. I think you got a little sweeper-obsessed, and it took you away from the sinker/cutter-heavy attack plan that worked previously.
Piratesfan
12:43
what does a new Mitch Keller contract look like 5 years at 40 mil?
Jason Mackey
12:44
I think the Pirates would sign that in a heartbeat. Five years would make sense, but I would think the dollars start at $55-$60 million. But $40 million over five would be a damn bargain.
Bob Veale
12:44
Same old, same old for the offseason? Can we realistically expect anything more than we’ve done in prior offseason? Or is this the off season where we either package a prospect or two (hopefully not the wrong ones, lol) for a firstbaseman or good SP or sign a quality FA? Or both?
have you noted that, of all the cellar
Jason Mackey
12:44
Nope, I think everything that has happened before is automatically bound to happen again. Is there another way of looking at the world? Can't be.
12:45
Yes, I think this offseason will be a little different. I'm not in a hurry to trade prospects for a proven major leaguer. I get asked that a lot, and maybe there's a deal where that makes sense. But I'd rather keep the young talent and try to develop it better.
DanN
12:46
is Jack Suwinski a lock in cf next year or do they chase Bader or someone that is strong defensively
Jason Mackey
12:46
I think Jack is a lock in one of the three OF spots. McKenry is adamant that they should get Kevin Kiermaier, which would certainly be interesting. I think Bader would be similar. Wouldn't hate either, honestly. But Jack is gonna play, and I think they need to be careful of where/how they spend money. Would rather have pitching.
Kenny P
12:47
Jason, if the Pirates are actually relevant in 2024, will I get a brief reprieve from being the main topic in this two incline town?
Jason Mackey
12:47
I hope so. Such a good baseball town. But the football obsession this time of year is nuts. Would be cool to see the Pirates change that conversation; even staying competitive into September would be nice.
Bob Veale
12:48
(Hit the Return Key by accident). Have you noted that, of the 2021 Cellar Dwellers, only the Pirates and Nationals failed to make the 2023 playoffs? Which of these two teams will make the playoffs first? My money is on the Nationals, because they seem to have no trouble spending.
Jason Mackey
12:48
Have noted it, Bob. Thank you. I'm going with the Pirates, however. I think their major league pieces are closer, and I also think the Nats are a bit of a mess right now.
Tom
12:48
What chatter are you hearing regarding who the Bucs are interested in for free agency and/or trades?
Jason Mackey
12:49
Hey Tom. Not much out there, to be honest. Lotta baseball folks are spending time with family, watching the postseason, making a trip to the AFL or whatever. There's been offseason planning, sure. But it's not like there's a bunch of stuff going around where teams are formulating grand plans. In time.
Johnny M
12:49
Do you know if any Pirate is playing Winter Ball yet? Henry Davis i/e needs as much practice as possible if they leave him out in RF.  All that arm is wasted if he can't catch the ball.
Jason Mackey
12:50
It's a fairly fluid thing, but I do not expect Davis to go there. He's been at Driveline. I would argue that he needs more practice and outside-of-game reps than he does playing winter ball.
J hay’s Dancing Shoes
12:50
Why are you answering questions for Yankee fan George Costanza? Have you no shame? :) :) :)
Jason Mackey
12:51
I'll answer questions for Seinfeld characters all day long.
Kegger
12:51
Have the Pirates thought about adding the third man to the broadcasts?  Really enjoy all the voices and want more.
Jason Mackey
12:52
It's an interesting thought. I'll say this about the NESN/MLB discussions: A lot has been kicked around. I ultimately don't think that's where things will land -- part of their setup is because of various schedule restrictions -- but I can see why it would make some sense, too.
Ryan
12:52
Jason what position do we go after in free agency and who do you think we will go after
Jason Mackey
12:53
I think pitching is the most likely spot. Lot of targets. My picks would be something like: Flaherty, Gibson, Heaney, Miley, Severino, Giolito, Montas.
Dave
12:53
This is probably not a big deal, but on the strong assumption that Cutch is a foregone conclusion, could you see the Pirates getting it done quickly? I.e., knock it out to start the offseason and signal to fans that there's no uncertainty there, and perhaps more to come in terms of aggression on the free agency market or in trades, however it shakes out. I guess there's just a part of me that doesn't want to see them wait around at all and create any ambiguity.
Jason Mackey
12:53
Yes.
12:54
Ha. Just being goofy, but yeah, would not shock me if they got this done early on. There's a desire on both sides. I just think it requires talking more in-depth about big picture, what becomes of this, role, etc.
Wayward
12:54
Jason, Is the next milestone so to speak the 40 man roster.  Anything you are watching there?
Jason Mackey
12:56
I think you might mean deadline? Yeah, within the next five days, they need to bring guys off the 60-day injured list back onto the 40-man. Can't imagine they pick up Garcia's option. Vince and Cutch are officially free agents. That leaves Perdomo, Brubaker, Marcano and Cruz, I believe. Should not be terribly difficult to clear space.
Tony Womack
12:56
The Pirates "prized" off season signing will be...
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