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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 11.13.25
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Jason Mackey
12:51
Furthermore, Pablo, the Pirates need their offense to be in the 18-21 range with rankings. Look at the 2013 team: top-five pitching staff, offense around there. That spat out a pretty solid season. If the Pirates spend and spend wisely, they can get to 18-21.
Frustrated
12:51
That 30-40 number going around is embarrassing. A lot of the stories go like "shocking spender" but it's not even anything they haven't done before. Remember when they spent 34 million on Rowdy Tellez, Edward Olivares, Martin Perez, Marco Gonzales, Chapman, etc.? Jason, why do they bother telling agents this stuff and pretending like it's totally different than what'? What do they have to gain from it? Cherington's talk of having more "flexibility" than ever just seems like an outright lie to me unless they fully plan on dumping even more money than they already have. Will they finally sign a hitter to a multi-year?
Jason Mackey
12:54
Don't know, Frustrated. I wasn't told what someone in the org apparently leaked to Rosenthal and Feinsand.

I've said and reported that I expect the Pirates to be about what it was last year, maybe a little more, in the $90 million to $100 million range. From what I've seen, this tracks with that.
Welcome back
12:54
Any reunions on the horizon or possible? Bell for bench role?
Jason Mackey
12:54
Derek?
Jonathan
12:54
Do you think any young Pirates will receive a long-term extension this offseason i.e. Griffin, Chandler, maybe even Cruz, etc.
Jason Mackey
12:55
Griffin is by far the most likely there. Don't know if I see the other two making sense. Too many questions with Cruz. You don't see many pitchers get them because of arm health concerns.
Pablo
12:55
Do you believe Cutch is back in 2026? He’s my favorite Pirate of all time, but I’m not in favor of giving him 400+ at bats at DH next season, as much as it pains me to say.
Jason Mackey
12:57
Tough to handicap, Pablo. Not sure we know. I feel confident saying it's not 100%. I think there's a very logical reason to allocate those plate appearances differently. I think there's also a responsibility to make sure this ends properly ... or as much as possible. Meaning if he's cool with 1 year, $3 million as a part-time DH and this being it, I can see a reunion. If Cutch wants a regular role and won't commit to this being it, then I think they would probably just take it on the chin now and move on.
Please
12:57
Any chance pirates approach konnor griffin for a contract like we've seen with other young players like churio etc..
Jason Mackey
12:57
I think there's a chance, yes. I'm not saying it's likely. But there's at least a chance because it makes a lot of sense for them.
GodHelptheBuccos
12:57
Jason - loved your 2 articles today on Skenes and Davis - great work.  When I look at baseball and look at a team that appears to be improving, I kind of look at if they are on the up they should make about a 5-10 game improvement over the previous season.  If we look at this past year that puts the Pirates at 76-81 wins if we look at 2024 thats 81-86 wins.  For 2026 if the pirates do show an improvement on offense where do you see them?  76-81 or 81-86?
Jason Mackey
12:58
Said this earlier, but if the Pirates have a top-five pitching staff and an offense around 18-21, if they handle fundamentals, one-run games, situational stuff all of that, I could see it being higher than 81 wins, I do. But it has to start with offensive changes.
Bob nutting
12:58
Ready to see and hear a bunch of sell the team during college game day on Saturday?
Jason Mackey
12:58
I'm gonna be there. I expect it to be loud.
Charity game
12:58
Why have they gone away from the charity game where they'd sell swag bags etc. Would rather give money to that than fanatics for times I splurge on memorabilia? Cant remember seeing it for past couple years
Jason Mackey
12:59
I have nothing to do with any of that, I'm sorry. And I have not heard a reason. Shoot, I didn't know it stopped. Appreciate the question. Just not something anyone has reported on either way.
PrinceBob
12:59
As you dealt with the topic of catching, if Henry Davis continues to be the hitter he is, or isn't, should he still be the starter. I remember hearing or reading that the Cardinals believed that Molinda would be an asset even if he only hit .150. I also read late in the season that the Pirates were 37-35 in games Davis was their catcher. That seems a large enough sample size to argue for making him their starter especially if they manage to add a couple of hitters.
Jason Mackey
1:01
Believe Pirates were 39-35 in games Davis caught. And, yeah, I know what you're getting at. It's why people crushed Austin Hedges. Ha. High-level defense, no offense. I think Davis either needs to hit more at his current defensive level or raise his defense to Gold Glove caliber. They'll give him time. He's worth it and deserves it. But sooner or later I think you probably just need to see more offense.
Uniforms
1:01
Can we please get some more red incorporated
Jason Mackey
1:01
And vests. Need a vest option.
Ryan
1:01
Good afternoon Jason it was nice to see Paul Skenes win the CY young what will the starting rotation look like next year i think it will be Him Jones Bubba and ashcraft also when will they start making some free agent Signings LETS GO BUCS
Jason Mackey
1:01
Not expecting anything for a little bit, Ryan. Hope I'm wrong. But probably after Winter Meetings into January.
Pat
1:01
Is trading Reynolds on the table? Expensive, regressing, gotten content with losing.
Jason Mackey
1:02
Seems like that assessment would have teams lining up at the door! No, I don't think it's on the table.
Pitt City What
1:02
Hello. Any updates regarding CBA and caps?
Jason Mackey
1:02
I have not heard anything on that front in the past week. Sorry.
Free agents
1:02
We tend to miss on most for one reason or another. Do you ever hear stories of players wanting to come here but know money just not there ? Think players would want to play with a guy like Paul skenes
Jason Mackey
1:03
No, I haven't. I don't know if that player exists. If someone wants to come here -- again, really don't think that guy exists -- they'll figure out a way.
Pat
1:03
How do you think the back end of the bullpen shakes out? Trading Bednar still stings and now Santana is a rental I believe. Is a guy like Oviedo or Ashcraft gonna be asked to be a bullpen guy and give them leverage innings? Do they add a legit set up guy externally?
Pablo
1:05
Will Griffin be the Pirates starting SS at some point in 2026?
Jason Mackey
1:05
I do think they'll have someone take on a bullpen or swing role. Maybe Burrows. Maybe Harrington. I don't know. But it's a way to extend their pitching depth. Back end, I'm expecting Santana, Mattson, Mlodzinski ... maybe Lawrence, Shugart, Nicolas. Gotta add a lefty.
Yes, Griffin will start games at shortstop at some point in 2026. Feel pretty confident there.
pcos
1:05
Jason.  Oneil Cruz was so bad at the plate and in the field at times last summer.  There were times I preferred to see Suwinksi's name in CF.  Is there hope for Oneil?  He looks like lost dead weight.
Jason Mackey
1:06
I'm not giving up hope. Why should I/we? Others have figured it out at his age. The skills are off the charts. They need to get through to him and get his head anchored.
Benson DuBois
1:06
There is enough vitriol toward Nutting to fill 500 libraries.  He never reacts to it, at least publicly.  Do you think it affects him?
Jason Mackey
1:06
I wonder this, Benson. He's definitely aware. I've talked to him about it. I don't know how it couldn't, but I've never heard or seen it actually wearing on him.
John Rambo
1:07
"They need someone with leadership qualities among position players. Miles on the tires, so to speak"
Jason Mackey
1:07
Yes, I typed that. Your point?
Benson DuBois
1:07
Will the Pirates have a hard time trading Keller?  At 3 years/$54MM left on his deal, other teams could buy a free agent arm without giving up another asset.
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