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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 11.11.20
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Jason Mackey
12:34
Nothing has been established. Believe it will be more than five, but there's nothing more substantive than that, to my knowledge.
wvpirate
12:34
How do you feel about the expanded playoffs? I felt it was too long. I wasn't interested until the last 4 teams played. In a 162 game schedule. I only want to see the best teams play.
Jason Mackey
12:36
I don't love it. I can also see why limiting it to four per league isn't going to have for competitive and financial reasons. I'm not a huge fan of one- or three-game matchups; maybe it's the hockey writer in me, but I wish everything was seven. ... I could see top four in each league make it and they play seven. ... Or maybe I'd have to be OK with less than seven if they expanded. Just not to 16 again. Too watered down.
Scott
12:37
I didn't think Burdi had enough active days to shed his Rule 5 designation, so why wasn't he offered back to the Twins after clearing waivers?
Jason Mackey
12:37
He did have enough active days to shed his Rule 5 designation.
Ricky
12:37
Any word if the pirates are showing interest in Yasiel puig? He would be a massive upgrade in the outfield. Also he would be a guy good for the clubhouse and would bring some fans to the games
Jason Mackey
12:37
No doubt. That sort of signing is long overdue. Maybe once they erect the statue of him outside PNC Park, they can finalize the contract.
Ricky
12:38
is Archer getting any interest from teams at the moment?
Jason Mackey
12:38
Have not heard of any. Doesn't mean it hasn't happen, but nothing has trickled out publicly.
Pirates fan
12:38
who do you see closing next year? Any chance Kela is back? How do you feel about Cederlind?
Jason Mackey
12:39
I actually think the Pirates are going to use more of a committee next year. Asked Shelton this when we talked. I don't think Kela will be back. I like Cederlind a lot, but I think they worry whether it might be too much, too soon for the young man. Maybe his performance changes that, but right now, I expect them to rotate the job.
Scott
12:40
It's quite simple, the fact that Snell was "dealing" has no effect on his future performance--studies and data show that. The future is uncertain, so the only logical path is doing what the data suggests, even if the outcome is 50.1/49.9. No such thing as a crystal ball, so make a rationale decision based on data, not "gut". Cash has said in the past if he's making a decision based no his gut, he isn't prepared, and he's 100% correct. I'd rather someone have a reason for their decision than just saying "my gut said so". Can't back up that decision, thus it's a bad one.
Jason Mackey
12:43
Thanks, Scott. I appreciate your thoughts on it. I disagree with your premise -- future is uncertain, etc. Yes, the future is always uncertain. With anything. It's a measure of predictors, right? With the stuff Snell had, the success that he had with it, it was a greater predictor of success than if it would have lacked break or control and he would have been hit hard. So, while that doesn't guarantee future success, it does increase the probability of it. Enough where I would have been comfortable leaving him in. I don't think it's a "bad" decision by Cash. But when I say using eyes and feel, it's more taking into account how your stuff feels that day. To my knowledge, there's no way of quantifying someone feeling comfortable or in a groove. Thus, I'm uneasy on making decisions solely based on that or numbers. Mix 'em.
Danny
12:43
Could Musgrove realistically land an Alek Manoah or Gabriel Moreno plus another top 10-15 prospect in a potential Blue Jays trade?
Jason Mackey
12:45
Depends on how bad the Blue Jays feel like they might need or want Musgrove. Middle-of-next-season if they have injuries? Yeah, I could see it. Now? Seems like a bit of a stretch.
Pirates fan
12:47
Pirates should sign Jonathan Villar and trade Frazier
Jason Mackey
12:48
I don't have anything against the concept. Was a 3.9 bWAR player in 2019. Only issue for me would be the contract. He made $8.2 million last season. Is he going to accept something the Pirates are willing to pay? I'm not sure those lines intersect.
Wilbur Wood
12:49
Jamie Moyer! I could not think of his last name. Okay, to another well discussed topic mostly related to Josh Bell and Gregory Polanco. As both of them came through the system we heard about how good they were going to be once they got settled into the majors. But so far, aside from some flashes of brilliance, and in Bell's case a really brilliant flash, neither of them has lived up to their billing and neither are exactly new to the majors. I'd bet that if either one had not gotten a big bonus and in Polanco's case a big contract, both would be gone or almost gone. So generally how does a team decide that a star prospect is a washout and in the Pirates' case will that prospect always play rather than moving on and eating salary?
Jason Mackey
12:51
I don't think there's a hard-and-fast rule here. Obviously contract is one thing, but not the only input. Also, how much is left untapped? Has it come close to coming out? What's the character like? I think if neither Bell nor Polanco had shown signs they were no longer financially invested -- meaning not re-signing them would be, essentially, free -- then they'd cut ties. That's not this. They have shown signs, and the Pirates are on the hook to pay Polanco, at least for another year.
The Eman
12:51
You mentioned recently one of your regrets was not being around for baseball in the 50’s and 60’s. The best sports story were close pennant races with an 8 team National and American leagues. As a lifetime Pittsburgher, my greatest sports thrill was the 1960 World Series - as a younger dude, what’s yours?
Jason Mackey
12:53
Probably the 2013 NL Wild Card game. Have just, honestly, never seen anything like that. Close second would be watching Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup final with my dad and stepmom at a Glory Days in Centreville, Va.
Patricia
12:53
Hi, Jason--any new word on Oneil Cruz's legal situation? I know he's currently playing in the Dominican fall league (and doing well).
Jason Mackey
12:55
Not a ton, honestly. Pirates have no evidence of alcohol being involved. We're awaiting trial. Here's some background that I gave in this space last week: He will have a hearing, and to my knowledge, we don't know when that is. It might be quick, too. It's weird. When that first broke, a press release came out from the Dominican government saying alcohol was involved. However, there was no subsequent documentation of a breathalyzer, nothing mentioned when he was arraigned, and the Attorney General's office basically backpedaled on the whole thing. It's a heck of an accusation to make from a government entity without any sort of proof or substantiation. But anyway, yeah, he's playing winter ball. And seems like, unless something magical as it relates to alcohol suddenly pops up, Cruz should be in spring training 2021.
Jason
12:55
Baseball America reported the draft should be between 20 and 30 rounds:
Jason Mackey
12:56
Thanks, Jason. They're the best with this stuff. Actually just subscribed (print + digital) and could not be happier. They do a great job.
Scott
1:00
He needed 34, and was only active for 13 before hitting the IL.
Jason Mackey
1:01
Need a little more time and don't wanna hold up the train. Shoot me an email at jmackey@post-gazette.com. We'll go over it together.
Cole T
1:03
Jason, do you ever envision me hitting enough to be an every day player? The accumulating evidence would seem to say unlikely.
Jason Mackey
1:03
Fair, fair, Cole, but don't lose faith. I actually think you will be able to do that. I don't see you as a 30-homer guy, but I do think you can be an every-day player. I think we might see that in 2021, provided you get the right opportunity.
Josh B
1:03
Jason, it’s time to pull the plug on my defense, no? Sad to say, but it’s just not going to happen. But I could give ILB a shot with that other team in town....
Jason Mackey
1:04
The tough thing with Bell is, yeah, the defense has been an issue, but so has his offense while DH'ing. I think I'd rather live with the defensive limitations and hopefully have him produce at the plate.
Eastside
1:05
Jason, What was the Pirates payroll the last three years?  Has it tracked downward from 2018 to 2020?  Is it because they are trying to make up for still having to pay Hurdle and Huntington?
Jason Mackey
1:09
They were supposed to be at around $54.3 million before COVID. In 2019, they were around $54.6 million, way down from $87.9 million. So, yes, a definitive downward trend. And, no, it's not because they're having to account for those contracts, although they are. It's more because of where they're at. I think they're trying to build from the ground up and view one or two free agents as pieces that aren't necessarily going to move the needle enough to get them into the playoffs or something like that.
Neal H
1:09
Hey Jason, hope all is well in the ‘burgh. Just wanted to remind your chatters that yours truly drafted that Mason kid. That’s all I had to say. Thanks.
Jason Mackey
1:09
You also drafted Walker Buehler, Neal. You did a lot of good things. But I don't think anyone who watched the Pirates coming out of 2015 could argue that a change at the top wasn't needed. But, yeah, I don't think you get enough credit for what you did before that.
Drew VonScio
1:09
You mentioned that the Pirates might trade Joe Musgrove this offseason. How do you see the other spots in the rotation being split up? Taillon and Keller are guarantees, but then you also have Williams, Brault, Brubaker, Kuhl, Ponce, and possibly free agents that could be signed.
Jason Mackey
1:11
Yeah, I wrote today that I think they might entertain going with more than five because of year-over-year innings jumps. I think you'll see Brault, Brubaker and Kuhl in there. They're sign 1-2. Ponce maybe later in the year, after he shows something in the minors. Might be a stretch to have him in the opening day rotation. Not sure I see them giving a spot to Williams based on how things have gone.
Feature man
1:11
I know ownership has a say in this, but I can’t help but notice the pirates may be building something special here very similar to what the Cubs did. Putting guys in the right position to better the franchise all around. The farm system seems to be getting better and better. So tell me, do you think fans should be buying into this future and really trust this management team?
Jason Mackey
1:13
I would do both if I was a fan. I would look at Cherington and what he's done and say, "Cool, OK. I'll follow some." Pay attention to the prospects. See how they develop. Watch it come together. If you feel compelled, spend money. I do think in a couple years they could be pretty good. I also think in a couple years, when necessary, they'll spend. And if Nutting doesn't support that, by all means, lose your minds. I get that. I also get being mad now. But ownership's spending habits aren't Ben's fault. He's made a bunch of pretty smart moves and hires since he's  arrived here. We also knew this would take time. This is that process taking time.
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